essay about new zealand culture

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New Zealand , island country in the South Pacific Ocean , the southwesternmost part of Polynesia. New Zealand is a remote land—one of the last sizable territories suitable for habitation to be populated and settled—and lies more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Australia , its nearest neighbour. The country comprises two main islands—the North and the South Island —and a number of small islands, some of them hundreds of miles from the main group. The capital city is Wellington and the largest urban area Auckland ; both are located on the North Island. New Zealand administers the South Pacific island group of Tokelau and claims a section of the Antarctic continent. Niue and the Cook Islands are self-governing states in free association with New Zealand.

New Zealand is a land of great contrasts and diversity . Active volcanoes, spectacular caves, deep glacier lakes, verdant valleys, dazzling fjords, long sandy beaches, and the spectacular snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps /Kā Tiritiri o te Moana on the South Island—all contribute to New Zealand’s scenic beauty. New Zealand also has a unique array of vegetation and animal life, much of which developed during the country’s prolonged isolation. It is the sole home, for example, of the long-beaked, flightless kiwi , the ubiquitous nickname for New Zealanders.

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New Zealand was the largest country in Polynesia when it was annexed by Great Britain in 1840. Thereafter it was successively a crown colony, a self-governing colony (1856), and a dominion (1907). By the 1920s it controlled almost all of its internal and external policies, although it did not become fully independent until 1947, when it adopted the Statute of Westminster . It is a member of the Commonwealth .

The ascent of Mount Everest by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953 was one of the defining moments of the 20th century. “In some ways,” Hillary suggested, “I believe I epitomise the average New Zealander: I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination, and I rather like to succeed.”

Despite New Zealand’s isolation, the country has been fully engaged in international affairs since the early 20th century, being an active member of a number of intergovernmental institutions, including the United Nations . It has also participated in several wars, including World Wars I and II. Economically the country was dependent on the export of agricultural products, especially to Great Britain . The entry of Britain into the European Community in the early 1970s, however, forced New Zealand to expand its trade relations with other countries. It also began to develop a much more extensive and varied industrial sector. Tourism has played an increasingly important role in the economy, though this sector has been vulnerable to global financial instability.

The social and cultural gap between New Zealand’s two main groups—the indigenous Māori of Polynesian heritage and the colonizers and later immigrants from the British Isles and their descendants—has decreased since the 1970s, though educational and economic differences between the two groups remain. Immigration from other areas—Asia, Africa, and eastern Europe—has also made a mark, and New Zealand culture today reflects these many influences. Minority rights and race-related issues continue to play an important role in New Zealand politics.

New Zealand is about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) long (north-south) and about 280 miles (450 km) across at its widest point. The country has slightly less surface area than the U.S. state of Colorado and a little more than the United Kingdom . About two-thirds of the land is economically useful, the remainder being mountainous. Because of its numerous harbours and fjords , the country has an extremely long coastline relative to its area.

Essay on New Zealand Culture

Students are often asked to write an essay on New Zealand Culture in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on New Zealand Culture

Introduction to new zealand culture.

New Zealand culture is a rich blend of native Maori traditions and influences from European settlers. It’s known for its strong connection to nature and a laid-back lifestyle. Sports, arts, and community events play a big part in the lives of New Zealanders, often called Kiwis.

Maori Heritage

The Maori are the first people of New Zealand. Their customs, language, and arts are central to the nation’s identity. The haka, a traditional Maori dance, is famous worldwide. Maori values and history are respected and celebrated across the country.

Outdoor Lifestyle

New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes make outdoor activities popular. Hiking, rugby, and water sports are activities that many people enjoy. This love for the outdoors is a key part of what it means to be a Kiwi.

Food and Festivals

New Zealand’s food is a mix of fresh local ingredients and international flavors. The traditional Maori hangi, a feast cooked underground, is a special treat. Festivals throughout the year showcase music, film, and food, bringing communities together.

Arts and Creativity

New Zealand culture is unique, with its blend of Maori traditions and modern lifestyle. It’s a culture that cherishes its past while embracing the future, full of adventure, community, and artistic expression.

250 Words Essay on New Zealand Culture

New Zealand, a beautiful country far in the Pacific Ocean, has a rich culture that mixes the traditions of its native Maori people with influences from European settlers and other cultures from around the world. This blend has created a unique way of life for the people of New Zealand, known as Kiwis.

Maori Traditions

The Maori are the first people of New Zealand, and their customs are a big part of the country’s culture. One famous Maori tradition is the ‘haka’, a powerful dance used to welcome guests or to show strength in sports. Maori language, stories, and art are also important and are taught in many schools.

New Zealanders love the outdoors. With lots of beautiful landscapes, from beaches to mountains, it’s common for people to spend time hiking, sailing, or playing sports like rugby, which is very popular. This love for nature is seen in how they care for the environment.

Food in New Zealand includes fresh seafood, lamb, and ‘hangi’, a traditional Maori way of cooking food in the ground. There are also many festivals that celebrate the arts, food, and history, where everyone can enjoy music, dance, and good food together.

500 Words Essay on New Zealand Culture

New Zealand, a country in the Pacific Ocean, is known for its rich culture that comes from its native people, the Māori, and the mix of other cultures brought by people from around the world. The culture of New Zealand is a colorful tapestry that includes art, language, sports, and celebrations.

The Māori Influence

The Māori are the first people of New Zealand, and their customs, language, and traditions are a big part of the country’s culture. The Māori language, called Te Reo Māori, is one of the official languages of the country. Traditional Māori art, like wood carvings and tattoos called ‘moko,’ are well-known. The haka, a type of war dance, is performed at important events and has become famous worldwide through New Zealand sports teams.

