Merry Christmas from down-under in New Zealand

Merry Christmas from down-under in New Zealand … although we do use pine and conifer (and artificial)  for our Christmas trees, we call the pohutukawa our ‘Christmas tree’ as it flowers over Xmas and the summer period.(Dec /Jan)

This photo was taken on the Chatham Islands  at my hotels breakfast table!  I love the contrast of  the blue glass and the red flowers.

New Zealands Christmas tree – the pohutukawa

 

Top five special lists: places, plants, birds – kiwis have their say!

Quintessentially Kiwi Survey results

After a survey of us kiwi, New Zealand’s Dept of Conservation says these are our ‘top fives’ … so if you are a visitor to NZ, check out what we like and value in our country: read more here

Top 5 special places

Sir Edmond Hillary's' statue at Mt Cook/Aoraki. NZ

• Stewart Island – 20%
• Fiordland – 18%
• Cape Reinga – 17%
• Aoraki/Mt Cook – 14%

  

  Pohutukawa

• Rotorua – 13%

Top 5 native plants

• Pohutukawa – 33%

  

  Kea (our native mountain parrot)

• Kauri – 31%
• Kowhai – 19%
• Rimu – 16%
• Rata – 12%

Top 5 native birds

• Kiwi – 66%
• Tui – 41%
• Kakapo – 38%
• Kea – 31%
• Fantail – 22%