June 1989

Volume I, Number 4

Published quarterly by Eva & John Trapani

copyright 1989 Eva & John Trapani

TALL SHIP VOYAGES

Have you ever dreamed of sailing away in one of the magnificent classic wooden tall ships, square sails filled with wind as you make your way for an exotic island? Doesn't the mere thought fire your imagination?

Now you can sign on as a voyage crew member aboard one of the Tall Ships of the First Fleet in the waters off New Zealand. You will have to be healthy and physically active for these adventures but how much you participate as a "trainee crew member" is up to you. You might like to take your turn at the wheel, keeplookout from the crows nest, help the cook, or go aloft in the rigging with the crew and furl the sails. When the voyage is over you will find yourself with new life-long friendships made during this fantastic trip.

The "Anna Kristina" is a beautiful. 110-foot Norwegian topsail ketch which sails through the fjords of South Island for sightseeing along the remote and spectacular coast. Wildlife to be seen are seals, whales, and many varieties of sea birds. The 12- day adventure includes a visit by bus to Queenstown and a 3-day Greenstone Valley Walk.

The "Soren Larsen" is a traditional wooden brigantine built in Denmark in 1949, and is the swiftest in the fleet. This ship sails along the North Is land for 5 days between Auckland and the Bay of Islands, making stops to visit small towns, and for diving, snorkeling, and fishing among the many islands along the route.

Other voyages offered are to and from Australia, to Tahiti, the Society Islands, Samoa, and other South Pacific islands, as well as a special subantartic island adventure.

For information and bookings, contact:

Adventure Center, 5540 college Ave.,

Oakland, CA 94618 (tel. 800—227— 8747 USA; 800—228—8747 in Calif.).

East Coast Outlet Adventure Center,

94 Sherman St., Cambridge MA 02140 (tel.617—868—3605).

In Canada, Westcan Treks,

10918 - 88 Ave. Edmonton, Alta T6G OZ1

(tel. 1—800—661—7265.)

PACIFIC EXPLORATION, COMPANY

New Zealand WALKABOUT tour programs are designed for active travelers who enjoy nature, hiking, and the outdoors. Tour parties on hiking and field excursions are accompanied by capable local guides and, throughout New Zealand, by professional tour escorts. Groups are small and informal, and lots of free time is allowed to pursue personal interests.

Itineraries feature a variety of hiking and camping safaris, island visits, and lodge and hotel stays in scenic national parks. Trip extensions to Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, Rarotonga, and Hawaii can be arranged.

Individual travelers are offered creatively designed tours that cover their particular needs and interests, including farm stays, Bay of Islands tour, Maori culture, trout fishing, city sightseeing, and more. Travel can be arranged by air, bus, train, rental car.

For more information address:

Pacific Exploration Co., Box 3042,

Santa Barbara CA 93130. Or make a

collect call to (805) 687—7282.

VENTURETREKS, NEW ZEALAND

VENTURETREKS offers a broad spectrum travel experiences, ranging from leisurely, requiring very little exertion - - all the way to hard mountain climbing suitable only for the tough, fit and experienced. Some of the adventures offered are the tall ship sailings just described, cycling trips, canoeing, wilderness walking, rafting, and others.

There is a 40-page brochure describing these adventures available from NZTP or VENTURETREKS, P.O. Box 37610, Parnell, Auckland, NZ — tel. (9)799—855.

N.Z. BED & BREAKFAST BOOK

I now have the New Zealand Bed and Breakfast Book from Moonshine Press, Wellington, and am delighted with it. Colorful information is written by each of the 280 hosts listed for home and farm stays. Some accommodations are self—contained and meals with the family are optional. Many have facilities for campervans. It's no longer necessary to order the book from wellington. You may send a check for $8.95 which includes postage

Bonnie Hamilton

Moonshine Press

25422 Burntwood

Laguna Niguel CA 92677

SOUTH ISLAND NATURE SPECIAL

We have discovered a truly unique amphibious expedition around South Island, with itinerary designed to include the most unspoilt, majestic and stunning wilderness areas of New Zealand. The adventure takes ten days, exploring marine life, forests, mountain ranges and fiords, using stretched-wheelbase Land Rover and 21- foot rigid-hull inflatable rescue craft.

Home base will be a gracious 80- year—old two-story home in Kaikoura, with delicious home-cooked meals served.

