Man Drought - NZ Tourism Campaign

My Mum sent me this link this morning from the Melbourne Age.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/05/1225560929148.html

Slim pickings: Kiwi tourism campaign pushes 'man drought'

Aussie sheilas are not the only women down south facing a "man drought".

Our neighbours in New Zealand are suffering from the same problem but are using their lack of men and surplus of single women as a selling point in the latest Tourism New Zealand marketing campaign to hit Britain.

The campaign, spearheaded by a press release issued by Tourism New Zealand's that publicises the "man drought", was picked up by the British media who sent the call-out to its countrymen.

While the picturesque beauty of New Zealand is reason enough to lure in tourists, Tourism New Zealand has focused its efforts on the scenery of a different kind when appealing to the British male population.

Statistics New Zealand has reported that in Kapiti Coast just north of Wellington, there are only 89 men for every 100 women, earning it the title of "man drought capital of New Zealand".

But British men should not feel confined to the South Island when searching for a soul-mate, with Napier, Rotura and Gisborne in the North Island, also short of potential husbands.

Keen males should, however, steer clear from the rural towns of New Zealand, especially Otorohanga, which boasts the highest ratio of males to females at 134 men for every 100 women.

The "man drought" can partly be attributed to what New Zealander's refer to as "the big OE" - an extended overseas working holiday common among 18 to 30 year-olds. During this time, New Zealand men tend to live abroad longer than their female counterparts.

The tongue-in-cheek approach to boosting tourism has received fervent backing from local New Zealand women.

"There are very slim pickings here - most of them are solo dads or part-time fathers with lots of baggage," 28-year-old Melissa Steinmetz said.

"I am waiting for Mr Right, my fairytale prince to come knocking at my door, but I have had to lower my standards. Unless you want someone over 70 or under 20 you are out of luck."

LOL, that's a pretty funny way to campaign for tourists.  But the reporter needs a geography lesson

 

Zina wrote: Statistics New Zealand has reported that in Kapiti Coast just north of Wellington, there are only 89 men for every 100 women, earning it the title of "man drought capital of New Zealand". But British men should not feel confined to the South Island

 

Since when was the Kapiti Coast and Wellington part of the South Island?

 

Just feeling a bit pedantic today.