Rob at the NZ Fine Arts Gallery in Wellington was wearing a tee-shirt, the logo of which intrigued me. The image was of the numeral 8 made of loops of wire, with the outline of the two islands in the lower loop. He explained that the wire was No.8 wire, symbolizing Kiwi Ingenuity.
We asked our train mate Grant about this the next day. Grant explained that Kiwis are known for having to be creative because of historic isolation. Since then, I have learned that the No.8 wire is a fencing wire that can be adapted to many uses. Below are some other examples of Kiwi Ingenuity.
In 1900 New Zealand had the highest number of patent applications per capita in the world. In 2006 New Zealand was ranked fourth in the world for patents filed in proportion to gross domestic product (GDP), and fifth on the basis of population. This tradition of Kiwi ingenuity is often known as the ‘no. 8 wire’ attitude, a reference to a gauge of fencing wire that has been adapted for countless other uses in New Zealand farms, factories and homes.
1. Flagged!
New Zealanders are considering a new flag. The reason? The flag they now have is often confused with that of neighboring Australia. Tired of being confused with the "West Island" - accused of nicking (aka "ripping off") some of North and South Island's best and brightest talent and ideas, they want to claim their own identity.
https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/the-five-alternatives
2. Play Possum
Introduced to New Zealand from Australia (aka "West Island"), the Australian brush tailed possum was introduced to New Zealand in 1837. With few predators, they wreak havoc on New Zealand indigenous species of both plant and animal. We read an article about two young brothers who, after school, trap and skin possums. They then sell the pelts and are doing quite well! Possum fur, when blended with Merino wool, creates a wonderful fiber that is soft, warm, light and washable.
3. Oh Deer!
Red deer were imported to New Zealand and liberated here, starting in 1851 by Lord Petre from his herd at Thornton Park, Essex. These non-indigenous and prolific animals are considered pests by the Department of Conservation as they cause damage to native forests by feeding on indigenous plants. In addition to allowing for hunting of the deer, ingenious Kiwis now farm the animal. Many a menu features venison sliders, venison stews, venison salamis, venison...
4. So many words! - knew and new
We have been impressed with the quality of public toilets in New Zealand. Many are state-of-the-art. Ned even found one that played music. However, we did not realize all the words that are used to describe this particular facility until we passed on one the train ride from Wellington to Auckland. Some we knew, but others were new. Unfortunately, the train was leaving the station, so I did not have time to take the photo.
Here are but a few of the words for "toilet" we scrambled to write and remember:
- drop zone
- the throne
- the bog
- long drop (Ned's favorite - for what we call a pit potty)
- pit potty
- privy
- can
- dunny
- lav
- the ladies
- WC
- the crapper
- thunder box
5. Bungee Jump
The highest profile NZ invention was that of the bungee jump, developed for commercial use
by builder A.J.Hackett in 1987. In June of that year, Hackett made a highly publicized and illegal
jump from the Eiffel Tower.
6. Instant Coffee
In 1890, spice merchant David Strang figured out how to make instant coffee by blowing hot air
over liquid coffee until it became solid.
7. Salt and Pepper
Michael McIntyre points out that salt and pepper have done so tremendously well in the herb and spice arena. While not a Kiwi, this skit was introduced to us by Grant Woodhouse, our train mate between Wellington and Auckland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az080LXT7FA
