Around this time last year, we reported on a series that aired about popular American talk show host Stephen Colbert 's visit to New Zealand, and more than a year later, the second installment of the series was aired.
Click here for last year's article.
In fact, they were able to capture a lot of amazing footage during their trip last year, and they had originally planned to release more of it, but the release was postponed due to the spread of COVID-19.
Colbert fondly recalls his trip to New Zealand last year, and with travel restrictions in place around the world, he's not able to return to New Zealand, so he decided to take a trip down memory lane and release the video.
Colbert praises NZ and PM Ardern
First off, this first one.
In this video, we first learn that the total number of COVID-19 cases in New Zealand is about 2,000, with 25 deaths. He criticizes the current Trump administration, saying, "That's about the number of infections you get at a White House Christmas party. " He also commented that while New Zealand's small island nation is one of the factors that has helped the country to successfully contain the COVID-19 virus, the "people of New Zealand" have contributed more than anything else to the success.
Colbert also introduced an article in the world-renowned medical journal, The Lancet, praising New Zealand and Prime Minister Ardern, saying that the key to New Zealand's success in dealing with the coronavirus was a judgemental government, strong communication between the government and the people, and the fact that many people complied with the measures put in place by the government.
This video also tells the story behind the experience of trying bungee jumping. The origin of bungee jumping is said to be the "Nagole" ceremony, a rite of passage to adulthood in the Republic of Vanuatu, but New Zealand was the first to make it an attraction. It started on the Kawarau River near Queenstown. Nowadays, people jump off from various places, including not only bridges, but also stadium rooftops, railway viaducts, and cliffs.
Just before he was about to jump off the bungee, Colbert felt a staff member put his hand on his back.
I accidentally said "Don't press it, don't press it!" but I edited it out (lol)
"It was truly an attraction that should be considered a rite of passage for anyone visiting New Zealand.
Try the Maori Haka ritual
Rugby is synonymous with New Zealand, so Colbert tried out some rugby against former All Blacks players. He was also shown learning not only rugby but also the Haka that the All Blacks perform before a match.
Haka means breath and Ka means flame. Haka means to spit fire. Originally, it was a folk dance that Maori warriors danced to intimidate their opponents before a battle, but now it is performed in various occasions such as welcoming ceremonies, graduations, weddings, and funerals.
The haka that the All Blacks perform before international matches is the most famous, and it was a hot topic in Japan during the Rugby World Cup in 2019. This is the haka that was performed in the first match of the World Cup group stage, against South Africa.
This Haka is called kapa o pango and was created specially for the All Blacks in 2005. The All Blacks have two types of haka, the standard haka "Kamate" and this kapa o pango, and there is always talk before the match about which one will be performed.
The Haka arranged for Colbert is performed at 4:35 in the video.
Contributing to the promotion of New Zealand
Colbert has broadcast two specials on New Zealand and has uploaded more than 10 related videos to YouTube .
In fact, more than NZ$100,000 (approximately 7.5 million yen) of tax money was spent on Colbert and the film crew's stay in New Zealand.
However, the New Zealand Tourism Association expects to generate 5 million New Zealand dollars (approximately 350 million yen in Japanese yen) from Colbert's New Zealand special. Colbert's talk show is a fairly major program in the United States. There is no doubt that it has become a major advertising opportunity, given the number of views on YouTube.
The New Zealand Tourism Association had been planning Colbert's visit to New Zealand since Ardern first appeared on Colbert's talk show in 2018. That plan finally came to fruition, but the new coronavirus was not part of the plan.
Not being able to welcome tourists from overseas is a huge blow to New Zealand's tourism industry. We are waiting for the spread of the vaccine as soon as possible and for the lifting of the ban on travel from overseas.