Sports and Recreation

Sports are a big deal in New Zealand. Rugby is the most popular sport, and the national team, the All Blacks, is known all over the world. People in New Zealand also enjoy cricket, netball, and soccer. Being close to the ocean and having lots of nature, New Zealanders love outdoor activities like hiking, sailing, and bungee jumping.

Art and Literature

New Zealand has a lively art scene. Māori art is still very important, and other artists in New Zealand use paintings, sculptures, and movies to express their ideas. New Zealand literature is rich with stories and poems, some of which are about the country’s beautiful landscapes and unique animals.

Everyday Life and Values

New Zealand culture is a beautiful blend of old traditions and new ideas. From the Māori people to the different foods, sports, and arts, New Zealand has a unique culture that is both interesting and welcoming. It is a country where history is respected, and the future is made by people from all walks of life coming together.

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• The Culture Of New Zealand

• New Zealand's culture is a mix of Western and Indigenous influences.
• The Māori people have lived on the island since the 14th century, and the British colonizers came in the 18th century, forever altering the course of history for the inhabitants of New Zealand.
• Most of New Zealand's population is either Christian or not religious, and the country also includes different faiths like Islam and Buddhism.
• The traditional Māori music, dance and art forms are still practiced today, and have significantly influenced New Zealand's artistic expression.
• Rugby is the most popular sport in New Zealand, but many other sports are practiced as well.

The island of New Zealand is located in the southwestern region of the Pacific Ocean,  southeast of Australia. New Zealand is a diverse nation, with colonial Western culture influenced by Māori customs and traditions. Before the 1800s, the Māori pre-colonial culture was dominant on the island. The Māori culture developed from Polynesian influences of their traditional lands, and when they arrived on the island we now know as New Zealand in about the 14th century, their culture developed under the influence of their new surroundings. 

The migration of the Europeans into New Zealand in the 1800s forever changed the course of history for its inhabitants. These Europeans carried with them traditions and practices of their native lands, most of whom were from Britain. Cultural interactions among the Europeans and the Māori people created a new set of new practices both for the Māori and for the Europeans as they exchanged different aspects of religion, dress, music, and language. These interactions between the Indigenous Māori and the European settlers gave rise to the Pakeha people. Currently, New Zealand is committed to promoting its cultural heritage, especially the Māori culture, which is unique to this country.

Social Beliefs And Customs

Though the relations between the Indigenous peoples and Western settlers have varied throughout its history and have been strained at times, New Zealand is founded on the principles of equality and classlessness. Although the earlier culture of the Māori displayed social stratification with three different hierarchies of belonging in their society, the classes relatively disappeared with influence and interaction with other cultures. New Zealanders, also called Kiwis, are social people who believe in basic politeness and hospitality to all. They value aspects such as personal distance during communication, greeting, and have defined expectations on showing affection in public. For instance, during communication, too much eye contact and closeness translate to the invasion of personal space. Greetings are also an important part of the social fabric of New Zealand with parties acknowledging each other with a simple “Good day!”

The cuisine of the Māori people includes sweet potatoes, fern roots, birds, and fish prepared into various meals with earthen ovens, roasting and steaming over natural hot springs and pools. The influences of the European culinary cultures on the Māori led to the adoption of pork and potatoes in the Māori diet. The Pakeha people, a word used to refer to light-skinned Māori or to the Western colonizers, brought their native culinary tradition into New Zealand including their high consumption of red meat and sweet foods. The evolution of the country’s cuisine from influences of local and international cultures has led to the emergence of new cuisines and the recreation of former ones. Food tourism has also grown, with tourists eager to partake in unique cuisines and more restaurants incorporating a variety of local and ethnic foods into their menus. Increased awareness of healthy eating has also played a significant role in the production and preparation of food in the country with most people opting for healthier choices.

Clothing is an essential part of the identity of New Zealanders. While most of the fashion is from Western culture, subtle influences of other cultures, particularly Māori, can be found in the dress and style of clothing. Both the Māori and the Pakeha borrowed clothing styles and pattern designs from each other. Today, the Māori will often wear their traditional clothing during cultural festivals, and their daily wear is primarily casual and Western in style. Generally, New Zealanders dress in a smart-casual style when out for social events.

Music And Dance

Music and dance are some of the aspects that are central to any culture. The music and dance in the New Zealandic culture draw its influences from genres such as jazz, pop, hip-hop, or rock and roll. However, the music has a unique New Zealand twist from the incorporation of Māori singing traditions, dances and musical instruments. Traditional Māori music featured monotonal and harmonic signing, usually by a group of singers. Later on, the music developed through the adoption of European styles and instruments leading to the rise of contemporary Māori music. Dance styles of New Zealand descend from influences of the Pacific, Asian, and European cultures. Cultural dances and music are often seen at festivals and cultural events in New Zealand. The most famous dance is the Pacific dance, a part of the Pasifika festival. The traditional Māori dance, the Haka, has also gained prominence in New Zealand. Other dances in New Zealand include the Irish dance, Morris dance, Legong, Chinese lion and dragon dances, and Bharata Natyam.

Literature And Arts

The traditional Māori storytelling is primarily oral. During the pre-European era, oral traditions were the common method of transmission of their cultural traditions, beliefs, and practices. The major literature developed in New Zealand for a long time showed the dominance of European influence. Very few Māori engaged in literary production, with that trend changing only recently. The Māori flourished in the performing arts such as traditional dances and songs. New Zealand is home to numerous museums and galleries that contain relics of the Māori arts including sculptures, woven items, and carvings made from various materials. Some individuals, organizations and the government provide funds towards the promotion and revival of traditional arts.

