Posted in This Land I Love

I am not an American, but want to say Happy 4th of July to all of you who are. As I read over your blog entries and see how proud you are to be Americans, you all have got me feeling patriotic today, but towards my own country of New Zealand. I live in a free land too - we are still part of Great Britain, but in name and heritage only these days.

I have spent two 4th of July's in America, and I love America. There was a time in my life when I wanted to become a citizen of the USA . I did not miss my country at all - I never got homesick. I learned the words to your national anthem. I recited the Pledge of Allegiance until I knew it by memory. I know all the States and most of the State capitals. I can tell by your accents which part of the USA you're from, and I'm following your elections closely with interest. In my heart I adopted America as my homeland. I love Americans and there is something about your culture that just suits me, but it all changed dramatically for me one June day in 1993, and I had to return back to New Zealand.

It was hard for me at first to accept that I was back in New Zealand, and may in fact never return to America (especially now as I hate to fly). But I have had a change of heart - I think New Zealand is the best place to be on earth! We are so blessed to live in these beautiful south sea islands. We're way out in the middle of nowhere - at the bottom of the earth, you might say, surrounded by the ocean. We're old-fashioned compared to the rest of the world, and slightly unsophisticated. If you turn your clocks back about 20 years, that's where you'd probably find us.

We're surrounded by the sea, no way out except by air or boat. We have four definite seasons, so we can be self-sufficient. We have mountains, lakes, rivers, valleys, volcanoes, golden beaches, no snakes, no poisonous spiders, no wild animals that will kill you and we only have about 4 million people, so we're not crowded. I love it here. As much as I love America still and miss some of things over there that make America unique, I am in love with my country - with my heritage - with my people. I am a true daughter of New Zealand. Some of my ancestors were Maori (native New Zealanders), and some were English and some were Scottish.  Some people in the world don't even know where New Zealand is. We're not a super power, we're not influential, we're not famous for anything except our beautiful scenery and Sir Edmund Hilary. And in these days of uncertainty it's nice to be unknown.

We have a beautiful national anthem. Here is a youtube link to a more upbeat version of our anthem that was popular in the 1980's. It has wonderful pictures of some of our scenery.

New Zealand National Anthem

I also found this tv promotional ad that captures the essence of our culture.

The Youngest Nation on Earth

(Thank you Laurie for the link help).

Five interesting facts about New Zealand

1. The only country in the history of the world where christian missionaries preceeded the settlers.

2. The last great land mass discovered, therefore we are the youngest country on earth.

3. One of the few countries in the world where the indigenous people and the new immigrants have lived in relative harmony without racial wars. (We did have a war between England and the Maori in the 1800's, but it was over land, not race), and I think that's something to be proud of.

4. We were settled mainly by hardworking, God-fearing, honest English immigrants looking for a better life, and who have passed this heritage on.

5. We're even mentioned in the Bible! Yes we are! Did you know that New Zealand is the furtherest point on the globe from Israel, therefore we are officially 'the ends of the earth'.

I am proud to be a Kiwi - I am proud to call these islands my home, and I'm proud to bring my children up in this beautiful free land down under.

"....... God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our state,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand. ."

(From the second verse of our national anthem)

It is my earnest prayer that God will defend my free land and yours in the days to come.