interesting facts about new zealand culture

Here’s our roundup of the most interesting New Zealand facts: 1. Our recommendation?  Find a dairy that stocks handmade ice cream, or try Tip Top, the country’s biggest ice cream brand.  We’re not joking when we say Kiwi ice cream is genuinely to die for. The meat and fish cooked through the Hangi method takes on a subtle smoky flavour while remaining moist and tender. First European explorer Abel Tasman gave this name it after the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands. Read on! But when it comes to domestic Rugby, there can be sworn rivalry between two regions that will almost cause blows in a pub while a match is telecast. Wellington, the Capital City of New Zealand (and home to me!) New Zealand is part of a 93% submerged continent known as Zealandia. [13] New Zealand is the last major land mass outside of the polar regions to be settled by humans. Yes, you’re welcome. Over time (and thanks to the Kiwi fondness for slang), they simply became ‘dairies’, and evolved into full-service corner stores offering everything from lollies and ice-cream to deodorant and bread. 2.5 million cars … One of the endearing stories is that the heartbeat of a huge monster, Matau, who lies sleeping at the bottom of the lake causes the ‘tide’ in the Lake Wakatipu. Coffee is a massive part of the tradition of morning and afternoon tea, a tradition borrowed from the British. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'heyexplorer_com-box-4','ezslot_7',106,'0','0'])); The ancient Maori people also took part in cannibalism post the wars they fought and won. Maori culture is integral to New Zealand. To learn more about this gorgeous country, read this guide to New Zealand and get busy planning your holiday here! 4. They sell anything from freshly made milkshakes to handmade sausage rolls and delicious savoury pies. The favorite “she’ll be right” is an easy way, to sum up, the Kiwi attitude to most things. Hence we bring to you 100 interesting facts about New Zealand. – Source 3. The everyday headaches of modern life – traffic, pollution, the nine-to-five rat-race – are still present in cities like Auckland and Wellington, but, overall, things are pretty relaxed. We all love the All Blacks as one nation. August 12, 2020 By Deb Hazarika Leave a Comment. It used to be 20 sheep for every person, but recent statistics show that... 2. Marlborough, Martinborough and Hawks Bay are perhaps the most famous wine regions in the country, other prominent wine producing regions include Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Gisborne , Wairarapa, Nelson, Canterbury/Waipara and Central Otago . The rest are animals, making it the highest animal to humans ratio in the world. Queen Elizabeth II of England is officially called Queen of New Zealand. It is the easiest way to truly immerse yourself in the country and sound like a native. Checking out for New Zealand facts?Then head further to know about it as New Zealand is the mother of nature. New Zealand is the first country to welcome each new day. You can even check out Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle! Pakaru: A Māori loanword meaning ‘broken’. Pōwhiri: A traditional Māori welcome ceremony, which includes ritualistic aspects like a wero (challenge), a karanga (welcome call) and a koha (gift). If you’ve never visited New Zealand, it’s time to get educated about Māori culture. ), and there’s plenty of amazing tracks that showcase the natural beauty of the landscape. Its closest neighbour is Australia,... General Facts about New Zealand. This was due, in no small part, to Kate Sheppard, an iconic figure in the women’s suffrage movement. Here are 25 Kickass and Interesting Facts About New Zealand. He was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Service Medal in recognition of his community service. Ay/Eh: An Aussie/Kiwi word that gets tacked onto the end of sentences, generally inviting agreement.  “That’s mean as, ay bro” would translate to “That’s quite nice, isn’t it, friend”. You can’t talk about New Zealand’s culture without mentioning the original inhabitants of the ‘Land of The Long White Cloud’. The native fauna varies immensely. Hangi and indigenous cultural foods are delicious, 6. 1. 12. They are easy-going people who are very warm and friendly and yet also reserved and private. We also love a little taste of adventure and have adventure sports like bungee jumping, rappelling and skydiving in the most scenic locations imaginable.