Religions And Festivals

Before the coming of the European, the polytheistic Māori religion was the common practice. With the introduction of Christianity, some of the Māori people converted to Christianity. Other religions sects such as the Ringatu and Ratana have retained some of their traditional religious practices while adopting the Christian faith. Since the 19th century, Christianity has risen to the prominence of being the most popular religion in the country, totaling about 45% of the population. The main Christian groups in New Zealand are Roman Catholics and Anglicans with about 12% each, and Presbyterian at 8.47%. Other religious groups in New Zealand include Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims. About 38% of the population has no religion. Festivals in New Zealand exhibit influences of both traditional and modern cultures. The two most recognized New Zealand native festivals include ANZAC Day, which commemorates New Zealand and Australia’s fallen soldiers and veterans, and Waitangi Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Waitangi Treaty between British representatives and Māori chiefs which acts as the country’s founding document. Religious festivals, as in other Christian countries, include birth, marriage, and death, which include foods, drinks, songs, and dance.

Sports are important in the culture of New Zealand. Popular sports include rugby, cricket, football, netball, golf, basketball, hockey, tennis, and water sports such as sailing and surfing. New Zealand also uses its winter season for sporting activities such as skiing and snowboarding. New Zealand participates in both local and international competitions and has a prominent national rugby team commonly known as the All Blacks. Athletic activities in New Zealand are also vital, especially track and field events including racing, boxing, and cycling. Most of the sporting activities developed from influences of British and Western cultures and grew from recreation activities to competitive and professional ones. New Zealand also prides itself on the invention of bungee jumping and zorbing, both of which are tourist attractions of New Zealand.

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New Zealand Culture

New Zealand

Core Concepts

Māori have been the tangata whenua (indigenous people) of Aotearoa (New Zealand) for a millennia. Their ancestors migrated from the Polynesian region of Hawaiki over 1,000 years ago. British settlers began arriving in the 18th century, and eventually claimed the territory as an official colony of the Crown. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed to establish and guide the relationship between the Crown in New Zealand and Māori. However, the process of colonisation caused widespread violence and dispossessed many Māori of their land, fracturing and marginalising communities and cultural identities.

Since the colonisation of New Zealand, mass immigration has dramatically changed the social demographics of the population and established a western European cultural mainstream. The following cultural profile depicts this newly dominant culture – a Western society and value system influenced by continual migration over the last 200 years.

• Dependability
• Inventiveness
• Sensitivity
• Global-mindedness
• Egalitarianism
• Open-mindedness

New Zealand is a Pacific Island nation that has blended Oceanian, Polynesian and European traditions into its modern culture. New Zealanders (also known as Kiwis) are often viewed as being friendly, inventive, outgoing and welcoming people. They are generally calm and may initially seem slightly more reserved and polite in comparison to other English-speakers. However, their culture is still highly informal and relaxed. The 2015 Global Peace Index identified the country as the fourth safest in the world. A strong sense of security combined with relative social and economic prosperity has provided many New Zealanders with an optimistic outlook on the freedom and possibilities around them.

There is a strong individualistic streak that underpins New Zealand’s culture. The do-it-yourself spirit encourages self-reliance, inventiveness and bravery. Many national narratives celebrate courageous Kiwis overcoming adverse odds. However, the idolisation of achievement is tempered by the love of the underdog. Those who excel too much or show arrogance are likely to be resented and swiftly cut down with ridicule. This phenomenon, commonly known as tall poppy syndrome , leads humility to be highly valued in social interaction. As such, New Zealanders tend to be modest about their accomplishments and often self-deprecate to avoid seeming pretentious.

New Zealand is geographically isolated in the Pacific Ocean, and this can provide a sense of removal from pressing global political issues. Nevertheless, its people are very globally minded and most have a strong aspiration to travel. It has become almost a rite of passage for people to gain overseas experience, with many taking advantage of easy migration opportunities to the UK or Australia. As of 2016, it is estimated over one million or 14.1% of New Zealand's native-born population were living abroad, giving it the second highest diaspora in the OECD . 1

New Zealanders generally see themselves as being open-minded towards new ideas, difference and change. Most Kiwis are proud of their country’s historically prevailing liberal social attitudes (for example, New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote). Largely, New Zealanders try to be accepting and tolerant of most differences. Society is underpinned by strong egalitarian beliefs that everyone should have the equal opportunity to better their circumstances regardless of their background. People who are financially successful are not viewed as being better than anyone else – rather, those who are privileged are simply acknowledged as better off than others. As such, whilst there are social stratifications among the wealthy, the middle-income earners and the poor, there is no formal class structure in society. A person’s level of education and wealth does not necessarily earn them status or respect; instead it is simply acknowledged that they have an advantage or a ‘leg up in life’. Thus, people from different social brackets tend to interact quite easily with each other.

Visible social differences in society generally correlate with ethnicity ; the indigenous people of New Zealand (Māori) and Pacific Islanders are still significantly disadvantaged compared to the white majority. People who identify as Māori are more likely to earn less, have poorer health standards and economic standards of living. Māori and Pacific Islanders also make up a disproportionate amount of the imprisoned population. The majority of non-Māori Pacific Islanders came from the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau and Fiji. They tend to live in or around the main cities and usually migrate for employment or family reasons. Another significant ethnic population in New Zealand is the Asian population (mainly from specific countries such as China and India) that has steadily migrated – mostly for economic reasons.

One may argue that racial tensions are less pronounced in New Zealand than Australia because the indigenous/non-indigenous relationship developed slightly differently. It should be noted, unlike the Aboriginal population of Australia, the Māori people share the same language and have relatively similar customs. This is not to say their culture is homogenous, but different tribes had enough collective similarities to allow them to maintain a relatively solid sense of their history and cultural knowledge despite the fracturing caused by colonisation . Hence, indigenous culture has been integrated more visibly into New Zealand's mainstream society than it has in Australia. For example, the Māori language is an official language of the country and is taught within the school curriculum. New Zealand English contains many Māori words that are in common use.

