Why is New Zealand the land of the long white cloud?

Is it illegal to take off then live off the land as a hunter gatherer in new zealand wilderness?

• yea yea ... laugh it up =) But I've always had this mad dream to one day just dump everything and take off to alaska wilderness and live as a hermit hunting and gathering except there's a problem. I hate big predators like mountain lions, wolves, bears and snakes. Australia there are snakes salt crocodiles and great whites so that's out. I hear in new zealand there are no snakes and bears or lions the only big predators I hear are probably feral pigs - (i can live with pork chops) =) So tell me, can I buy an air ticket to new zealand next week, take a bus to some national park and disappear into the woods for a few years?

• Answer:

  << not laughing at your question. Actually, I myself have given that thought!.. But first I have to tell you, the worry about snakes bears and such, chouldnt be a big one. ...In alaska yes... but you dont have to go there to be in the wilderness. And snakes, they wont bother you, i swear. They just slither away when they see you coming. Believe it or not, there are hundreds of people who live "off the radar" in this country...just people living in the woods...and yes, this is consdered illegal...it is called "squatting"... but, chances are...if you do it right, noone will find you. But also, you need to realize, living in the wilderness is verrryy hard to do. It sounds alot easier that you think. I have taken long camping trips in the middle of the wilderness alone, and its alot of work. a) can you hunt well? you have to be pretty skilled to catch anything.. fish are easy..frogs... But when it comes to a good aim and stocking an animal...like a large one. you have to be good. My husband is a hunter, and he rarley even gets a deer. b) do you even know what you will be "gathering"? You need to reserach the best areas that have enough berries and edible plants.and mushrooms....like, you should go buy a book on that, if you are serious anyway. c.) you would probably have to know how to grow things good too. if you plan on "living:" in the wild, you are going to have to make sure you have enough food for yourself, and that might mean...growing small crops,...like corn, and squash potatoes or somthing. Anyway, with all this being said..if you are really serious...i mean reallly. you need to do alot of research. But again, you really dont have to worry about the wild animals. Even though they are scary when you are alone....but if you are. Think about making a large tree house..that would solve your problem. As to where to live? Try maybe New Hamphire..or way up in maine...there are plenty of places you wont be found if you dont want to be. lots of luck