Tuesday, January 28, 2020

An overview of New Zealand: History and culture

An overview of New Zealand: History and culture This paper is a report on the various factors that make up New Zealand. You will find discussions of the history, significant locations, government, economy, tourism, and food. History New Zealand became a recognized location in 1840 when the British made it part of their empire (History, n.d.). The Maori people were the first inhabitants of the islands in the tenth century, but they were flooded by the British culture later on. New Zealand was first discovered by European explorers in 1642; however, then encounter ended in bloodshed. The next meeting took place over one hundred years later in 1769 when both the French and British arrived without each other’s’ knowing. They began trade with the Maori people, who valued highly the arrival of weapons and began the Musket Wars among enemy tribes (The History, 2014). The British developed their plans to colonize New Zealand as they heard rumors of France’s similar ideas (The History, 2014). In 1840, many chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the British Crown. This established British law in New Zealand and created a large basis for what the country is known to be today (History, n.d.). However, with the large influx of British settlers, many hostilities grew and began the New Zealand Wars, or the Land Wars, for twenty years. By 1870, Britain withdrew its troops, â€Å"not wishing to invest any further in a costly overseas war which was likely to continue indefinitely† (The History, 2014). Today, â€Å"New Zealand†¦is an independent nation within the British Commonwealth† (The History, 2014). This means that although the country is under the British Monarch, New Zealand has its own active administration for government (The History, 2014). Map (NZ Map, 2014) Government â€Å"New Zealand is a democratic country in which the Members of Parliament (MPs) are chosen in free and fair elections† (NZ’s System, 2014). Parliament is made up of the House of Representatives and the Governor-General. The House of Representatives consists of 120 members, while the Governor-General is a representative of the Queen. The 120 members are elected by vote and are allowed in office for a term of three years. They hold the New Zealand government accountable for its actions and policies and pass laws over the unwritten constitution. New Zealand is defined as a constitutional monarchy, and so they have Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State. The Queen and Governor-General â€Å"remain politically neutral and do not get involved in the political contest† (NZ’s System, 2014). New Zealand also has lower levels of government bodies, such as territorial local authorities, district health boards, and school boards of trustees (NZ’s System, 20 14). Economy With a population of around four and a half million, their current GDP is around $132 billion at a 2.5% growth (New Zealand). A third of this GDP is made up by the export of goods and services. New Zealand’s economy runs on free market principles through a mixed economy. Its three largest economic sectors are manufacturing, services, and agricultural (Overview, 2014). New Zealand’s currency is called the Kiwi dollar and was â€Å"amongst the top 25 sovereign currencies in the world† at the end of 2012 (Economic Overview, 2014). Today, the Kiwi dollar equals about $1.29 in US Dollars (Rates Table, 2014). Visiting Cities Auckland – While it is the largest city in New Zealand, home to over one and a half million people, it is not the capital. Auckland is located near the top of the North Island and is the main transport hub into the country. Its location touches into beaches and rainforests, but also volcanic areas. The region has 48 volcanic cones, which provide for great views of the city and harbor (Destinations, n.d.). Rororua – This city is south of Auckland, but is still on the North Island. â€Å"Rotorua is known for bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs, as well as showcasing [their] fascinating Maori culture† (Destinations, n.d.). The bubbling mud pools are caused by the Pacific Rim of Fire: a â€Å"geothermal wonderland.† With the surrounding nature, Rotorua is a home-away-from-home for many adventure activists. It has world-class mountain bike trails, as well as horse riding, lake swimming, bungy jumping, ziplining, and more (Destinations, n.d.). Napier – This city is located within Hawke’s Bay of New Zealand. It is known mostly for its art, architecture, culture, and history of the 1930s. The reason for this is that an incredible 7.9 earthquake hit Hawke’s Bay destroying a vast majority of Napier’s buildings and killed almost 260 people. â€Å"Rebuilding began almost immediately, and much of it was completed in two years† (Destinations, n.d.). Wellington – According to Lonely Planet, Wellington is â€Å"the coolest little capital in the world.† It is located at the southern end of the North Island touching the harbor. It is known for its arts and heritage with many museums, art galleries and theatres. This city continues the adventure with more mountain bike trails and kayaking. New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, is located in Wellington too (Destinations, n.d.). Christchurch – This city is fairly large taking over a majority of the middle of the South Island. It lies along the ocean and touches the Alps. To the 340,000 residents of the city, it is known as ‘The Garden City.’ While this location continues the historic beauty and forest-filled adventure, much was destroyed in 2011 from an earthquake. A large portion of the neo-gothic architecture in the central city was ruined along with many other buildings. Despite the destruction, Christchurch still hosts much beauty and fun. A special attraction is the Orana Wildlife Park, which is an open range zoo (Destinations, n.d.)