Mainstream society has developed a degree of reverence, acceptance and understanding of the indigenous heritage of the country. Most New Zealanders of all backgrounds feel moved and proud when they see their nation represented by Māori on the global stage. Furthermore, this has encouraged more Māori to feel pride and honour in their identity, and to recognise that disadvantages associated with their ethnicity are externally caused. Sociologists have argued that Māori’s pride in their culture and history has made New Zealanders of European descent less assertive and entitled (in comparison to Australians).

Something that unites New Zealanders is their love of the natural beauty of their land. Foreigners are usually struck by how proud they are of their country’s incredible landscape and environment. There is a strong social and political will to preserve the natural environment. Influenced by the indigenous world view, some New Zealanders believe that all aspects of the ecosystem have a mauri (life force) and damage to this mauri – by attempts to dominate or extort the land – causes the land and its people to lose energy and vitality.

A second common bond in society is through the pride of place in the public imagination that the national rugby team (the All Blacks) command. The New Zealand team are statistically the most successful team to have ever played rugby, and the nation comes to a virtual standstill when important matches are underway. The contribution of Māori players to the success of the national team is undeniable and the haka , a ritual Māori challenge undertaken by the team at the start of the game, is a defining cultural symbol for New Zealanders.

Māori Culture

The Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, making up almost 15% of the total population. Traditionally, the Māori have a warrior-like identity and a very strong connection with their spirituality. While Māori have been influenced by Europeans, modernised with the technological age and also Christianised, many keep their culture alive. The traditional language is still widely spoken throughout New Zealand and ceremonies are celebrated by the nation. Some core concepts of Māori culture are mana , tapu and utu .

• Mana is the Māori concept that represents power and prestige. It can be gained through demonstration of authority (i.e. winning a contested piece of land), age, association (i.e. being the grandson of someone prestigious) or by having a wealth of resources that you can use to influence others. Respect of mana drives hierarchical relationships. Traditionally, Māori proudly defended their mana through their actions or would try to enhance it through grandiose responses to situations.
• Tapu is a Polynesian concept that refers to something being so sacred it is untouchable. Something that is tapu should not be used, interfered with, or in some cases even spoken of. For example, a tribe that holds a particular belief in a lake they grew up around may consider it tapu and prevent people from fishing it. There are many places and things in New Zealand under this spiritual protection that one should be aware of. Burial grounds are particularly sacred.
• Utu is loosely defined as revenge but is traditionally much more. It is the notion of reciprocation and balanced exchange that Māori follow. Historically, they often gave gifts or demanded items as compensation for past events. Today, it continues as the cultural idea that everything has to be put right.

Many traditional cultural concepts are still understood and practised by Māori today – however, usually in a modified, modern form. For example, relationships were once particularly hierarchical with a strongly patriarchal culture. This has changed as gender equality is acknowledged and respect of female authority and opinion has become the expectation. Māori women commonly hold positions of power. However, women’s involvement in traditionally male-only ceremonies is still determined between members of those tribes.

The younger generation of Māori have become more aware of their culture as the New Zealand government has encouraged funding to maintain the language and culture. Non-Māori may have difficulty comprehending the culture and traditional spirituality as it is very holistic and many tenets are based on legends that have flexible notions of time (hard for Westerners to conceptualise).

Māori often like to come together in the greater community to strengthen and maintain links to cultural traditions. Generally, they are a more collectivistic people than other New Zealanders as their culture places a high value on loyalty and belonging to their tribe. As a result, they tend to be very family-oriented. In Australia, Māori who are separated from their family overseas tend to adopt other Māori who are not directly related and become ‘one big family’. Traditional Māori would define themselves first by their family ( whānau ), then by their sub-tribe ( hapu ), and then by the larger tribe ( iwi ) and its geographical territory.

Generally, the Māori are more reserved than other New Zealanders in their demeanour. They are often recognised as being hard-working, calm, patient and good-humoured people. Traditional or older Māori may be less likely to verbalise their feelings, tending to internalise things towards a spiritual understanding of situations. Māori are also usually very hospitable. Largely, they are exceptionally generous and accommodating to their guests, often trying very hard to mask the inconvenience of doing so.

For some Māori living in Australia and other countries, the homesickness of moving to and living in a new country heightens their sense of Māori identity and ignites a desire to embrace their roots and culture. However, some have also reported that living in Australia presents a cultural challenge, as indigenous identity is not as widely celebrated in Australian society.

1 Forbes, 2019

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• New Zealand
• The Story Of Colonisation In...

The Story of Colonisation in New Zealand

New Zealand was one of the last habitable land masses in the world to be settled. Archaeological records indicate that the country received its first set of East Polynesian migrants at around 1250-1300 AD, well before European colonisers set sights onto this stretch of the Pacific.

First arrivals.

The ancestors of New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people are said to have arrived from an East Polynesian region known as Hawaiki. But historians and archaeologists believe that the country’s original migrants came from several locations – DNA evidence indicates that the first round of settlers arrived from places like Society Island and Cook Islands. In Maori tradition, Kupe was the first navigator to reach New Zealand’s shores. Tribal narratives tell us that, after several challenges, battles and memorable feats, Kupe successfully managed to fend off his enemies to cross the Cook Strait and arrive to the North Island (then dubbed Aotearoa , the land of the long white cloud).

