About Lifestyle...

"Think of New Zealand and you think of lifestyle" - without doubt, this is a country that packs a lot of punch when it comes to sporting, cultural, and entertainment opportunities! Of course, most people have heard of the All Blacks, but there is tremendous activity going on here outside of the traditional obsession with rugby.

So what makes New Zealand simply unique? Well, without doubt, the remarkable landscape is a huge factor in inspiring a vibrant arts scene and a wealth of outdoor activities. Catch a day when the land is bathed in that extraordinarily illuminating sunlight and sportsmen will want to be out in it, artists will want to paint it. At nzgold we vividly recall our first visit to New Zealand in 1987. Flying down from Auckland to Christchurch on a particularly clear day, after some twenty seven hours of traveling from London, we were greeted by a brilliant visual symphony. It's a sight we shall not forget - and it was one that helped inspire us to return permanently a few years later.

Recently, we chanced upon a powerful reminder of that first encounter with New Zealand's supreme 'lifestyle environment' whilst flying from London to Singapore. Working though a pile of newspapers papers to relieve the boredom we chanced upon an article in the Mail on Sunday (15/1/06) by the hugely successful Kiwi singer Hayley Westenra - "My New Zealand is Pure magic". Hayley, who is so especially popular in the U.K., acknowledges her "debt of gratitude" for being able to grow up and develop her talents in such a "wonderful nation". These are sentiments that numerous other 'creative Kiwis' would endorse - however modest their recognition.

Lifestyle is important to us here at nzgold. Indeed, that is one of the main reasons why we support a policy of 'honest money' rather than the lunatic expansion of nominal dollars seen in recent years. All those 'new dollars' have driven the traditional Kiwi lifestyle way beyond the reach of many New Zealanders - especially younger people. Increasingly, the fabled 'quarter acre pavlova paradise' is becoming the thing of myth. Our view is that if future Kiwis want to be writing about New Zealand - with the same sincerity and enthusiasm as Miss Westenra - they will have to battle to maintain the things they value so dearly!

If you have something to contribute to the unique New Zealand lifestyle, whether in the way of comment, product, or details of forthcoming events click on the lifestyle issues link to access our 'lifestyle forum'.