Sporting Kiwis

Everyone knows Rugby is the powerhouse sport of New Zealand. We were reminded of this throughout our tour from south to north. But when I asked if New Zealand was anxious to host the World Cup, I was reminded that such a small country may not be capable of putting on a big enough show. With tiny stadiums (the largest being about 60,000) most matches will be held in very intimate arenas. I personally don't think this, nor the distance fans will need to travel, will take away from the spirit a NZ World Cup will broadcast abroad.

Yet the first sports we were introduced in the south island were those of the rugged outdoorsman. This lifestyle was all explained at the ‘Bushman Museum’. This museum then brought to life many of David’s hunting stories from his past and opinions about the governments role in managing land.

We were warned many times that ‘West Coasters’ are already an odd bunch. The population is a tiny fraction of the mere one million inhabitants of this sparse south island.

Four dollars bought our way into a glimpse of the “heroic” hunters and odd people who are ‘west coasters’. The introductory DVD glorified the lives of the helicopter hunters in what was a best of hunting video clips. These government-paid hunters shot down deer from choppers in a ’heroic struggle’ (to the tune of Top Gun’s Highway to the danger zone) all for the sake of population control. When venison hit the $1/kilo, helicpoters dragged pyramids of carcasses over mountaintops for export to countries like Germany. The qualifications need for this job was only a $12 hunting license at a time when a deer would earn you $2000 (or one months wage). With huge incentives caused the plan backfires in the 1970s when under population was now the threat. A “genius” idea was thus needed - the deer hunters were true “innovators” when they thought to farm deer by catching them alive instead of killing them. They then used the helicopters to capture and populate, jumping out and tackling the deer, before they discovered netting.

The selection of magazine at the Marlborough library in Blenhiem. At the Speedy’s home we enjoyed hunting stories. Speculation, rumours and deer talk was the talk of the house when David or the boys were around.

And then there is adventure sports. They are almost synonymous with New Zealand. - jumping out of planes, off bridges and mountains. This country is home to a huge menu of all that is extremely thrilling. And just when it seemed like the kiwis had thought of everything and more, you'll be offered 'black water rafting' in the darkness of caves. Many of these adventure sports so popular amoung tourists were invented right here in New Zealand. An early and successful attempt was even made here at flying by Richard Pierce. When the risk taking inventor was informed his stunt predated the wright brothers first flight by 8 months (had he bothered to record it), he was pretty unimpressed. More recently the jetboat was invented in New Zealand and is a popular way to stake a spin up rivers at blazing speeds. Then there is the bungee that AJ Hacket trialed on this bridge near Queenstown and demonstrated to the world by illegally jumping off the eifel tower in 1986. Here backpackers and grannies alike love ignoring their human instincts and confronting their fears in these safe, organised stunts. Why not go crazy down under? Let me tell you it's quite paralyzing just to watch a 50-year-old mom plunge from a bridge and dunk her face in a river.

As for these two backpackers, we both chose our adventure sports practically. Steph has taken up knitting sheep wool. My birthday scarf is already in the works from a sheep on the Speedy farm, thanks to Pam and her encouragement.

I decided my adventure sport would be fishing the gin-clear rivers that makes this country's fishing so famous. Using the rod we bought at Big W, rivers, lakes and coastline was in abundance. Sadly the only catches I made were those we ate in Kaikoura. I tried to explain to Steph that this wasn't the point. The point was sitting, thinking, in front of jaw-dropping scenery - a spectacular distraction to our fast-paced travels - and the peace that lasted until someone came along to ask 'Any luck?'.