To mark the occasion, they hosted a farewell reception at the Ambassador’s residence on 21 January. In his speech, it was clear that the Ambassador found it rather difficult to say goodbye to Germany, and he also emphasised that he had felt very much at home here. Although New Zealand is ‘on the other side of the world’, relations between Germany and New Zealand are diverse and continue to deepen, particularly in the fields of agriculture, forestry and the food industry. Nor should one underestimate the growing tourism to the ‘Green Island’, which scores highly not only for its scenic diversity but also for its unique vegetation. What impresses most visitors from all over the world, however, is the fact that the majority of New Zealand’s approximately 5.5 million inhabitants are remarkably easy-going and relaxed. As a result, despite the extremely long journey times, a stay here proves to be a truly relaxing form of exploration.