Rowing champions will take more than memories home from the 2010 World Rowing Championships in New Zealand – each gold medallist will receive a treasured pounamu taonga / treasure as a gift from local Māori.
The call of a traditional Māori greeting echoed across the waters of Lake Ngatu in the far north today (2.02.2011) as New Zealand became the first country in the world to welcome the dawning of World Wetlands Day.
New Zealand is riding the crest of a wave of surfing popularity with some of the sport’s top competitions – including the Dream Tour and the World Junior championships – to be held at the country’s top breaks this summer.
For the sixth year in a row, New Zealand has been ranked in the world’s top five best destinations by readers of prestigious Condé Nast Traveller magazine.
New Zealand’s commitment to environmental sustainability has paid off with the country scoring seventh place out of more than 140 countries for its effort.
Kiwi ex-pats are being given the chance to “fall in love with New Zealand all over again” and pass on the good word in the lead up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Some of Hollywood’s most famous movie stars could be carrying a touch of New Zealand with them on the red carpet at this year’s Oscars – thanks to a Kiwi jewellery-making family’s big break.