Volume 23, No. 1

SEPTEMBER 2009

CHOCOLATE CARNIVAL - DUNEDIN

3 News

Dunedin’s annual chocolate carnival is underway, and for those feeling guilty about over-indulging, therapy is at hand.

A ‘chocolate doctor’ says the sweet treats tell the world who we are, while addicts needing a lie down are being offered chocolate facials.

So next time you reach for a chocolate, think about what you’re revealing to the world. Chocolate therapist Murray Langham says people are subconsciously drawn to certain flavours which reveal aspects of our personalities and behaviour.

“A hard caramel person’s very logical,” he says. ‘They make lists and they like to cross things off. If they get an issue they’re like a dog, they worry until they get to the bottom of it, they won’t let go. Soft caramel people can have a good eye for detail, so they enjoy playing with money and people asking their advice.”

Shapes are also important, and can help you read other people’s characters, while what you do with foil wrappers reveals your approach to relationships — folders are methodical, while smoothers like being intimate.

Mr. Langham has written two books on the topic, and says his list accurately matches up with chocoholics around the world.

‘They sort of think it’s a bit of a joke to start with, until they start to analyse and just realize, well yeah, that is me.”

If that’s put you off eating chocolate in public, one Dunedin spa has an alternative. Dark chocolate facials are on offer this week, in 3 flavours — billed as a nourishing treat for the skin.

And there is apparently no truth to the belief that chocolate’s responsible for breakouts.

“It’s full of antioxidants, it’s great for the skin,” says Jemma Stewart, chocolate beautician.

"It's got eight times more antioxidants than what strawberries do.”

There’s also plenty of sweet activities on offer for younger chocoholics as well. Chocolate sculpting has its obvious benefits — you get to eat it.

AMERICANS GET HOOKED

ON QUEENSTOWN - 3- News

American couple Marc Helzer and his wife Christina Maniaci have developed a healthy addiction to a Queenstown adventure activity.

They’ve cancelled their flights out of town twice and repeatedly delayed their trip home to Michigan, so they could keep enjoying the rush of the Shotover Canyon Swing.

Michigan physician Mr. Helzer had a fear of heights, but a week in the adventure capital of the world has conquered all that.

Between them, they completed seventeen jumps over an icy 109 metre canyon, and credit the Canyon Swing with giving them a whole new perspective on how to live.

Mr. Helzer’s elation after completing four jumps convinced Ms Maniaci she had to try, however they were due to leave for Sydney the next day.

‘We pushed the car back, we pushed the flight back and we scheduled it for first thing in the morning to go,” Mr. Heizer explains. “So then she got to deal with the 24 hours of terror.”

Even when they finally got to Sydney, the lure of the swing and Queenstown was too much.

They cancelled their flight from Australia to Los Angeles to return to Central Otago once more. On landing they went straight back to their friends at the Canyon to book more jumps. They have promised to return to Queenstown in a year to do it all again.

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WHY PEACEFUL NZ LEADS THE WORLD -

nzherald

New Zealand has been judged the most peaceful nation in the world.

An Australian thinktank recognised our stable political situation, relatively low rate of violence and decrease in military spending.

The Institute for Economics and Peace list was created after the start of the global recession, finding the financial meltdown was dragging the world toward political instability and conflict.

The report, which surveyed 144 countries, says New Zealand's rise to first is partly explained by the election of a National-Act coalition last year.

"The centre-right National Party has a strong popular mandate and a robust parliamentary majority by New Zealand's standards, putting the new Prime Minister, John Key, in a good position to push through his agenda."

It also says New Zealand received the best possible scores for the likelihood of violent demonstrations, the homicide rate and the level of respect for human rights.

The rise to first position is also related to the fall of Iceland from the top spot last year, which reflected the increase in violence following the banking collapse that engulfed that country's economy in September.

Professor Kevin Clements from the University of Otago, who was on the panel of experts for the index, told the Herald, "The index is a pretty good reflection of countries people want to live in, because on bicultural issues and a variety of factors we are scoring well.

"If you look at the top 20, they are all small nations based on strong welfare principles, all with good and relatively uncorrupt governance."

