New Zealand

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Comment by Max Pesling on January 27, 2010 at 9:40am

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. I found this little gem on eturbonews:

Fake Maori Scandal

Tour operator: Foreigners hired because real Maoris “too lazy to get out of bed”

Jan 26, 2010

Europeans and Israelis living in New Zealand were found to be posing as Maoris for a local tour operator.

Discovery Heritage Group conceded Tuesday that it had hired Europeans and Israelis to pose as Maori for passengers disembarking from ships at the port of Tauranga on New Zealand’s north island.

Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.

The Maori impersonators dressed up in traditional robes and had fake Maori tattoos painted on their faces because some of the Maori are “too lazy to get out of bed,” local media quoted Terina Puriri, the director of the Discovery Heritage Group, as saying.

The group has been banned from operating at the port because of the breach of security.

Maori impersonators danced the traditional haka and asked disembarking passengers if they wished to pose for a photo with an indigenous New Zealander.

Puriri, who is Maori, was reported as saying that “some of our Maori are too slack to promote themselves ... some of our Maori are too lazy to get out of bed to do that.”

But HuiKakahu Kawe, the chairman of the local Maori tribe, was reported as saying, “We have Maori operators that are operating successfully in the tour business who do get up in the morning and do the business.”

Puriri said critics should “relax” and “stop splitting hairs,” the Associated Press reported.

Comment by Betty Austin-Ware on January 11, 2010 at 5:46pm

Well, imagine that! I thought you had left the building. Tried to contact you when I was in Hobart awhile back. Where are you?

Comment by Dee Farrell on January 11, 2010 at 4:50pm

Gay and lesbian travellers from the world over love to visit NZ. Expert advice is available from the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association ambassador for NZ/AUS/SOPAC.
info@rainbowtourism.com.

Comment by Tripatini on January 11, 2010 at 3:13pm

More education for tourist drivers is needed to prevent fatal crashes, says Kiwi police. True enough, but the same could be said for just about anywhere these days!

Comment by Nepaltrekkingguide on September 17, 2009 at 11:32pm

Hi I like Mt.Cook. I am Trekking Guide,Treks & Tours Organizer. For Treks & Tours to Lumbini,Pokhara, Kathmandu & all round Nepal.

Comment by Donna Hamilton on August 26, 2009 at 7:14am

Check-out Tripadvisor's No1 Auckland attraction'Coast to Coast Tours'
A true ECO-tour experience!

Comment by Sharon Oberritter on August 25, 2009 at 11:26pm

Hi Joy,
You may choose to contact a Kiwi Specialist for assistance in planning your 13 (or 14) day trip to New Zealand because there are many different areas in New Zealand that meet your criteria. I like to either speak with my clients or send them a list of questions before making suggestions as it provides me with the information needed to guide them through their trip.

Comment by David Hiatt on August 25, 2009 at 9:08pm

Hi Joy
With 13 days you should try not to bite off too much. I would suggest visiting maybe 4/5 regions and getting a feel for New Zealand rather than trying to see the whole country.
Maybe Rotorua/Taupo/Hawkes Bay regions in the North Island and then Canterbury and Queenstown in the South Island.
All the best with your planning.

Comment by Joy Engberg on August 16, 2009 at 8:03pm

My husband and I are looking at a total of 13 days for a vacation to New Zealand but depending we may be able to add/subtract a day. We are interested in red wines, hiking, nature, ocean animals and a variety of activities. We like independent tours so anything along those lines would help us but given the right area we can be flexible. We do not want a wine tour or an adventure tour, we want a tour focusing on the unique qualities of New Zealand. What can we see in 13 days to take in both islands? Thanks!