I was blessed (yes, I now use Southern sayings with ease) from an early age with the travel bug. A generous gift from my equally, adventurous parents. And embrace this bug I did, both with them and independently, making my inaugural solo-flight overseas at 19. Ten years later, I have discovered I am definitely another flying Kiwi, but defining 'Kiwi' is a little harder.
Yes, it is mostly commonly known as a type of brown and green fruit, also called a Chinese gooseberry. If you look a little deeper, you will also discover it is the name of a rare, and adorable, flightless bird, native to New Zealand. But in my neck of the woods, it refers to a New Zealander or New Zealand culture. These first two definitions are easy to convey, the last one, a wee bit harder.
Being a native 'Kiwi', I have jumped off a bridge while attached to a rubber band, and created solutions from next to nothing. I have watched the All Blacks tackle, ruck and fit into increasingly smaller uniforms, and I attempt to speak Maori on a daily basis. I have eaten my weight in 'fish and chips', adore pineapple lumps and am definitely a marmite girl! But it goes a little deeper than that. As my adventure continues, my national pride increases, and I understand more what a unique, and magical place it is. Although we may be a small country, in hindsight, we are not small-minded.
What I have learnt about Kiwi culture, from my travels is we have an adaptability to work with different people, blend different cultures, and create an impression, good or bad, where ever we pass through. The simple fact that the 'can-do' attitude, will get you out of many a problem, and the sheer excitement of meeting a fellow member of the exclusive 'Kiwi club', will brighten any day. 'Kiwi' is very much part of my identity, but being 'Kiwi' means that it doesn't have to stop there. The more Southern Country girl that creeps into my identity, the more 'Kiwi', I become. Being 'Kiwi' isn't about having national pride in one culture, is it the ability to blend a variety of culture and experience, constantly embracing the new culture created. Agreed, not all 'Kiwis' are alike or even this way, but again, it is my belief, that is what makes us all 'Kiwi'.
I hope I have been able to convey that spirit to the sweet 6 year old's I have taught over the last 2 years, and will continue in the year ahead. I come from a place we I have been able to grow to be a little 'out of the box' and encouraged to spread my wings just to see how far I could go.
Kiwis are not meant to fly, but the fact that so many of us do, just goes to show what we are capable of. From a country not many have heard or and less know where it is, we have top actors/actresses, film directors, writers, comedians, Grammy award winners, and even a country music star. We have world class innovators and inventors, top business personnel, and simple ideas that have turned big dreams into reality. We are a nation that punches well above our weight on the global stage creating Gold medal winners, and rugby coaches all around the world.
If you have not ventured down to the southern most part of the world, add it to your bucket list, and see what 'Kiwi' means to you.
Some Kiwis do fly... and I am glad I did.
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