Volume 21, No. 3

MARCH 2008

MISCELLANEOUS MADNESS

As a young island nation in the remote southern hemisphere, the need for self reliance inspired a culture of innovation. Necessity is, after all, the mother of invention. However our ingenuity isn’t confined to farm equipment and sailing vessels.

Over the years, our inventive nature has led to increasingly bizarre options for recreation and sport. These adventures trick your mind into an extreme state of fright, but they’re generally completely safe.

From rolling down a hillside inside an inflated plastic sphere to flying a high-speed craft attached to a suspension wire, ifs all just miscellaneous madness. The resulting adrenalin rush causes perfectly normal people to yell "woooo hooo” at full volume, while their friends take amusing pictures to show them later.

Somewhere in your itinerary there has to be room for an experience that goes beyond the realms of sanity. It's time to redefine the meaning of fun.

GISBORNE EARTHQUAKE - Heritage this month

Gisborne residents were shaken from their sleep at 8.55pm last 20 December, when a 6.8 Richter scale earthquake rumbled through the city.

The earthquake, located 50km southeast off the Gisborne coast, caused widespread damage, with the latest figures coming out of the Insurance Council and Earthquake Commission estimating the bill to be around $54 million and climbing.

NZHPT (New Zealand Historic Places Trust) Area Manager Lower Northern Gail Henry visited Gisborne on 17-19 January and confirmed the earthquake had damaged 64 buildings to a level requiring building or resource consent. Although some were not heritage buildings Ms. Henry estimated "probably about 70 percent were.”

The council has agreed to provide a list of owners and building addresses so the NZHPT can confirm the heritage caseload. Council will be using the normal consents process for earthquake-related work. Ms. Henry said there were not expected to be many complex restorations required.

The Gisborne earthquake has shown clearly the value of carrying out earthquake strengthening work on buildings, with strengthened buildings in the city faring better than those that had not been reinforced.

EDMUND HILLARY, FIRST ATOP EVEREST, DEAD AT 88 - Google

Edmund Hillary, the modest New Zealand beekeeper who shot to global fame as the first person to climb Mount Everest, has died at age 88. A hero to millions for his derring-do, dry wit and dedication to others—he spent much of his life working to help the people of Nepal—Hillary had a heart attack after a spell of bad health. Auckland Hospital said.

The lanky, plain-speaking Kiwi made history on May 29, 1953. when he and Nepalese guide Sherpa Tenzing Norgay made it to the top of the worlds tallest mountain, a feat that had defied mountaineers.

Tributes quickly poured in for the legendary adventurer and philanthropist, who also led the first expedition to reach the South Pole by vehicle just four years after conquering Everest.

"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus,” Prime Minister Helen Clark said. “He was an heroic figure who not only ‘knocked off Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity.”

She called him a "quintessential Kiwi” and "the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived.

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Hillary was always modest about his achievement, and it was many years before Tenzing revealed that Hillary had actually been first to reach the peak. They said at the time that they had reached the top together.

"The names of Hillary and Tenzing went instantly into all languages as the names of heroes," Jan Morris, the British historian and journalist who accompanied their expedition, wrote in Time magazine.

News of the success of the British-led expedition to the top of the 8,848-metre (29,028-foot) mountain was announced on the day of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation on June 2,1953.

She awarded Hillary a knighthood, which he greeted with characteristic self-effacement.

"I could see myself.., in my tattered overalls and the seat out of my pants," he said; "And I thought, 'That's gone forever. I'll have to buy a new pair of overalls now."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed Hillary as "a truly great hero who captured the imagination of the world."

His death was mourned by the Sherpa community, for whom he set up the Himalayan Trust in the 1960s, helping to build dozens of schools and hospitals.

"We consider him as a second father," said Zimba Zangbu Sherpa, vice president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. "His work changed the life of the whole Sherpa community. Without his work, especially the schools, the Sherpas would be nowhere."

The Himalayan country's tourism minister said Hillary's death was a huge loss for Nepal.

"We have lost a dear friend of Nepal and a worldwide hero," Prithvi Subba Gurung, Nepal's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, told AFP. "He was an undeclared ambassador for Nepal."

Hillary was born in Auckland on July 20, 1919, and as a scrawny youth showed no hint of the strength and skill for which he would become known around the globe.

He was never meant to be the first to the top of Everest. Other team members got first crack at the summit but were thwarted several hundred feet short, hampered by fatigue and low on oxygen.

