Signposts - a blog about Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand

The Settled Landscape’s been launched on Te Ara, so here’s a quiz to test your knowledge on all things rural – well, 10 things rural…

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Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge

Last Saturday, alongside nearly 11,000 other lycra-clad bodies, I queued up for the start of the annual Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge – a 160 kilometre ride around the lake. I wasn’t in peak condition – I’d been off work with sinusitis earlier in the week, and my training had been sporadic.

But it was a beautiful morning. Looking across the azure waters of Lake Taupō towards the snow-clad volcanic peaks of Tongariro, Ngāuruhoe and Ruapehu was elating. After an hour’s wait, it was our group’s turn to start. The hooter blew and we were off. Crossing the Waikato River, the bunch headed up to Wairākei, before turning off towards Kinloch.

I’d begun with a friend, but he fell back and I found myself next to a South African, an Australian, and a wiry 10-race veteran from Palmerston North. I was wearing my London A to Z shirt – with a map of the West End – so I got the inevitable ‘At least you know where you’re going’ witticisms.

As we rose and fell along the rolling landscape I was feeling great. The snake of cyclists stretched as far as I could see, and locals lined the road cheering and clapping as we passed. It was like the Tour de France. I could have been Lance Armstrong!

It was too good to last. Turning south on the Mangakino road I hit a pot hole or rock. One of my water bottles fell out. ‘Leave it’, people shouted, but I knew I’d need it later. The temperature was forecast to hit the mid-20s. Back on the bike, I raced to catch up. But it seemed harder than before. I looked down to notice my back wheel rubbing on my rear forks.

A quick examination revealed my wheel was buckled. I repositioned it and loosened the brake blocks. My friend rode past in a large bunch shouting, ‘Are you alright?’ ‘Yeah,’ I lied. I hopped back on, but it was no better. So I dismantled the back brake and that seemed to help. At the Kuratau interchange, I thought of packing it in. But I couldn’t face the defeat. I thought of Ed Hillary; he was no quitter. I decided to keep going until either me or my bike bust.

Up the tortuous Wairau Hill, a purple-faced man in striped pyjamas passed me. ‘Do you know you have a buckled wheel?’ he said. He was the first of many who ‘helpfully’ informed me of my plight.

Past Tokaanu, past Tūrangi, past Motuoapa, I finally hit the lake front again. There was just the gut-busting Hatepe Hill to confront. Fortunately, my (hill-climbing) Wellington legs came to the fore, and I puffed my way up the slope without having to stop or walk.

From there, it was a glide down to Waitahanui. In the distance was Tauhara hill, beneath which sits Taupo. The end was nigh. To the song of my squeaking wheel, I crossed the finishing line in just over 6 hours. It was longer than I’d hoped, but I’d knocked the bastard off!

The Settled Landscape is the fourth major release from Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. The 97 entries tell of the transformation of New Zealand’s landscape, the farming of animals and crops, and every aspect of rural life – from beekeeping and shearing to country schooling and rural language. The entries have been gathered into eight sections.

Animal Farming
The farming of beef and dairy cows, sheep, deer, pigs, poultry, goats and exotic animals.

Changing the Landscape
How the countryside was transformed by fire, fencing, irrigation and drainage, soil erosion and the introduction of new pastures and new technology.

Claiming the Land
First Māori and then Pākehā named the land, mapped it and asserted ownership over it.

Country Life
A distinctive way of life emerged in rural New Zealand – unusual buildings and types of work, ways of speaking, forms of clothing, and its own recreations from duck shooting to rodeo.

Crops
The cultivation of wheat and grains, apples and pears, citrus, kiwifruit, berries and other fruit, mushrooms, kūmara, wine, hops, tobacco and hemp.

Farming Support Services
Farming is made possible by a range of other people – vets, drovers, topdressers, researchers, government officials and stock and station agents.

Introduced Plants and Animals
Some new plants and animals have proved valuable – horses, dogs, earthworms, fish for recreation and pets to enjoy. But rabbits, possums, rats, insects, weeds and some birds have become pests.

Trees and Gardens
Exotic trees are grown in commercial forests, as shelter on farms and to adorn gardens, both public and private.

Some highlights from The Settled Landscape

The Christmas carol fence

Sir George Grey's zebras

Farmers conquer Canterbury

Types of horse carriage

The whakapapa of apples

Prize-winning steak

Fred Dagg's farm

The farm dogs' Swanndris

Godfrey Bowen's underwear

A koroua with kūmara

Cuban Wellington

Icons of country towns

Defence against magpies

How to make moccasins

Shrek the sheep

Te Ara is now working hard on the fifth major release, The Economy and the City. This tells the story of how people made a living – from early Māori trade and colonial work such as domestic service, to today’s creative industries. It will also cover the development of city life in New Zealand from street life to department stores. Malcolm McKinnon and Ben Schrader are the theme editors for this section.