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'heyexplorer_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_13',111,'0','0'])); New Zealand culture is an amalgamation of European and Maori influences and is a nation characterized by warm hospitality and friendly people. http://preparetoserve.com/NEW-ZEALAND Interesting facts about New Zealands culture. Your email address will not be published. We have more ethnicities living in the country than there are countries in the world. Here are 10 amazing facts about the country which you will find fascinating-More Sheep than Humans. It is rightly called “The City of Sails.” 22. Here are a few interesting facts about the New Zealand culture that you probably didn’t know. You’ll also find local candy, lollies and ice cream. 10: Three official languages. New Zealand is an exciting, dynamic country in a constant process of change. The people of the Chatham Islands, a New Zealand territory,... 2. Culturally, it is known for its strong Maori heritage, Rugby culture and an innovative food and drink scene. New Zealand’s culture boasts of a dynamic vibrancy that is all-embracing and goes beyond the Lord of the Rings. Required fields are marked *. One of the most significant binding and divisive factors in modern-day NZ... 3. To learn more about the country and its culture, check out my article on my reasons to visit New Zealand. It encompasses everything from the revitalised Māori language to traditional cultural activities like carving.  Here’s a few of the most fascinating aspects that you might not know about. There are heaps of fascinating facts about kiwi birds, which makes them New Zealand’s national icon. The commonly played games include rugby, cricket, football, netball, golf, basketball, hockey, tennis, and water sports such as sailing and surfing. The culture of its indigenous Māori people affects the language, the arts, and even the accents of all New Zealanders. Here’s a fun fact for you- did you know New Zealand has its own wizard? You can see examples of whakairo across the country, including at the international arrival point in Auckland Airport. New Zealand’s rugby culture is prominent. Chilly bin: The Kiwi way to say ‘esky’ or ‘cooler bin’.  “Chuck the piss in the chilly bin ay.”. Just over 700 years ago, New Zealand was completely uninhabited by humans. This rich blend of cultures, combined with geologically fascinating landscapes and unique flora and fauna, make New Zealand an exciting country to explore. The name of New Zealand has derived from the Dutch term “Nieuw Zeeland”. The country … Enter your username and password below to login. Here are 5 topographic and environmental things that you might not know: 1. The revival of Te Reo Māori, the Māori language? Blue Lake in Nelson Lakes National Park has the cleanest water in the world. One of the interesting facts about New Zealand culture is that it has been called one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world! Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your outlook, drip coffee is rare in New Zealand. Perhaps best described as little mom-and-pop businesses you’ll find on every other street corner, dairies are lifesavers for us, Kiwis. New Zealand has been a tourist hotspot since decades now and it is indeed an impeccably beautiful land with a unique flora and fauna. Cafes are easily found at almost every corner, and even if you don’t see a café nearby, most establishments ranging from supermarkets to dairies to fuel stations will have a proper coffee machine with an experienced barista behind it. Kepler Track (60 kilometres long, South Island, traverses mountains, forests, lakes, gorges and wetlands). So, here are some interesting facts about New Zealand that you will enjoy reading about. We’ll start with an easy one – New Zealand’s incredible food.  If you haven’t been to the Land of the Long White Cloud, this might come as a surprise to you, but the tastiest Kiwi chow isn’t from fancy restaurants or inner-city hangouts. But what about the less famous aspects of Māori culture? New Zealand is balanced on the edge of 2 tectonic plates which move and swing in 2 directions. 10 Interesting Facts About New Zealand Culture 1. New Zealand, literally invented the word tramping, which means overnight hiking. is the southernmost capital city in the world. 1. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'heyexplorer_com-banner-1','ezslot_10',107,'0','0'])); Today’s New Zealand food scene is increasingly aware of the exotic ingredients present in the country’s natural surroundings. Going on a road trip through New Zealand, stop at a dairy and load up at the beginning of your journey. 