The people are similar to Australians but the scenery is very different. Tess Worboys Tess Worboys' first impression of New Zealand was the temperature.
While the European members of the Lions International Youth Camp were surprised at the heat, the 17-year-old Australian was finding the 25C temperatures a lot cooler to
what she was used to.
She has swapped summer holidays in St George, Queensland - where the mercury hits the 40s - for the 11-day camp at Lake Okataina Outdoor Education Centre, meeting new people and learning about different cultures.
"I really like it here but it's cold," she said.
"The people are similar to Australians but the scenery is very different. It's barren in Australia but very green here."
Tess won a spot on the annual camp after winning a public speaking competition in her Lions region for Lions Youth of the Year. She said it was a tough process but one she's glad she tackled.
"I get to meet lots of new people and I've made lots of friends already.
"I'm looking forward to going paintballing because I've always wanted to do that. And because I live so far inland I'm looking forward to the beach camp."
There are 42 young people on the camp aged from 17 to 20 and they've travelled from five countries. Apart from the Australian contingent, there are visitors from Croatia, Italy and Austria and some from other parts of New Zealand.
It is an annual camp and aims to give young people the chance to form lifelong friendships with people from different cultures.
"They come to New Zealand and share their experiences," camp leader Stuart Gray said.
"I like the enjoyment of seeing these people bond so quickly.
"They're total strangers but they're chatting together already."
Some highlights of the camp are a beach camp at Opotiki where they will also have a marae experience, jetboating, paintballing and a trip to Waimarino adventure park in Tauranga.
They had their opening ceremony on Sunday night and the closing ceremony will take place on January 5, where they are expected to provide entertainment from their own country.
One local camp member, Charlotte Stacey, 16, was asked by Lions members if she wanted to take part. She said she was enjoying the games they had been playing and was looking forward to showing the overseas visitors the place she calls home.