! Queenstown – This is the southern-most city to be visited on the trip in the South Island. According to New Zealand Tourism, Queenstown has become â€Å"world famous for its iconic scenery, friendly people, golf courses, wineries†¦bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking, and river rafting all year round† (Destinaitons, n.d.). Currently, most notably, area around Queenstown is recognized as the makings of Lord of the Rings, with locations that helped to create Middle-earth. Queenstown is clearly the most visited location in the country with a population of 19,200, but over two million visitors every year (Destinations, n.d.). NZ Tourism In 2011, New Zealand hosted over two and a half million visitors, and has expected that number to grow by over 650,000 each year (Tourism Factsheet, 2012). With tourists from around the world, there are some key differences to New Zealand (Key NZ, n.d.). The currency is a dollar, but the make-up is different from that of the US. New Zealand has coins valuing 10, 20, and 50 cents as well as $1 and $2 – then bills of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Banking is generally the same and allows for exchanging currencies (Key NZ, n.d.). For driving, the lanes are swapped with drivers on the left side of the road. New Zealand also uses the metric system, where travel is measured in kilometers instead of miles. Other driving laws are the same: must wear a seat belt, no mobile phone usage, and no drinking and driving. Visitors from other countries can drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months with their home country license (Key NZ, n.d.). New Zealand entertainment is made up of three parts: food, spirits, and fun. The cuisine style is tied to mostly Eurasian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Polynesia, and most of Europe. New Zealand is most well-known for meats like lamb, pork, and venison, as well as seafood such as salmon, crayfish, bluff oysters, mussels, and scallops. The wines of New Zealand are remarkable and are desired around the world. While people in the US must be 21 to drink alcohol, they must only be 18 in New Zealand. Also, unlike than many states in the US, New Zealand has six different casinos throughout the country (Key NZ, n.d.). Aside from all of the scenic adventures in the forests, beaches, mud pools, etc., New Zealand played host to the Lord of the Rings films. â€Å"Since 2004, an average of 47,000 international visitors each year have visited a film location† (Sector Marketing, 2013). Another small, but notable difference is the time zone. â€Å"New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day† – being 12 hours ahead of the GMT (Key NZ, n.d.). In comparison to the US, New Zealand is 18 hours ahead. A shocking factor when traveling to and from New Zealand is losing and gaining a day, which happens because of crossing the International Date Line. While this time difference is very large, a similarity is the use of daylight savings time, which a majority of the rest of the world does not use (Key NZ, n.d.). Food Delicacies In the Maori culture, a hangi feast is recommended (Destinations, n.d.). The hangi is a method of cooking, which has been used by the Maori for over 2000 years. To cook the food, it is placed in a pit oven which has heated rocks buried inside. While it is a well-known way of cooking, it has become very traditional and is only used on special occasions. The style of cooking is typically used for chicken, seafood, and vegetables, but can also be used for steamed pudding (Food Wine, n.d.). New Zealand has some of the most famous seafood in the world. Marlborough green-lipped mussels are not only delicious, but are known to have health benefits such as arthritis relief. Bluff oysters are especially desired in New Zealand and around the world – they even have their own festival in May: the Bluff Oyster and Food Festival. New Zealand also hosts a scallop festival in September called the Whitianga Scallop Festival. The forth seafood delicacy is called Whitebait. They are tiny fish caught during the springtime and are often made into fritters (Food Wine, n.d.). Works Cited Destinations. (n.d.) Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.newzealand.com/us/destinations/ Economic Overview. (28 Oct, 2014). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/investing-in-nz/opportunities-outlook/economic-overview Food Wine. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/favourite-new-zealand-foods/ History. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.newzealand.com/int/history/ Key New Zealand Facts and Information. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/about-new-zealand/keyfacts.html New Zealand. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.heritage.org/index/country/newzealand New Zealand Map. (20 Nov, 2014). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.mapsofworld.com/newzealand/ New Zealand’s System of Government. (19 Dec, 2014). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.elections.org.nz/voting-system/new-zealands-system-government Overview of the New Zealand Economy. (9 Apr, 2014). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.treasury.govt.nz/economy/overview Rates Table. (29 Dec, 2014). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.x-rates.com/table/?from=USDamount=1.00 Sector Marketing: Information on key tourism and special interest sectors. (10 Apr, 2013). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/sector-marketing/film-tourism/fast-facts/ The History of New Zealand: a brief overview of the pre-historic, colonial and modern periods. (29 Dec, 2014). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://history-nz.org/ Tourism Factsheet. (9 Aug, 2012). Retrieved December 29, 2014 from http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/generalinformation/media/tourism+factsheet.htm

