Read the information, listen and learn words and expressions about the symbols of New Zealand.
(Lasi informāciju, klausies un mācies par Jaunzēlandes simboliem!)
- National bird
The term Kiwis has been used as a nickname for New Zealanders since at least World War I, and the bird's use as a symbol for the country dates from the same era.
kiwi — [ˈkiː.wiː] — kivi
- National plant
A species of medium-sized tree fern, endemic to New Zealand. Often referred to by its Māori name, ponga, the silver fern has been used to represent New Zealand since the 1880s.
silver fern — [ˈsɪl.vər ˌfɜːn] — sudraba paparde
- The Beehive
The distinctly shaped executive wing of New Zealand Parliament Buildings, built in the 1970s.
The Beehive — [ˈbiː.haɪv] — Bišu Strops (Bīhaive)
- Bungee jumping
Popularised by A.J. Hackett in the South Island, it has become a popular extreme sport worldwide. Bungee jumping is the sport of jumping off a very high bridge or similar structure, with a long elastic rope tied to your legs, so that the rope pulls you back before you hit the ground.
bungee jumping — [ˈbʌn.dʒi ˌdʒʌm.pɪŋ] — lēkšana ar gumiju
- The Haka
A traditional Māori war dance, now widely used by sports teams as a challenge and by schools as a tribute or honour.
haka — [ˈhɑːkə] — hakas deja
- Kiwi fruit
This fruit was branded kiwifruit when growers in New Zealand established successful cultivars suitable for export. It remains a major export for the country.
kiwi (fruit) — [ˈki·wi (ˌfrut)] — kivi auglis