KEY POINTS:
While thousands marked the national day at strait-laced events, others gathered in the deep south for an alternative that's more than a little cheesy.
Southland's remote Wendon Valley, about 30km northwest of Gore, hosts New Zealand's only cheese rolling competition.
Based on the English event that is thought to have originated in a pagan ritual, competitors hurl 4kg rounds of cheese down a hill then scramble after them.
The prize? Keeping the cheese you catch, and the chance to win the title of top cheese roller (and the accompanying Oamaru stone trophy).
Co-organiser Virginia Henderson said her parents came across the event when they got lost while visiting England about 10 years ago.
"They thought that we had great hills for it."
The first event last year attracted about 800 people.
* Money raised from the event will be used to help children with autism or other learning difficulties.
