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Bra Fences

by DSwede

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Bra Fences
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Most Viewed Local Customs in New Zealand

101.

Useful Tips.......Emergency number Christchurch

7 Reviews The New Zealand dollar has depreciated in value over the last few years. It now lies around $1NZ=$0.49US good for all of you wanting to travel to NZ but bad for us kiwi's!! The notes were changed...

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102.

Local People Christchurch

9 Reviews This old english method of having a bloke yelling the news pre newspaper days was trialled a few years ago as a tourism stunt - and it stuck. The Town Crier of Christchurch screams a few items of...

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103.

Maori Christchurch

3 Reviews When you are entering into Maori cultural exhibits, the visitors must be invited in to join the community before entering. Your group must select a chief or king for the group, and then that leader...

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104.

Driving Christchurch

2 Reviews When you drive along the Summit Road please thank all the idiots of Christchurch for being able to park on such nice carparks along the road. Those carparks have been altered attractively because car...

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105.

Climate Christchurch

3 Reviews The South Island is cooler than the North Island by a few degrees but on the whole NZ is known for its clean air. Average temps in winter (July) 1C – 12C Average temps in summer (January) 12C –...

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106.

Wizard Christchurch

3 Reviews Speaking to the masses, though not so often these days, is the Christchurch Wizard aka Ian Brackenbury Channell. He has actually been deemed a "living work of art" and has been doing his thing in...

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

KIWI MUSIC

by kiwigal_1

I think some of you may have heard of Crowded House, a kiwi band from the 80's or perhaps Neil Finn, and his brother Tim who started the band. I thought, though, that there are probably many people out there who have never heard about other cool bands. Some of them have been around for a while and some are just emerging but here are a few links the websites of the kiwi musicians that rock! ENJOY! The FeelersBrooke FraserBic RungaArdijahDave DobbynShihadStellarStrawpeopleMutton BirdsK LeeEtc etc etc.... there are so many more!

Regional Rivalry.

by kiwi

Like most countries, you will possibly experience regional rivalry in New Zealand. This is at it's worst during the rugby season and especially if there is a game on. The regions vie for the ownership of the coveted "Ranfurly Shield", an old rugby trophy. Sometimes you may see posters announcing that you are entering "Ranfurly Shield" country, indicating the present holder of the shield. Of course this claim moves around the country when the Shield is won by another region.Here in the photo you see that rivalry being taken to a further level, by being an advertisement for beer.The underlying origins from this are with the so-called dislike of Aucklanders by the Waikato region. I'm an Aucklander living in Waikato, so it's dear to my heart. I don't like it LOL!But Aucklanders need to drive through Waikato to get to the rest of NZ and often they are the cause of accidents or congestion on...

Check, please...

by MTrav

Most restaraunts in New Zealand seemed to follow the custom of paying at the register when you are ready to leave. Although wait-staff were happy to bring me a check if I asked for it, I dont think this is a common practice.

A toilet is a toilet.

by kiwi

I know with Americans especially, some cultures don't feel comfortable using the word "toilet". Well here in New Zealand, a toilet is a toilet. You see the word in brochures, on signs, and on the toilet door.We get confused with the American term 'bathroom' to describe the toilet. So down here, expect to view this word quite frequently.

No tipping--usually

by Loosechicken

Tipping is generally not practiced in NZ. If you are at a nice restaurant and really want to show appreciation for good service, then go ahead and tip 10-15 percent--but not doing so, will not incur any waiter's wrath. This may seem very awkward for some travelers, but really, Kiwis won't be offended if you don't tip--they have great labor laws and the service is included in the price of the food. Often, there are tip jars to throw some extra coins in.

All About Kiwis

by wkcsmt

The Kiwi occurs only in New Zealand and is the national bird. It is the sole survivor of an ancient order of birds including the now extinct moas. Because it is a semi-nocturnal, secretive bird, you'll hardly see it in the wild.This is a postcard that I'd kept for years... some interesting facts...

The Wooly

by wkcsmt

It's she adorable? This is one of the most populated "resident" of New Zealand - about 45 million. It's believed that they well above the population of real resident (the human beings of course - 4 million!!) in the country... That's why when people mention New Zealand, most of us will think SHEEP!

The Superette

by keeweechic

The superette was also a name given to a type of ‘dairy’ store and maybe sold a little more in the grocery lines. Despite name changes like ‘the Deli’ to some, you will still see plenty of superettes around. Although business may not be as good as it used to be with the longer opening of the bigger supermarkets, these little stores are always convenient for the one small item you may run out of, or just simply to park outside and run into.

The Dairy

by keeweechic

‘The Dairy’ is not your milking plant down the road, it’s the corner convenience store. It is a mixed little business in the suburbs selling all the basic grocery and toiletries needs along with the newspapers, milk, bread, magazines, ice creams and other goodies. In their early days they were run by unregulated family labour. At that time they were the only stores that were allowed to operate 365 days of the year.

The Maori

by martin_nl

The Maori call New Zealand Aotearoa, which means "Land of the Long White Cloud". They say it was discovered by Kupe about 800 AD. You would think the Maori were the first people to inhabit NZ, but it is belived that the Lapita were here first, it is not entirely certain where they came from. Did they already live in NZ or did they come from other regions in the Pacific? But the favoured theory is that the Moriori were the first people in NZ. These were a Melanesian people and this theory is still being taught to NZ school kids.But the Maori are stil in New Zealand and have been through many wars, not only since the arrival of the first Europeans, but also among different Maori tribes. The plan was to end all of this with the Treaty of Waitangi, a controversial document. This because the words translated from english into Maori, meant something different in both languages. So Maori's...

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Reviews and photos of New Zealand attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for New Zealand sightseeing.

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Questions and Answers

Q: Last time in NSW/Australia it was quite easy to find good parking-places for my small motorhome, partly INside the villages, but...

A: With "official parkinglots" I mean rest-area along highways and other roads, such "Rest and revive-places" that are announced along the bigger roads ! I also saw some of...

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