The Christchurch Star reports the results of an essay writing competition in which children in Canterbury schools were asked what it means to be a New Zealander.
Here are excerpts from the winning essays:
From Jade Mein, Aged 7 from North Loburn School
Being a New Zealander is like being a millionaire. New Zealand is a quiet, safe place and a lot of people come from other countries to stay here.
New Zealand has done some great things such as: New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote.
Overseas, lots of people take shelter under bridges and other inappropriate places. But in New Zealand almost everyone has a good home.
All people in New Zealand get along whether they are black or white, Thai or English.
From Angus Forbes, Aged 7 from Cust School:
I feel proud to be born in a country with no terrorism and a small population of 4 million people.
When I grow up and I have children I want them to be born in New Zealand so they can grow up without any worries of being shot or hurt in any way shape or form.
I love being a New Zealander because it means I can be whatever I want to be.
From Sophie Lester, Aged 9 from Waikuku School:
We have lots of great views and heaps of native wildlife. We are a free country with lots of friendly and helpful people.
There are beautiful bush walks to go on, and heaps of other interesting places to explore such as Arthur's Pass, Punakaiki and Kaikoura. We have some of the world's best attractions.
One of my very favourite things is seeing Kiwi people enjoying themselves laughing and playing under the Kiwi sun.
From Lena Te Whata, Aged 11 from Kaiapoi North School:
What it means to be a New Zealander to me is living in a clean, green, tidy country where people are nice and care about each other. There is not as much crime on the streets as in other countries. I love the surroundings, like forests, animals and native plants.
I like having not to go too far to go to school. I like being able to get to the beach whenever I want because it's just down the road. I like the fact that our classrooms aren't packed with students like in some countries. Our country is one of the really really lucky ones so keep our country clean, green and tidy.
From Hayley O'Kane, Aged 12 from Kaiapoi North School:
Being a New Zealander means growing up in a country where I am free to become anything I want to be. I can expect to have a good free education until I am 17 and then I can choose to go on to higher education.
I can expect good medical care if I get sick and have an operation, if ever I am unlucky enough to need one. I can expect to eat decent food and never have to go out begging for things I need (except from my mum).
To be a New Zealander also means having access to any sporting or recreational thing I'd like to do. I can go skiing or snow boarding in beautiful mountains...It is a real good place to live.
The entries were judged by Christchurch Star editor Barry Clarke who said, "I was impressed by the quality of the entries, and the strong thoughts that came through about how genuine our young people felt about being a New Zealander. We should all enjoy as much as we can the qualities that living in New Zealand offers".