1-5 Interesting Facts About New Zealand 1. for Adventure Lovers, 20 Best Books to Learn Italian for Beginners & Beyond, Learn French: 50+ Best Apps, Podcasts, Books and Online Courses, How to Say Hello in Swedish and 19 Other Swedish Greetings. While there are gentle lambs frolicking on the rolling hills of the countryside, there are also birds like the Kea that will rip the windshield wipers of cars and eat them! To see a kiwi for yourself, check out This is not a man-made cave where they’ve put glowsticks on the wall, but instead a natural... 3. New Zealand’s culture is inextricably linked with the fact of its Māori heritage, and chances are you’ve seen things like the haka or been welcomed with a friendly “kia ora!”. I authorise Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific Pty Ltd and its related entities, to contact me by (and including but not limited to) phone, mail and/or electronic messaging regarding promotional offers, products and services for an indefinite period or until I opt out. Aotearoa comes from … The only thing she values more than travelling or her family, is her Harry Potter collection. 101 Crazy Fun Facts About New Zealand (Kids’ Facts Included) Facts about New Zealand. New Zealand’s cool climate means outdoor walks over rough terrain aren’t the sweat-soaked nightmare they are in other countries (hello, Australia! Well, now that you agree, here’s my list: This concludes today’s lesson in Kiwi slang!eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'heyexplorer_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',108,'0','0'])); Over the last few decades, New Zealanders have begun to take their coffee very seriously. The culture in this country is very relaxed and informal. Head to Dunedin (named for the Gaelic name for Edinburgh) to see some of Scotland’s influence on New Zealand architecture and culture. Whakairo: Traditional carving techniques practiced on mediums like wood, pounamu (New Zealand jade) and whale ivory. There are presently around 9 sheep to every 1 human in New Zealand (the population of New Zealand is 4 million). Because of New Zealand’s small population, pastoral economy and relatively isolated location, you’ll find that most Kiwis embrace a laid-back attitude that lets them cruise through life without stressing over the little things. Those first fleets settled around the East Coast of New Zealand, and legend has it that the very first landing was in the Hokianga Harbour in the far north. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'heyexplorer_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',102,'0','0'])); While culture is a very subjective term, most experts agree that culture is a melting pot of influences that range from ancient founding history, native people, newer pop influences and perhaps a little bit of this and a little bit of that. New Zealand has a very unique and dynamic culture. We had a few “surprises” along our 1-month New Zealand road trip, and if we had been a little more prepared, we would have avoided some mistakes. The culture of New Zealand is essentially a Western culture influenced by the unique environment and geographic isolation of the islands, and the cultural input of the indigenous Māori people and the various waves of multi-ethnic migration which followed the British colonisation of New Zealand. You must be registered to access that feature! Kiwis take huge advantage of the outdoors by going tramping or taking long hikes. In fact, David Strang of Invercargill was one of the first pioneers of instant coffee. While New Zealand does not grow its beans, it is up there in terms of innovation. New Zealand is home to the smallest dolphin species on earth. The land is rich in reptiles and birds, but there are in fact no snakes. Interesting facts about New Zealand New Zealand is Dutch root First of […] *, The Top 5 Sunrise Spots in Port Macquarie, The Top 10 Things to Do in Ballarat in 2021, 10 Best Restaurants and Eateries in Sydney for 2021, https://mywyndhamholidays.com/app/uploads/2019/11/My-Promo-video-37-1.mp4. Among some of those facts are that female kiwi lay one of the world’s largest eggs in proportion to body size. Since 17th century New Zealand was settled by Europeans. Māori Tourism. Deb likes to think of herself as a purveyor of fine experiences instead of things. New Zealand participates in both local and international competitions. Discover some interesting facts about New Zealand below. One of the most common food experiences every tourist in New Zealand wants to do is the Hangi. New Zealand has more penguin species than anywhere else in the world. The pÅ«rākau, the ancient Māori tales of the land and the gods? If you get the chance to experience this, make sure you snap it up – it’s an exceptional culinary experience you don’t want to miss. Hell, we even came up with the Flat White, a type of coffee that is less frothy and more textured. This was done to enemies to send a strong warning message. Squiz: An Aussie word that Kiwis use meaning ‘to look’.  “Take a squiz at that, cuz.”. New Zealand is a welcoming, diverse country with a history of Māori, European, Pacific Island, and Asian immigration. 21. Both have a long tradition of medicinal uses by Maori and are being developed by the New Zealand food industry for … New Zealand’s wildlife won’t cause you any harm . These are our top 5 facts about New Zealand culture.  If you’re keen to visit Aotearoa, you need to read this article. 95% are animals. It’s not uncommon to see people heading into the local Countdown in short-shorts, raincoats and gumboots, so don’t feel like you need to dress up if you’re going on a Kiwi holiday. Their place in the South Pacific, and their love of the outdoors, sport, and the arts make New Zealanders and their culture unique in the world. Interesting Facts About New Zealand When Dutch explorers believed that New Zealand was not connected to the continent of South America, then they changed their name from Staten Landt (South America) to Zeelandia (New Zealand). The first Rugby World Cup had an unexpected winner, New Zealand. New Zealand’s eels live to 80 years old and breed only once, at the end of their life—and they swim all the way to Tonga to do it. In the 13 th century, the first Māori voyaged from East Polynesia in large canoes to discover New Zealand. The Maori language, Te Reo, is one of New Zealand’s official languages. NZ is famous for a number of unique huts, dotted along picturesque hiking routes, which are used by…you guessed it right, trampers. Name: New Zealand, named after the Dutch province of Zeeland, or Aotearoa (in Maori, meaning: land of the long white cloud) Population: 5 million (2021) Urban Population: 90%; Capital: Wellington with 415,000 people; Official Languages: English, Maori and Sign Language; … You’ll also touch noses in a hongi, a traditional greeting which symbolises sharing the breath of life. Also Read: Study in New Zealand (Complete Guide for Indian Students) There is only 5% human population in New Zealand and the rest of the inhabitants, i.e. A dolphin named Pelorus Jack regularly guided ships in New Zealand through treacherous waters until his disappearance in 1912. New Zealanders love the Great Outdoors, 16 Splendid Stargazing Spots in New Zealand, 110 Epic Hiking Quotes (With Pics!) New Zealanders love their cars! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. If you’re doing a bit of travelling on your New Zealand holiday, it’s an awesome experience just to pop into a dairy and grab a bite to eat. If you genuinely want to learn the language and culture of a place, learn its slang. Dairies are another NZ cultural oddity that you probably won’t encounter anywhere else.  These tiny, family-owned grocery stores emerged during the early 1900s, and were originally known as ‘dairy produce sellers’. This month, we turn our attention to New Zealand, with the Top 20 Interesting facts about this nation. Every day, at about 10 am and 3 pm, everyone takes a break from work and catches up over a hot beverage and a light bite. The rest are animals, making it the highest animal to humans ratio in the world. Here are some interesting New Zealand Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids. New Zealand also utilizes its winter season for sporting activities such as skiing and snowboarding. A Southland versus Otago match can be as closely watched, with the same intensity as a World Cup final in any sport! Instead, you’ll find it in tiny corner stores scattered across the country, often encased in a generous helping of pastry.  New Zealand pies and sausages rolls are, hands down, some of the tastiest baked goods you’ll ever sample, so don’t be surprised when you find out these are pretty much a staple food for Kiwis. Our goal is to help make your explorations more meaningful by providing resources for learning languages, understanding cultures, and discovering the best of each destination. Copyright © 2021 • heyexplorer.com  Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions |  Affiliate Disclosure | ContactThe owner of this site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. New Zealand Culture Introduction Our Culture. 25 Interesting Facts about New Zealand 1. The first settlers were the Māori, who arrived between A.D. 800 and 1200. New Zealand has two native pepper trees: horopito and kawakawa. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 40 Interesting Facts About New Zealand. Why some of you may argue that slang has nothing to do with culture and is in fact, pretty uncultured, I’d have to disagree. One of our more honourable New Zealand facts is that we were the first country to give women the vote in 1893. New Zealand’s rugby culture is prominent, 3. – Source 2. What do you think?  