Experience the Auckland region

Kia Ora,
The last couple weeks I have not been so busy on the weekends. I did go see bridesmaids and Transformers 3. Bridesmaids was funny as, but Transformers 3 could of been better. I also went back to Mission Bay and got some Swiss Ice Cream. It was good as. And went to the beach. This week however was super fun as. Two interns came in from the south part of the North Island and we partied it up. First night we didn't really do anything special. We played beer pong with water and we tried to go out, but no such luck. The next day we went to the zoo and we saw a encounter with rare species here in New Zealand such as a Kiwi bird. It was so cute and it is so rare to see them because they are up at night. We saw other animals as well that can be seen in the US. Then we went to Mt. Eden. It was really windy up at the top. We tried to go get meat pies, but it was closed. Instead we went to a Thai restaurant in our apartment. After a long day we went all night at the bars by the harbor.That was a awesome as night with dancing and Denny's afterwards. The next day we went to Waiheke Island to show our visitors the beauty. On a different note, work has been getting a lot better with me knowing the routine and also getting involved with the public more with talking about the animals. I hope that the rest of the time here will be just or more fun as.
Cheers
Siobhan 

My Expereince in New Zealand so far

Kia Ora,
I am in my fourth week here in New Zealand going on my fifth. I am having loads of fun here. I went to some Islands off of Auckland which were called Waiheke and Rangitoto. They have beautiful scenery. The Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island so I climbed to the top and my breathe was taken. My work at Butterfly Creek is also going well. I am getting into a routine there. I take care of pretty much all the animals. The last two weeks I was on the farm and I took care of rabbits and baby goats. The baby goats are crazy and need to watched carefully. I also took care of baby pigs that were from a litter of 17. They are cute. The baby crocs that Butterfly Creek gave birth to are doing extremely well. From last week they grew 3 to 6 grams bigger and their teeth are certainly coming in and coming in fast. I am looking forward to what there is more to bring from this experience. I am planning a trip to Queenstown in late July and I hope to also see Milford sound because I know that it is a gorgeous scenery. I can't wait!!!
Cheers
Siobhan 

In New Zealand

Kia Ora Everyone,
I am in New Zealand having a great time so far. My first couple of days here I was in Rotorua. There I had my introduction to New Zealand and some activities. Such were caving, luging and Maori village. Caving was hard but exciting. I saw glow worms that were cool but not very fun if you got stuck by one because they eat you. Luging is like carting but faster and the Maori village was very cool. I got to learn a lot these couple of days and now I am in Auckland getting ready for my internship at Butterfly Creek. I can't wait until I get going but I at least have a day or two to get settled before I start on Tuesday.
Cheers
Siobhan 

On my way to New Zealand

I am on my way now. I am in San Francisco now getting ready to leave in less then a week. I am done with my pre-session and moving on to when I am in the country. That will not start until after I get into the country and more secure what is going on. I will however post other things such as pictures and some great adventures I will have. I hope you have enjoyed my blog so far and there will be more to come for sure.

New Zealand Enterntainment

Entertainment and lifestyle

If you’re coming to New Zealand be prepared for fun-filled study breaks in the country where bungy jumping and jet boating were invented.

Outdoor adventure

New Zealanders love the outdoors. We spend our hot summers and mild winters exploring beautiful national parks, beaches and rivers. You can go kayaking, mountain biking, surfing, abseiling, parachute jumping, swimming with dolphins, caving, and, of course, bungy jumping.

Sports

New Zealanders’ national sport is rugby – many play it and just about everybody enjoys watching it. Other popular sports include cricket, cycling, hockey, soccer, netball, horse riding, tennis, touch rugby, golf, basketball, badminton, bowls, yachting, volleyball, squash, cycling, mountain biking, trail biking, motor racing, skiing, shooting, rowing, fishing, swimming and aerobics.
All sorts of watersports are enjoyed in our famously clean rivers, harbours and lakes.

Arts and culture

Most New Zealand towns have cinemas, art galleries and museums. Professional theatre companies operate throughout the country and many major rock and pop acts tour here. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand String Quartet tour frequently. Film premieres for locally made blockbusters attract thousands of people.

Find out what's on

It’s easy to access sport and recreational activities - and relatively affordable. Look in your local library or check newspapers for up-to-date information on gigs, shows, and exhibitions at local galleries. Local authorities (councils) provide information on their websites listing local sports clubs and recreational facilities.

Free events

Most cities have a summer festival with lots of free events at public venues. Look out for things like bands, night-time walks to see glow-worms, food and cultural festivals and dance performances. Public libraries are a good place to find out about these and other community events.

Orientation week

Your tertiary institution will run an orientation week full of free and paid events, shows and gigs. See Induction and orientation

Discounts

Remember to ask whether there is a student (or Youth Hostel Association) discount at events you attend. Discounts often apply at orchestra concerts and theatre performances, as well as outdoor adventure tourism activities.
http://www.newzealandeducated.com/de/guide/settling_in/entertainment_and_lifestyle

New Zealand Economy

Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes - but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder - and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income rose for ten consecutive years until 2007 in purchasing power parity terms, but fell in 2008-09. Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, helping fuel a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for economic managers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007-08; international capital inflows attracted to the high rates further strengthened the currency and housing market, however, aggravating the current account deficit. The economy fell into recession before the start of the global financial crisis and contracted for five consecutive quarters in 2008-09. In line with global peers, the central bank cut interest rates aggressively and the government developed fiscal stimulus measures. The economy posted a 1.7% decline in 2009, but pulled out of recession late in the year, and achieved 2.1% growth in 2010. Nevertheless, key trade sectors remain vulnerable to weak external demand. The government plans to raise productivity growth and develop infrastructure, while reining in government spending.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$119.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $116.8 billion (2009 est.) $118.8 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$138 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 -1.7% (2009 est.) -0.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$28,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $27,700 (2009 est.) $28,500 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.6% industry: 24% services: 71.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.32 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 7% industry: 19% services: 74% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 6.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: %NA highest 10%: %NA
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.2 (1997) country comparison to the world: 83
Investment (gross fixed):
19.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Budget:
revenues: $56.24 billion expenditures: $62.18 billion (2010 est.)
Public debt:
25.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 22.2% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 2.1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 83 5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.39% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 12.21% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$24.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $21.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$118.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $108.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$206.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $180.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$67.06 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 58 $24.17 billion (31 December 2008) $47.45 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
dairy products, lamb and mutton; wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef; fish
Industries:
food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - production:
42.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - consumption:
39.24 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
61,150 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Oil - consumption:
154,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Oil - exports:
54,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Oil - imports:
143,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Oil - proved reserves:
60 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - production:
4.305 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - consumption:
4.32 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Natural gas - imports:
NA
Natural gas - proved reserves:
33.98 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Current account balance:
$-4.504 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $-3.693 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$33.24 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $25.35 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery
Exports - partners:
Australia 23.36%, US 9.64%, China 9.21%, Japan 7.1%, UK 4.21% (2009)
Imports:
$30.24 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $23.95 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics
Imports - partners:
Australia 18.4%, China 15.09%, US 10.45%, Japan 7.24%, Germany 4.16%, Singapore 4.12% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$17.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $15.59 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$64.33 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $62.47 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$67.18 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $66.63 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA (31 December 2009) $59.08 billion (31 December 2008)
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.3874 (2010) 1.6002 (2009) 1.4151 (2008) 1.3811 (2007) 1.5408 (2006) https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nz.html