In what might have been most probably most likely essentially the most weird product gross sales pitch of my life, I rallied all through the crew in my hostel to promote them the thought of going to vote for a cat all through the self-proclaimed Republic of Whangamomona’s elections.
I didn’t know the way to pronounce it, and I actually didn’t know if the cat would win – nonetheless, not directly, I managed to affect my new-found buddies that Whangamomona Republic Day was an occasion we merely couldn’t miss.
Change: The subsequent Whangamamona Republic Day may be in January 2025.
Having based mostly myself in New Plymouth – the capital of New Zealand’s tucked away Taranaki area – for the primary few weeks of my working journey, I rapidly purchased proper right here to the realisation there are numerous bizarre and wacky factors celebrated all through the land of the extended white cloud.
From the big carrots and L&P bottles I’d gawped questioningly at on the highways, to the sudden New Plymouth light opponents the place we had seen a fire dancer by chance launch their flaming baton correct proper right into a row full of shrieking children all through the times earlier than, it was shaping as rather a lot as be a land of curiosities and questionable occasions.
Fortuitously, I used to be cozy to look out that my motley hostel crew have been as equally down for embracing Aotearoa’s weird components of curiosity as I used to be.
Now, I’m going to name it and say Whangamamona Republic Day was an infinite success. Simply a few of us have even saved concerned and have met up all via completely completely totally different nations and continents since. Going to vote for a cat, watch individuals bathe in eels, and attend a sheep parade is seemingly sturdy social glue for years to return.
So, in the event you want an completely jaw-droppingly unusual option to bond with newfound buddies, and end up in Taranaki or the Manawatu-Wanganui areas of New Zealand each completely totally different January, then get your self a passport – sure, actually – to the Whangamomona Republic Day and expertise this slice of New Zealand that’s so-remote there isn’t even cellphone reception.
Wait, New Zealand has a republic inside it?
Bear with me on account of the reply could very effectively be very a lot sure – nonetheless in addition to very factually no.
This unusual earlier story dates as soon as extra to 1989. Whereas maybe most probably most likely essentially the most notable occasion of that yr in Europe was the autumn of the Berlin Wall, in New Zealand, they have been figuratively attempting to erect them.
The native councils had determined to reshape the nation by altering the boundaries of areas. Whangamomona, which was all through the Taranaki area, all of the sudden discovered themselves being shifted to the Manawatu-Wanganui Area. All through the immortal phrases of Shania Twain – that didn’t impress them a lot.
Whangamomona’s group vehemently needed to remain a part of Taranaki. So, on 1st November 1989, a mere week earlier than Germany’s dividing wall fell, the residents took factors into their very private arms.
Declaring themselves a republic in a rallying motion – the occasion was additional protest than official – and saying a flag and a passport, this distant verdant pocket of New Zealand grew to grow to be the self-proclaimed Republic of Whagamomona.
Whereas it would on no account sustain in courtroom – and the Republic’s 125-strong inhabitants’s plan to secede was on no account quite a few a possible actuality – the celebration has continued.
Each two years, the Whangamomona Republic Day takes place, and the locals, plus an excessive amount of animals, welcome agency from far-flung areas akin to New Plymouth (a 90-minute drive) to affix them for the grand elections and completely totally different oddities.
Would you want a ticket for Whangamomona Republic Day?
Ticket, no. Passport, sure.
If you’re going to be utilizing the buses from Stratford, then you definately positively undoubtedly’ll must e e-book and pay for these prematurely via the tourism board. If not, you’ll nonetheless want to purchase your ‘passport’ to enter the Whangamomona Republic, and these definitely worth the border-crossing-bargain of $5 (2017 price).
I take into account it’s honest to say these journey paperwork gained’t get you all via worldwide borders – and even aboard a home flight – nonetheless you’ll actually get a stamp on the flimsy paper once you enter the Republic of Whangamomona.
Being a type and giving bunch, the individuals of the Whangamomona Republic donate all funds from the occasion and passport product gross sales to native causes, akin to correctly being teams, schools and supporting youth golf instruments and occasions all through the village.
So, what occurs once you get to Whangamomona Republic Day?
My morning began all through the metropolis of Stratford, Taranaki, the place loads of buses have been shuttling us – the mannequin new passport homeowners – correct proper all the way down to the Whangamomona Republic.
The hostel squad had opted to drive, nonetheless I used to be signed up for the fully-fledged expertise and needed to journey on ‘Air Whangomomona’ as I’d affectionally named our farm-style barely 4-wheel drive.
Winding down the Forgotten World Freeway of Taranaki – it’s spellbindingly beautiful place, it’s best to return to cycle it someday – the landscapes shifted from city (accurately, nothing’s actually that metropolis in these components) to dense hills clad in almost jungle-like flora. That’s seemingly one in all many least visited components of New Zealand’s North Island.