Professor Clements, who is director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, said the National Government faced a challenge in preserving New Zealand's top ranking.

"The question is whether the current Government will be as committed as the last ... a role for New Zealand as a conflict-resolving nation. I will be interested to see if we rank as high, but I can't imagine we'll slip far."

He said the greatest threat to New Zealand's peacefulness would be a more severe economic downturn or an increased sense of grievance toward Treaty of Waitangi issues.

Top 10 most peaceful nations:

1. New Zealand

2. Denmark

3. Norway

4. Iceland

5. Austria

6. Sweden

7. Japan

8. Canada

9. Finland

10. Slovenia

Ten least peaceful:

1. Iraq

2. Afghanistan

3. Somalia

4. Israel

5. Sudan

6. Democratic Republic of the Congo

7. Chad

8. Pakistan

9. Russia

10. Zimbabwe

The U.S. ranks no. 83.

You may find more details at http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings/2009/

A BOTANICAL FEAST OF FLORA AND FAUNA - Caterpillar Garden Tours offers informative and fully guided electric shuttle tours through Christchurch's spectacular city centre Botanic Gardens

Established in 1863, the gardens span an area of 21 hectares hosting without doubt the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants to be found anywhere in New Zealand.

Operating a continuous daily service, Caterpillar Garden Tours allows visitors to discover the natural beauty, history and culture of this central city oasis while at the same time being taken around the gardens in all weather, comfort and style.

The professionally-guided tours have been designed to allow visitors the flexibility of staying on the shuttles for the full circuit to embrace the flora and fauna of the gardens at their leisure. Alternatively visitors can choose to "hop on or hop off" at any of the clearly-identified stops around the Gardens. A single ticket purchased is valid for 2 continuous days.

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The modem shuttle fleet of 4 vehicles are electric and solar-powered and are environmentally and wheelchair friendly. Each shuttle can carry a maximum 28 visitors. Groups can be accommodated upto 112 people.

Contact us:

Email: info@gardentour.co.nz

Tel: +64 3 379 5354 Fax: +64 3 379 0343

http://www.gardentour.co.nz/

LETTERBOX

We so enjoy your newsletter. Our trip to New Zealand has left us with so many good memories. Planned to go back, but years of visiting our daughter in South Africa, Nepal, Vietnam, India, the Netherlands and the U.K. find us aged out of such a long trip. The U.K. and North Carolina are about our mark!

Many thanks for all the good information. We relive our trip with each new issue.

B. & P. Bullock

North Carolina

My thanks for the File. I was particularly interested in the article "US forces in New Zealand" about which we here in Britain knew little at the time. It was certainly a clash of two cultures, yours and what was then mainly British, or so I thought when I visited the country many years ago-a Britain of the late 20s and early 30s, certainly more civilized, calmer. I can imagine the surprise felt by the troops and the then host nation. Much has changed since then of course.

R. Newman, U.K.

Through your newsletter I feel close to New Zealand. I might even some day finally get there.

Many thanks for all your efforts.

N. Schmid, San Francisco

ESCORTED GARDEN TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND - Tourism New Zealand

Barry Ferguson, a Kiwi who lived in New York for many years as a top floral designer, is leading an 18 day tour of New Zealand from February 4-21, 2010. He will share his knowledge of New Zealand gardens, plants and bird life, starting in Auckland and venturing as far south as Stewart Island.

KIWIphile FILE needs your participation. Please send in your letters and stories. Thank you

NEW ZEALAND VISIT - February/March 2009

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Gisborne is a fruit growing area. The volcanic soil is ideal for that. Tomatoes are harvested by combines with so much left in the fields and the fruit trees are weighted down with fruit. Many South Sea islanders are seasonal workers, but the unemployed are drafted in, too. Many don't want work and damage the trees, so they are sacked and are back unemployed. Timber is a big export here to Japan with big lorries feeding the port with logs.

From Gisborne, via Hastings to Napier for the weeklong Art Deco Festival. In the 1930s Napier was devastated by an earthquake, when most everything was burnt down, water supplies broken, with the people living in tents for a year until the ground became more stable. A ship called the 'Veronica' came to help the town, and now its bell is held in the cathedral. This town was rebuilt in the style of the day and almost every building is Art Deco.