If you're inquisitive, love nature, and want a superb adventure, this trip will be for you.

Cost: $1700 (not including airfare to NZ)

Dates: November 11—21, 1989

Call toll—free: 800—548—7555 (in

Calif. 707—839—0178 or 415—527—9622).

Or write to: Biological Journeys,

1876 Ocean Dr., McKinleyville CA

95521.

GUIDEBOOK TO N.Z. BY MOTORHOME

In New Zealand where lush forests, breathtaking beaches, interesting cities, endless recreational opportunities, and friendly people abound, traveling by motorhome is an ideal way to go. In an informal guide, husband-and-wife team David Shore and Patty Campbell tell travelers how to acquire, maneuver, and enjoy a motorhome when traversing Kiwi- land.

Beginning with the preliminary stages of how and when to get there, what type of motorhome to choose, and a general overview of motorhome travel, Shore and Campbell detail a sample tour. They, list contacts for some two hundred mbtorhome camps, briefly describe the country's geography and history, and offer an ample supply of translations for the sometimes inscrutable Kiwi dialect. Patty Campbell also offers recipes for dishes with local foods such as lamb chops, fish, and beefsteaks.

The authors round out the guide with helpful hints on mailing letters, making phone calls, and handling the roads of "En Zed" (N.Z.) and include a suggested first-trip itinerary. Anecdotes, observations about attractions, and reflective passages enliven the New Zealand by Motorhome experi- ence. The book, at $11.95, is in bookstores now.

AIR SAFETY

Diane Anderson, Public Affairs Manager, has informed us that Air New Zealand operates the most modern fleet of 747's to the South Pacific, with the average age of their total fleet (including 767's and 737's) being only five years/6 months old. They will also take delivery of three long-range 747-400's between 1989 and 1992.

DOWN COUNTRY

Visitors to New Zealand looking for something different will find plenty of reason to stop off in the Matamata region of the Waikato. The township, south of Auckland on the way to Rotorua, has an excellent Public Relations Office and is the home of the country's thoroughbred horse racing industry. Matamata also features dairy farms and deer, goat and sheep farms which welcome visitors. Matamata is a thriving horticultural center as well.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

We are enjoying your KIWIphile FILE very much. It takes a lot of effort to get out this kind of a publication and you are doing great. Particularly appreciate the reduced type. You can include so much more information.

I was interested in Betty Wise's comment in re a styrofoam box, or as our down under friends say, a chili bin. We found these frightfully ex- pensive a couple of years ago and instead we asked the local grocer for a small apple box. We had brought 2 plastic ice cube trays from Pic and Say which we ultimately gave our host family in Papatoetoe.

We had an unbreakable stainless steel vacuum pot & lots of plastic bags for the ice trays. We purchased dry soups as we found a cup of soup better than coffee while driving about.

Every motel gives one bottle of milk for your tea. Along with dry cereal, fruits and veggies, lunches were taken care of and sometimes even dinner.

The apple box fit into a canvas carry-on, 19x13x8 1/4, and so was packed from one island to the next on the plane.

This was our 3rd trip to NZ and we spent a month driving about the 2 islands. I had a 24" suitcase and the canvas carry—on. The thermos was packed with all my spillables and there was a hair dryer, curling iron, adapter and the 2 plastic trays in the luggage plus my clothes for the month.

I got awfully tired of wearing the same things but did save my "good" suit for our evening meals out. Made me feel more dressy.

We are planning to go again sometime this year or early next, and your little newspaper will help us with our planning.

Gerry Hubbard, La Canada CA

Last August, at my request, you passed on a lot of information about NZ and gave me 3 tour companies to contact, which I did.

After looking them over carefully, my friend and I selected Sunbeam and contact was made. We returned on Mar. 31 this year from a 3- week tour of North and South Islands, and even spent a little time in Australia on our own.

Sunbeam was well organized, the pace was steady but relaxed (as we were the only Americans on the tour, and the New Zealanders and Australians looked forward to their cups of tea

every 1 1/2 hours)!

I found New Zealand quite so- phisticated and modern, contrary to the impression I had been given by former visitors. The way they have organized and distributed their water power is amazing.

I do want to thank you for making it easier to get started and plan.