Feel like you’re ready to tackle New Zealand?  Check out our resorts at Rotorua and Wanaka for some holiday inspiration.  Alternatively, read our article about New Zealand’s top experiences before you head off.  Who knows?  Maybe we’ll see you over here with a Monteith’s in one hand and a meat pie in the other! New Zealand is one of the few places in the world where there are no snakes. For example, Taupo in the North Island is the shorter version of the Maori name for the town. The world’s first commercial bungee jump was a 43 metre leap off the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown in 1988. These … Luckily for you, we’ve found a couple of the most common Kiwi slang words – pretty soon you’ll be saying “chur cuz” as you accept a pie from one of the boys. Auckland, an important city in New Zealand, has the highest per capita of boats among every city of the world. While originally born in England, Ian Brackenbury Channell moved to New Zealand and soon became a popular figure, especially in the city of Christchurch.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'heyexplorer_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',109,'0','0'])); He is an activist, comedian, and politician and is known as The Wizard of New Zealand or simply as The Wizard. New Zealand has more Scottish pipe bands per capita than Scotland itself. Filed Under: New Zealand, Oceania, Popular. Tā moko, the tattooed reflection of a person’s whakapapa (ancestry) and their own unique identity? Maori is an official New Zealand language With 15% of New Zealand’s population being Maori, the native Maori language is one of the country’s three official languages along with English and New Zealand sign language. We’re not talking frozen supermarket pies, either – these are delicious, full-blooded helpings of tender meat and flavoursome gravy, designed to be eaten in the back of a ute or while casting a line in the surf. [Image: Wellington City] 13. New Zealand is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. One New Zealand culture fact you probably haven’t heard of is ‘tramping’.  What’s tramping?  Well, it’s a distinctly Kiwi phenomenon roughly comparable to multi-day hikes in other countries. Māori tradition says they came from an island called Hawaiki, and although the location of the … New Zealanders take their coffee seriously, 10. New Zealand’s colonial past and mountainous landscape have also given birth to a DIY culture that’s unusual in a burgeoning gig economy.  Pretty much any problem can be solved with duct tape, number 8 wire and a casual “she’ll be right”. Hangi is delicious because of its simplicity in allowing fresh, local ingredients to shine through. New Zealand is referred to as Aotearoa. If you haven’t been to the Land of... Māori culture. Athletic activities in New Zealand are also vital, especially track and field events including racing, boxing, and cycling. You can’t talk about New Zealand’s culture without mentioning the original... 2. New Zealand’s culture is inextricably linked with the fact of its Māori heritage, and chances are you’ve... Kiwi slang. We’ll start with an easy one – New Zealand’s incredible food. I haven’t seen the equivalent of New Zealand’s dairies in any of my international travels. Talk about New Zealand, the Kiwi attitude to most things reached the Islands between 1250 and 1300 thing with! New Zealand is part of the most interesting New Zealand and get busy planning your Kiwi adventure there... “ the city of Sails. ” 22 ( ancestry ) and whale.... €œChuck the piss in the world to the heaviest insect, we turn our attention to New ’... 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Is indeed an impeccably beautiful land with a unique flora and fauna, Lakes gorges! Are very warm and friendly and yet also reserved and private interesting facts about new zealand culture as a of... Off the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown in 1988 of amazing tracks that the. Use meaning ‘to look’. “Take a squiz at that, cuz.”, 3 mentioning the original....! Is integral to New Zealand sea is never more than travelling or her family is! The women ’ s dairies in any of my international travels Elizabeth II of England is called. You will find fascinating-More sheep than humans no small part, to sum up the! Eggs in proportion to body size the few places in the 13 th century, first. S incredible food more ethnicities living in the world … Checking out for New Zealand,.... Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids prominent, 3, Kiwi the. Of life of innovation while remaining moist and tender massive part of the polar regions to settled! 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