Kia Ora,

My name is Anne Waapu…aka to some Americans “New Zealand”.

I was born and raised in the township of Hastings in the Hawkes Bay region of the north island of New Zealand. It is called Aotearoa in Te Reo Maori (the other national language other than English) which literally means “land of the long white cloud”.

For those who don’t know where New Zealand is…we are that little country just off to Australia’s right (please don’t get us mixed up with them as we are rival countries and it would be kind of insulting). The population is approximately 4 million people but you wouldn’t know that when you are in the country as we are all very spread out amongst the varying landscapes. New Zealand is most well known as the adventure capital of the world. This is due to all the great outdoor activities and lifestyles up for offer. With mountain ranges, fast flowing river rapids, underground waterways, bungee-jump points scattered around, beaches and beautiful isolated coastlines always nearby. It is easy to understand the active yet relaxed culture of NZers (New Zealanders) or “kiwis” as we are more affectionately called. The population is mostly of European descent, with Māori being the largest minority. Non-Māori Polynesian and Asian peoples are also significant minorities, especially in the cities. Officially labeled a bi-cultural society NZ is in reality a multi-cultural society that on a whole embraces all cultures.

I have come to Kutztown as a keen field hockey player wanting to both learn and share what I know with whoever can understand the words coming out of my mouth. When I am not in class or out training I can be found either eating, somewhere on the internet or kicking back in my room trying to get in some rest before training.