,,, biosecurity is a big deal in New Zealand. More than 60% of our export receipts are generated from primary produce and derivatives, so we're kind of careful about snakes, fruit flies and other exotic intruders. If snakes got in, as some have, they may not adapt too well to our climate. This place is quite temperate, but generally too cold for snakes finding their way after a long journey without food and water in a dark container. If you ever come down here, you'll note a procedure before you exit the plane. Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries officers board inbound flights when they connect with skybridges and they spray aerosol insecticides thru the aircraft cabin. People wonder what's going on and many think it's a joke, but it's serious business here. Some of the insects out of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Aussie could decimate our orchards. To date, isolation was a disadvantage for NZ - that's turned around though since Sept 11.