After a night of little rest, Hillary and Tenzing made a second try-and the New Zealander led the tricky trek to the summit.

"I had moved on to a flattish exposed area of snow with nothing but space in every direction.

Tenzing quickly joined me and we looked round in wonder." he wrote in his book "View From the Summit."

"To our immense satisfaction, we realised we had reached the top of the world."

Hillary embarked on another great adventure in 1957, establishing New Zealand's Scott Base in Antarctica and leading the first vehicles overland to the South Pole.

He had not been meant to be the first to do that, either. He was part of the trans-Antarctic expedition of British explorer Vivien Fuchs.

As Fuchs set off from one side of the continent, a group led by Hillary set off on tractors from the opposite side to set up supply depots and map the terrain for the second half of Fuchs's crossing.

But Hillary instead stole his thunder by defying the Briton's wishes and heading to the Pole.

In 1960 he led another Himalayan adventure, this time in search of proof of the mythical yeti or abominable snowman-a topic of great interest since Tenzing had said his father had twice seen one.

Among the sherpa community, tales of the yeti were common but Hillary had no success. He got sick mid-way through the expedition-possibly due to some uncertain fishcakes-and pulled out.

Prime Minister Clark said the death of Hillary-who was the only living New Zealander ever to appear on the country's currency -was a profound loss for the country, where flags were lowered to half-mast nationwide.

FASCINATING FOREST FOR ALL SEASONS -

Stuff

For many, the idea of a winter walk and camp with young children might seem ill-advised, yet with a little forethought and knowledge it can turn into a surprisingly successful event.

Part of the motivation for me is the reality that New Zealand is blessed with a huge number and variety of suitable locations. To relegate visits to the warmer months would unduly limit the experiences.

Hence our winter option for Peel Forest in South Canterbury.

This park scenic reserve is a densely forested 600-hectare remnant of the once immense native forests that covered much of the Canterbury Plains.

It ranges in altitude from 1308m at the summit of Little Mount Peel, and its sprawling ridgeline which is readily visible from Christchurch's Port Hills, to the lower slopes of mixed podocarp-hardwood rain forest

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containing many fine species of kahikatea, totara and matai in the canopy.

Botanically, Peel Forest is very significant; as well as the large podocarp varieties there are over 60 identified species of fern. This remarkable forest, and its many tracks, is the focus for most walkers and has a well-laid-out camping area at Clarke Flat on the reserve's eastern boundary.

If the idea of camping in a tent during winter strikes fear into your heart, help is at hand. Clarke Flat has several comfortable and warm cabins to rent, as well as a large kitchen and shower block. Children love cabins.

Two of my daughters and I cruise into camp from Christchurch by mid-afternoon, and once we have set up the cabin, we are off on the first excursion-the Big Tree Walk.

There are certainly lots of big trees to inspire awe, the centerpiece being a massive nine-metre-girth totara inhabiting the final clearing. It is estimated to be 1000 years old. This is enough to make the trip for us, but there is more at hand than big trees.

Over the next two days we trek into several beautiful mossy waterfalls, with Emily and Acland falls being the highlights. We also visit deep forest glades, sit quietly at trackside while rifleman and fantail feed on the insects we have disturbed, and enjoy a memorable wander through Denniston Bush- the reserve's most spectacular forest remnant.

Denniston also boasts historic sawpits dating to the early days of clearance of the farmland adjacent to the reserve, more massive specimens of totara, matai. and kahikatea-and an enchanting trail that curls through the forest. The girls love it because every corner brings another surprise.

Returning to our cabin each day is a restful reprieve from the day's activities, with the friendly horses in an adjacent paddock occupying any of our free moments. We leave for home satisfied and with plans to return. After all, there is still a mountain to climb-Little Mount Peel.

(Access: At Arundel on the south bank of the Rangitata River on SH72 take the signposted turn-off to Peel Forest and turn onto Coopers Creek Peel Forest Road; follow this for about 7km-8km to Peel Forest settlement, where there is a DOC information centre, the tracks beginning 2km-3km up the road. Clarke Flat Camp reservations: phone (03) 696-3567.)

THE DERELICT HOUSE THAT HIDES A BIG SECRET - Stuff.co.nz

A secret piece of World War II history-a nondescript Lower Hutt house containing a huge vault where the nation's money reserves were stored in case of Japanese invastion-is in danger of being lost forever.

The house in Rata St., Naenae, with its vast vault built into the hill behind it, has been empty for the past two years. It has been vandalised by streetkids and was badly damaged by fire just before Christmas.