Laura Williams, Ojai CA

AMERICANS IN PARADISE

(#2 of a series)

We had to search to find the farm home of Anita Bruce, her Kiwi husband Peter, and their two small sons Dwight and Roy. We drove to Wyndham, deep down in the green Southland between Gore and Invercargill on a rainy Sunday. When the rain wasn't coming down, we were surrounded by mist which lent an air of soft unreality to the entire area. We were told that on a clear day. Invercargill and the sea beyond are clearly in view.

Anita, a sweet-faced young woman with dark eyes and a cloud of dark hair, is quiet and demure and always ready to smile. Peter is a charmer, with a mustache and a thatch of dark hair that curls about his ears and neck. A city girl turned farmer, Anita Bruce lived her first 25 years in the San Fernando Valley, California.

In 1981 Anita, curious about the outdoor paradise called New Zealand, answered an ad for a farm assistant on the South Island. Who was her farmer boss? Yes, it was Peter Bruce, an ambitious, hard-working, single young Kiwi living on acreage on the West Coast of South Island.

It wasn't long before they fell in love, but Anita eventually returned home, and she and Peter kept in touch by mail and telephone. Finally he proposed, and a few arrangements were made. Peter flew to the U.S. about a week before the wedding using a ticket Anita had sent him. He says with a wink, "She was eager!"

In 1988 they moved from the South Island West Coast to a more prosperous dairy farm far in the south, here in Wyndham, where they feel quite settled. Anita finds New Zealand living not quite the paradise one might expect, but she is personally quite at home -- as much as when she first landed there.

She considers that emigrating to N.Z. is a good move, but advises those considering it to investigate the economic situation in their line of work as well as the pay they would receive there. Many things are more expensive but the lifestyle is simpler. Taxes are high, but health

care was free and of good quality.

Anita told us she's glad to be

raising her sons in N.Z. because it's obvious to her that Kiwi school children have a more wholesome up- bringing and they learn to be polite and respectful of others.

She likes the openness, honesty and friendliness of New Zealanders and the slower pace of life. She misses the variety of goods to buy and the fact that shops aren't open just any day of the week or hour of the day. The distance between her farm home and family members in the U.S. is a burden to her at times, but she copes by staying busy and writing lots of letters.

Anita feels that NZ women are less liberated than in the US, but they're slowly moving forward, and there is now a Department of Women's Affairs which seems to be strong and making strides. But, as in America, men end up earning more for the same kind of work.

She doesn't regret her decision to live "down under," and with her unaggressive personality, she seems to thrive well there.

HAAST PASS IN THE RAIN

It was a very rainy autumn day the last time we drove through Haast Pass. At times there was a heavy downpour. At other times there was just a mist floating in the air. We had driven through the Pass in sun- shine on previous trips, so this was like a completely different world.

Waterfalls were pouring down on all sides of us as we drove along. It was a waterfall world with some falls misting down from the heights far above us, and some were right along the road spraying impishly out at us. Leaves danced along the road ahead. We knew the mists were obscuring the great scenery, but in the rain the drive was exciting and magical.

When we reached the Gates of Haast bridge over the narrow, rock- ribbed river, we found a scene of seeming madness with torrents of green water laced with white foam roaring between and over the boulders.

Moving out along the broad river- bed of the Haast, we found the river wide and rain-swollen, not narrow and meandering as we had seen it so many times before. By this time all that was left of the rainy day were puffs of clouds all over the mountains that tower beside the river.

BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF NEW ZEALAND

The Air New Zealand direct flight to Christchurch gives you a good bird's-eye view of both islands. It was a fairly clear day when we flew down, and we got a good view of the green Northland with its many islands, bays and forests, the city of Auck- land, and down the west side of North Island over cone-shaped Mount Egmont. Beyond you see Cook Strait, the sounds and bays and green valleys at the north of South Island which meld into jumbled,brown, untamed mountain ranges before your plane approaches the airport at Christchurch.

FREIGHTER TRAVEL

Membership at $18 a year is offered by Lee Pledger's Freighter Travel Club now approaching its 40th year. Anyone with a hopeless addic tion to the sea and exciting faraway destinations and who has days, weeks or months for travel can sail by freighter, tramp steamer, or contain- er ship. Or you can just dream about it as you read of others' adventures in a monthly newsletter published by Pledger. Write Pledger, The Freight- er Travel Club, P.O. Box 12693, Salem, OR 97309.

