Aotearoa - the land of the long white cloud

....and the land of the All Whites (currently a sensitive subject with Australians).

Meanwhile the All Blacks are making really sure that they keep their heads tucked in in the scrum.
Next World Cup match between the All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies is on 31 July in Melbourne.

I'm heading across the Tasman this week for a five day visit to see family and friends.
My 'designing' eye will be on the look out for interesting fads, food and fashions in New Zealand that I can bring you 'live' on this blog.

....and sheep (forget those Aussie sheep jokes)

....wooden bungalows with tin roofs.

....tin sheds and settlers cottages.

...beautiful bays (Russell - Bay of Islands)

....fishing boats and their ship to shore catches. Nowhere in New Zealand is far from the sea

....ducks beside the seaside, and on the lakes.

....and Punga ferns - "the silver fern"; one of the most widely recognised (unofficial) symbols of NZ.