Most of the windows are smashed, the upper floor is a charred ruin and there are large holes in the roof.

Reserve Bank records show the vault was built in the early 1940s when Naenae was mostly farmland.

The 80 square metre vault is protected by a steel strong room door and has 40cm thick concrete walls.

A house was built over it in the l950s and the property was sold into private ownership in 1972.

It has since changed hands twice but the whereabouts of its present owner is unknown.

Jillian Wordsworth, who lives two doors away from the old Reserve Bank house, said work should be done to restore it.

"This is a building of national significance and I would like to see it recognised as such."

However, it is not listed by the Historic Places Trust nor is it on Lower Hutt's draft list of heritage buildings.

Lower Hutt Mayor David Ogden said he had never heard about the house and its history but could see that it could be of some interest if it could be preserved and public access could be arranged.

Ana Simmonds, who lives next door, said it was a shame to see what had happened to it.

She said the owner lived elsewhere and the house had been vacant for at least two years. During that time teenagers had been hanging about at the property and windows had been broken before the fire.

Reserve Bank spokesman Mike Hannah said the house had some minor historical interest but the bank had sold it a long time ago and did not have a view as to whether it warranted preservation.

ART AND CRAFT SHOWCASE IN HOKITIKA

25 Tancred Street, Hokitika (+64) 03 755 8802 www.hokitikacraftgallery.co.nz

From the craggy backbone of the Southern Alps through the dense, lush rain forest and lowland bush covered slopes to the rugged unforgiving coastline, the West Coast of New Zealand offers an abundance of natural grandeur, wild beauty and a variety of stimulating raw materials.

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It is only natural then that this environment has fostered a community of talented artisans and craftspeople who take inspiration from their surroundings and work with the Coast's indigenous materials.

The Hokitika Craft Gallery Co-operative is the showplace for nineteen artists and craftspeople. offering their work for the discerning visitor and collector.

Here you will find a wide range of quality pieces from the disciplines as diverse as bone and jade carving, weaving and knitting, wood turning and furniture, pottery and sculpture, art, silk, leather, silver jewellery and glass.

The Hokitika Craft Gallery is run as a Co-operative by its member artists and craftspeople who make their living from the sale of their work.

Their unique designs are made to the highest standard and accordingly you can be assured of good value for money and years of pleasure owning a true piece of the West Coast of New Zealand.

And ... for your travelling convenience, the Gallery will carefully pack and dispatch to your home address. Make a point of calling at the Gallery when in Hokitika. We look forward to making you welcome.

BUT IS IT A NEW ZEALAND FILM?

- Charles Eggen

There are non-documentary feature length films that have been (mostly) shot in New Zealand, but are not New Zealand productions. Additionally, there are feature length films that have a New Zealand setting or story, but were not filmed in New Zealand. There are even non-NZ productions that have a New Zealand story and were shot in New Zealand. Most of the latter are non-English language titles such as 'Young Guy on Mount Cook' (1969)-Japan or 'You Never Die Twice' (1986)-Hong Kong.

Is this confusing? Well, let's try for clarity. Examples of films that have a New Zealand story, but were not filmed there are: 'Battle Cry' (1954). 'Green Dolphin Street' (1947) 'Quick Before it Melts' (1964). 'Two Loves' (1961), and 'Until They Sail (1957).

have only a very small segment that was filmed in New Zealand, such as 'Willow', but many have had most or all of their filming done in various New Zealand locations. Most of these have been made in the past 10 years. Largely due to the international exposure in the 1990's of such New Zealand produced titles as 'The Piano', 'Heavenly Creatures'. 'Once Were Warriors' and the highly successful 'Hercules - The Legendary Journeys' and 'Xena: Warrior Princess' television series, Hollywood has decided that New Zealand is a great place in which to film. This is mostly due to the quality of its outdoor light, varied scenery, experienced and available crew options and somewhat lower costs. Some additional titles are: 'The Rescue' (1988), 'Soldier's Sweetheart' (1998) and 'The Climb' (1998).

And then came Peter Jackson's fantastic 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, which showed all the world the great scenery of New Zealand. As a result, since 2000, there have been many non-NZ produced quality films shot in New Zealand. Examples are: 'Vertical Limit' (2000), 'The Last Samurai' (2003), 'Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' (2005), 'Bridge to Terabithia' (2007), and 'The Water Horse' (2007).

