UD Study Abroad in New Zealand: Sustainable Food Production

Upon getting on our bus to Akaroa, we were only certain of one thing: the bus driver was instructed to take the scenic route. From what we have come to expect from that phrase is a lot of beautiful, winding, tiny roads through the hills and mountains of New Zealand. We headed out of Lincoln towards our first stop at Birdlings Flat. Birdlings Flat is a small town on the coast known for its shale rock beach comprised of polished stones washed in from the sea and off the mountains. It is a tradition for our program to go to this beach, typically within the first few days, but due to the weather we just got the opportunity. After wandering around looking for many varieties of colorful, smooth, or fun-shaped rocks, we laid in a line and looked up at the sky. This practice originated from Neil Gow, a former professor at Lincoln University who was instrumental in creating our study abroad program. Professor Gow wisely told Delaware students to use this opportunity to shift their perspective. ...

The guest lecture this week was Professor Greg Ryan, who teaches the history of sports here at Lincoln University. Even though it is not in his current teaching realm, he gave us a lecture on the history of the Māori and New Zealand, as he has been doing for our study abroad program for years. Professor Ryan walked into the classroom with a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt. At that moment I knew he was going to be a very interesting person. When he began his slideshow, the first piece of information we learned about him was his love for his two cats, Zinc and Coco (made me miss my cat Sunny), along with his love for beer and brewing. Professor Ryan has a book all about brewing beer in New Zealand called Continuous Ferment . Professor Ryan grew up in a sport dominant family where a majority of his family played rugby at high level. Professor Ryan couldn’t participate in sports due to being visually impaired, but this didn’t stop his love for sports. He attended the University of Canterb...

Hokey Pokey ice cream is a beloved flavor that originated in New Zealand and has become a go-to dessert for Kiwis. Often enjoyed in the summer, Hokey Pokey ice cream carries a sense of nostalgia for many, and is tied to many families’ traditions. The flavor was first created in 1953 by Brian Simon, whose father owned an ice cream factory. Interestingly, the term "Hokey Pokey" predates the ice cream flavor itself. Originally, it referred to any flavor of ice cream sold by street vendors, often Italian immigrants, who were known as "hokey pokey men." By the late 1800s, the term evolved to specifically describe honeycomb toffee in New Zealand.  Hokey Pokey ice cream is more than just a treat, it’s a part of New Zealand’s cultural identity. You’ll find it in nearly every supermarket, corner store, and ice cream shop across the country, often as a classic option alongside other Kiwi favorites. Over the years, it’s become so ingrained in the culture that it has even made ...

I have quite an extensive bucket list for this trip. We have so many opportunities to experience things that are impossible in the States. The first one I crossed off was stargazing. New Zealand has significantly lower levels of light pollution making it much easier to look up and find the constellations every night (but they’re a little harder to find since they’re upside down). The second item on my list was discovering new flavors of coffee. The first place to help me with my mission was Little River Cafe.  On January 11th, on our way to the beach town of Akaroa, we went to a small shop and cafe to get a quick breakfast and caffeine fix. The little coffee shop was set in a valley, surrounded by a ring of mountains so tall they cut through the clouds. This small shop was then bombarded with around 40 hangry, uncaffeinated, college students that only had 30 minutes to order and eat. The scenery was idyllic and a perfect place to stop and get some breakfast. Inside there were a sur...

Down on the not-so-wee Canterbury Plains lives a unique farmer, Hamish Marr. Hamish runs a 500-hectare arable family-run farm. He is one of very few farmers who processes feed and sells it internationally, while also grazing sheep and dairy on lush fertile land. When I first met Hamish I was astounded by all of his many achievements throughout his life as not only a farmer, but also as an international trade ambassador. Some of his many accomplishments include Livestock Improvement Corporation Board, Federated Farmers, New Zealand Seeds Authority Chair, Nuffield scholar, and Seed Grower of the Year.  Not only are his achievements noteworthy, but also are his character and passion towards agriculture. As we walked his beautiful green farm, Hamish repeatedly noted that “farming is the same everywhere, but different.” In his international travels he finds appreciation in the culture of agriculture throughout the world. He also reflects on using the land for its intended purpose and ho...

On January 10 our group ventured into Christchurch for an unforgettable adventure: “waka on the Avon.” In Māori, waka means canoe, and Avon is the post-colonial name given to the river that runs throughout Christchurch. However, the Māori name for the river is Ōtākaro. Upon arriving in town, we followed the river down to the canoe company’s site. The talk of our bunched up group was interrupted suddenly by a belting Māori voice. One of the workers, a young man and Māori tribe member, proceeded to perform a speech of three messages: a welcome, a prayer for good wind and luck on the river, and a thank you to the Gods. Our group was split into two; one went down to the docked waka on the river while the other, my group, went with a tour guide.  Our guide, also a member of a Māori tribe, provided fascinating insight on the Māori people, the history of the waka, and the role Māori tribes have in shaping Christchurch. She explained how the large canoes have been a vital part of transport...