Another item of interest for freighter travelers to the South Pacific is Columbus Line's 42-45 day sailings to Auckland and Sydney. Con- tact Freighter World Cruises, 180 South Lake Ave., Suite 335, Pasadena, CA 91101 (818—449—3106).

KIWI BITS AND BITES

* Are you an active person over 50, interested in travel and education combined? Write to Univ. of New Hampshire, INTERHOSTEL, 6 Garrison Ave., Durham, NH 03824, for brochure. Program includes a stay in Christ- church with trips from there.

* Corban's fine NZ wines can be found throughout Southern California at Liquor Barn and Von's Markets.

* As of December 31, 1988, New Zealand's total population figure was 3,356,200. This means that this land of awesome beauty offers more space per capita than most other holiday destinations in the world.

* Did you know that New Zealand women won a franchise to vote in 1893 preceded only by women in the state of Wyoming? This reform was brought about by a small group of determined women led chiefly by the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

* We've been told there is now a Denny's near the Auckland airport. They serve cocktails, are very "up- scale" - - and mobbed, mostly by Kiwis in search of American food.

* One of the best shops for NZ wool products is the Perendale Wool Shop in Wanaka (on Helwick St. opposite the police station). High quality and enormous selection of sweaters, leather coats, etc., and generally less expensive (p. 437 - New Zealand Handbook by Jane King).

* A friend in Papatoetoe advises that visitors to Auckland during the Commonwealth Games next year book early since hotels and motels will be busy. Of course other parts of NZ will be no busier than usual for that time. Exact dates of the Games are January 24 through February 3, 1990.

* We've always avoided Highway 89 crossing 44 miles of the Crown Range between Wanaka and Queenstown because of warnings in guidebooks that it's a pretty unnerving undertaking. But not so, according to someone we know who recently drove it. She said it was narrow and one must be careful, but it's worth it for the view of the Wakatipu Valley.

* Waldenbooks (nationwide) has a new book club for readers over 60. There is a 15% discount on a purchase of more than $15. Membership informa- tion at any Waldenbooks store, or write to Waldenbooks, P.O. Box 10218, Stamford, CT 06904.

* The Fisherman's Table restaurants in N.Z. are excellent and entirely different in different cities. Does anyone know if it's a chain? Brunch is around $6, dinner $8 to $20.

* Wherever you go in Kiwiland look for pumpkin soup. Most restaurants have it on the menu, and when you're lucky enough to dine in a private home, you will probably be served different, private recipe pumpkin soup. It's delicious.

* Cadbury's chocolate factory in Dunedin should be a delightful place to visit. They give free tours Monday to Thursday at 2:30, but reservations are a must and should be made as far in advance as possible. Cadbury's, 30 Castle St. (Box 890), Dunedin.

* Those interested in visiting NZ by tour company might want to check out the survey results International Travel News published in their April 1989 issue, page 60. ITN, 1779 Tribute Rd, Ste L, Sacramento CA 95815. Is ITN a "must" at your house as it is at ours?

GOURMET VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

In Christchurch our favorite place to eat is the Dux de LUX at Montréal and Hereford Streets. It's located in part of the Christchurch Arts Center which was formerly Canterbury University College.

Get there early for lunch as hordes of people line up then for the vast assortment of tempting foods which always include a variety of salads and great soups. Desserts are impressive. Lunch will come to about $9; dinner around $15 without dessert.

On some nights a live band plays, and often at lunchtime a fine young pianist, who plays 20's to 50's popular American music, will add to the pleasure of the food. Fantails may entertain in the trees outside the windows.

SINGLES MATCHING

Olson-Travelworld has a Super Singles service. They match solo travelers to avoid single supplement costs and to get people with similar interests together. Service is free. An Australia/New Zealand trip is planned for September.

Call your travel agent or contact Olson-Travelworld, 5855 Green Valley Cir., Culver City CA 90230. Tel. toll—free 800—421—5785 in Calif., or 800—421—2255 nationwide.

TASTE OF CULTURE

New Zealand's Cultural and Entertainment Tours Company successfully combines the country's legendary scenery with culture. Visitors to New Zealand should not overlook the mystical and enchanting culture of the Polynesian Maori peoples or that of the country's European descendants.

Itineraries include traditional Maori welcomes, visits to Maori villages, tickets to the New Zealand symphony orchestra or Royal New Zealand Ballet performances. Ask your travel agent.

