I just returned from a trip to New Zealand. I was very impressed by this island nation in the southern hemisphere. I'd like to share with you some of what I've seen and heard in New Zealand. Hopefully, what I've felt will help you understand New Zealand in its most authentic way.
1. New Zealand is a country with beautiful natural scenery, but also a country full of freedom and relaxation. Here, people don't need to wear formal shoes and can walk barefoot in the streets. It's a way of life for New Zealanders and a cultural expression. Whether you are a student, an office worker, or an elderly person, you can go barefoot as much as you want. They come home barefoot from school, go barefoot to the supermarket, plant flowers and trees in the garden, and even go barefoot to attend weddings or funerals. They believe that this can lead to closer to nature, more comfort, and healthier.
2.New Zealand is probably one of the most humorous and quirky countries in the world. New Zealanders love to joke around, and they are always fun and humorous, both to themselves and to others. They also like to do weird and fun things like skydiving, cheese rolling competitions, carrot festivals, and more. New Zealand also has a museum dedicated to weird things – the Museum of the Weird, which houses all sorts of ridiculous objects, such as the world's largest carrot, the world's longest nail, the world's smallest Bible, and more. etc。
3.New Zealanders have a tradition of early marriage. They believe that marriage is one of the most important things in life, so many young people choose to marry very early. Although current New Zealand law stipulates that marriage can only be obtained at the age of 18, marriage can be obtained at the age of 16 with parental consent. However, in this case, they cannot live together and cannot live independently, but must live with their parents until the age of 18 before they can officially become husband and wife. It is also aimed at protecting the interests and rights of minors and preventing them from taking on family responsibilities prematurely.
4.New Zealand is one of the most multicultural and inclusive countries in the world. New Zealand is a home of immigrants. It has people of different races, religions, languages, and cultures, forming a colorful and harmonious society. New Zealand respects and protects the human rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of gender, age, status, orientation, etc. New Zealand was also one of the first countries in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.
5.New Zealand is not only a paradise for humans, but also for penguins. There are three different species of penguins living on the islands of New Zealand. They are yellow-eyed penguins, fjord crested penguins, and blue penguins. The yellow-eyed penguin is the rarest penguin in the world. Their eyes are bright yellow and very beautiful. Fiordland crested penguins are among the tallest in the world. They have a bunch of feathers on their heads, like a crown. The blue penguin is the smallest penguin in the world. Their bodies are light blue and very cute. These penguins are a treasure trove of New Zealand and are strictly protected and cared for.
6.New Zealand has clear legal protections for many of the flora and fauna on its islands to prevent them from being destroyed or extinct. New Zealand is a country with extremely high biodiversity and is home to many unique flora and fauna, such as kiwifruit, silver fern, kiwifruit, etc. These flora and fauna are New Zealand's national treasures and the pride of New Zealanders. Therefore, it is important to be careful when traveling in New Zealand not to hunt, pick, or destroy these plants and animals at will, otherwise you will be punished severely. Two years ago, an Asian student was reportedly deported for hunting wild ducks. Therefore, in New Zealand, we must respect nature and care for the environment.
7.New Zealand is an island nation that has been cut off from the rest of the continent for millions of years. Over a long period of time, New Zealand has developed a unique flora and fauna. The most unique thing is that there are no primitive mammals on New Zealand land, only one flying mammal - the short-tailed bat. This bat is small and cute, only the size of a thumb. They live mainly in forests and feed on insects and fruits. They are one of the most mysterious animals in the world, as scientists don't yet know how long they live or how they arrived in New Zealand from elsewhere.
8.Kiwifruit is abundant in New Zealand. This fruit is popular all over the world and is one of New Zealand's important exports. But what you may not know is that kiwifruit is not native to New Zealand, but from China. Kiwifruit was first discovered and cultivated in China and is called kiwifruit.
9.New Zealand was once a British colony, so many place names come from the British. In New Zealand you can see many places with the same name or similar to the United Kingdom, such as Cambridge, Oxford, London, York, etc. These place names were given by British immigrants in honor of their hometowns. While these locations are very different from the original British original, they also illustrate the historical connections and cultural influences between New Zealand and the UK.
10.The traffic rules in New Zealand are different from those in our country. It is a country that drives on the left-hand side. This means driving in New Zealand, drive in the left lane, not the right lane. Similarly, when getting on and off the elevator, stand on the left side and let the person on the right pass. When crossing the street, also pay attention to vehicles on the left. These rules may be a little foreign to Chinese, but when traveling in New Zealand, it's important to follow them to keep yourself and others safe. If you're not sure how to drive or park, ask your local traffic police or passers-by and they'll be happy to help.
11.New Zealand was the first country in the world to adopt mountaineering as a national activity. New Zealanders love mountaineering. They see it as a way to exercise, challenge themselves, and enjoy nature. New Zealand has many famous hiking trails, such as the Milford Track, Kaikoura Track, Alpine Crossing Track, etc., all of which have spectacular scenery and rich ecology, attracting mountaineers from all over the world.
12.New Zealand was the last country in the world to be discovered and settled by humans. Archaeologists speculate that New Zealand was discovered by Polynesians around 1300 AD and became the ancestor of the Maori people. Europeans did not first arrive in New Zealand until 1642 and colonization began in 1769. Due to its remote location, New Zealand retains much of its original flora, fauna and cultural heritage.
13.New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world. According to the 2022 Global Peace Index, New Zealand ranks second, behind Iceland. New Zealand's good social order, low crime rate, high level of education, strong rule of law, political and economic stability, and friendly diplomatic relations make it a peaceful and tranquil country.
14.New Zealanders are known for their inventive spirit and creativity. They have created many things that are beneficial to humanity. Such as electric shavers, jet planes, frozen meat, plastic lawns, black boxes, radio astronomy, etc. New Zealand is also a filmmaking paradise, having shot many classic and popular films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit trilogy, Avatar, and more.
15.New Zealand is arguably one of the most mysterious and wonderful countries in the world. There are many legends and stories in New Zealand, such as Maori myths and legends, that describe the origins and history of New Zealand;For example, the Lord of the Rings trilogy shows an imaginary world of Middle-earth;For example, "The Chronicles of Narnia" describes a magical kingdom hidden in a closet. These stories give a sense of the charm and mystery of New Zealand.
16.New Zealanders are very fond of tea. Tea is the national drink of New Zealanders, and several cups of tea are drunk every day, whether morning, noon or evening. There are also many types of tea, including black tea, green tea, and herbal tea. New Zealanders usually drink tea with some milk and sugar, or with some biscuits and cakes. For New Zealanders, drinking tea is not only a way to relax and enjoy, but also a way to socialize and communicate. They often invite friends or neighbors over to their home for tea, or for tea with colleagues during work breaks.
17.New Zealanders love the outdoors and enjoy the opportunity to be close to nature. New Zealand's beautiful natural scenery and diverse terrain offer a variety of options and opportunities for outdoor sports. New Zealanders like to spend their weekends or holidays in the mountains, by the sea, by lakes or in the forest to do a variety of activities such as hiking, cycling, camping, fishing, boating, skiing and more. These activities not only allow them to exercise, but also allow them to get close to nature and experience the beauty and charm of New Zealand.
18.In contrast to Americans, who treated Indians roughly, New Zealanders have a great deal of respect for Maori culture and traditions. Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and have a long history and rich culture. New Zealanders believe that Māori culture is part of New Zealand, a part of New Zealand's identity and pride. New Zealanders learn and speak Māori, engage in and appreciate Māori arts and performances, and understand and respect Māori customs and beliefs.