Internet Items
Government web portal increasingly popular. The government web portal www.govt.nz is increasing in popularity amongst NZ Internet users with over 22,000 visitors a week, up 26 percent on the same time last year. Over the same period, there has been a 36 percent increase in the number of domestic visitors to the portal, taking the total number of domestic visitors a week to around 13,000. A recent survey by Victoria University confirmed that rural people were high users of government online, greatly appreciating the ability to contact government at a time that suited them. The survey also found that more than 70 percent of the participants used government on the Internet. The survey also noted that participants had a much higher level of trust in government on the Internet than they do for the Internet in general.
International Tongue-twisters - www.uebersetzung.at/twister/index.htm - "Tie twine to three tree twigs" is merely one among nearly 400 English tongue-twisters on this so-called First International Collection of Tongue Twisters (sic). The collection is rapidly approaching 3,000 tongue twisters, in 105 languages. Aside from being fun, tongue-twisters often reveal a unique perspective on the culture of the speakers of a particular language.
Classical Music Tutorial - http://www.wku.edu/~smithch/music/ - Specifically designed for the classical music novice, the Classical Music Navigator provides information on composers and their works, and organises the data to aid the casual listener in identifying related music. The information is organised into five compilations: a Composers list, the Basic Library of Notable Works, a Geographical Roster, an index of musical styles, and a glossary. All of the notations are cross-linked and the site also offers handy feature explanations and abbreviation lists. About two-thirds of the some 440 composers listed in the Classical Music Navigator are linked to the Classical Music Archives and its hundreds of musical files for downloading and listening pleasure.
This Day in History - http://www.dmarie.com/timecap/ - Take a glimpse back in time with the dMarie Time Capsule. Simply enter a date and hit the Quick Page or Advanced Page button to begin. The Quick Page feature automatically generates a page for you, while the Advanced Page lets you customise the final results. The end product is a typical "this day in history" record with headlines, top entertainment, consumer prices, and more. This website houses data for the years 1800 through 2002.
Online Jigsaw Puzzles - http://www.crea-soft.com/online-jigsaw-puzzle/ - Here are dozens of online puzzles, with your choice of difficulty and with various features to enhance your online puzzle-assembling pleasure. Just click and drag.
World's Smallest Park - http://www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/Parks/MillEnds.htm - The world's smallest park is a full 452 square inches of downtown Portland, Oregon. Mill Ends Park is located in a median strip that divides lanes of traffic, and yes, it is an official public park. Visit if you wish, but please don't step on it.
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
Contact this person