During the Festival people dress up in lovely costumes of the era. In the streets there were Barber Shop choirs, air displays, 260 vintage cars, steam train rides, steam engine rides, jazz bands, tango dancers, Charleston competitions, afternoon tea in your own gazebo on the promenade lawns, tea with china cups, 3-tier cake stands, cucumber sandwiches, and champagne-all a lot of fun.

The closing ceremony of the week was the Navy band marching into the Cathedral behind the bell playing 'When the Saints Come Marching In". Firemen also read accounts of the fires, relating the helplessness, with no water and bridges down.

The people of New Zealand are fabulous, friendly, honest, and going out of their way to help visitors. Maybe this stems from being a pioneer country where people had to help each other.

Flew from Napier to Christchurch, the most English of cities, enjoying the gardens and views, both there and in Hamilton before flying out of Auckland. A great trip.

NEW KOPU BRIDGE

The Kopu Bridge is a single lane swing bridge that spans the Waihou River, near its emergence into the Firth of Thames in the Thames-Coromandel District of New Zealand's North Island. The bridge was completed in 1928 and is part of State Highway 25. The bridge is the longest and oldest single lane bridge within the state highway network. It is also the only surviving road bridge of the swing span type in the country, and the NZ Historic Places Trust lists the bridge as a category 1 historic place.

It is the first available crossing of the Waihou River and the main link between the Hauraki Plains and Coromandel Peninsula.

The NZ Transport Agency is replacing the Kopu Bridge south of Thames. This route is considered strategically important in the National State Highway Network. It is the preferred link between Auckland and the Coromandel, and carries seasonally high volumes of visitor traffic. It is also an essential link for emergency services. The new bridge is being constructed immediately upstream from the existing bridge with separate cycle and pedestrian facilities.

Due to its historical significance, the existing bridge will be retained.

(Editor: What good news! With close friends living in Te Puru north of Thames, my husband and I often arrived in Auckland and started off to Coromandel, and feeling tired but excited about seeing our friends, we were frustrated by the bridge. I know this project will make life much easier for many locals and many travelers.)

US FORCES IN NEW ZEALAND-The American Invasion (Part 2) from New Zealand History online

The US camps -American life in New Zealand between 1942 and 1944 was centred on the camps. Most of these were to be found within marching distance or a short train journey from Wellington or Auckland cities. Some of the soldiers were here to train for forthcoming battles on Pacific Islands. They practiced landings and jungle marches. Others had returned from the war and were here for rest and recreation or to recover their health; and there were some whose job was to provide the supplies for a modern army.

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a number of farm camps were set up, while Solway Park in Masterton had beds for some 2400 marines.

Most of the camp sites were quite small, and occupied land that had different memories and associations for New Zealanders. In Wellington, Anderson Park where boys had played cricket and Central Park where lovers had strolled were suddenly covered in huts. The Hutt Park raceway was no longer the home for horses but for American soldiers. In Auckland, the huge sweep of lawn in front of the Auckland War Memorial Museum became transformed by regular lines of army huts. And in Wellington and Auckland cities a remarkable number of buildings played host to the Americans. In the capital, Hannahs Building, the Bank of New Zealand, Odlins and Tisdalls served as stores or offices. It was difficult, if you lived in these two centres, not to be made visually aware of the invasion.

Camp conditions- Camp life must have seemed spartan if you landed directly from the United States (some soldiers were no more than 17 years old), comfortable if you arrived from the heat of a Pacific battle. At first most of the Americans lived in pyramid-shaped tents, but increasingly they moved into two-, four- or occasionally eight-man huts. There was often no electric light or heat, and the louvred windows let in the cold and the damp. Men brought up in the central heating of American suburban homes found New Zealand winters unpleasant.

Soldiers lined up with their own mess gear at the cookhouse and ate in mess rooms with tables of bare wood. Food was plentiful, and cooked as far as possible in a traditional American style. But the local staples, especially fatty lamb ('god-damned mountain-goat') were less easy for the visitors either to cook or to eat. All the larger camps had stores where American products - cigarettes, Coca-Cola - could be bought. The camps did their best to make the men feel at home amid the bush and the sandhills.