The next big Hollywood production. that has in large part been filmed in New Zealand. is '10,000 BC'. It will start its theatrical showings March 2008, in most markets. Some smaller or lesser productions that have been released since 2000 are: 'The Other Side of Heaven' (2001). 'The Legend of Johnny Lingo' (2003), 'The Legend of Zorro' (2005), 'Meet Me in Miami' (2005), 'Mee-Shee: The Water Giant' (2005), and 'Without a Paddle' (2004). Except for 'Meet Me in Miami'. 'The Water Horse' and '10,000 BC', all of these more recent titles are available on dvd and are occasionally shown on television. The latter three will be available on dvd later this year.

'Vertical Limit' was filmed in various Southern Alps locales, especially around Mt. Earnslaw and the Dart River valley outside of Queenstown which substituted for the Himalayan foothills.

'The Last Samurai' was filmed in the Taranaki region, with Mt. Taranaki filling in for Japan's Mt. Fuji. Pukekura Park in New Plymouth was used for a number of scenes, but the Uruti Valley, Mt. Messinger and Lake Mangamahoe were also used for settings.

'Bridge to Terabithia's' outdoor shots were mostly in the Woodhill Forest. which is southwest of Helensville near Muriwai Beach.

'The Water Horse' and 'Mee-Shee' both "swam" in Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu.

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'Chronicles of Namia: The Lion. The Witch and the Wardrobe' starts in the Otago Peninsula's Larnach Castle and has its great battle scenes at Canterbury's Flock Hill near Arthur's Pass. It also did some outdoor shooting at the Catlins Purakaunui Bay and Elephant Rocks near Duntroom along the Waitaki River.

The Other Side of Heaven' and 'The Legend of Johnny Lingo' were shot around Auckland, but a large part of them were filmed in the Cook Islands.

'Without a Paddle' used many North Island central plateau locations such as Rotorua. Taupo, Ohakune, Raetihi, Huka Falls and the Waikato River.

Internet links to further details on specific films and trailers:

Green Dolphin Street

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039437/

Trailer

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=1121

The Last Samurai

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325710/

Trailer

http://www.videodetective.com/movies/THE_LAST_SAMURAI/trailer/P00781780.htm

Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion,The Witch and The Wardrobe

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363771/

Trailer

http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe.html

Bridge To Terabithia

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0398808/

Trailer

http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/liveaction/bridgetoterabithia/

The WaterHorse

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0760329/

Trailer

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thewaterhorse/clipspage/

Without the programme, only five percent of kiwi reach adulthood whereas 20 percent survival is needed for a population to grow.

Save the Kiwi Trust executive director Michelle Impey said the 1000th kiwi egg symbolized the countless hours of work that community volunteers, Department of Conservation and captive facilities around the country had put in since programmes inception in 1994.

The milestone-marking kiwi egg was found in Waimarino, Bay of Plenty.

The kiwi born from the egg will be returned to Waimarino once it reaches goal weight, enabling it to successfully fight off predators.

DON'T FENCE ME IN - from the Lakesider

(David Tauranga)

Went through my old writings a couple of days back. I hadn't done it in a while, but the joy I felt of being plugged back into those lost moments of time was sublime. It was like walking down a path overgrown with forget-me-nots leading to the front door of home.

There was this one that stood out especially for me though, a poem I wrote entitled 'Mongrel'. Cute title. It arose from the turmoil created when the foreshore and seabed issue first reared its ugly two-headed face a few years back. How both Maori and Pakeha were separated by the whole confounded debacle, but unified by it too, in the fact that both sides were vehemently willing to prove that they held the moral high ground. However, being neither Maori or Pakeha myself, but both. I wanted to highlight those stuck in the middle: the mongrel.

Who do we mongrels give our allegiances to? Do we deny one culture to embrace the other? For me, I chose to become Switzerland. My entire life has been that of neutrality. Would you slap your mother if your father asked you to? I have always been able, or cursed, to see both sides of both arguments, and because of this I have had to tiptoe down the middle of the division, dodging bullets fired from both sides. You could go as far as to say that I've been sitting on the fence for so long now that my spine has been replaced with number eight wire, giving me that extra limberness I need for such events like Waitangi Day.

Did you by chance see that picture of John Key and 12-year-old Aroha Ireland casually strolling to the marae at Waitangi? China heard me squeal with piggy delight. Key with his bright optimistic 'I'm the poor kid made good' face, and strategic 'I'm an

average guy just look at the tiki on my shirt wardrobe, while Ms Ireland looked as if she were waiting for a swift judo chop to the back of the head. Tarantino couldn't have scripted it better.

