Thanks for reading the columns I have written in 2025 and for the helpful comments. In celebration of Christmas and the New Year, I am sending you an interesting and entertaining poem.
This poem was written by Thomas Bracken (1841–1898) – the Irish-born New Zealand poet, journalist and politician. He is best known for writing “God Defend New Zealand”, which was adopted as the country’s national anthem. He published several volumes of poetry celebrating the New Zealand landscape and identity and also served as a member of parliament.
Christmas in the Colonies
No winter winds are blowing,
No snow lies on the ground,
The summer sun is glowing,
And Christmas comes around.
No holly nor the ivy,
No snowflakes drift and fall,
But the crimson pōhutukawa
Is the fairest tree of all.
The children’s voices ringing,
Make merry in the heat,
And Christmas bells are bringing
Their message clear and sweet.
The old familiar stories
Are told in every home,
Though here the southern glories
Replace the northern snow.
So let us keep the season
With laughter, love, and cheer,
For joy shall be the reason
That marks our Christmas here.
Wishing readers all the best for 2026.
Dr Michael John Schmidt left NZ after completing postgraduate studies at Otago University (BSc, MSc) in molecular biology, virology, and immunology to work in research on human genetics in Australia. Returning to NZ has worked in business development for biotech and pharmacy retail companies and became a member of the NZ Institute of Directors. This article was first published HERE
No winter winds are blowing,
No snow lies on the ground,
The summer sun is glowing,
And Christmas comes around.
No holly nor the ivy,
No snowflakes drift and fall,
But the crimson pōhutukawa
Is the fairest tree of all.
The children’s voices ringing,
Make merry in the heat,
And Christmas bells are bringing
Their message clear and sweet.
The old familiar stories
Are told in every home,
Though here the southern glories
Replace the northern snow.
So let us keep the season
With laughter, love, and cheer,
For joy shall be the reason
That marks our Christmas here.
Wishing readers all the best for 2026.
Dr Michael John Schmidt left NZ after completing postgraduate studies at Otago University (BSc, MSc) in molecular biology, virology, and immunology to work in research on human genetics in Australia. Returning to NZ has worked in business development for biotech and pharmacy retail companies and became a member of the NZ Institute of Directors. This article was first published HERE
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