http://blog.teara.govt.nz A Blog by and about Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:27:37 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en [caption id="attachment_661" align="alignnone" width="120" caption="Kiore (Pacific rat)"][/caption] The price of rat In Cambodia the price of rat is rising significantly. Per kilo, rat meat has risen 300% since last year. No surprises, food costs are rising everywhere. You’re probably more interested in the fact that people are eating – and paying for ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/10/03/put-another-rat-on-the-barby/ It's the end of New Zealand book month, so our quiz is all about literature and quotable quotes. [flash http://blog.teara.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/FLASH/loader.swf?version=2 w=512 h=350 p={FlashVars;xml_path=xml/sepquiz.xml}] To view the quiz you need to have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/30/%e2%80%98quote-unquote%e2%80%99-quiz/ [caption id="attachment_682" align="alignnone" width="120" caption="James Hector in his younger days"][/caption] Congratulations to Simon Nathan, geologist, former Theme Editor for Te Ara (Earth, Sea and Sky and The Bush), writer of our upcoming entry on the West Coast, and one of our regular bloggers. Simon has just been announced as the recipient of ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/26/simon-nathan-wins-award-to-write-james-hector-biography/ [caption id="attachment_499" align="alignnone" width="120" caption="The Denniston incline – a West Coast icon"][/caption] With New Zealand's highest rainfall, the highest mountains, and glaciers extending down to near sea-level, the West Coast has the feel of frontier country, combined with spectacular scenery. West Coasters have always had a reputation for being independent minded, and ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/24/the-wonderful-west-coast/ [caption id="attachment_631" align="alignnone" width="120" caption="Lynley Dodd reading one of her books"][/caption] There are lots of ways you can celebrate New Zealand Book Month. You can attend one of the many events around the country, you can visit the New Zealand Book Month blogs on the official website, and you can read 30 ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/18/what%e2%80%99s-your-favourite-new-zealand-book/ [caption id="attachment_610" align="alignnone" width="120" caption="Even though we love the internet, we don't think books are history"][/caption] ‘You work for that Te Ara thing, don't you?' he said. ‘Can't say I have ever looked at it myself. I don't really believe in websites. Books are my thing.' ‘He' was my host at a ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/16/the-book-lover%e2%80%99s-lament/ It was very gratifying last night for Te Ara to win the 2008 WriteMark New Zealand Plain English Award for best plain English website. And it was a bonus that another of the ministry's websites, NZLive.com, received an honourable mention in the same category. Te Ara editors past and present were ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/12/in-plain-english/ [caption id="attachment_570" align="alignnone" width="120" caption="Hometown boy makes good – David Grant"][/caption] Te Ara launched its coverage of Southland on Monday night, 8 September, with a celebration at Invercargill's Civic Theatre. Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Mahara Okeroa cut the virtual ribbon. Our friends at NZLive.com also put on a show. ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/11/southland-swings/ The Olympics have finished, and I managed to successfully miss it ... but it seems like a good time to write a quiz about the spirit of sportsmanship, the glory of sport and the honor of participation. Click on 'Find the answer in Te Ara' to get some clues. You may ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/03/spring-sports-quiz/ [caption id="attachment_511" align="alignnone" width="120" caption="When the cat\'s away"][/caption] The strange life of a resource researcher at Te Ara – today the office had two rats visit – nice rats for Marguerite to photograph for an entry on Pets (which will be released in late November). Jean very kindly brought in Wendy ... http://blog.teara.govt.nz/2008/09/02/rat-wrangling-at-te-ara/