Kiwis Dreaming Of A White Christmas

Forget the traditional BBQ on the beach - it appears many New Zealanders spend Christmas pining for sleighbells in the snow, according to new figures released today by the British High Commission.

More than 5000 visitors flooded the High Commission's website during last year's Christmas/New Year period, wanting to learn more about visas and passports to visit the UK.

Traffic spiked dramatically just after Christmas and New Year's Days, peaking at 476 visitors on 27 December and a record 939 on 3 January. And it was travel plans not turkeys being cooked up on Christmas Day for 157 people - no doubt while their unsuspecting families gathered round the tree.

"It seems after a big meal and a few drinks in the sun, Kiwis tend to mull their options for the year ahead," says Jonathan Kinsella of the British High Commission. "Perhaps it's also a few homesick long-distance calls from mates in London that spurs people to consider a change."

ENDS

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