The camp drill. The first bugle call was at 6am and the men were at physical drill 10 minutes later. The subsequent routine depended on where you had come from and where you were headed. Those arriving from the United States were here to be trained for battles on Pacific islands. There were few ceremonial parades in full dress uniform, although all stood to attention at sunset when 'Old Glory' was hauled down. There were long route marches to toughen up young city slickers and scouting missions in the Tararua Ranges to get the men used to tropical jungle; artillerymen learnt how to fire under camouflage; landings on Pacific

beaches were practiced on the Petone foreshore at Eastbourne, and more ambitiously on Mahia Peninsula near Gisborne. When reality finally dawned at Guadalcanal and Tarawa, these practices must have seemed innocent and pleasant in the extreme.

When the horror of the Pacific war got too much, the men might return to New Zealand. Some came simply for what a later generation described as 'R & R' (rest and recreation): a period of good food, good times and peace in which the body could recover and the mind let go its nightmares. Others, less fortunate, returned on stretchers. Some were wounded, more came back suffering the fevers of malaria. In all 19 hospitals were set up to take almost 10,000 patients. Cornwall Park in Auckland and Silverstream in Wellington were the sites of major institutions. To provide care and the human warmth of a familiar female accent, a considerable number of American nurses came to New Zealand. This was not just a male invasion.

Men too worked at providing the backup for a modern army. The most important were the Quartermaster Corps, who took over large warehouses and areas of the wharves, procured local goods, and packed them off to the war zone in the Pacific. New Zealand conditions added certain difficulties to these tasks. Wet winters, periodic disputes with the 'wharfies', and the restricted range of vegetables available were not the least of the problems. Though locals at times muttered about the Americans' fondness for machinery (they introduced fork-lifts to New Zealand), all were impressed with their efficiency and thoroughness.

Tragedy at Paekakariki: There was considerable press censorship of the American presence in New Zealand. The newspapers were not permitted to write anything about the invasion until-November 1942, and thereafter the news was strictly controlled. One unfortunate episode that was never reported concerned the drownings of marines on the Paekakariki coast near Wellington in June 1943. The marine units were engaged in practicing landings from the sea in preparation for combat in the Pacific. All went smoothly until the third practice on June 20. It was almost exactly mid winter, the weather deteriorated, a swell rose and it was 8:30 at night and very dark. The very last boat of the day grounded on a sand bar and then a large wave swamped it and men were thrown into the heavy surf. Marines pulled some survivors from the water, but official reports say one officer and eight men drowned and their bodies were

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washed ashore. Unofficial rumour suggests many more than this may have died.

WAIKATO TEA FARM GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH - 3News

The Waikato is emerging as a rather good place to grow green leaves. But these leaves are completely legal they are in fact, tea leaves.

Vincent Chen has been hard at work growing Chinese tea in Gordonton for the past 13 years. The business started out very small indeed, with just 130 plants - but lush, green conditions and a moderate climate has seen it grow and grow. Which is handy, because the Chinese love their tea, and there are a lot of people in China.

Today, the plantation spreads over 25 hectares - that is a million plants.

A good picker can harvest up to 50kgs a day of a tea they call Zealong - New Zealand Oolong. From picking to drying to fermenting - it takes 36 hours before you can sit down and have a cuppa. Not bad for a tea that fetches $1500 a kilogram.

CULTURE CACHE IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS

- Los Angeles Times

The remote Bay of Islands in New Zealand's northern tip has some of the best scenery in the country. An added plus: It's an area rich with the history of the nation's native Maori people and the first European settlers. You'll get a chance to eyeball Tane Mahuta, or "Lord of the Forest," one of the largest rain-forest trees in the world, sail through pre-historic rock formations in the bays where author Zane Grey loved to deep-sea fish, and quaff some tasty Sauvignon Blanc at local wineries. The sheer natural beauty of the Bay of Islands, just three hours north of Auckland on the northeast coast of the North Island.

