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Low clouds near Arthur's Pass

Kia Ora.  You might consider us like oldies, but we are going to kick off our jandals, throw on our jumpers, grab our not-so-much-anymore anklebiter, and show you a really great time (as we would our cuz) through the wop-wops of Aotearoa.  We’ll even let you use our loo and serve you up some pav and a cuppa when you arrive.  Sweet As!

Study up on a wee bit of Kiwi slang, safe travels, and see ya soon mates.
-m&m&j&t : )

Anklebiter - toddler, small child


Aotearoa - Maori name for New Zealand meaning land of the long white cloud


Chips - deep fried slices of potato but much thicker than a French fry


Cuppa - cup of tea, as in cuppa tea


Cuz - cousin, family


G'day - universal kiwi greeting, also spelled gidday


Good on ya, mate! - congratulations, well done, proud of someone


Good as gold - feeling good, not a problem, yes
 


Jandal - thongs, sandals,flip-flops

Jumper - sweater, jersey


Kia Ora – Maori general informal greeting of hello

L&P - Fizzy soda water


Lift - elevator


Lolly - candy


Loo - bathroom, toilet


Mate - friend

Oldies - parents


Pav - pavlova, dessert usually topped with kiwifruit and cream


Rattle your dags - hurry up, get moving

Ring - to telephone somebody, as in "I'll give you a ring"


Rubbish - garbage, trash


Serviette - paper napkin


Ta - thanks


Take-aways - food to be taken away and eaten, fast food outlet
 

Togs - swimsuit, bathing costume 


Wop-wops - situated off the beaten track, out of the way location


You know you are in New Zealand...

All Blacks and Weet-Bix

Flat Whites

Flax

L&P - World Famous in New Zealand

Raisin Bran

Just to name a few...
- Meryl

Poi-E, A Kiwi Classic

In New Zealand, the Maori culture is deeply integrated within the Kiwi culture.  Throughout New Zealand, you will find both English and Maori signs, and even the government run television here has a dedicated station just for Maori programming.  While there have been struggles between the Pakeha (non-Maori) and Maori (just as in the United States between whites and both Native Americans and African Americans), and the Maori struggle to help their youth retain their culture, the Kiwis seem to have done a decent job of trying to be inclusive and promote the Maori culture throughout the country.

Poi-E is a classic Kiwi song that became a hit in the early 1980s. What is significant about this song, is that it is viewed as part of what helped kick start renewed interest for the Maori youth in their roots. Poi balls were originally used by men and women alike to strengthen wrist muscles for battle.  Today they are used by girls and women in traditional Maori performance dances.
-Meryl

WIS 4905 Course Schedule (Tentative)

The course schedule is tentatively set!  You can share this with friends and family so they will have a rough idea of what you will be doing and they can check in with the blog every few days (if not daily) to see the details of our adventures:

June 30            Students leave Florida

July 2, Mon    Students arrive in Christchurch, orientation, rest and casual trip around Canterbury  and the Port Hills (sign of the kiwi)

July 3, Tues    Low ropes in the morning; afternoon orientation, first powerpoint on conserving biodiversity (Mark Hostetler), group discussion,

July 4, Wed     Morning (8:30 am), Dr. Colin Meurk gives talk about Canterbury Natural History and common and uncommon NZ flora, mid morning to afternoon - field identification of common and uncommon NZ flora at Riccarton Bush, explore the Christchurch rebuild and Central Business District

July 5, Thur    restoration with Banks Peninsula Trust, afternoon hike to lookout point in the Port Hills

July 6, Fri       Morning (9:00 am) meet Craig Pauling presentation on Ngai Tahu involvement with biodiversity conservation; late morning afternoon trip to Travis Wetland (with Colin?) perform first transect bird count

July 7, Sat       Riccarton Bush Farmer’s market, Sumner Beach and cave rock

July 8,  Sun      morning free time, afternoon meet (2:00 pm) Sue Jarvis at Mahoe reserve and participate in restoration project;

July 9,  Mon    Morning presentation by Dr. Hostetler (design, construction, post-construction for biodiverse developments); late morning- afternoon trip to Pegasus Development, group discussion about green developments, course journal

July 10, Tues  Trip to Arthur’s Pass and Greymouth (stop for keas and walk to waterfalls), stay in Greymouth at Revinston Hotel

July 11, Wed   See pancake rocks in morning?, Croesus track hike and stay overnight at Cess Clark Hut

July 12, Thur  Walk the rest of the Croesus track, check into Ashley hotel, see pancake rocks and see glow worms in cave at night

July 13, Fri      Trip back to Christchurch through Lewis Pass (stop and hike in Goblin forest), count tomtits along road through pass

July 14, Sat     Free day

July 15, Sun    Trip to Quail island with Quail Island Restoration www.quailisland.org.nz

July 16, Mon  Mid- morning Solutions for creating a sustainable culture – Dr. Will Allen; Dr. Dean Anderson gives talk about controlling mammals (late morning), group discussion afternoon visit green development in Lincoln along the Liffey; meet with Ngai Tahu development representative David Schwartfeger

July 17, Tues Trip to Hinewai Reserve, go to Akaroa, stay at Hinewai Lodge

July 18, Wed   Long hike in reserve, stay at Hinewai Lodge

July 19, Thur  Go on rim/crater drive, stop at Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum, stop at Totara tree in Montgomery Park, Birdling Flat

                                

July 20-22,      Fri-Sun Free time (opportunity for skiing)

                       

July 23, Mon  Colin presentation on restoration ecology, mid-morning to late afternoon trip to Waipara valley and wineries and biodiversity conservation; meet local representative Darryl on the Waipara Greening Project, course journal discussion in afternoon

                         

July 24, Tues  Leave for Kaikoura, fur seal colony, stay at Takahanga Marae and learn about Maori culture

                       

July 25, Wed   Morning option, whale watch. Others do walk the cliff top walk and learn about the sheerwater conservation from Jodie Denton          

July 26, Thur  morning – free time; afternoon, group discussion about development and biodiversity conservation, course journal development

July 27, Fri     Washpen Falls Hike

July 28, Sat     Riccarton Bush market (Christchurch), cricket?

July 29, Sun    mid morning, Graeme’s farm to explore a sustainable kiwi home, afternoon cricket match

July 30, Mon  late morning, Botanical Garden Meurky walk, Canterbury museum,

July 31, Tues  Meet and talk with Bank Peninsula Landowner Pam Richardson and how farming and conservation can work

Aug 1, Wed     morning – group discussion, course journal reflections; afternoon Students choice

Aug 2, Thur    White-flippered penguins (morning); Dinner and tour of Willow Bank Preserve

Aug 3, Fri        Free time during the day (finish course journal), last dinner get together at the Famous Grouse Restaurant (fun slide show), Course journal due

Aug 4, Sat       Depart for Florida!

Snow in Canterbury Plains - Reminder to Bring Layers!

So, just a reminder to check the packing list, bring layers, and be prepared for all types of weather including snow!  The South Island got a big snowstorm yesterday and our friends there have been home from work and school and out sledding and building snowmen.  We have had some classes there were we don't see any snow, and others, like last year, where there was quite a bit.  We never know until we get there, so please, bring layers! (Did we mention, check the pack list and bring layers?!) - Meryl ; )