North and South magazine

I featured in the “Subscriber profile” in the September 2012 issue:

Tell us about yourself

I’m a 50 year old* Skiwi (Scottish Kiwi who likes skiing). I moved to NZ in 2002, initially living in Dunedin – a good introduction to NZ for someone who’d been living in Scotland, given that the grid plan is based on Edinburgh and that the climate has similarities to Scotland’s! I now live in sunny Whakatane, where I work as a nurse on the mental heath ward. I’m a bookworm but also enjoy swimming and cycling (I don’t own a car), and I sing in a local choir (the Edgecumbe choir).

Do you identify with the North or South Island and why?

Although I now live in the N Island I identify with the South – the Mainland – where I first lived and which I know much better than the North. I like the climate, the space and the scenery, and have many friends there. When I lived in Scotland’s Orkney islands my home island was called Mainland. People who live on Mainland talk about going over to the mainland (mainland Scotland)

What makes your region special?

The people – it’s truly “bicultural” here – about 50% Maori, 50% Pakeha. If you like heat (I don’t!!) the climate is an attraction. Bush, river and beach lie at the edge of the town, White Island smokes away offshore and kiwi live locally too.

If you could live elsewhere in NZ, where would that be and why?

When I retire I’d prefer to move back south, but to a smaller centre than Dunedin – like Timaru or Oamaru. I like living near the sea but I also like living where there are good long distance transport links.

Do you recall a North & South article or cover that has challenged your thinking or which stands out for you?

The December 2011 issue had an article about “Reimagining Christchurch” – I knew the centre of Christchurch well in its original form, and since the quakes I have been regularly discussing possible options with friends there.

As part of our subscriber family, you’re very important to us. Why is North and South important to you?

It keeps me informed about a wide variety of issues and covers both islands – many publications focus predominately on the more populous N Island.

* I turned 51 in April, but I was 50 when I submitted this to the publishers in December 2011. Hence the photo is also of me when I was 50!

Transits of Venus across the Sun were once very important to science. Huge efforts were expended trying to record them, in order to determine the size of the universe. In the 18th century astronomers measured how far away celestial objects were by “astronomical units” (the distance of the Earth from the Sun), but they had not yet defined this distance accurately.

The explorer James Cook went to Tahiti in 1769 to record the transit of Venus. After observing it, Cook continued to NZ on the HMS Endeavour: This was the second vessel to bring European visitors to NZ. Cook observed the transit of Mercury (at Cook’s Beach) and created the first nearly complete map of the NZ coastline.

Transits of Venus occur in pairs separated by eight years. Each pair is in turn separated by an alternating interval of 105.5 and 121.5 years, making a cycle of 243 years. The last transit of Venus was in June 2004, but New Zealand was not in a prime viewing position. The next transit of Venus after this will be seen from Earth in 2117…

Venus behaved as anticipated, travelling as a black dot across the face of the sun, but unfortunately it was not easily visible in the Eastern Bay of Plenty because it was a cloudy day here. At least the weather was consistent - there were similar climactic conditions in 2004!

Flying with a difference 

In April 2012 I made use of Whakatane airport for the first time. This is possibly the most distinctive building in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Regardless of how well travelled you are, the terminal is completely different to any other you will have encountered. It was designed by Roger Walker and was completed in 1974. It looks like something out of a Walt Disney cartoon. If you are in the area, don’t miss it! It’s a bit like when you’ve first tried a Fisherman’s Friend – you’ll either love it or loathe it, but you’ll not forget what you think of it!

Easter 2012

"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles."  

- Tim Cahill

At the end of March I went across the ditch to Oz on holiday – I flew to Melbourne, where I visited Melbourne's immigration museum & Old Melbourne Gaol. I also visited Sovereign Hill in Ballarat (a former goldrush location) & spent a couple of nights in Echuca at the Victoria / NSW border (historic paddlesteamer territory on the Murray River). I spent the rest of my trip staying with long-suffering friends in Canberra who introduced me to Australia’s National Folk Festival (http://www.folkfestival.org.au)... click onto the “musical notes” tab for more details of this event.

During my stay in ACT I also visited a number of Canberra’s attractions – but not all of them – I need to have a reason to return! I climbed Mount Tennent in the south west of the state, and also visited Goulburn in NSW (half way between Canberra and Sydney) where I attended a recorder concert. Goulburn has two cathedrals as well as several interesting art deco buildings.

Friends introduced me to the National Folk Festival (http://www.folkfestival.org.au), which is held in Canberra every Easter. Around 50 000 attended – participants come from all over the world. Highlights of the performances for me included seeing April Verch, a feisty young Canadian fiddler who tap danced vigorously while playing her fiddle at full throttle!! Interestingly the showstopping final acts during the opening concert and the final night’s concert were both Scottish groups – Battlefield Band (from western Scotland) & Shooglenifty (from eastern Scotland)! I particularly enjoyed the participatory events: playing (my flute) in the Bush Orchestra & participating in the percussion workshop.