50-Page Thumbs-Up Feature On NZ In Time Magazine

Unprecedented 50-Page Thumbs-Up Feature On NZ In Time Magazine

An unprecedented 50-page in-depth study on why New Zealand is suddenly 'hot' on the edge of the world features in this week's Time magazine.

Time says New Zealand, once a drawback because of its remote location, is now an attraction drawing the world to 'their green and pleasant land'.

``Earlier this year New Zealand lost some boat (America's Cup) races and Kiwi shoulders allowed themselves a tiny slump,'' Time said.

``But the country has nothing left to prove on the water. Instead when its four million people pause to think about where their nation is headed, they'll find there is much to savor, much to take pride in and a great deal more work to do.

``New Zealand is in the vanguard of a dynamic world -- its human diversity, open spaces, wit, flexibility and sheer tenacity have taken a rugged isolated country and positioned it on the cutting edge of adventure, knowledge and creativity.''

The magazine says Kiwis' tall poppies are fast, savvy and so hot '' they are redefining cool''.

It says more and more New Zealanders are deciding their island backyard is better than anywhere else on earth. And it seems the rest of the world agrees -- in 2001, almost 20 percent of NZ residents were born overseas, a larger proportion than in almost any other OECD nation.

Time looks at Canterbury University researchers scouring NZ's biodiverse oceans in search of the ultimate anti-cancer drug. It also highlights Central Otago -- the newest kids on the international wine block.

The magazine talks to young Samoans embracing the traditional tattoo. Half of Auckland's babies by 2015 will be non-Europeans - a mix of Maori, Pacific Islanders and Asians.

Time raises some mutterings about increasing immigration and the increasing number of foreign buyers besotted with New Zealand vistas.

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