Culture Of New Zealand

New Zealand has a unique cultural identity, quite unlike anywhere else in the world. Decidedly multi-cultural, modern New Zealand society is a fusion of Maori, Polynesian, Asian and European cultures. New Zealanders are recognized globally for their progressive humanitarian stance, liberal politics and world-leading social welfare, and enjoy a high quality of life.

• The Moari Culture Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Originally from Polynesia, Maori migrated to New Zealand over 1000 years ago. Today, Maori make up 14% of the total population of New Zealand. The Maori language (te ro) is spoken throughout New Zealand and the vast majority of place names are of Maori origin. As Maori are a tribal Polynesian people, they have a unique protocol which should be observed on a marae (which, as well as being a community centre, is a religious site). There are many tourist operators in New Zealand, particularly in Rotorua and Tauranga, who can organize marae visits. The important things to remember when visiting a marae are to take off your shoes before entering a meeting house and greeting your hosts with a hongi – a traditional Maori welcome where you press noses to signify friendship. Visitors to marae are often welcomed with a powhiri (formal welcome) and a wero (challenge). Many places in New Zealand have significant historical and spiritual value and are sacred to Maori. Visitors are urged to recognize the cultural significance of these places and treat them with respect. If you would like more information about Maori culture, visit the following website: http://www.maori.org.nz/


• The New Zealand Arts New Zealand does possess the usual cultural activities such as theatre, dance, fine arts, classical and popular music and creative writing. However, due to the small population base and a lack of arts funding sources, many artists have struggled to sustain themselves economically, even though they may achieve popular success. For this reason many of New Zealand's best artists go overseas, especially to Australia, but also to Europe or America, so they can further their careers. New Zealand imports much of its cultural material from overseas, particularly from Britain or the United States. Most successful Hollywood films screen on New Zealand cinema screens and New Zealand Televison shows a lot of British and American television programmes. It is somewhat ironic that some of these programmes are now made in New Zealand but receive their first screening elsewhere. The New Zealand cinematographic industry is becoming one of the country's major export enterprises, with several major motion pictures being filmed on New Zealand locations recently, including the highly acclaimed film adaptation of Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" directed by the Kiwi Peter Jackson. There are museums in many towns and cities that preserve the country's heritage. Some museums specialize in particular themes, such as vintage transport, Maori culture or a particular historic building or event. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage are national bodies that assist with such heritage preservation.
  
• Kiwiana 'Kiwiana' (pronounced: Kee-wee-ahh-na) is the term used to describe items relating toNew Zealand’s unique culture and history. Some notable items of Kiwiana you will probably encounter on your trip to New Zealand are as follows: The Kiwi Bird, Kiwifruit, Silver Fern, Buzzy Bee, Rugby, Black, Paua Shell, Pohutukawa, Jandals, Lemon and Paeroa, as well as Fish and Chips.

• Politics New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of England (Queen Elizabeth II) is the reigning monarch and Head of State. Her representative in New Zealand is the Governor General – Anand Satyanand. New Zealand’s government is modelled on the British system. New Zealand’s Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) parliamentary system means that political parties occupy a proportion of the seats in Parliament (Cabinet). In this system, the party (or coalition) with the most seats holds power. Currently a National-led coalition – led by Prime Minister John Key– holds power in New Zealand.

Map Of New Zealand

AOTEAROA

New Zealand is called Aoetearoa , "land of the long white cloud" by the Maori - is breathtakingly beautiful, a land of majestic snow-capped peaks and unexplored rainforests, or pristine lakes swarming with trout and turquoise ocean bays speckled with wooded isles, of glaciers and fiords, geysers and volcanoes. And you don’t have to travel enormous distances to experience the many aspects of its spectacular landscapes - an alpine peak can be just a short drive from a barren desert, a primeval beach minutes from a busy city. There are kauri forests and kiwi fruit plantations, modern cosmopolitan cities and back-country sheep stations, and a range of wildlife that is quite unique, including the flightless kiwi which is the symbol of New Zealand – and the prehistoric tuatara.

There are two main islands, North and South, plus little Stewart Island off the southern tip, and a number of uninhabited islands, some of which have been made into nature reserves. The North Island has the largest population, though there are still vast expanses of empty landscapes; the South Island is wilder and more spectacular – the ‘Middle Earth’ of the film version of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is a combination of a land that time forgot, completely uninhabited until relatively recent times, and a land that is impossible to forget. But first, it was the land of the Maori.

Anthropologists tell of a remarkable migration as the Polynesian ancestors of the Maori moved through the Pacific, arriving on these islands by outrigger canoe from about AD 800. Maori legend tells a much more evocative story, about the birth of all life in the stillness of a long dark night, Te Po, from the primordial parents – Rangi, the sky father, and Papa, the earth mother. Tane, their eldest son and god of the forests, pulled himself free of his parents in the darkness and struggled to push them apart, but Rangi’s sorrow at parting from his mate caused his tears to flow, filling Papa’s (that is, the land’s) surface with oceans and lakes.

Its natural wonders have made New Zealand a recreational wonderland, and New Zealanders love the outdoors – from the rugby field to the ski field, from barbecues to bungy-jumping. While preserving their natural gifts, they have used them not only as a spectacular backdrop for thrilling adventures (and films), but also to produce some of the world’s finest food and wine, to create great art and to make leisure and recreational part of daily drive. They are an active people, but they are reflective too, taking pride in what they have and what they do. Above all, they are eager to share their marvelous country and its bounty with all visitors. Haere Mai. Welcome.

Articel From The 'Insight Guide New Zealand' Book
Written by Francis Dorai