Monday, January 20, 2020

The Debate of Animal Testing in Laboratories Essay -- Science Experime

The Debate of Animal Testing in Laboratories Debating over the animal rights movement has raised questions and concerns for many years. Although animal research has been the cause of many medical breakthroughs, is it morally and ethically right to put animals in these kinds of situations? This is one of the underlying questions that must be solved before it is too late. There has already been too much violence and harm caused by the opposing views of this argument. Shouts of protests and riots are heard on the streets, labs and medical equipment are being burned and destroyed and innocent animals are left hanging in the wake. While animal rights organizations fight for more â€Å"kinder, gentler† ways to treat animals, animal research advocates strongly believe that animals unlock the key to curing and ailing diseases. Two sides to pro activists include both animal rights advocates and animal welfare advocates. â€Å"Animal rights means that animals are not ours to use for food, clothing, entertainment, or experi mentation. Animal welfare, on the other hand, permits these uses of animals as long as certain humane guidelines are enforced† (Frequently). Some people believe the concern for animals is a waste of time when there are so many humans in need. Pro activists, however, argue that humans and animals are equally important and both deserve attention. This is a problem that concerns everyone in the world. We, as humans, depend on animals for many things such as food and clothing, so where and when will this controversy end? There must be a compromise, but it is up to us to find the solution to this overwhelming problem. Animal rights activists contribute to the first position on this issue. They believe that animals sho... ...r the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.† It is therefore concluded, from this scripture and research, that animal testing is permissible as long as it is in our best interest and no additional harm is done. Abraham Lincoln summarized my point of view when he said, â€Å"I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being† (Practical Issues). There will hopefully come a day when all the controversy can be set aside and people come together for the sake of the animals. However, that is going to take much effort by both sides and cannot be solved in one day or by one alternative. It is going to take time, effort, and most of all compassion. It is our duty as humans to unite and care for all creatures that God created. Only on that day will animals be truly safe and content.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

DBQ 2. Reporter Paine. Reconciliation with Britain. Declaration.

DBQ’s – Questions and AnswersDocument 1 Why did Whately (and probably most other English officials) feel that the American colonists should be willing to pay higher taxes to Parliament? Whately felt that American Colonists should contribute to the preservation of the advantages they have received.Document 2 According to Dickinson, what taxes was Parliament justified in imposing on the colonies? According to Dickinson, Parliament was justified in imposing the Stamp Act on the colonies. Why did he object to the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts? Dickinson objected to the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts because he did not have the authority to levy taxes.Document 3 How does the engraving tell a different story from the above description of the Boston Massacre? The engraving was a anti-British propaganda. Where do you suppose the term â€Å"massacre† to describe this event came from? This event is described as the term â€Å"massacre† because the Boston boys w ere taunted and cursed by the mean British soldiers.Document 4 Who did Cresswell blame for the growing antagonism between the British and the American colonists? Cresswell blamed New England for the growing antagonism between the British and the American Colonists.Document 5 Why, according to this document, were the Americans justified in fighting the British? According to this document, Americans defended themselves against British tyranny. Since the Parliament’s claim was that it had authority over the colonies â€Å"in all cases whatsoever†, the Americans felt threatened and had to resist by force.Document 6 Why was Paine unwilling to be reconciled with Britain? Paine was unwilling to be reconciled with Britain because it brought war into the land. Was Paine an objective and unbiased reporter? Explain. Paine was not an objective and unbiased reported because he was going against the king.Document 7 How does this document describe King George? This document describes King George as a tyrant. Was the Declaration an objective and unbiased statement of the American-British conflict? Explain. The Declaration was not objective and unbiased statement of the American-British conflict because it was on the American side.Essay 763 marked the end of French and Indian war and caused a great celebration and pride in the American colonies. But, in next twelve years, the same pride was altered by at bitter and violent conflict with the mother country. The injustices of the mother country finally led the American colonists to declare independence and wage war against it. American colonies were justified for waging war and breaking away from Britain because they were defending themselves against a series of measures Parliament wished to impose on their communities without their consent.In Thomas Whately’s pamphlet â€Å"Considerations† he expressed Britain’s view of taxation. The British felt that the colonists should pay higher taxes beca use they owe them for the help they received in the French and Indian War. Britain imposed new tax acts such as the Stamp Acts and the Sugar acts. However, the colonists felt threatened by these new rules (Doc1). Parliament imposed the Townshend Act, which raised taxes on imported goods. According to John Dickinson, Parliament was justified in imposing the Stamp Act on the colonies. Never did the British parliament, [until the passage of the Stamp Act] think of imposing duties in America for the purpose of raising a revenue† (Doc2). Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense to convince the common people to support independence. His main idea was that Britain wants America for its resources. He also believed that Britain was too small to rule a continent, and that Britain was willing to kill its own people (OI). Paine was unwilling to be reconciled with Britain because it brought war into the land.He was not an objective and unbiased reporter because he was going against the king (Doc6). After all the big American-British conflict, the Americans finally gained their independence. They signed the Declaration of Independence adopted by The Continental Congress of July 4 1776. This document was objective and unbiased because it took the American side. It also mentioned King George – â€Å"the history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations [unlawful seizures], all having in direct objest the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States† (Doc7).

