Kiwiana – “big” things to see in New Zealand.
While I was researching information for my previous blog it dawned on me that we as a country do seem to honour our Kiwiana and things which make us kiwis’ by making “big things” to pay them homage.
New Zealand may be a small country but we compensate with a whole bunch of very BIG things!
New Zealand is about 2.5 times smaller than the state of Texas (USA) alone, however, our huge volcanoes, mountain chains and love for the outdoors inspires us to create big things. Huge things even! If it was ever on your bucket list to see a giant trout or even a humongous soda bottle, then New Zealand is the place to do it. Artists have created enormous sculptures all around the country to promote movies or a local beverage to attract tourists or simply for the love of art. Here are just a few of them to give you an idea of what I mean.
TAIHAPE’S GUMBOOT
In case the word ‘gumboot’ is foreign to you, it is just the name given in New Zealand for rubber boots. They are above knee-high and are used by famers and anyone else who walks through water and mud. Everyone New Zealander has at least one pair, if not two, and everyone has experienced that awful feeling of their socks slipping down inside their boots and not being able to do anything about it.
Taihape, a little town in the central of the North Island, is (yes, you guessed it) Gumboot Capital of the World. Located right on State Highway 1, it’s right on the main route between Taupō and Auckland, and prides itself on being a humble but hardworking community – just like the gumboot
In an attempt to revitalize the quiet town, the Gumboot Day Festival was initiated. That was in 1985, and every year since then the festival has run. With competitions and championships and a lot of gumboot throwing, it’s a day not to be missed, and people from all over the country attend.
It is an awesome day out in your gumboots!
