A new series for you – this time about my own country –
New Zealand. Historically there were 10 provinces (now
divided up into 16 regions). So I am
going to look at each region in turn – in alpha order they are – Auckland, Bay
of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough,
Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington and
West Coast.
Location –
As you will probably know, New Zealand is found towards the bottom of the
Pacific Ocean some 2000k (or approx. 1300 miles) to the East of Australia. Auckland is the second region from the top
and is by far the most populous (just under 2 million of a total population of
just under 5 million). Auckland region
consists of an isthmus between 2 harbours and of some islands in the Hauraki
Gulf.
Origin
of name – Named for the Earl of Auckland, then British First
Lord of the Admiralty. Its Maori name is
Tamaki Makarau
Pronounciation –
awk-land
Nicknames –
City of Sails (current holder of the America's Cup).
Aucklanders are sometimes known as JAFA's in the rest
of the country – an unflattering appellation that has been almost adopted with
pride. Email me if you can't work out
what it stands for.
Main
City
– Auckland – the largest city in New Zealand, it was the capital for a while
(25 years) until that honour went south to Wellington.
Sport –
I won't bother with this heading for other regions – there really is only one
sporting obsession throughout NZ – Rugby Union.
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Rangitoto Island |
Places
to visit – Rangitoto Island, One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie),
Auckland War Memorial Museum, Sky Tower, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Waiheke
Island, Awhitu Peninsula
Famous
businesses/brands – Fonterra (dairy products), Air New Zealand,
Mainfreight
Famous
people from the Auckland Region
And
also from the Auckland Region –
John Walker - runner
Jonah Lomu – rugby player
Bruce McLaren – race car driver, McLaren team
Lydia Ko - golfer
Martin Crowe - cricketer
Nalini Singh – author of numerous novels
Pamela Stephenson – psychologist and comedienne –
married to Billy Connelly
Rachel Hunter – super model (an ex of Rod Stewart)
Split Enz – successful band from the 70s/80s
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