Science / Environment

New Zealand Upgraded to Continent Status

13:15 pm on 17 February 2017

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A study by New Zealand scientists has led to the possibility that a region of the Pacific Ocean east of Australia which includes New Zealand and New Caledonia, may be considered a continent. Jesse talks to one of the geologists who took part on the study Dr Nick Mortimer of GNS.

continents Photo: supplied/GNS

We asked listeners what they thought the new continent looks like... we got some pretty interesting answers!

Zealandia looks like an amoeba

We think Zelandia looks like the head of an older woman facing Australia! Rachel  

Hi Jessie I think it looks like the profile of a chef in a chefs hat looking at
Tasmania and thinking of taking a bite. Anne  

It looks like the head of an Elizabethan gent wearing a wig & ruff! Sara,
Wellington.

An upside down woodpecker

Looks like a boot. Now we just need to assert or rights to the whole continent.

I see a bust of a head wearing a chefs hat. Mary

I think it looks dangerously like the boot of Italy.....hence....
Nova Italia

Zealandia is a bit lumpy but could it be a side on view of a hammer head shark heading north?  That would be a nice fit with tale of Maui catching a big fish...