• click here to return to the homepage •
Home > Categories > Books > Non-Fiction > Instructions for New Zealanders review
In 1864 politician John Gorst wrote: "Every country has some staple manufacture, and there can be no doubt that laws are the staple manufacture of New Zealand."
And so New Zealanders ended up with a welter of rules, regulations, edicts, recommendations and advisories, including: Never work on the land or in the woods on a Sunday. Never eat fish with a steel knife. Never abuse the bath by bathing too long. Never play the National Anthem at less than M. M. 60 crotchets.
This lively romp through the regulatory arcana of our past shows our social history in a fresh new light, From the stern instructions to the Rev Henry Williams from the Church Missionary Society on the eve of his departure for New Zealand in 1822 to Ettie Rout's advice to troops posted abroad on avoiding venereal disease, from the best technique for raising poultry to the rules of the Antediluvian Society of the Order of Buffaloes, New Zealanders have lived by some unusual and quaint imprecations.
If some contemporary readers think we labour under an oppressive bureaucracy, Instructions from New Zealanders, gathered by leading historian Richard Wolfe, shows just how enthusiastic authority figures have always been to keep us on the straight and narrow.
Barbecue
High Druid of Shannara 3: Straken
Farmyard Masks
The 39 Clues - 2 - One False Note
The Drowning
Cooper Anytime Interactive Story Buddy
Spirit Animals #1: Wild Born
Mission Survival: Tracks of the Tiger
Boy vs Beast - Ice Mega-Mutant
My Aunt Mary Went Shopping
Nellie Belle
Witch's Cat Wanted, Apply Within
Geronimo Stilton Spacemice #10: Pirate Spacecat AttackProduct reviews...
Members are welcome to post a review. You will need to log in to post yours.
Review by: diogenes (Rob)
Dated: 3rd of January, 2007
When I first moved to New Zealand, I could have done with some explanation as to how some aspects of life were conducted here. When I finally got residency some two years later, I was presented with an 'instruction' book, which amongst many things contained the sort of information that would have been useless at the time anyway. "How to greet a New Zealander" was an example I remember very well. It still didn't answer the questions I still had bubbling within me but did give me a number of hours of amusement.
So, with those eyes, I approached Instructions for New Zealanders, a humorous introductions into what must now look like absurd rules and regulations that once governed our daily life. From what to pack when going on a trip, to what would bar one from marriage, to the amount of eggs a hen should lay and many, many more examples.
This book is a light-hearted look at the rules and regulations (and suggestions) that have governed our nation since its founding. All examples are genuine, and the author has listed the source of the articles.
This book will entertain, amuse and enlighten every reader and gives a fascinating insight into the evolution of the social history of New Zealand.
Random listing from 'Books'...
Rasmas - Te Reo Maori edition
Moving with his dad to live on Grandma's farm turns out to be great fun for Danny. He makes friends with a wee goat - also motherless, just like Danny - and they have many adventures together. Then Dad marries again, and they move to the city ... will Danny ever see Rasmas again?
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Why did Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?"
unattributed
