Wer kennt schon diese Republik! Wir fahren los und der Highway führt Kurve um Kurve in die vergessene Welt. Es ist kurz vor dem Eindunkeln und die Nebelschwaden über dem Land tun das ihre zum Thema. Nach vielen Kilometern erreichen wir schliesslich die Grenze. In der Dorfbeiz sollten wir noch unser Pass zeigen. Wir mustern die Bewohner dieser Republik und gönnen uns ein Nachtessen in der urchigen Beiz. Die Einheimischen sind rau und gezeichnet von ihrer Umgebung, aber sehr herzlich.
Aber wie kam Neuseeland überhaupt zu einer Republik?
Whanamomona is New Zealand's only republic, declared so after disagreement with government authorities. The story goes, that in 1989 the local council sought to adjust the town's boundaries, shifting its jurisdiction from Taranaki council to Manawatu-Whanganui. The citizens - indipendent, flinty folk - were not prepared to take this lying down. For starters it meant they'd have to play for a rival rugby team. And so it was that they dumped both councils and became a republic, complete with democratically elected presidents who have included Billy Gumboot, the goat (elected after eating all the opposition's votes) and Tai Poutu the poodle (who stepped down after an assasination attempt). The current overlord is Murt 'Murtle the Turtle' Kennard (who is actually a human).
The town celebrates Republic Day in January every two years, with a military themed extravaganza. Visitors (many railed in from Auckland - passports required) can throw a gumboot, crack a whip, bet on the sheep races, skin a possum and engage in all manner of forgotten world activities. (Lonely Planet, New Zealand, 2011)
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