Marriage and Family

Weddings are often followed by a sit-down meal and dancing. Among those of European origin, families tend to be small, and most own their homes. Many young adults leave for several years to travel and work in other countries (often the United Kingdom). This time abroad is commonly referred to as Overseas Experience, or OE. Even those who emigrate for good tend to retain close contact with their families in New Zealand. There has been an increase in recent years in the number of couples living together without being married, the number of single mothers, and the number of women working outside the home. 44.8 percent (1999)

Among the Maori, the extended family remains important, and several generations may live in the same house. Also important to the Maori is the community center, called the marae, where ceremonies, meetings, and recreational activities take place.

Eating

Traditional British-style big breakfasts and hearty meals of meat and potatoes have gradually given way to a more diverse and health-conscious diet. New Zealanders have long eaten beef, pork, mutton, and fish, and are now eating more poultry. Fruit is plentiful, as are dairy products. New Zealand produces fine wines, and beer is a popular beverage. Popular takeout foods at lunchtime include meat pies, sandwiches, and filled bread rolls. Chinese food, pizza, hamburgers, and fried chicken are all available for a takeout dinner, in addition to the more traditional fish and chips wrapped in newspaper. In the main cities, restaurants serve a wide range of cuisine, including Thai, Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Mexican.

New Zealanders generally eat three meals a day, and many still enjoy the British traditions of a morning cup of tea and afternoon tea at about 3 or 4 pm. The main meal is usually in the evening between 6 and 7 pm, although when dining out it is more likely to be around 8 pm.

Socializing

New Zealanders usually shake hands when meeting someone (in formal circumstances, a man normally waits for a woman to offer her hand first), and first names are commonly used after an initial introduction. Informal greetings include the New Zealand version of “Good day,” pronounced Gidday, or a simple “Hello” or “Hi” The Maori may greet each other with a hug or the traditional hongi—pressing noses together with eyes closed and making a low “mm-mm” sound. The Maori greeting Kia Ora, which is a wish for good health, is now becoming far more widely used among the population in general (and in the tourism industry in particular). “Kia Ora” may be answered with the same.

New Zealanders frequently entertain in the home, and barbies (barbecues) are especially popular on summer weekends. There are few formal codes of etiquette, and social relations are generally casual. New Zealanders have a reputation for genuine hospitality toward visitors, and often invite people into their homes soon after making their acquaintance.

Recreation

Sports play a big part in the lives of most New Zealanders. Many will get up in the middle of the night to watch a broadcast of their team playing abroad. Rugby is the most popular spectator sport. Women’s netball and rugby league are also popular winter spectator sports. Yachting has a large following, and Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup in 1995. Some New Zealanders are horseracing fans.

Rugby is the most popular sport for participants in the winter, followed by soccer. In summer, cricket takes over. Many other sports are enjoyed during the year, including tennis, lawn bowling, track and field (called “athletics” in New Zealand), golf, horseback riding, swimming, and sailing (many families own a boat of some kind). There are also considerable opportunities for tramping (hiking), cycling, mountaineering, walking, and fishing (both deep-sea and freshwater), and some opportunities for hunting.

Other recreational activities include home improvements, gardening, watching television, and socializing at home or in a pub. New Zealanders may also spend weekends in their holiday homes or seaside cabins—known as bachs in the North Island and cribs in the South Island.

Holidays and Celebrations

The official public holidays of New Zealand include New Year (the first two working days in January are public holidays), Waitangi Day (6 February), Easter (Good Friday through Easter Monday), Anzac Day (25 April), Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday (observed the first Monday in June), Labour Day (the fourth Monday in October), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December).

Waitangi Day marks the occasion in 1840 when the United Kingdom signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the indigenous Maori. Under this treaty, New Zealand became a British colony. The Maori ceded sovereignty to the British in return for legal protection as British subjects. The Maori were guaranteed possession of their land, but with the limitation that they could sell only to the monarchy.

Anzac is an acronym for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. Anzac Day honors the nation’s armed forces that have fought in wars. Boxing Day derives from an old British tradition of giving small boxed gifts to service workers and tradespeople on the day after Christmas. It is now a day for visiting and relaxing. In addition to these holidays, each province has an Anniversary Day commemorating its founding.

Source: Encarta Interactive World Atlas

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