The culture of New Zealand can be described as fascinating and diverse. This is courtesy of the blending of Polynesian and European cultures. The influence of Pacific Islands, European and Asian cultures are evident yet concealed by the over-all impact of a true New Zealand culture.
The dominant cultural groups in New Zealand include the Pakeha (European), the Maori and other smaller groups such as Polynesians, Indians and Chinese. Christianity is the most common religion but there are large Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic denominations. New Zealanders or Kiwis are friendly and welcoming who truly loves traveling and meeting people from other cultures.
New Zealand is predominantly an English speaking country but its strong Maori heritage has recently flourished. Their language which for so long has been on the decline is making a strong comeback. The flowing and poetic language is unexpectedly easy to pronounce once the techniques has been learned.
The special fondness of New Zealanders for the outdoors is encouraged by the country’s wide-open spaces and national parks. Popular outdoor activities include tramping (hiking), camping, sailing, skiing and playing rugby or cricket. The hundreds of beaches which are ideal for swimming and diving are mostly found within walking distance of student campuses.
New Zealand is a small country that has a big attitude. Kiwis are brought up believing they can do anything and would love to accept a challenge to prove it. This “can do” attitude has facilitated their success in many areas such as sports and inventions.
A group of icons or a range of objects known as the Kiwiana has helped to define what it is to be a Kiwi. This includes things such as rugby, bungee jumping and number 8 wire and people like Sir Edmund Hillary and Ernest Rutherford. These are the icons that define New Zealand culture.
New Zealand’s rugby team – All Blacks, is a legend in the game and the country is considered the greatest rugby nation. It also created the ultimate adrenaline sport in bungee jumping. The Sky Jump has recently been introduced which makes use of a cable attached to a full body harness and allows the jumper to reach a speed of 60 km/per hour and decelerate to a safe landing speed in a total of 20 seconds.
The sheep has come to be a symbol for New Zealanders as they still continue to outnumber the Kiwis. The Pohutukawa is known as New Zealand’s Christmas tree and flowers in early summer around Christmas time. The no. 8 wire has come to represent Kiwi ingenuity as the ordinary wire was put to more use to compensate for isolation and lack of infrastructure during the early times.
Other things included in the list are Lemon and Paeora, Buzzy Bee, Paua Shell, Pavlova and many others. Some notable personalities of New Zealand include Frances Hodgkins (painting), Katherine Mansfield (literature), and Karen Walden (fashion). Probably the most widely known part of New Zealand in the film industry is being the location of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. There are surely no limits and possibilities in New Zealand.