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The New Zealand Culture
New Zealand culture is a unique blend of Maori and European with its evolution influenced by the beautiful and largely untouched country.
New Zealand has a very unique and dynamic culture. The culture of its indigenous Maori people has influenced the language, the lifestyle and the traditions. New Zealand’s place in the South Pacific, and New Zealanders love of the outdoors, sport, and the arts make New Zealanders and their culture unique in the world.
For Maori the centre point of any community is their Marae, it describes the communal area of an Iwi (tribe). The famous Maori dance is the Haka which is often seen before the All Blacks start a rugby match.
Early Maori life was centered around sea life as can been seen with the great Maori canoes which are decorated with matriculate carvings and Pawa Shells.
The traditional Maori food is cooked in the ground from surrounding hot rocks and is called a hungi, kumara is a favorite Maori potatoes that you should try. However the food in the supermarkets and restraunts is a mixture of European, Asian, Indian influence not to different from living in London.
On the land Maori life can be seen in Rotorua where there are natural steam systems under the ground. This is where you can smell sulfur and see geysers which spirt steam into the air in spectacular style. There are also mud pools that naturally bubble the day away and are great for a therapeutic foot bath.
The cities are very much of a recent European influence, with modern buildings that match other comparable cities. There are plenty of Museums, libraries and cultural displays/ exhibitions to experience the New Zealand culture.