Be prepared for a mostly subtropical area, a treat for the eyes with shades of lush green broken by shell-white beaches and the blues of the sea. Novelist Grey famously described New Zealand as an "angler's El Dorado," and one of his favorite fishing spots was the Bay of Islands. Charters for game fishing for marlin and yellowtail tuna or bottom fishing for snapper can be arranged out of Russell or Paihia or other coastal towns. We enjoyed the drive along the coast, soaking in the undeveloped farmland and tiny villages as we made our way to the Waipoua Forest and the kauri tree museum. People of the Maori tribe

and European settlers have used the kauri trees extensively for canoes, ship masts and other products.

NEW ZEALAND TOURS & TRANSPORT -

fourcorners.co. nz

By motorhome, bus, train or air travel, getting around New Zealand is easy!

Many travelers to New Zealand hire a motorhome or campervan for a leisurely self-drive holiday. Some opt for a rental car, enjoying NZ's many accommodation options along the way, while others prefer public transport such as trains, ferries, buses or coaches.

Another way to see the country is by air. And don't forget - New Zealand also has two of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world: The Tranz Coastal and the TranzAlpine.

It is important to remember to plan your trip in advance and book your transport - particularly public transport - during the New Zealand holiday periods! If you are traveling during the domestic holiday season, which is also the high season for international travelers, then be sure to book your transport arrangements well in advance - particularly ferry crossings. Christmas ferry crossings are booked as early as May.

New Zealand's stunning landscape may be breathtaking, but it comes with transport limitation. The number of passes between the east coast and the west coast of New Zealand are limited, and the ability to build long straight highways is hindered.

The most common misconception about New Zealand is its size. On an atlas, sitting next to the large landmass of Australia, New Zealand looks deceptively small. About the same size (slightly longer and narrower) as the UK, New Zealand has the added complication of the Cook Strait. Too wide for a bridge or a tunnel, the Cook Strait can only be crossed via the interisland ferry, or by plane.

With the multitude of New Zealand transport and tour options available, getting around is easy - the important thing is to take your time, and don't be fooled into thinking you can see everything in one week!

CADBURY'S NEW CHOCOLATE RANGE RAISES EYEBROWS -3 News

Things are not all sweet for confectionary giant Cadbury. The company's new recipe adds palm oil and cuts back on cocoa butter, which is not to the

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taste of all chocolate fans, and the chocolate has also shrunk.

Dunedin mother Martha Dewey is a self-confessed chocaholic. She usually chomps through a couple of blocks a week, but got a surprise after inspecting her favourite Cadbury block of chocolate.

"It's a little bit smaller, bit of a ripoff, and you still pay the same," says Ms Dewey, "so I don't think it's very fair."

When Cadbury repackaged its chocolate in cardboard boxes, it also reduced sizes. A king-sized block of Dairy Milk dropped from 250g to just 200g - a 20 percent reduction. The company also changed the recipe, cutting the amount of cocoa butter and replacing it with palm oil, listed as vegetable fat.

Ms Dewey is not impressed. "Slightly greasy aftertaste, or it feels slightly greasy on the roof of your mouth, and doesn't taste quite as rich."

Top Wellington pastry chef Pauline Nunns uses chocolate in her cooking, and says the increase in vegetable fat means it takes longer to melt in the mouth.

On the streets of Dunedin, chocolate fans were mixed on the new recipe.

"There's like a bad aftertaste," said one person 3 News spoke to. "I like the first one better."

"It tastes kind of smoother," said another.

Cadbury says the recipe and size changes are about both economics and taste, with the palm oil helping create a softer chocolate. The company also said that keeping the blocks at the previous sizes was not viable with the skyrocketing costs of cocoa and sugar. Cadbury says it has ensured that the palm oil it uses is certified as "sustainably sourced."

Nestle is also downsizing. Its popular Mars bars are now slimmer. The company claims the resizing is in response to the obesity epidemic.

SMALL TOWN FIGHTS FOR A PLACE ON THE RAILWAY MAP

Three years ago the country nearly lost one of its iconic train services, the Overlander, which runs from Auckland to Wellington. But it was saved, and according to Kiwirail more people are using it now than ever.

Unfortunately some small towns are still fighting to get back on the list of places where it stops. Taihape, one of New Zealand's original railway towns, is campaigning very hard.

