New Zealand: The Official Kiwi Thread!

[The Atheist]

Politics included, which is why it's here.

Anyone up for an in-depth look at NZ society and politics?

Unlike those xenophobic Aussies, it won't matter where you come from; NZ has a fairly international reputation these days and not just as an ovine-lover's paradise of bestiality!

The time to discuss NZ is right, too. Our recent elevation to UN Security Council temporary member may have escaped most people, but after a recent general election returning the government and a change in leadership of the traditional opposition means that there is a bit going on here right now.

We're extra-special friends with China, too, so if you want us to put in a good word with China, NZ is not the place to do it, because we have a "Do not be mean to China's official delegation" order in place and it's being rigidly enforced.

Key has a stellar line-up of guests in a row, for a small, insignificant country: Angela Merkel, been & gone, Xi Jinping today, and Stephen Harper shortly, no doubt to be followed by a round with Bestie Barack in Hawaii at Xmas. It truly is the summer of international love down here!

Stating my preference right now: big fan of Andrew Little. Most excellent man.

 

[Spindrift]

So are the koalas and kangaroos everywhere?

 

[The Atheist]

No, but we probably have as many wallabies as Australia, plus a lot more of their damned possums.

Couple of kangaroo scalps over the past month, but no kangas outside the zoo. Oddly, no koalas in the zoos.

 

[PhantomWolf]

Well this is going to be a boring thread....

 

[MikeG]

Well this is going to be a boring thread....

How much fun did you expect in a thread about shoe-polish, for goodness sake.

 

[The Atheist]

Well this is going to be a boring thread....

Looks like it, eh?

I have no idea how many Kiwis are members, but I see there were plenty of comments in the flag thread.

I was hoping there might be a supporter of the comb-over smarmy chap.

 

[Francesca R]

I still have NZ nationality and was born and lived there 8 years (Canterbury). I tend to self identify as Kiwi rather than British (have that nationality too), since I can't really pull off Italian. I go back a bit more often than the royal family does. Was there last month but only for a day. It was sunny.

As for news and politics its a great place to be to find out about what is going on outside the country. Better than most in that respect.

 

[Francesca R]

Oh and I am short the Kiwi dollar.

 

[Scootch]

I like Flight of the Conchords does that count?

 

[MG1962]

I like Flight of the Conchords does that count?

No

 

[Scootch]

No

To quote Jermaine "Be more constructive with your feedback please."

 

[wombatwal]

The scenery is nice in the South Island.

 

[The Atheist]

Oh and I am short the Kiwi dollar.

You won't be lonely in that position, although I gather the tide's been against it a little very recently.

You can be comforted that RBNZ is with you with a very fat wallet that they will use to drive it down again, and that time might be due very soon with the latest dairy auction prices.

I'd even hazard a guess that next Thursday US Time is when they will make a move.

 

[The Atheist]

I like Flight of the Conchords does that count?

Ignore that usurper Aussie. Jeez, we gave them Russell Crowe and Neil Finn - you think they'd be happy, but no, because they can't claim the supernatural skills of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, they won't let you be an honorary Kiwi for liking them.

You're in, mate!

Bret did a jete* at the flaming Oscars.

It does not get better than that.






*I don't think Australians know what a jete is, but just pretend it's a synonym for "beer". Pretty well everything else is over there.

 

[The Atheist]

The scenery is nice in the South Island.

Bah, that north/south thing is so old.

South Island accepted years ago that they were inferior in every respect and it never even gets a mention these days.

 

[MG1962]

Ignore that usurper Aussie. Jeez, we gave them Russell Crowe and Neil Finn - you think they'd be happy, but no, because they can't claim the supernatural skills of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, they won't let you be an honorary Kiwi for liking them.

Standards must have really slipped or you guys are getting desperate for acceptance if all one has to do is like a couple of comedians on prime time US TV to become a honorary Kiwi.

We gave Russel Crowe back - a few times

And dont bag Australia because a New Zealand guitar player decides to spend most of his professional career in an Australian band.

Remember we have not forgiven you for Joh Bjelke Peterson or Mother Goose

 

[MG1962]

Bah, that north/south thing is so old.

South Island accepted years ago that they were inferior in every respect and it never even gets a mention these days.

Spoken like a true NAFA

 

[angrysoba]

Well this is going to be a boring thread....

You said that about the Great New Zealand Flag Debate Thread Poll and it turned out to be Quite Interesting.

 

[The Atheist]

Standards must have really slipped or you guys are getting desperate for acceptance if all one has to do is like a couple of comedians on prime time US TV to become a honorary Kiwi.

Oi! Did you miss that Bret won an Oscar.

The only thing Aussie can claim from the 2012 Academy Awards is winner Meryl Streep once portrayed an Aussie!

Remember we have not forgiven you for Joh Bjelke Peterson or Mother Goose

Joh? Are you kidding? The longest-serving, most-popular Premier in Queensland's history? A man who oversaw QLD go from banana state to the second-richest per capita?

Sheesh.

Next you'll be trying to claim the pavlova or Phar Lap!

Aussie bandits.

 

[MG1962]

Oi! Did you miss that Bret won an Oscar.

The only thing Aussie can claim from the 2012 Academy Awards is winner Meryl Streep once portrayed an Aussie!

Yes we had little to cheer about assuming we ignore the 5 nominations we had including best actor, best actress best supporting actor. But oh well I guess victories are where you find them...no matter how small they might be