European settlement

Abel Tasman was the first European explorer to come to New Zealand in 1642. The Dutch navigator anchored at the northern end of the South Island in Golden Bay and was the first to sketch a map of the both islands’ west coasts. Tasman’s New Zealand expedition was cut short after he was attacked by Maori; he subsequently sailed northward to Tonga. Tasman’s maps were a huge influence in the country’s name. The voyager originally called the newly discovered islands Staten Landt, after the States General of the Netherlands (his homeland’s bicameral legislative body) and the name appeared on the first maps of New Zealand. Dutch cartographers renamed the country in 1645 to the Latin Nova Zeelandia, derived from Niew Zeeland, which is a nod to the Dutch province of Zeeland.

A good 127 years passed before any other Europeans visited this stretch of the Pacific. It wasn’t until 1769 that Captain James Cook made the first of his three expeditions to New Zealand and its surrounds. Whalers and sealers started making regular visits to New Zealand from then onwards. Trading ensued and by the 1830s, the British government had decided it was time to curb the lawlessness of the land and officially make it a colony. Time was a serious concern for the British Crown as the island nation was already under the watchful eye of French explorers. Soon after, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi took place. On February 6, 1840, New Zealand’s first Governor, William Hobson, invited Maori chiefs to sign what is now considered to have been the country’s founding document. More than 500 tribal chiefs, from the North and the South Islands alike, were present that day.

The aftermath of colonisation

The Treaty of Waitangi is a highly contentious document that still carries a lot of weight in present-day politics. Briefly, both the English and Maori versions stipulated different things: the former mandated that the Crown would have full control over New Zealand’s territories, while the latter indicated that Maori would have full sovereignty over their tribal lands. These deviations led to a series of conflicts (collectively known as the New Zealand Wars ); forceful land grabs by the British also inspired one of the world’s very first examples of peaceful resistance .

At the same time, the South Island was experiencing massive growth and prosperity. The Canterbury region had become the country’s wealthiest province thanks to its burgeoning sheep farming operations. A gold rush culminated in the South Island’s Otago region in the 1860s, helping transform Dunedin into the country’s largest city. Gold was also found on the West Coast not much later. Thousands of British settlers began to arrive in New Zealand in the 1870s and the government began investing in the expansions of towns and railways in order to accommodate the country’s newest residents. In 1882, the first shipment of frozen meat reached England – thus solidifying New Zealand’s status as a key exporter of meat, dairy and agricultural goods. In fact, refrigerated shipping became the basis of New Zealand’s economy until the 1970s, while agriculture is believed to have helped New Zealand maintain its high standard of living.

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The Māori Culture of New Zealand Essay

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Maori is the name of the people who historically inhabited New Zealand and are of Polynesian origin; they arrived there about a thousand years ago. Their culture is rich and comprises whakairo (carving), raranga (plaiting), kapa haka (performing), whaikōrero (oratory), and tā moko (tattooing). These arts record Māori beliefs and whakapapa, that is, genealogy. The Māori language is called Te Reo Māori, abbreviated to Te Reo. Many Māori are making efforts to preserve their traditional culture, and in recent years, Māori language teaching has been introduced in some schools.

The word Māori stands for ordinary or natural, which is how Māori mythology refers to mortal human beings as opposed to deities and spirits. There is a Māori legend about how they came to New Zealand in seven canoes from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. Modern research shows that the then-uninhabited New Zealand was settled by Polynesians around 1280 AD (Kleiner, 2016). By that time, all present-day human settlements were already inhabited. The ancestral home of the Māori and all Polynesians is the island of Taiwan near mainland China. People came to New Zealand directly from the islands of East Polynesia. Today Māori are actively involved in contemporary life and contribute significantly to the cultural development of New Zealand. Among them, one can find not only simple toilers but also talented engineers, designers, inventors, athletes, and politicians.

One of the critical ideas of Māori philosophy is the unity of man and nature. Māori explain it this way — every creation has a particle of life force (mauri). Due to Mauri, everything that exists in the world is interconnected. Since every part depends on everything else, neglecting to care for the world would be detrimental to the individual. Māori culture and religion in its classic form require the observance of many rituals designed to minimize the potential harm that can be done to all of nature in general and to humans in particular (Kleiner, 2016). The Māori explanation of why it is necessary not to harm wildlife is fascinating. They think that for every action, whether hunting an animal or cutting down a tree, a good reason is needed, and it is necessary to ask the gods’ permission by special ritual.

Visual Māori art objects have one characteristic feature, which is the unity of form and function. That is to say, the items created were of not only aesthetic but also practical value. In the creation of objects were used mainly natural materials such as wood, linen, and stone. However, European colonization changed the nature of art and its functions. Through their art, the Māori began to protest against change. This culminated in the 1984 Te Māori exhibition, which was shown to the New York City public at the Museum of Art (Kleiner, 2016). It helped to make many people aware of the talent of Māori artists.

Myths of the indigenous peoples of Oceania often become the subjects of murals, which is an example of cultural renewal. A school of New Zealand artists inspired by Māori heritage, for example, is developing. Wood carving is a traditional craft that Aboriginal people have practiced for many years (Kleiner, 2016). One of the most famous murals depicts events from the Māori creation myth. The artist Cliff Whiting depicts the god of the winds struggling to control the children of the four winds (Figure 1). The winds are represented in the form of blue spiral shapes. In the fresco the gods of Māori culture can be seen — Ra, Marama, Ranginui and Papatuanuku (Figure 1). The mural’s author supports the idea that Māori culture must be saved and sustained. He believed that not only continuity in the arts is necessary, but also the education of young people in the spirit of indigenous peoples of Oceania values.

The Māori people have many beautiful legends, some of which can still be heard today as told by Māori oral storytellers. One of the main themes of the myths has to do with the sea and fishing. It was one of the main occupations of the Māori, who many years ago learned to sail on the open sea in special canoes called Waka (New Zealand Tourism Guide, 2022). One legend tells how the god Maui went fishing on the North Island (New Zealand Tourism Guide, 2022). This story describes the creation of three islands, North Island, Waipounamu, and Kaikōura.

However, according to another myth, the universe began as nothingness from which darkness arose. Rangi and Papa are two primordial figures who emerged from this darkness. The six sons of Rangi and Papa later populated the world with all kinds of creatures and became gods (Grainger, 2022). Cliff Whiting decided to capture this story in one of his sculptures (Figure 2). It depicts these six gods trying to divide Rangi and Papa, as the legend implies. (Figure 2). Cliff Whiting’s attention to mythological subjects stems from his desire to remind the Māori people of their origins and their unity. In order to keep the audience interested in the work, the artist chose to use modern aesthetic techniques.

Māori poetry was sung or chanted, and its key difference from prose was that it was based on musical rhythms. In this kind of poetry, rhyme does not play a significant role. It is characterized by the repetition of keywords and the use of synonyms. It is accompanied by the presence of atypical grammatical constructions, which are not usually found in prose (Cowan, 1930). Contemporary poets of this trend include Hone Tūwhare, Jacquie Sturm, and Robert Sullivan. Māori poetry has many references to religious and mythological subjects. It is interesting to note that even Old-World poets found inspiration in the works of primitive people. They were struck by the way the Mari authors described the beauty of wildlife (Cowan, 1930). This is not surprising since the Aborigines have always lived in union with nature, and therefore, they learned how to skillfully tell stories about its greatness.

Hone Tuwhare was the first indigenous New Zealand poet to be translated into English. He was the recipient of several prestigious literary awards and was a strong advocate for the recognition of Māori culture. Hone Tuwhare and Ralph Hotere were two creators who were united by friendship and the struggle for human rights. Ralph Hotere used Tuware’s poems in several of his paintings. He also designed the covers for several volumes of the poet’s poems (Figure 3). Hotere is the title of a poem in which Hone Tuwhare reflected on the importance of art and the role of the artist. It is worth noting, however, that a close interaction between individual poets and sculptors or people engaged in woodcarving was uncommon.

In general, traditional Māori art is very much in harmony with modern realities. On the streets of New Zealand cities, one can see quite a few New Zealanders and tourists wearing traditional jewelry. The Māori tā moko motifs are becoming increasingly popular among people who want to get a tattoo. This tattoo culture is spreading to places where little is known about other aspects of Māori. Their traditions inspire fashion designers, and even such giants of the fashion industry as Jean Paul Gaultier use Māori style elements in his collections. Among contemporary Māori artists, it is worth noting Warren Pohatu. His drawings are, in a sense, a modern interpretation of traditional, although very close to real, authentic Māori art. This artist illustrated several books of Māori myths and legends — that is why his drawings often feature folkloric characters and well-known plots of traditional Maori myths.

Cowan, J. (1930). The Maori: Yesterday and today . Whitcombe and Tombs Limited.

Grainger, A. (2022). Polynesian creation myths: Ever wondered how Hawai’i was created? The Collector. Web.

Hotere, R. (1972). Drawings for Hone Tuwhare’s sapwood and milk [Painting]. Dunedin Public Art Gallery, New Zeeland.

Kleiner, F. S. (2016). Gardner’s art through the ages: A global history (15 th ed.). Cengage.

New Zealand Tourism Guide. (2022). Māori stories and legends: The story of He Ika A Mau .

Whiting, C. (1984). Tawhiri-Matea (God of the Winds) [Mural]. Meteorological Service of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zeeland.

Whiting, C. (1969-1976). The separation of Rangi and Papa [Sculpture]. National Library of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.

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New Zealand's Identity, Culture and the Media: What's changed in 30 years?

Nz on air has released new research that spotlights how nzers view ourselves, our perceptions of our culture and identity, and our relationship with local media.

The research, conducted by Research NZ, coincides with NZ On Air’s 30th birthday, and repeats key elements of research carried out in 1989/1990 for the newly formed funding agency. That research aimed to establish what mattered to New Zealanders, our identity and culture, and informed the agency’s foundation strategy.

30 years on much has changed. The demographic, technological and media change in New Zealand has been profound. With the aim to “connect and reflect” Aotearoa, NZ On Air was interested to know if local media content is reflecting the more diverse New Zealand, and what local content New Zealanders are connecting with, amidst a tidal wave of international services and content.

The key findings show:

• While big demographic changes have prompted greater acceptance of cultural diversity, New Zealanders acknowledge Māori culture is integral to national identity
• We’re troubled by some important environmental and social issues – the ¼ acre paradise dream is over
• We think our national sports teams shape and reflect our national identity more so than other cultural elements
• One in four New Zealanders watch local content because it reflects and informs their view of our national identity, but even those who don’t watch local content believe it’s important to have it
• More New Zealanders would watch more New Zealand-made content – but they want it on the services they watch, ad free, and they want it specific to their age/interests
• New Zealanders want news media that’s independent and informative.

