New Zealand is a land in the far south where immigrant cultures were grafted onto a Polynesian landscape. This makes for a colourful culture replete with festivals of all kinds. There are festivals marking special days in the country's colonial history Craig Biggio Astros Jersey , events that celebrate the indigenous Polynesian culture and still others that commemorate New Zealand's rich agricultural traditions.
New Zealand celebrates its history on the last Monday in January with the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta. This colourful, nautical event commemorates the arrival of Captain Hobson in New Zealand when he founded the city of Auckland.
The Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta dates back to 1840 which makes it the country's oldest sporting event. Predating the Americas Cup by 11 years, the Auckland Anniversary Regatta draws around 400 competing boats each year.
New Zealand's Polynesian roots are celebrated at the Pasifika Festival held at Auckland's Western Springs Stadium in March. The event celebrates the art, culture and lifestyle of the South Pacific through music and other performances.
First produced by Auckland City Council in 1993, Pasifika has grown over the years and now attracts more than 225000 visitors who come to enjoy the work of hundreds of performers from the Auckland region as well as the Pacific area.
The event kicks off on a Friday night with an opening concert from Air New Zealand. The main event starts of the Saturday and comprises around 300 food and craft stalls.
A popular addition to Pasifika was made in 1999 in the form of cultural villages. These showcase unique aspects of various Pacific Island communities. Each village presents a traditional and contemporary programme including music, dancing, workshops, and food.
In 2008, Wellington introduced its own Pasifika featuring exhibitors from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue displaying traditional handicrafts such as embroidery, weaving, shell jewellery and wood carving.
Agriculture is at the heart of the New Zealand economy so it's no wonder that one of the country's most important festivals covers farming and rural life. It's the Royal New Zealand Show held over three days each November. With the theme of 'Bringing the country to town', the Show is held at Canterbury Agricultural Park, Wigram Road, Christchurch.
Featuring both indoor and outdoor displays and exhibitions, the Royal New Zealand Show attracts well over 100,000 visitors each year. Displays include marquees and pavilions showcasing the very best of New Zealand farming and rural life, top entertainment, and numerous other attractions. The event draws 5000 livestock entries and more than 400 exhibitors.
The Royal New Zealand Show was first held in 1924. Formerly held in rotation with Palmerston North, Hawke's Bay, Hamilton, Invercargill and Christchurch, the show has been held at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch since 2006.
New Zealand is a fascinating country but attending a festival can give you special insights into this antipodean nation
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Richard has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap New Zealand hotels .
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Warts are the most common infection of the skin caused by a virus. Plantar warts grow on the plantar, or bottom surface of the foot. They tend to be found in areas of pressure such as the heel and ball of the foot. Plantar warts often grow into the deeper layers of skin because of the pressure they receive because of their location.
Plantar warts are hyperkeratotic lesions on the plantar surface. They tend to develop over areas of pressure such as the heel and ball of the foot. Plantar warts are often endophytic (ie, they grow into the deeper layers of skin because of pressure). Although they are generally self-limited, plantar warts should be treated to lessen symptomatology, decrease duration, and reduce transmission.
Children tend to get plantar warts much more often than adults. They are more at risk (a) because as one gets older the immune system becomes better prepared for the viruses and (b) they tend to run around much more with bare feet and it is so easy for a child to pick up the virus in a shower, at the gym or around the pool.
Causes
Plantar warts are common. They may bleed if injured. Since plantar warts are caused by a virus, they are slightly contagious (can spread from person to person). You should not share clothing or linen with someone who has plantar warts. Plantar warts may spread on the body and seed other areas.
Warts are usually acquired from person-to-person contact. The virus is not highly contagious but can cause an infection by entering through a small break in the skin. In the same way, warts can be spread to other places on your own body. The virus is rarely transferred by touching an object used by an infected person.
Symptoms
Warts come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. A wart may be a bump with a rough surface, or it may be flat and smooth. Tiny blood vessels grow into the core of the wart to supply it with blood. In both common and plantar warts, these blood vessels may look like dark dots in the wart's center. In most cases, the skin lines and creases over the wart look distorted.
Treatment
Plantar warts usually go away on their own, but most people would rather treat them than wait for them to disappear. Unless you have an impaired immune system or diabetes or are pregnant, there's no reason you can't treat warts with over-the-counter remedies. But you may wish to consult your doctor for help. He or she may suggest a combination of over-the-counter and office treatments. Cheap Nike NBA Hoodies Cheap Adidas NHL Hats Cheap NCAA Jerseys China Cheap MLB Hats China Cheap College Hats China Cheap Soccer Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Wholesale Wholesale NHL Jerseys