A farmer talks about his life in New Zealand.

Vocabulary

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

Hello I’m Warren Suckling. I live in the north island of New Zealand, in a little town called Dagabore. I’m 64 years old.

What do you do for a Living?

I live on a farm, and I grow kumra. Around the world they call it sweet potato. But here in New Zealand, we call them kumra. It’s actually named by the Maori people of this country.

What makes you Happy?

I have a wonderful life. I’m here living on my farm, and I have my son and my daughter, one each side and a house each side. And I have my grandchildren, and they come around and play on my farm here every day.

What worries you?

That’s a hard one . . . You’re not filming, are you?

What does globalization mean to you?

The times of just doing your own little packy house, and packing your own kumra everyday is going by the board. We have to join together, we have to become whatever it takes to be a coop or whatever to survive nowadays.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I have a little train set up, it’s part of my hobby. And if I do have any spare time, I like to take people for a little tour of my farm, and show them what we actually do here.

I had an inspiration to build a little church. We go there for prayers, possibly the smallest church in New Zealand.
 

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Questions

Potato. Who is this person? Is he young, middle-aged or old? Is he from Australia?

Sweet Potato. Warren sells fruits and vegetables at an open market (bazaar). He is a market vendor. True or false?

Carrot. Does the word kumra come from Old English? What is it?

Beet. Discos and nightclubs make Warren happy. Is this right or wrong? Is he very happy? What makes him happy?

Cabbage. He has serious financial problems (He worries a lot about money). Yes, no, perhaps, maybe?

Onion. Does Warren think people should cooperate and work together, or function completely independently (live and work alone)?

Garlic. His hobby is playing rugby football. Is this correct or incorrect? What are his hobbies?
 
 
 
Lettuce. I live in the country. Yes or no? Do you or your friends have a farm or garden?

Tomato. Sweet potatoes are sold in local shops. True or false? Are there white potatoes, beets, carrots, turnips, radishes, parsnips, rutabaga, swedes and celery roots?

Cucumber. Are you from New Zealand? Do you live in New Zealand? Have you ever been to New Zealand?

Radish. I have met people from New Zealand. Is this right or wrong? If yes, who were they? What were they doing?

Celery. Describe the climate and geography of New Zealand.

Bell Pepper. Describe the economy of New Zealand. What does it import and export?

Zucchini. Does New Zealand have any problems or challenges?

Spinach. What’s the food of New Zealand like? Describe the cuisine of New Zealand.

Peas. What are some tourist attractions (cultural, historical, natural)?

Beans. What comes to mind when you think of New Zealand? What do you associate with New Zealand?