David Robinson has been going to the small central North Island town since he was a boy. But for years, the train has no longer stopped there.

Last week, however, David booked on-line and a computer glitch had put Taihape back on the railway map.

"I thought they must have reinstated it," he says.

But the service was listed, so he booked and Kiwirail agreed to stop the Overlander for him - just this once.

Word quickly spread around Taihape that a passenger was getting off the train in their town.

Elizabeth Mortland of the Taihape Community Trust says it was major news for the community - which has a population ofjust 1,788.

"The train, at long last, was going to stop," she says. Locals mustered a crowd on the station's platform.

"There were a lot of people keen to see the train stop and see a passenger alight," says Elizabeth.

They clapped and cheered for David, the man who stopped the train in their town. This was the first time the Overlander had stopped in Taihape since April 10, 2005.

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RUGBY - 2009 - Stephen Magnum

Following the debacle of the All Blacks at the 2007 World Cup things looked bleak for New Zealand rugby. However, the boys came back with a brilliant 2008 campaign, winning the Tri-Nations, Bledisloe Cup and sweeping the five match fall tour to Europe and Hong Kong.

So far the 2009 season is not shaping up as one of the glory years of New Zealand rugby. After a series of injuries and mental blunders too numerous to mention, the team record is 3-3. The All Blacks opened up by losing to their old nemesis, France, in Dunedin but evened the series with a rainy day win in the mud in Wellington. They then won a less than decisive win over Italy, hardly a world powerhouse.

New Zealand opened the Tri-Nations campaign with a 22-16 win over Australia at Eden Park. They then lost back to back matches to the Springboks in South Africa. Among the many blunders were mysterious passes to the opposition and giving up far too many penalties.

As of today South Africa has reclaimed the World #1 ranking from New Zealand. The return of injured flyhalf Dan Carter should inject some discipline and a more organized offense into the All Blacks as they fight back in the Tri-Nations.

New Zealand concludes the season with huge fall tour featuring six test matches in as many weeks. The schedule is shown below:

October 31 - vs. Australia at Tokyo

Nov. 7 - vs Wales at Cardiff

Nov. 14 - vs Italy at Milan

Nov. 21 - vs England at Twickenham

Nov. 28 - vs France at Marseilles

Dec. 5 - vs BARBARIANS at Twickenham

On the brighter side, the New Zealand under 20 rugby team recently retained their world title by defeating England 44-28 in the championship match at Tokyo. South Africa crushed Australia 32-5 for third place.

KIWI ICONS - Adrienne Rewi - New Zealand Magazine

When Air New Zealand branded its aircraft with an elegant new symbol in the 1970s, it was the coming of age for what is now one of New Zealand's most readily recognized icons, the koru.

This scroll-shaped stylization of an unfurling tree-fern frond represents life, growth, purity and movement. It also serves unequivocally as a symbol

for a young, innovative country with a clean, green image and natural organic power.

Woven into the background of all this modern symbolism is a significance deeply rooted in New Zealand's indigenous Maori culture, where the koru signifies the unfolding of new life, a sense of renewal, and hope for the future.

Although it seemed to uncoil from nowhere about 30 years ago to adorn the tailfins of airplanes, the koru has indeed long been a part of New Zealand's visual framework. Understanding the path by which it emerged from folklore to become omnipresent in the intervening years says a lot about the country, its people and a collective desire for worldwide recognition.

SEA (MOANA)

New Zealand is a seafaring nation - that's how our Polynesian and European ancestors got here - and over the years we've moved towards laws and policies that protect our marine environment. In the 1800s, Kaikoura was the centre of a huge whaling industry; today it's a place to watch whales, particularly the pod of sperm whales that lives in the area. Fur seal colonies in Wellington and around the South Island's coast have been expanding rapidly since the species was given protection in 1894 they're always a delight to visit.

There are more than 25 marine parks and reserves around New Zealand, set aside for snorkeling, diving and kayaking. But even in the most urban environments it's possible to launch an ocean expedition - on the doorstep of our capital city you can hire a kayak to explore Wellington Harbour.

KIWIphile FILE

Published by Eva Trapani

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Copyright 2009 by Eva Trapani

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