It's my penultimate image of Waitangi Day. One smiling, one looking out the corner of their eye. There is a deep-seated mistrust between the two cultures, bubbling away just below the surface sometimes and often boiling over, Many Maori are aggrieved, and rightly so. Because of lazy translation one day in February 1840 and pure greed of the colonists, the Maori people were alienated from their own land. This caused a major collapse of the culture, because Maori didn't own the land, they were part of the land. The umbilical cord had been cut and they were left drifting in the breeze to wither away.

But on the other side of the spectrum, many Pakeha feel they are picking up the bill of their fore-father debts. I have dropped my ear into a few conversations conducted by Pakeha participants and learned that they too are aggrieved. They feel vilified because of their skin colour, made out to be the ones firing the muskets into the Maori villages. But most importantly, Brash's paddy cake, they feel disadvantaged that Maori get special privileges, all because of lazy translation one day in February 1840, and the transgressions of their forefather.

And yet, isn't it funny how the issues disappear for us all on the rugby field? I have a suggestion for avoiding possible race relations problems of the future. What we'll do is put goal posts at Cape Reinga and Stewart Island, and we'll all be All Blacks. But seriously, even though we're not as bad as America, or (thankfully) Australia. we do have our problems. What differentiates us however, is that we are not burdened by an eternity of history. We are young enough to change.

And change we will. I can feel it in the air around. It may not be in our lifetime, or our children's. but it will occur. Why? Because we're Aotearoans, that's why. It's what we do. We fix things. It just takes awhile sometimes.

The word 'mongrel' has a special meaning in my life. When I was growing up, other kids would often call me a mongrel and I hated it more than I hate the paparazzi.

But as I grew, I became a little more clued up to the scene. The original meaning I placed upon the word was placed in the out-tray of my memory, and given a new one, I am a mongrel: the culmination of two races into one.

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Hey, that would make a great catch phrase. You know, something like 'One Nation' perhaps? I think I could be on to something here.

NZ SEVENTH IN ENVIRONMENTAL INDEX - Stuff.co.nz

New Zealand ranks seventh in an environmental performance index released ahead of the World Economic Forum, an annual talkfest that attracts the most influential people in the world.

Switzerland scored top marks among 149 countries measured in six environmental areas including air pollution, water quality and how they control industrial pollution, according to the 2008 Environmental Performance Index.

Sweden came second in the ranking. compiled by environmental experts at Yale University and Columbia University. followed by Norway. Finland and Costa Rica.

The United States, dragged down by poor scores on greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of air pollution on ecosystems, placed 39th, far behind other developed states such as the United Kingdom in 14th and Japan in 21st.

"The United States' performance indicates that the next administration must not ignore the eco system impacts of environmental as well as agricultural, energy and water management policies," Gus Speth, dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, said in a statement.

The US ranking-below Albania, Russia and Panama-was "a national disgrace", Speth said.

There wasn't a separate commentary on New Zealand in the report. Overall New Zealand scored 88.9 on the Environmental Performance Index.

It achieved 100 in the policy areas of water and sanitation. The lowest scores were for pesticide regulation, marine protected areas, biodiversity and emissions.

Australia ranked 46 with an EPI score of 79. It had low scores for water stress, pesticide regulation, climate change and emissions.

A BAY OF PLENTY, INDEED - Explorer

The Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand's most popular regions. Spread along the northeast coast of the North Island, it is known for its temperate climates and beautiful beaches, and many New Zealanders look here for holiday destinations. For those lucky enough to live

in the Bay of Plenty, it boasts a mix of large city centres (Tauranga) and picturesque beach towns such as Wathi Beach and Maketu.

Captain 'James Cook sailed into this region aboard the Endeavour in the 18th century and was so impressed he named it the Bay of Plenty. With more hours of sunshine than most of the country gets, the Bay lives up to its name with lush forests and a thriving agricultural economy.

Waihi Beach at the north end is the start of the Bay's 100km of white sand and rolling surf beaches. An artificial reef being built at Mt Maunganui in the Tauranga harbour will further enhance the region's surfing offerings.

As a main centre Tauranga offers a business community, high rise apartments and a stunning range of bars, restaurants and shopping experiences. Down town Tauranga is the scene of jazz festivals, art festivals and wine and food and the Strand is a veritable feast for those who love to people-watch.

