New Zealand

[Rebar]

Not looking for a game, looking for character inspiration.

My character is from NZ (a Maori) and I'd like to put some theme into him. He's called Jammer - a mentalist who can "jam" other minds. For HTH, he uses a Taiaha (5 ft staff) an idea which I grabbed on a NZ website.

I am interested in any ideas, but particularly things that might have to do with
- Ta Moko (facial carving). There's something about a Hammerhead symbol appropriate for warriors that I can't quite track down
- anything that might be classified as a martial art or fighting style
- what sports are popular there?

Thanks.

[Southern Cross]

Speaking as a New Zealander,there is a martial art for the taiaha,but I'm not to familiar with it,or with the Maori facial tattoos.But I can say that New Zealanders have KS: Rugby as an Everyman Skill.(Every Kiwi can recognize Jonah Lomu on sight,to name one example).
Also,considering your character uses a Maori weapon,Jammer should probably spend some points on the Maori language.
Furthermore,New Zealanders and Austrailians have a rivalry going,so it might be a good idea to take an Aussie hero as a Rival.

[Rebar]

> a martial art for the taiaha
Good. I'm modelling it after either quarterstaffing or Bojitsu(?)

> New Zealanders have KS: Rugby
Got it. Got through University on a Rugby scholarship.

> spend some points on the Maori language.
Got it.

> take an Aussie hero as a Rival.
Great idea! didn't know that one. Was under the impression that they have some issues with living alongside Europeans (Pakeha).

Oh, maybe I'll just ratify sometihng with you: He was born in a village on the East Cape - apparently populated mostly by Maori. His parents were (wince) sheep shephards. Too cliche?


(BTW, my sister-in-law's kids live in Auckland. My wife plans for use to retire there. Loved it even *before* the LotR craze! :) )

[Rebar]

BTW, I was hoping for a good NZ/Maori name for him. He's currently named Robbie Mataora (Robbie after the pop star , Mataora after the original legend that brought body carving to NZ hundreds of years ago).

It occurs to me that Robbie Williams may not be a p[ositive image for NZers.

Got some ideas for a good NZ name? Cliche is fine.

Dave

[Rage]

Originally posted by Rebar
> a martial art for the taiaha
Good. I'm modelling it after either quarterstaffing or Bojitsu(?)

> New Zealanders have KS: Rugby
Got it. Got through University on a Rugby scholarship.

> spend some points on the Maori language.
Got it.

> take an Aussie hero as a Rival.
Great idea! didn't know that one. Was under the impression that they have some issues with living alongside Europeans (Pakeha).

Oh, maybe I'll just ratify sometihng with you: He was born in a village on the East Cape - apparently populated mostly by Maori. His parents were (wince) sheep shephards. Too cliche?


(BTW, my sister-in-law's kids live in Auckland. My wife plans for use to retire there. Loved it even *before* the LotR craze! :) )
Ummm. Sheep Shearer very cliche and infact barley there.
My Uncle and Grandfather both ran Sheep farms and people who were purley shearers are pretty uncommon. Consider making his parents farmers or somthing.

Central North Island and
the Bay of Plenty
The Central North Island incorporates the Central Plateau, the high tussock plains resulting from the volcanic activity of the three main mountains, Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Historically, however, the greatest volcanic activity arose from Taupo, now New Zealand's largest lake and a renowned trout fishery. The volcanic plateau is New Zealand's major area of production forests. The land closer to the coast is an important dairying area, and well known as our premier kiwifruit producing region. This region is also important for deer farming.

East Coast of the North Island
The relatively dry climate of the East Coast of the North Island makes the region an excellent producer of sheep and cattle and grapegrowing, particularly Chardonnay. Much of the country is very steep, however, and prone to erosion.

I use some taiaha movements in my fire breathing act, I would model it more with bo jitzu and add some spear movements. they weren't just staves: they were either sharpened or had Ponamu (green Stone/ Jade) heads.

Now as for problems living with the pakeha. There are no full blooded maori left, they all have pakeha blood.
there is a large maori culture though, and polititians and certain groups are against the whiteys.

The Waitangi Tribunal is important in NZ law for Maori rights etc. But it is a bit of a joke as well. Like Tribal elders being given piles of money because maori heritage was being infringed by there being radio stations in New Zealand. Last year, the Waitangi Tribunal recommended a portion of the two-gigahertz band be allocated to Maori. -artical about it
in the year 2000.

There is some good from it, but alot of bad calls for the sake of political correctness.


Ohh yeah, we don't have Rugby Scholorships like Americans have sporting scholorships. You could get a sScholorship from the Rugby Union or Somthing if you were a star Rugby Player but it would just be a lump sum thing that you couldn't loose.
You woldn't be expected to keep grades up or play in a Uni team (manley cause its all just for fun stuff in NZ, for hardcore competitiveness it is provincial or Super 12 teams.)


You know you could shove the char in from Waikato where there is a highish Maori population, (and the Maori Queen was located there) and have him been a guy who played for the Cheifs (Waikato's super 12 team)

[Rage]

Originally posted by Rebar
BTW, I was hoping for a good NZ/Maori name for him. He's currently named Robbie Mataora (Robbie after the pop star , Mataora after the original legend that brought body carving to NZ hundreds of years ago).

It occurs to me that Robbie Williams may not be a positive image for NZers.

Got some ideas for a good NZ name? Cliche is fine.

Dave
we all love robby or atleast appear to.

How about giving him a traditional maori first name and then give him a western last name?
Or perhaps just look at the NZ Maori team
NZ Maori team 2002 (http://www.nzsportsacademy.co.nz/english/player_profiles.htm)

and steal stuff from that. Notice how not everyone is the clich`e maori guy with maori name etc.
multi culturalism etc.

-Ofcource having a bit of cliche could be good for ya.

[Rage]

by NZ maori team I meant NZ maori Rugby team, forgot that its probably all balls for ya or somthing.

I type like Nato smells.