Comments on: New Zealand: Your Safest Bet

By: Nahana

Nahana — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:34:39 +0000

Leishur+Jess Are tha best
Abroringal (Jess) Maori(Leshur)

New Zealand Is The Best Place In The World I Love It
. Taupo,Te Toke + Rotorau Yeahrr Broooo. !

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By: Nahana

Nahana — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:32:03 +0000

Seig Hell

Smilesz Lovesz Peace =][=

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By: Austin Chu

Austin Chu — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:38:10 +0000

I spent a year living in NZ. I must say, worlds best kept secret. I’m secretly giving up everything and moving there.

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By: Thomas Shipton

Thomas Shipton — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:19:50 +0000

Has anybody had the pleasure of spending time in The Bay of Islands? I lived there for many years and it has some amazing beaches, great diving and spear-fishing and amazing weather in summer. For those that like trek’s try walking to Cape Brett light house. Stay the night in the DOC hut which is and experience in its self. Watch the killer whales swimming by then walk back! Amazing…

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By: julz

julz — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:05:47 +0000

I live in good ole NZ and I have to say it is one of THE most beautiful places in the world!
I would reccomend driving from Christchurch down through the McKenzie country through to Queenstown and further south to Fiordland. Scenery is stunning!!!
Highly reccomend it!!

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By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:20:50 +0000

If you’re going to New Zealand, be sure to pack your fly rod.

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By: Carlo Alcos

Carlo Alcos — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:52:59 +0000

Thanks Tom – I’m not sure if the “main” factor is armed conflict. There are 23 factors involved in the scoring. But I see your point. It’s easy to misinterpret when you apply an issue to the whole country when in reality it’s only happening in one small area. I was also just in Russia and can report that it’s quite safe to travel there (although many locals don’t see it that way). However, it is more than just conflict. There is still a lot of police corruption and violence among the population, not to mention high level of alcohol abuse. There is a reason the avg life span of a man is around 60.

Anyway, like with all indexes, they must be taken with a grain of salt, but it gives a good general overview of the situation. To learn more about the GPI and how the scoring works, visit http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/about-gpi/overview.php.

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By: Hal Amen

Hal Amen — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:59:01 +0000

Excellent points, Tom. Not to mention that many of the factors probably have little effect on travelers in the countries. I was surprised to see Thailand get such a low rating, being so popular with tourists.

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By: Tom Allen

Tom Allen — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:12:09 +0000

I wanted to point out the misleading nature of the ‘Global Peace Index’ map at the header of this article, if armed conflict is the primary factor being considered here.

To take a few examples: Turkey has an ongoing stalemate with insurgents coming from Kurdish Iraq, in a small area on the south-east border of the country. Russia’s recent conflict with Georgia is limited to a tiny patch of land delimited by the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Greater and the Lesser Caucasus mountains. Africa’s largest nation Sudan’s security woes are concentrated in the south-west of the country in the much-reported Darfur region.

But with these nations painted red in their entirety (look at the vast, war-torn Russia!), it’s a poor generalization, and one which invites misinterpretation. Having visited all of these areas in the last 12 months I can report that a lack of ‘peace’ is not an issue.

It would be far more accurate and informative to do away with the abstract borders and paint the map as it is in reality…