FLY FREE

Mount Cook Line is offering free transportation to New Zealand via United Airlines if you buy Mount Cook's 21-day Southern Aurora tour of both North and South Islands. Cost for the package, which includes domestic air travel on Mount Cook Line flights from island to island, is $2,055. Departures are scheduled from April 30 through September 17, 1989.

Ask your travel agent for complete information or contact Mount Cook Line, Suite 900, 1960 Grand Ave., El Segundo, CA 92045 (800—468—2665).

THE FANTAIL (PIWAKAWAKA)

We first glimpsed this charming diminutive bird in the bushes off the second floor balcony of our motel room in Queenstown back in 1982. We

spent much time watching the fantails as they fluttered in the air catching small insects, the staple of their diet. From then on we made a point of looking for fantails as we traveled about the country.

When we stayed with our friends Jack and Noeleen Nash in Palmerston North on a second visit to N.Z., it was a great delight to find that fan— tails come right into their house mornings and evenings. The door is left open and the birds flit about catching stray insects near the ceil— ings. Unfortunately they move much too quickly to be caught by a camera.

We found the busy, inquisitive birds visiting inside another home near Nelson. At dusk, in groups of two or three pairs, they performed aerial acrobatics, fanning their long tails as they tumbled about searching for their prey over the rippling waters of a small river.

The fantail is 16 cm. long (6 1/2 in.), with a long tail which the bird spreads or fans to help it maneuver quickly. At rest, the bird sidles and postures with tail fully spread, and the tail is folded during straight flight. There are variations of coloring in different parts of the country, but in the main the bird is black, brown and buff with some white on the throat and about the eyes.

The call of the fantail is a high—pitched "cheet," which can sound like kissing. The call sometimes is extended and merges into a somewhat musical song.

Fantails are fully protected and can be found in forests and urban areas, as well as in parts of Australia and some other South Pacific islands. They often follow forest walkers at a discreet distance, catching the insects stirred up by the passing humans. The bird is friendly and seemingly very trusting, which, unfortunately, makes it easy prey for domestic cats.

The fantail (Piwakawaka) appears in the story of Creation. According to Maori legend, one of the earliest humans whose name was Maui, fished the entire North Island out of the sea using a magic jawbone. With a tremendous effort Maui set out to find the Great Lady of Darkness. He believed that if he could turn himself into a caterpillar, enter her womb and emerge from her mouth, he could overcome death for all time. All living creatures were anxious to help, but the skittish little Piwakawaka found the endeavor terribly funny, and his nervous twitters awakened the goddess. With a start, she moved and crushed Maui between her thighs. Thus ended mans attempt to attain immortality.

AUCKLAND, "CITY OF SAILS"

Just ten years ago Auckland was a commercial and transportation center with few restaurants and hotels, and the shops were on the dowdy side. Most visitors to New Zealand landed at Auckland's international airport, slept overnight, and left next day for the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua.

Now Auckland, with a population exceeding 850,000, is more than just a stopover. The "Queen City," as Aucklanders like to call their metropolis, is one of the most cosmopolitan in the Pacific region.

Auckland is also called the "City of Sails," and for good reason. It is said that one Aucklander in sixteen owns a yacht of some sort, and you'll believe it when you see the stunning display of 50,000 colorful sailing craft in the waters that almost surround the city. The water is by no means crowded, however, because there is so much of it, with two harbors, over twenty islands, and more than 100 beaches. The city boasts of almost 2,000 hours of sunshine a year.

The isthmus of Auckland was originally named by the Maoris Tamaki- makau-rau, "the place of a hundred lovers." Today the largest concentration of Polynesians in the Pacific resides there.

The city, no longer dull and staid, offers hundreds of attractions to the visitor. Here are a few:

1. The view from the summit of One Tree Hill. The top of Mount Eden will give you another viewpoint.

7. Visit Heritage park-—kiwis, Maori concerts, farming, scenery—-the essence of N.Z. is displayed.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO K.F.

There's no shortage of material to include in the KIWIphile FILE, but I think the most helpful and meaningful information comes from you the reader. I mean YOU, not someone else. If you've been in N.Z., there is surely something you can share with other readers. You dont have to write a fine piece of literature. It can be just 2 or 3 lines--but please don't be shy about sending it in. Every contribution is most welcome and appreciated.

