Well- things have improved tremendously here in Nelson... Yes, the daytime low today is forecast to be 9 degrees! I actually didn't need a jacket walking to work, and in the whole next week forecast the low is 5! I haven't had a need to put my firestarting to the test, which makes me very happy.
One of the neat things I got to do not too long ago was tour a fishing vessel that goes out on the water for ~ 6 weeks at a time. It was actually pretty interesting! The longer I stay here, the more I start to like water and things of the water.
And now for a few interesting tidbits on New Zealand (compliments of our friends at wikipedia...)
New Zealand is the only country in the world in which all the highest offices in the land have been occupied simultaneously by women, between March 2005 and August 2006 - The Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II of New Zealand, Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, Prime Minister Helen Clark, Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Margaret Wilson and Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias.
Because of its long isolation from the rest of the world and its island biogeography, New Zealand has extraordinary flora and fauna. About 80% of the New Zealand flora occurs only in New Zealand, including more than 40 endemic genera.[3
Until the arrival of humans, 80% of the land was forested and, barring three species of bat (one now extinct), there were no non-marine mammals. Instead, New Zealand's forests were inhabited by a diverse range of birds including the flightless moa (now extinct), and the kiwi, kakapo, and takahç, all endangered due to human actions. Unique birds capable of flight include the Haast's eagle, which was the world's largest bird of prey (now extinct), and the large kâkâ and kea parrots. Reptiles present in New Zealand include skinks, geckos and tuatara. There are four endemic species of primitive frogs. There are no snakes and only one venomous spider, the katipo, which is rare and restricted to coastal regions. However, there are many species of insects, including the weta, one species of which may grow as large as a house mouse and is the heaviest insect in the world.
Corruption - 2nd equal least corrupt in world at 9.6 on index
Political freedom ratings - Free; political rights and civil liberties both rated 1 (the highest score available)
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