The Culture of New Zealand

New Zealand is know for it's unique and dynamic culture, with the strong Maori people who have influenced the language, arts and the accents of all New Zealanders. Their love of the outdoors, sports and art make the New Zealand culture unique to the world.

Maori Culture

Many of the Maori people are actively involved with keeping the culture and language alive. The marae provides a focus for social, culture and spiritual life, the term marae describes a communal area which includes a meeting house (wharenui) and a dining room (wharekai). The Maoris are the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and arrived more than 1000 years ago from their homeland of Hawaiki. Today they make up 14 percent of the population.

The traditional carvers help keep the Maori culture alive by creating great works that respect the past. Each carving tells a story, which people who know how can read, depending on the shape of the heads, position of the body and the patterns created on the surface.

The language is very important and for a visitor to speak a little Maori greeting is sure to get a delighted response from both the Maori and the New Zealanders. The Maori language is called Te Reo Maori:-

• Kia ora - Hello
• Kia ora tatou - Hello everyone
• Tena koe - Greetings to you (said to one person)
• Tena koutou - Greeting to you all
• Haere mai - Welcome
• Nau mai - Welcome
• Kei te pehea koe? - Hows it going?
• Kei te pai - Good
• Tino pai - Really good
• Haere ra - Farewell
• Ka kite ano - Until I see you again (Bye)
• Hei konei ra - See you later

Maori Tourism

The Maori tourism started in New Zealand over 130 years ago where the local Maori would guide visitors through the Central Plateau region of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Te Wairoa Village or better known as the Buried Village was destroyed by the awakening of the Mt Tarawera which produced huge explosions of hot molten ash, mud and rocks, which was heard even in Auckland. This is one of the most popular and fascinating visits for anyone.

Another great place of Maori culture is Hell's Gate and the Wai Ora Spa. New Zealand is located on what is called the "Ring of Fire" where the earth is in a state of upheaval. This shows considerably in Rotorua where the geothermal activity is a wonder to see. Maoris have lived on this site for more then 700 years and strongly believe of the healing and revitalisation powers of the land and the geothermal activity. The warriors would bathe in the sulphourous waters to heal their wounds and remove the sacredness (tapu) of war.

The People

Over 400 years ago before Christopher Columbus and the rest of Europe were worrying about falling off the edge of the world, the Maori were crossing the Pacific Ocean in small ocean-going canoes. They used their own navigation system of the stars and the currents to bravely discover New Zealand.

The New Zealand European pioneer's were very brave and hardy people who had the dangerous task of clearing the land to establish their farms and settlements. This quality can be still be seen today in the new generation of young Kiwi business executives, fashion designers and sportsmen.

They have invented many things, the most famous being the bungy jump, the Hamilton Jet boat and frozen meat! They are also responsible for the tranquilliser gun, seismic 'base' isolaters, electric fences, stamp vending machines and the electronic petrol pump.

The Arts

Early artists of New Zealand are C F Goldie (1870 - 1947) and Gottfried Lindauer (1839 - 1926) who were remembered for their portraits of Maori subjects. Frances Hodgkin's (1869 - 1947) is an acclaimed and influential painter who was associated with a number of avant-garde British movements. Modern artists include Rita Angus (1908 - 1970) who painted beautiful New Zealand landscapes and self portraits, and Colin McCahon (1919 - 1987) who painted lots of landscapes and used text of a religious nature in his paintings.

There are a lot of New Zealand novelists which include John Mulgan, Robin Hyde, Maurice Shadbolt and Janet Frame. The best-known Maori writers include Patricia Grace, Alan Duff and Witi Ihimaera. Alan Duff's 'Once Were Warriors' which is about a dysfunctional Maori family, was made into an international hit movie by Maori filmmaker Lee Tamahori.

The highly acclaimed NZCO (New Zealand Symphony Orchestra) are one of the top three professional orchestras in New Zealand. The National Youth Choir have won a number of prestigious international events. Many films and producers have proved New Zealand to be a creator of intelligent and unique movies. Peter Jackson is famous for his Lord of the Rings Trilogy, which was filmed in New Zealand, and movie hits such as Smash Palace, Heavenly Creatures and The Piano have been produced by New Zealanders.

Kiwiana

Kiwiana is the celebration of the national identity of New Zealand. A kiwi is a flightless nocturnal bird, and is the national bird of New Zealand. Everyone around the world associates New Zealanders as 'kiwis'!

Kiwifruit is one of New Zealand's biggest imports and was originally called Chinese Gooseberry's. This is because it is of Chinese origin, but it grows throughout the land. You can always tell if the kiwifruit comes from New Zealand as it will be branded 'Zespri'. The pavlova, (which apparently was invented in New Zealand first!) was created as a tribute to Anna Pavlova, the Russian ballerina who toured New Zealand and Australia in 1926. It is usually topped with kiwifruit.

Other items of kiwiana include:-

• The Buzzy Bee - This is a toy which is bright red and yellow in colour, and as you pull the toy, it's wings rotate, making a wonderful loud clicking sound.
• No 8 Wire - This is a certain gauge of wire used for fencing mainly for the farms of New Zealand.
• Edmonds Cookbook - This cookbook was made by the people who created the Edmonds 'Sure to Rise' Baking Powder. This is New Zealand's highest selling book.
• Paua Shell - Pronounced par-wah, it is a type of shell which is used to make jewellery, butterflies, 21st birthday keys and souveniers. The Maori use the shiny shell for the eyes in the carvings of various creatures.
• L & P National Soft Drink - Lemon and Paeroa is a soft drink which was invented in 1904 as the maker tasted mineral water from Paeroa and mixed it with lemon to make a refreshing drink.
• Crown Lynn Railways Cup - These cups were used on the overnight express from Wellington to Auckland when passengers would stop for a cup of tea along the way. The tea was served in very strong railway mugs, from Crown Lynn property. They are now collector's items.