RENEWALS

I wish to remind you that this is the final issue for subscriptions which began in September 1988. We would like to save postage by not sending renewal notices. To that end we have shown the last month/year of your current subscription on your address label.

To our knowledge, you will not find any other newsletter dedicated solely to news, travel, and general interest information about New Zealand. We believe the publication is worth the small yearly fee. New information comes to us constantly from reliable sources, and we want to pass it on tá you. Subscriptions provide the only source of income for

K.F.

If your subscription expires with this issue and your renewal is post- marked before July 1st, domestic subscriptions will be at the $5.50 rate (or $10.75 for 2 years). After July 1st the rate will be $6.00 (or $11.75 for 2 years). Thank you for your interest in the KIWIphile FILE.

SOUTHWARD MUSEUM

Just north of Paraparaumu and close to State Hwy 1, which runs down the middle of the North Island, there is on exhibit a collection of approxi- mately 250 motor vehicles, about half of which are on show at any one time. In addition to vintage and veteran cars dating from 1895, the collection includes traction engines, motorcycles, and a wide variety of other motoring curios. In this museum true car enthusiasts can feast on past achievements in the automobile industry worldwide.

The museum, a charitable trust, was incorporated in 1972 with the object of preserving for posterity the largest collection of motor vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere., Mr. Len Southward, trust benefactor, has

worked steadily at expanding and restoring the collection. When we visited the museum last year, Mr. Southward was on hand and personally demonstrated for John how the one-cylinder Benz engine operates. This Benz is the oldest car in New Zealand.

There is a good restaurant in the building as well as a theater and gift shop. The museum can be reached by car, bus or train.

CONFERENCES IN NEW ZEALAND

Remote as it may seem to be, New Zealand is much sought after as a locale for professional get-togethers. As word spreads of the wonders of this small South Pacific nation, more and more groups are finding reason to plan to meet there. Pre- and post conference tours of the country are often offered to the attendees.

In August of this year, specialists in mental health from around the world will head for New Zealand for the 1989 Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health. Auckland University is the venue for the Congress which runs from August 21 to 25.

United States delegates may register through: Conference Air Services, 1500 King St., Alexandria VA

22314—2717.

Firefighters around the world have two reasons to visit New Zealand next year - to attend the South Pacific Fire 1990 Conference and Exhibition in February and the First World Firefighters Games in April.

For further information, contact:

South Pacific Conference , PO Box 2819,

Auckland, NZ. (Conference registrations close June 30, 89).

For Games information, contact:

First World Firefighters Games,

P0 Box 68-210

Auckland, NZ.

BEAUTIFUL SETTING FOR AMERICA'S CUP

New Zealand's America's Cup

Challenge from Mercury Bay Boating Club was not the first time the isolated spot flew the flag. It was at Mercury Bay that Captain James Cook hoisted the English flag on Nov. 15, 1769, to formally take possession of the land for his King, George III.

Mercury Bay is an inlet dotted with small islands on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula which points north, like a finger, between the Bay of Plenty and Hauraki Gulf in the North Island.

The area is a significant one to the native Maori people. Kupe, their legendary explorer, is said to have crossed the narrow entrance to the harbor on his voyage of discovery 1000 years ago.

Gold drew the more mercenary European settler to the area last century. With the increasing value placed on gold, mining interests are again enviously looking to the Coromandel Peninsula. This time they are meeting with inhabitants more hostile than the Maori had been. Famed for its bush and coastal scenery, the area has in the past two decades become home to a number of craftspeople, artists, and alternative lifestylers-- all of them articulate environmentalists. They fight tooth and nail to keep commercialization away from the green bush, sandy coves and rocky headlands, onto which the native pohutukawa trees cling, dipping their summertime scarlet flowers into the clear blue waters.

(From Maggie Kerrigan, Public Affairs Manager, NZTP)

The following lines are reprinted from Feathered and Furred for Better or Verse , by Nancy White:

There's a kiwi in New Zealand

That enjoys the distinction

Of consistently being deferred

While the sweet kiwi fruit

Is alike brown and fuzzy,

It's the one with the feet I referred to.

The issue can be quite confusing,

Each being a national symbol;

Since neither can fly,

It's helpful to know,

Of the two, it's the bird who's more nimble.

(By permission from the author.)