Whangamomona is tiny, the inhabitants of which wouldn’t even fill a jet if ‘Air Whangomomona’ was exact. Nonetheless, on Whangamomona Republic Day, it’s a particular story. With the roads closed, the streets are stuffed with occasions: some pleasurable, some unusual, and a few merely, accurately, I don’t know… referring to?!
The second we arrived, it felt like ‘Air Whangomomona’ had trundled by a time warp. If New Zealand had a Wild Wild West, at first look, this may occasionally often very correctly be mistaken for it.
Stepping correct proper right into a swinging door to make the most of the bathroom, I discovered the good locals smiling, laughing, and sinking chilly ones all through the Whangamomona Lodge – the central assembly spot and the Republic’s solely pub and lodging.
The group really actually really feel of this occasion is powerful, and also you would possibly inform how cozy and proud the residents are to share each Whangamomona with buddies, nonetheless in addition to the self-proclamation story. Every so often, the crowds can peak above 1000 for Whangamomona Republic Day, so it’s clearly a legend many wish to enjoyment of.
Meals stalls complement the Whangamomona Lodge, so you’ll be able to chow down on some tasty native treats – suppose Kiwi favourites akin to pies, lamingtonsand loads of additional beers.
Performances are positioned on all via the day by bands, dancers, and often well-meaning nonetheless barely misplaced sheep. Particular agency are typically invited, and to my jaw-dropping shock – and notably that of my then fawning pal Anna – a extreme regional rugby workforce have been current, together with members of the world-famous All Blacks.
Additional unusual occasions, which some animal lovers could uncover questionable, embrace the sheep shearing rivals, possum skinning (possum pores and pores and pores and skin is used rather a lot in New Zealand within the equivalent option to leather-based) and the baa-zzare sheep race.
You’ll too play ‘guess what number of eels are all through the tub’, or maybe be daring and swim by it – as demonstrated correct proper right here by the aforementioned rugby stars.
It’s actually price noting all eels make their methodology as soon as extra to the river on the tip of the day, and the thought should not be one in all many animals must be harmed for leisure.
Primarily, this a ‘good earlier vogue Kiwi day journey’ – and all of us actually had an excessive amount of laughs and recollections to remove.
Native firms – native in New Zealand phrases, nonetheless many are from ‘all via the border’ – promote their wares, and within the occasion you wish to enterprise out and uncover the realm, there are prospects. Scenic helicopter flights over Whangamomona and the Forgotten Freeway have been working after I attended Whangamamona Republic Day, and at solely $50 per specific particular person, they have been by far most likely essentially the most moderately priced I had seen in New Zealand.
The disused put collectively tracks furthermore play host to little carts and peddle bikes, so you’ll be able to enterprise off to see a slice of New Zealand’s historic earlier away from the crowds and ‘celebration political broadcasts’.
Stable your votes – can the cat do it?
The principle occasion of Whangamomona Republic Day, although, is certainly the presidential elections.
All of us opted to place our poll down for the pub cat – I’m being impolite; his official set up is Ted – who mysteriously went lacking merely earlier than the votes have been counted. Foul play was rumoured, and even the regional TV crews who’ve been overlaying the polls appeared involved.
Fortuitously, Ted turned up. Fortuitously, and by no means using a safety workforce, I bought to carry him merely earlier than the nationwide data – yep, the massive weapons – interviewed him for each TV and newspapers. Worryingly – or maybe reassuringly – on gradual data days in New Zealand I’ve seen far more peculiar tales nonetheless.
For these of you who’ve stayed with me to take heed to the thrilling data of the cat’s political crowning – thanks for scrolling. Sadly, nonetheless, I’ve to share that Ted’s targets of grand workplace have been dashed on the final word hurdle.
It’s necessary to say this actually wasn’t on account of any need for folk, although. In earlier years, four-legged buddies have been elected – together with Billy Gumboot the Goat and the crisis-prone Tai the Poodle.
Reportedly, the poodle’s time interval ended early after an assassination attempt; maybe it’s elevated the cat could scarper away to the as soon as extra of the pub and reside out his 9 lives in peace.
I take into account, with that unusual recalling, I’ve acknowledged all I can about Whangamomona Republic Day. When the time purchased proper right here, we piled as soon as extra into my mate’s car – ‘Air Whangomomona’ was having delays with the unexpectedly excessive friends. Spirits have been excessive – maybe it was assembly Rugby stars pretty than my genius thought to tug all individuals down correct proper right here that did it – and we set off as soon as extra to ‘exact New Zealand’.
For many who happen to, too, wish to expertise Whangamomona Republic Day, get your passport software program program in for the next mannequin on twenty first January 2023 and make the Republic a cease in your New Zealand North Island itinerary.
Oh, and if the cat’s nonetheless there, give Ted a stroke from me!
