Become a
Premium Member
and post notes and photos about your poem like Funom Makama.
This is an Ode about New Zealand. Wellington is its capital; Auckland is the largest city (lines 1 to 3). It garnered economic advantage through films that a Minister of Lord of the Rings was once created to ensure maximum earnings (lines 4 & 5). The longest place name in the world is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, a hill in Hawkes Bay (line 6). It is the least corrupt nation in the world- tied with Denmark (line 9) and the only country in the world where all the highest positions have been simultaneously held by women. In 200, the Queen, Governor General, the prime minister, the speaker of House of reps and chief Justice are all women (line 9). The Kea bird pulls windscreen wipers off cars and eats the strips of rubber from windows (line 12). Pelorus Jack was a Dolphin who guided ships through dangerous and rocky waters around New Zealand in the early 1900s (line 19). Henry the tuatara was a father for the first time at the age of 111 years (line 22). Harold Gillies who pioneered plastic surgery is a kiwi (line 23). Edmund Hilary, a Kiwi is the first man to climb Mount Evarest (line 2). New Zealand has 2 National Anthems: “God save the Queen” and “God defend New Zealand” (line 26). Its maori name is Aoetaroa which means “Land of the long white cloud” (line 27) and finally, it’s the first country in the world to give women rights to vote (line 29).