Mauao (Mt Maunganui) is the focal point of the area, at 232 metres tall. Walking to the summit or around the base is a popular activity for locals and visitors, and the summit offers a breathtaking view of the area.

Along the coast is White Island, New Zealand's only active marine volcano, accessed by boat from Whakatane.

Rotorua is the cultural centre of the region. less than an hour southwest of Tauranga. Its sulphurous climate has produced the marvelous blue and green lakes and superb mineral hot spas, along with action activities, Maori cultural experiences and historical gems like the excavated buried village at the base of Mt Tarawera.

As a holiday destination, the Bay of Plenty offers plenty for everyone.

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS -From Kia Ora - A history lesson in a bottle.

The few portraits of Captain James Cook depict him with a look of stem concentration. It's easy to imagine his face wrinkling slightly at the taste of surely the first beer brewed in New Zealand. a concoction made by his ship's crew beside Cook Stream in Dusky Sound in 1773.

Their first attempt at "Spruce Beer", made with rimu foliage, the explorer deemed "too astringent". But when manuka was added. the result was found "exceeding palatable and esteemed by everyone on board". Considering how far it was to the nearest pub, that must have come as quite a relief.

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Cook had brewed beer with spruce before, in Canada, and his men followed the usual recipe with available New Zealand ingredients, boiling the small branches of rimu and manuka for hours, adding molasses, then putting the result into casks with an equal quantity of cold water and, finally, yeast "or anything else that will cause fermentation". The result, thought to ward off scurvy, was drinkable within a few days.

Modern-day drinkers can get an idea of how palatable Cook's brew would have been by sampling the Spruce Beer made by the Wigram Brewing Company of Christchurch, using rimu and manuka from the West Coast. Founder Paul McGurk says the company's first attempt, which closely followed Cook's recipe, was a "bit too much like soup" but refining and filtering has produced a more palatable brew. It still has an unusual herbal tang and retains some of the astringency Cook remarked upon. Tasting it is a worthwhile history lesson, although it's hard to imagine too many drinkers going back for a second glass. As McGurk says. "It's a bit too different for anyone to drink a lot of it".

Fortunately, his brewery makes a variety of beers that will soon wash away any lingering after taste of rimu and manuka. Two particularly good ones are the Hefe Weizen. a cloudy Bavarian-style wheat beer with aromas of yeast and fruit, and a malty Vienna Lager. The Hefe was champion wheat beer at the 2006 New Zealand international Beer awards where both it and the Vienna were awarded silver medals.

The company also deserves attention for its retro labels, all featuring a pilot in a cockpit in flying cap and goggles with a foaming handle of beer in hand, which reflect the brewery's location near the Wigram Air Base. Some of the beers' names (Propeller Lager, Dakota Dark, Harvard Honey Ale, Bristol Best Bitter) continue the aviation theme. Only the Spruce Beer, first made for a local Christchurch restaurant, doesn't feature the Biggles-like character on its label. That space is rightly reserved for another adventurer, a certain Captain James Cook looking, as usual, sufficiently determined to drink another glass... or at least sail to the other side of the world.

THE SWANNDRI - From 'New Zealand! New Zealand! In Praise of Kiwiana'

First made in 1937 by John McKendrick, a tailor, the Swanndri has become part of New Zealand

fashion, the original rugged garment synonymous with bushworking and farming.

The original 'swanni', a dark green bushshirt, was quickly adopted by bushmen and farmers for its warmth and proof against showers - qualities deriving from its 100 percent pure wool and a special process that sees the woven cloth shrunk to increase its moisture-resistance.

From the original garment there has now been developed a line of jackets and shirts for leisure and work wear, sold here and exported around the world.

From the start these garments have been produced in the small Taranaki town of Waitara. The mis-spelt trade name is deliberate, these days anyway. In the beginning it was a simple slip of the pen.

Second only to the 'swanni' in popularity, the black oilskin parkha was once a common outdoor garment. 'Was' because the last decade or so has seen its decline against more convenient synthetic versions. While never achieving the fashion heritage status here that the similar Aussie 'Drizabone' coat has been accorded in that country, the oilskin parkha was still the outer garment most people wore tramping, on the sidelines watching a rugby game, or at spring stock sales. It was a garment that exuded character, in the aromatic scent of the oil and waxes used to waterproof its cotton fabric, and when wet, from the gently steaming checked flannel lining.

Only touch things with your eves. (Maori saying)

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