New Zealand Culture

The cultural makeup of New Zealand is influenced by the layering of different ethnic groups throughout history, creating the vibrant society we see today. There are three primary movements that make up the most recognizable elements of this culture – the arrival of the indigenous Maori people, European arrival and the influx of migrants during the 20th Century.


Maori Culture

Ethnologists believe that the story of the Maori people is many thousands of years old, originating in the Polynesian islands and eventually arriving in New Zealand between the 9th and 13th Centuries. The Maori language is known as Maoritanga and shares its roots with the native languages of Tahiti and Hawaii.

The Maoritanga name for New Zealand is ‘Aotearoa’, meaning ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ and is suggestive of the important role the climate and natural elements to the lives of these people. The Maori culture was and still is a culture influenced greatly by the power of nature and mythology, which contributed to the development of Maori art, craft, native dress, music and dancing. The stories and legends of the society were traditionally passed through the generations orally through words and waiata (song).

The tribal structure of traditional Maori society has a strict protocol, which can still be observed today at a marae (Maori meeting ground) through organised tour groups. This includes traditional greetings, peace offerings, chanting and token-giving as a sign of peace. The arrival of visitors is usually followed by the distinctive ‘hongi’, a ceremonial greeting much like a kiss which involves the pressing together of noses. Food is then shared, sometimes prepared in a traditional ‘hangi’, a hot underground oven.

One of the most visually distinctive aspects of the traditional Maori people is the ‘moko’ or facial tattoos. These striking patterns may decorate the entire face of a Maori male, however are restricted to the upper lip, nose and chin of a Maori female. The performance of the vigorous ‘haka’ war dance by a tribe of moko-decorated men would have been a terrifying spectacle for an oncoming enemy tribe. Today, the haka is immortalized by the performance by the New Zealand Rugby League team the All Blacks before each game.  


European Arrival

Historians believe that the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to encounter New Zealand and its indigenous inhabitants in 1642. A violent conflict with the Maori people led to the death of several of his crewmembers.

Captain James Cook established good relations with some of the Maori population in 1769, marking the beginning of the regular influx of European ships. During this time many Maori people suffered from war and illness introduced from abroad, resulting in a dramatic drop in their population. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, a unique move giving the Maori automatic British citizenship and land rights, although the fairness of some conditions in the treaty for the Maori people is still disputed today.

Most early European settlers in New Zealand had their roots in the working classes of Ireland, Scotland and England. These groups were resilient and resourceful, facing often overwhelming natural elements in the establishment of houses and agriculture. Pockets of these cultural groups are still noticeable throughout the country, particularly the Scottish in the south, however the lines are often blurred by influence from other populations.


The 20th Century and Today

New Zealand became home for many immigrants from around the world during the 20th Century, particularly from other Polynesian islands, Europe and Asia. The First and Second World War had a massive impact on the population of New Zealand, devastating large proportions of the male population and resulting in the national sense of ‘mateship’ and loyalty.

While New Zealand experienced immigration from many Polynesian and Asian countries after the Second World War and through to the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s, it had less of a Mediterranean influx than Australia. The Polynesian population in New Zealand is now a distinct subculture, separate from the indigenous Maori culture and most noticeable in parts of Southern Auckland.

Today, New Zealand is a modern western society that has embraced the influence of other nationalities in determining its own unique identity. It holds true to history whilst cultivating the cutting edge of technology, art, literature, cinema, fashion and music. Kiwis also honour their outdoorsy, agricultural reputation by protecting their stunning natural resources with the world’s greenest industry practices. These qualities combined with a friendly, laid-back attitude helps explain the attraction to foreign-born immigrants, of which New Zealand has the highest proportionate population in the world.