Another week, another adventure. Globetrotters of ILTI unite, we are visiting a brand new country in our journey to learn new English words and phrases. This time, we are travelling further down the Southern Hemisphere to Auckland, New Zealand’s most populous city and an up and coming destination among Malaysian students. Are you ready to go now? Are you eager to get another stamp on your language passport?

Also known as Tamaki Makaurau, meaning “Tamaki desired by many” in Maori language, Auckland is sprawled over volcanic hills and is centred around twin harbours, offering an exhilarating mix of natural wonders and urban adventures.

Getting to Know the Maori

As Auckland is home to the largest Polynesian population in the world, we should rightfully get acquainted with our host and learn more about the Maori people and their culture first.

Housed in a beautiful Neoclassical temple, the Auckland War Memorial Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Maori treasures (taonga). Over 1,000 taonga are displayed in various halls with many more held in storage. These are the ancestral representations of all the major tribes of the country’s North Island and provides descendants with tangible links to their history.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum is located within the Auckland Domain, the oldest and one of the largest parks in the city. What’s interesting about the park is that it’s actually the remnant of the ancient volcano, Pukekawa. Auckland Domain, with its cherry groves, walking tracks and Domain Wintergardens, is really mesmerising and relaxing to have a walk in or to have a picnic. The Domain Wintergardens consists of two large glasshouses – one non-heated Temperate House and one Tropical House. In between the two glasshouses is an ornate courtyard with several neoclassical statues and a sunken pond in the centre.

Inspire Your Tertiary Dreams

Are you planning to study in New Zealand? Those of you aspiring to further your studies at the University of Auckland, further inspire your dreams by stepping foot at the university’s Old Arts Building, now called the Clock Tower. Built in the 1920s, the 54-metre tall Gothic-inspired building, which carries various New Zealand details such as stone flax-seed pods and ponga fronds, has come to symbolise the university and is one of the country’s most iconic buildings.

Family Fun Outings

Opened in 1922, the Auckland Zoo’s spacious grounds makes an excellent family outing. Home to 135 species and over 1,400 animals including awesome animals you can only see in New Zealand, here is where you will see this country’s most famous animal, the kiwi, and the tuatara, which is sometimes referred to as a living fossil and even a living dinosaur.

The New Zealand Maritime Museum is also a place for the family. A country whose history and culture are inextricably linked to the seas and oceans surrounding it, the maritime museum offers visitors more than a glimpse of what makes New Zealand so unique. The vast collection of exhibits at the maritime museum takes one from the time of early Polynesian explorers to the 19^th and 20^th century with interesting displays of Maori vessels and navigation, as well as maritime art, trade, and recreational activities.

Just 10 minutes away from the Auckland central business district is Takapuna Beach. A captivating sandy beach with a vibrant city rhythm, it is a popular spot for swimming, sailing, yachting, and paddle boarding. The beach is close to some of Auckland’s best shopping with an array of indoor malls and boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and a Sunday market.

A Taste of France in Auckland

Savour Auckland’s little slice of France at the La Cigale Market. An award-winning weekend market located 40km away from the city centre, La Cigale is inspired by the wonderful food markets found it France. It offers fresh produce, artisan products and authentic French cuisine in abundance by New Zealand growers and producers.

Words and Phrases to Learn:

populous – having a large population

up and coming – gaining prominence

sprawled – spread out over a large area

exhilarating – making one feel happy or thrilled

urban – characteristic of a town or city

acquainted – make someone aware or familiar with

host – a person who receives other people as guests

ancestral – belonging to or inherited from an ancestor

representation – the state of being so represented

descendant – someone related to a group of people who lived at an earlier time

tangible – capable of being perceived especially by touch

remnant – a part that is left after the greater part has been destroyed

mesmerising – capture the complete attention of someone

ornate – highly decorated

aspire – direct one’s hopes or ambitions towards achieving something

inspire – fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something

inextricably – in a way that is impossible to disentangle or separate

vessel – a ship or large boat

navigation – passage of ships

captivating – charming

vibrant – full of energy and life

array – an impressive range of a particular type of thing

savour – taste and enjoy it to the full

artisan – made in a traditional way using high-quality ingredients

authentic – genuine

abundance – a very large quantity of something

English opens doors, English gets you to places. So, what are you waiting for? Come learn English from the best, come learn from ILTI. Visit us at ilti.edu.my or call us at 010-395 3067 today.