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Parallels between A Doll’s House and The Awakening Essay

Throughout history, society often places women inferior to men, causing women to be predisposed to obeying their husband without a second thought. However, when a woman begins to question the idea of loyalty and obedience, her eyes are often opened to the mold that she is encased in and becomes determined to break through and develop her self-potential. In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House and Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, the main female character is put through a revelation that changes her life forever. Through their quest to find their own freedom and individuality, Nora Helmer, from A Doll’s House, and Edna Pontellier, from The Awakening, each uniquely discovers themselves. Since the beginning of the play, Nora was very loyal to her†¦show more content†¦Nora is treated like a child by Torvald, but she is accustomed to it and believes he loves her dearly. However, an important component of a successful and true marriage is trust, which is lackin g in the Helmers’ marriage. Nora keeps a secret from Torvald while he is reluctant to trust her with money, let alone his reputation (Ibsen 2, 3, 13). When Torvald discovers that Nora has kept a secret from him, he is furious and takes away her right to raise the children without a second thought (Ibsen 83). However, while Torvald was throwing a fit, Nora comprehends that he has never loved her and that she was forcing herself to believe she loved him (Ibsen 87). Like Nora, Edna knew that she and her husband, Leonce, never loved each other; she thought he was her ticket out of her old life while he thought of her as his possession (Chopin 8, 29). Both Edna and Nora were raised to be obedient wives, but Edna, after her awakening, felt like marriage was â€Å"one of the most lamentable spectacles on earth† and did not try to save her marriage (Chopin 100). Love was sometimes not a factor that determined marriage; money and image was usually more preferred. Marriages ofte n lead to families and creating a home, which causes women to take on yet another role. Nora and Edna, however, were polar opposites when it came to family. Edna definitely lacked motherly instinct, and she only occasionally spent time with her children (Chopin 16). Her children were the only thingShow MoreRelatedA Doll s House By Henrik Ibsen1135 Words   |  5 PagesIn the play, â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Henrik Ibsen, and the novel, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, the two protagonists named Nora Helmer and Edna Pontillier depict feminist ideals during the Victorian era in their struggle for independence, both sexually and emotionally. Nora and Edna are feminists in the late 1800s, trapped in an era and a society dictated by men. Both works parallel together and are significant because they show how Edna and Nora awaken, as their roles and self-realization progressRead MoreEssay on Themes and Symbols in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House1296 Words   |  6 P ages(Ibsen 1491). 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Primarily, in A Doll’s HouseRead More A Comparison of Individual Responsibility in Oedipus Rex and A Dolls House4312 Words   |  18 PagesIndividual Responsibility in Oedipus Rex and A Dolls House    In Sophocles Oedipus Rex and Ibsens A Dolls House, the main characters - Nora and Oedipus, are both constructed to illustrate flaws in society.   Oedipus psychological evolution sees him begin as an all-powerful, righteous king, who seemingly through no fault of his own murders his father and marries his mother.   His evolution ends with his self-blinding, an action which Sophocles uses to establish the true freedom of the individualRead MoreEssay Prompts4057 Words   |  17 Pages As I Lay Dying The Mill on the Floss The Awakening Moby-Dick Billy Budd Mrs. Dalloway Bleak House Native Son Bless Me,Ultima One Hundred Years of Solitude Catch-22 Othello Crime and Punishment The Scarlet Letter The Crucible Slaughterhouse-Five A Farewell to Arms Song of Solomon Ghosts The Stone Angel The Great Gatsby The Stranger Heart of Darkness A Tale of Two Cities The House of Mirth Their Eyes Were Watching God Jude the