New Zealand Spring

It is now the height of the New Zealand spring. It is an early spring and in areas of high sun shine the New Zealand Christmas tree, the much loved Pohutukawa, are already putting out their red flowers and the recently passed winter was the sixth warmest since record began in the 1860s.
 
Spring is of course the season of flowers. Mid and late September is the best time for the popular cherry blossoms in the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch. While not the quite the cause Celebes for public drinking as is cherry blossom viewing in Japan, the cherry trees in the botanic gardens are very popular with picnickers. Daffodil fields in September are also keenly sort by roving flower spotters. The north is not bereft of botanic glory and every year the Daffodil Carnival in the Wairarapa draw the flower lovers like ants to honey.
 
Around the country there are a plethora of flower and garden events. The perennial favorites and most well known are of course the Taranaki Rhododendron Festival www.rhodo.co.nz and in November the Ellerslie Flower Sow www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz .
 
The most keenly anticipated spring delicacy is the ever sought after white bait and from the moment the season opens the aficionados flock to their favourite secret spots and camp out in motor homes and tents as they pursue their diminutive quarry. At little over 4-5mm white bait can fetch up to $100 a kilogram and so as well as a tasty season delicacy they can also be quite lucrative. There is only one way to eat white bait and that is mixed with a bit of egg and flour and lightly fried as a fritter. In the height of the white bait season both those roughing it in their riverside campsites and the swells dinning in swish Auckland eateries can be feasting on exactly the same dish.
 
To make the most of the delights of the summer season New Zealand will soon be turning over to summer time. On the 2nd of October New Zealand time leaps forwards one hour, putting us four hours ahead of Japan and right into summer mode.