21 replies to this topic

[spidbot]

I know I raised this with Jill before but that was 2003!

Any plans for an event down here? Middle Earth (Wellington or Auckland) would be great but I guess Sydney or Melbourne would get more people

Neglected down under :upsidedown:

[OldWelshGuy]

And if there is anything going on make it 2005 and make sure it is at the same time as the Lions tour as I will be there then but make sure that it don't clash with any games, 40 nights in good old NZ

[Jill]

Sorry spidy...too far for me!

Jill

[spidbot]

Thanks for the comments

OWG - I see you have your priorities right - it has been fun living in NZ as a Pohm and being able to bet on two sides in the World Cup

We now have Graham Henry as All Blacks coach - interesting that he went to Wales to get his international experience - perhaps he will change the Haka to Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau!

Had a brief chat with GIMLI (John Rhys Davies) about the state of Welsh Rugby when he was over here for the ROTK premiere...

Jill - it's not that far really, even though the US have now said we cannot queue for the toilet on Air NZ flights! But by the time you have seen all the Lord of the Rings movies (extended versions) you will have landed in Middle Earth!




:upsidedown:

[Scottie]

Aw, c'mon Jill. Let's go!

[spidbot]

OK so we have two so far (three if it is 2005)...

I am happy to do some organising this end if it helps

:upsidedown:

[ajeshnair]

Hi!!!!!!!!!

What about India? any plans?...Even Google is planning to start a research centre.

Ajesh Nair

[harpsound]

Get to the South Island for at least half the trip. It's paradise

Also, OWG, do not let them think you are a Pom as the Kiwis will automatically say that you "whinge".

{grin}
S

[spidbot]

OWG's not a proper Pohm, he's Welsh and they have exempt status here due to their Rugby heritage and their affinity with the old South Island miners (Gold not Coal though!)

:upsidedown:

[harpsound]

Agreed. OWG is not Pom at all but a lot of Kiwis when they hear an accent often make assumptions. It took years before the local shop keepers in my small town registered me as local with my Canadian accent. Residents in NZ with different accents are a relatively new phenomena as all kiwis have a very distinctive speech and most other accents mean tourist . A generic English accent equals POM. Gently emphasise the Welshness and all will be well for both sides of the equation.

After 15 years I got tired of saying "I live here" to the stock tourist response. I love NZ but in the end I found it difficult to be accepted as local and always felt a bit of unease in my own "home". I do recognise that the Kiwis were friendly and showing interest while as culture they are quickly becoming multi-cultural in outlook.

S

[OldWelshGuy]

the Kiwis are great, its the English and the Wallabies who grump and whinge

[spidbot]

It's still as you say on the South Island Harpsound, but here in Auckland the demographics have changed so dramatically in the last 5 years with a huge influx from Asia and significant numbers from South Africa. So Auckland is very different to the rest of New Zealand.

Anyway what about the SEO Conference or will I have to go to Toronto?

:upsidedown:

[harpsound]

Life is a paradox what makes NZ great - the homogeneity of goodness brings a subtle cost. Long live the kiwi way and I hope the newcomers adopt most of what makes Kiwis great.

[OldWelshGuy]

Ok so New Zealand has changed, but does the hairy man sitill bring up the sun?

Actually the last few lines could be the SEO battle cry as well lol until i posted this it had not crossed my mind

A upa ne, ka upa ne,
A upane kaupane whiti te ra

Wales and New Zealand have a great Rugby respect, and It has to be said their meeting in the rugby world cup was THE game so far this century.

Now i will leave it someone else to translate

[spidbot]

Today's lesson in Maori, and yes OWG it could be adopted to SEO! and the sun is shining brilliantly today but I haven't seen the Hairy Man

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

I die! I die! I live! I live!

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

I die! I die! I live! I live!

Tenei te tangata puhuru huru

This is the hairy man

Nana nei i tiki mai

Who fetched the Sun

Whakawhiti te ra

And caused it to shine again

A upa ... ne! ka upa ... ne!

One upward step! Another upward step!

A upane kaupane whiti te ra!

An upward step, another.. the Sun shines !!!

Hi !!!

Hi !!!

:upsidedown: