>  >Most of you guys have got it easy.  Try getting someone to spell "Schwaia"
>>write the first time.  No matter how slowly I spell it, the American mind
>  >cannot grasp the idea of "aia".  It's quite funny.

sh-why-uh (or sh-vye-uh)?

I wonder how most Americans would butcher NZ's Polynesian names...

Wangaloa
Waikouaiti
Waihao
Eketahuna
Takaka
Tuatapere
Otago
Pikikiruna
Pupu
Tahunanui
Kaiteriteri
--
Regards
Andrew