Full 2019 research documents available below:

New Zealand's Identity, Culture and the Media: What's changed in 30 years? PDF 1.9 MB Research NZ’s summary report

Identity, Culture and Media 2019 - Literature Review PDF 355.8 KB A literature review looking at the past 30 years of change

Identity, Culture & Media - Factsheet - YoungerPeople.pdf PDF 337.7 KB A fact sheet delving into the focus area of younger people

Identity, Culture & Media - Facsheet - OlderPeople.pdf PDF 212.7 KB A fact sheet delving into the focus area of older people

Identity, Culture & Media - Facsheet - MaoriPasifika.pdf PDF 264.7 KB A fact sheet looking at commonalities and differences in Maori & Pasifika people vs all NZers

Identity, Culture & Media - Factsheet - Auckland.pdf PDF 236.6 KB A fact sheet looking at what's different about Aucklanders vs the rest of NZ

Identity, Culture & Media - Facsheet -NZAffinity.pdf PDF 168.2 KB A fact sheet delving into the focus area of affinity for NZ and other countries

Identity, Culture and Media Discussion Document PDF 2.0 MB A discussion document from NZ On Air

Original research available here:

1. NZ Cultural Identity 1990 Qualitative research stage PDF 2.3 MB

2. NZ Cultural Identity 1990 Quantitative research stage PDF 4.8 MB

3. NZ Cultural Identity 1990 Tabulations & survey questionnaire PDF 1.3 MB

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Nationhood and Identity

• New Zealand identity

Story: New Zealand identity

A scenic paradise inhabited by friendly Māori; a far-flung land where rugged bushmen hunt deer in the backblocks; the social laboratory of the world, trialling innovative policies; a courageous small nation standing up to the US over nuclear-ship visits – these are all strands that have contributed to New Zealand’s multiple national identities over time.

Story by Fiona Barker

Main image: all black victory, 1908 – the kiwi beats the lion, story summary.

United Tribes' flag

Poster of sunny Napier

Chalk kiwi, Wiltshire, England

David Lange at the Oxford Union

'The last of the cannibals: Tumai Tawhiti'

National identity is a shared understanding of the characteristics that distinguish one nation from other nations.

Māori, colonial and independent identities

Before European settlement, Māori did not have a unified national identity. A shared Māori identity began to develop after the United Tribes met in 1835.

After New Zealand became a British colony, the relationship with ‘Home’ (Britain) and the British Empire was a central focus. In the later 20th century a separate identity developed, based in the Pacific.

Māori saw Papatūānuku (the earth mother) as the basis of life, and tribes’ identities were linked to their mountains and rivers.

With European settlement, a rural ideal developed. Farm workers were seen as strong and self-reliant. At first settlers saw the bush as threatening – but people came to appreciate New Zealand’s scenery and promote it to foreign tourists.

New Zealand participation in overseas wars was memorialised. Anzac Day – the anniversary of New Zealand troops landing at Gallipoli in the First World War – became a national day of commemoration.

Sporting successes – including All Black rugby teams, netball teams and athletes at the Olympics – have promoted images of New Zealanders as strong yet modest.

New Zealand was known for its innovative social policies, such as votes for women, old-age pensions and the welfare state.

New Zealand has also seen itself as setting a moral example on issues such as apartheid, French nuclear testing in the Pacific and nuclear-ship visits.

Early European visitors saw Māori as fierce warriors. Later some Pākehā romanticised Māori and Māori culture. New Zealand was viewed as having the best race relations in the world. From the 1960s Māori protested over land loss and for a greater role for Māori language and culture.

From the mid-1980s New Zealand became more multicultural.

Culture and arts

19th-century literature often romanticised rural life. In the early 20th century some writers and artists saw New Zealand as culturally desolate, and some moved overseas. From the 1930s people tried to establish a local culture. Favourite themes included men alone in rugged landscapes.

As New Zealand became more multicultural, this was reflected in its arts.

Symbols of New Zealand identity can be official or informal. They include:

• the Southern Cross
• the silver fern

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Print the full story, how to cite this page:.

Fiona Barker, 'New Zealand identity', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/new-zealand-identity (accessed 20 June 2024)

Story by Fiona Barker, published 20 June 2012

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Ngā haki – Māori and flags

Culture and Colonization: Revisiting the Place of Writing in Colonial New Zealand

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• Publications and resources
• The Social Report 2016 – Te pūrongo oranga tangata
• General information
• List of figures
• List of tables
• Introduction
• Reporting approaches used for indicators
• Social wellbeing at a glance
• Life expectancy at birth
• Health expectancy
• Self-rated health
• Psychological distress
• Cigarette smoking
• Potentially hazardous drinking
• Participation in physical activity
• Participation in early childhood education
• School leavers with higher qualifications
• Participation in tertiary education
• Educational attainment of the adult population
• Adult literacy and numeracy skills
• Unemployment
• Median hourly earnings
• Work-related injury
• Job satisfaction
• Satisfaction with work-life balance
• Market income per person
• Income inequality
• Population with low incomes
• Material hardship
• Housing affordability
• Household crowding
• Voter turnout
• Representation of women in government
• Representation of ethnic groups in government
• Perceived discrimination
• Acceptance of diversity
• Perceived corruption
• Local content programming on New Zealand television
• Māori language speakers
• Language retention
• Ability to be yourself in New Zealand
• Satisfaction with leisure time
• Participation in arts and cultural activities
• Criminal victimisation
• Fear of crime
• Assault mortality
• Road casualties
• Telephone and internet access in the household
• Contact with family and friends
• Contact between young people and their parents
• Trust in others
• Voluntary work
• Overall life satisfaction
• Recent-change and medium-term-change
• Comparisons with OECD countries
• Summary table
• Social wellbeing outcomes for Māori
• Changes in social wellbeing for Māori
• Social wellbeing outcomes for Pacific peoples
• Changes in social wellbeing for Pacific peoples
• Social wellbeing outcomes for the Asian ethnic group
• Changes in social wellbeing for the Asian ethnic group
• Social wellbeing outcomes for females relative to males
• Sex differences in social wellbeing outcomes
• Social wellbeing outcomes at different ages
• Bibliography
• Appendix 1: The Social Report framework
• Appendix 2: Changes to The Social Report 2016
• Appendix 3: Technical notes
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Previous reports
• Web PDF (2.98MB PDF)

Cultural identity

Desired outcomes.

