“This happy breed of men, this little world, this precious stone set in the silver sea.” — William Shakespeare

Greetings: “Kia Ora” is the Maori term for “Welcome.” The Maoris call New Zealand the “Land of the long White Clouds.”

For those who are seeking greener pastures abroad for economic exigencies, and the education of their siblings, and not for unpatriotic reasons, they may want to have a closer look at New Zealand and Canada rather than the United States and Australia in that order.

While these countries of milk and honey offer the anxious would-be immigrants the opportunities, employment, and attractive welfare benefits, hospitalization, education and pension security, each country has its own character and nuances that may, or may not, coincide with the outlook and attitude of the immigrant.

Thus, New Zealand, for example, is not only pristine, well endowed by nature, picturesque, friendly, peaceful, and progressive but is also perhaps the best example of a benign and democratic welfare socialist state.

Unknown to many, New Zealand comprises two major islands, namely, North Island and the larger South Island, and hundreds of small islands and islets, and is equal or bigger in landmass than Italy or the British Isles with the population of 58 million and 60 million, respectively.

On the other hand, New Zealand has only 4.0 million population, and only one million inhabit the South Island as the climate there is less inviting and colder.

First, the citizens of the “Land of the long white clouds," or New Zealand, call themselves the “Kiwis," (not to be confused with the Kiwi fruit and the adorable Kiwi animal) and not New Zealanders.

The citizens themselves, regardless of race, color, religion, or culture, enjoy a superior quality of life, pollution-free, and a high standard of living comparable if not better than most countries.

New Zealand has, like the British, an unwritten Constitution; democratic, law-abiding, tranquil, safe, and with a zealously followed “freedom of worship.”

Second, unlike the sad fate of the American Indians and Australian aborigines, the Maoris of New Zealand fought and won the respect of the European settlers, and lived harmoniously ever since with every wave of immigrants.

New Zealand is a “classless” society in terms of rights, and the rule of law. But, it is also a catalyst of private enterprise, and the right of a person to acquire the privileges of great wealth.

New Zealand itself is a product of volcanic eruptions and formation many eons ago, and were first inhabited by “Maoris” from Polynesia about 800 years ago.

Then, a Spanish explorer claimed to have been the first European to land in New Zealand.

However, before the British came in later to colonize the Maoris, a certain Abel Tasman from Zeeland in Holland established himself in this extraordinarily beautiful land, and called it “New Zealand” from his home province of Zeeland.

Since then, the Tasman Sea and the unique island of Tasmania were all named after Abel Tasman.

Second, Auckland, with 1.4 million population or 1/3 of the total, is the financial center while Wellington is the capital, and is often called the “City of Sails” as there is a sailboat for every four families while every family averages 2 to 3 cars each.

Truth to tell, there are approximately 35 million sheep – it used to be 70 million until the price of wool collapsed, and 40 million dairy cows which latter has become the major industry and export. New Zealand is the largest exporter of the Kiwi fruit.

When all is said and done, New Zealand is truly beautiful, and the people are naturally courteous and friendly.

It is worth a visit, and a wise destination for those seeking stability, wealth, and a tranquil way of life.

You be the judge. (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)