New Zealanders have a strong national identity and a sense of belonging, and value cultural diversity. Everybody is able to pass their cultural traditions on to future generations. Māori culture is valued, practised and protected.

Introduction Top

Culture refers to the customs, practices, languages, values and world views that define social groups such as those based on nationality, ethnicity, region or common interests. Cultural identity is important for people’s sense of self and how they relate to others. A strong cultural identity can contribute to people’s overall wellbeing.

Cultural identity based on ethnicity is not necessarily exclusive. People may identify themselves as New Zealanders in some circumstances and as part of a particular culture (eg Māori, Chinese or Scottish) in other circumstances. They may also identify with more than one culture.

The desired outcomes statement recognises the importance of a shared national identity and sense of belonging, and the value of cultural, social and ethnic diversity. It recognises New Zealand is a multicultural society, while also acknowledging that Māori culture has a unique place. For example, under the Treaty of Waitangi, the Crown has an obligation to protect the Māori language.

Defining a national identity is not simple. New Zealand is a diverse nation, made up of many cultural groups, with many different customs and traditions. While people may describe themselves as “New Zealanders”, how they define their “New Zealand-ness” will vary from person to person. For example, some people might see a New Zealand identity in aspects of New Zealand history or in New Zealand achievements in sporting, artistic or other endeavours, while others might see it through a sense of national characteristics or traits, or through national symbols and icons. Māori culture may form one aspect of national identity, since it is both unique to New Zealand and a part of its identity in the outside world.

Cultural identity is an important contributor to people’s wellbeing. Identifying with a particular culture helps people feel they belong and gives them a sense of security. An established cultural identity has also been linked with positive outcomes in areas such as health and education. It provides access to social networks, which provide support and shared values and aspirations. Social networks can help to break down barriers and build a sense of trust between people – a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “social capital”.

However, strong cultural identity expressed in the wrong way can contribute to barriers between groups. Members of smaller cultural groups can feel excluded from society if others obstruct, or are intolerant of, their cultural practices.

Indicators Top

Four headline indicators are used in this report to provide a snapshot of the health of New Zealand’s cultural identity. They are local content programming on New Zealand television; Māori language speakers; language retention; and the ability to be yourself in New Zealand.

The first indicator is the share of New Zealand content programming on free-to-air television. Since television is the dominant cultural medium for many New Zealanders, it has a strong influence on how New Zealanders see themselves.

The second indicator measures the health of the Māori language. Language is a central component of culture and a necessary skill for full participation in Māori society.

The proportion of people who can speak the first language (other than English and Māori) of their ethnic group is an indicator of the degree to which people are able to retain their culture and traditions, and to pass them on to subsequent generations.

The final indicator measures people’s ability to be themselves in New Zealand. This subjective indicator looks at the ease with which people feel they can express their own identity in New Zealand society.

Domain summary Top

Cultural Identity domain outcomes are generally declining.

The proportion of local content programming on New Zealand television broadcast during prime-time hours has remained stable over the last few years ( recent-change ), but has fallen since 2006 ( medium-term-change ).

The proportion of Māori who could speak te reo Māori dropped between 2001 and 2013, driven largely by a decline in Māori language speakers among the older age groups. Proportions of people who can speak the first language of their ethnic group (other than Māori) also appear to be declining since 2001, particularly for those in Pacific and European ethnic groups.

Most people found it very easy or easy to be themselves in New Zealand in 2014, though Pacific peoples, those in the Asian ethnic group, and those in lower socio-economic groups were less likely than others to say this.

Essay Sample about New Zealand

The beautiful island country of New Zealand is home to more sheep than Kiwi’s. What is a Kiwi you ask? A Kiwi is what New Zealanders call themselves since their national food and bird is the Kiwi. New Zealand is a part of the continent Australia, but is surrounded by the Pacific OCean. Though they are ranked 126 in the world population, New Zealand is still home to 4,894,327 people. Millions of people in New Zealand speak a variety of languages, such as English, Te Reo Maori, and New Zealand Sign Language. 

New Zealand has many different interesting physical features. For example, subtropical forests, beaches, and lakes. Such as the Blue Lake which has the clearest water in the world. Most Kiwi’s live on the Northern half of the island, which is the Auckland Urban Area. The climate on the far north side of the island has subtropical weather during the summer, however the Inland Alpine Area gets very cold. The rest of the country amazingly stays at a mild temperature throughout the year though. 

New Zealand is a part of a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. All of this means that the head of state is sovereign, like a supreme ruler. The current leader of the fantastical island of New Zealand is Jacinda Ardern. The economy of this interesting country is the most free-market based economy. New Zealand has a fertile soul and amazing growing conditions. The country has advanced forming methods and agricultural technology. New Zealand leads in both global security and peacekeeping. It’s also a part of key international organizations. The country is a lifetime partner for the World Bank to end poverty. New Zealand leads many exports in 2021 but some of the major ones are dairy, eggs, honey, meat, and wood. 

A normal New Zealand family is a nuclear family where their extended family does not live with them. Lots of families are Christans which is the largest religion in New Zealand, being almost half the population. However, the other half of the population is mostly non-religious. A normal child in the great country of New Zealand goes to school for a decent amount of 13 levels. Their primary schools range between 1st to 8th grade. Then from 9th to 13th they go to secondary education. Although New Zealanders are the first to see the sunrise each day, their school day doesn’t begin until 9 a.m. There are also 4 terms in a school year that have 2 week breaks and a 6-week summer break at the end of the school year.

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