Are you dreaming of studying in the land of the long white cloud? Before you embark on your academic journey to study in New Zealand, it is essential to understand the unique Kiwi culture. This guide will provide you with valuable insights into New Zealand’s social customs, food traditions, and communication styles, ensuring an enjoyable and memorable experience.
A Kiwi Guide to Socialising: Food, Manners, and More
New Zealand has a population of a little over 5 million as of 2023. The people who live there speak mostly any of the three official languages, English, Maori, or New Zealand Sign Language. This is an interesting country and the more you get to know it, the more it will intrigue you. So, let’s get started!
Food and Friendship
In New Zealand, sharing food is a cornerstone of social interactions. Whether it’s a casual beachside picnic or traditional Maori hangi, food and friendship go hand-in-hand. It’s customary to reciprocate hospitality by bringing a dish or a bottle of wine, even if the host insists you don’t. However, keep in mind that casual invitations are common, and it’s not unusual for people to RSVP but not show up.
Also, it is not customary to tip the waiter at restaurants. Furthermore, waiters are not typically called to the table for the bill. You have to go to the host or the hostess to pay once you have finished your meal.
Alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages
Tea and coffee are common beverages in New Zealand, which is why you will likely be offered a cup when you visit someone’s home. That’s why “going out for coffee” is also a popular social activity.
Drinking alcohol is a part of the New Zealand culture where the legal drinking age is 18. Offering alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited. Also, smoking in public places, pubs, and restaurants is less common. It is generally acceptable to smoke outside and also ask the people nearby if they mind.
Social customs and manners
The people in New Zealand are also called Kiwis. They are friendly and approachable people while also valuing their privacy. So, while you might find it easy to strike up a conversation, refrain from discussing personal topics like family planning, income, or weight. You will be fine as long as you stick to talking about the local sports, weekend activities, and so on.
When walking on sidewalks, it is customary to stick to the sidewalks on the left side. Try to be more social while you travel by offering a friendly smile to passersby.
Straightforward versus mild – which one are you vs a Kiwi?
Kiwis often use indirect language when declining something. Instead of a straightforward “no”, you might hear phrases like “not really” or “not sure.” Additionally, “yeah right” can mean “definitely not” when used sarcastically.
Kiwis also tend to speak quickly and use a lot of slang, which can be confusing even for native English speakers. Don’t hesitate to ask someone to slow down, repeat, or elaborate if you’re having trouble understanding. So, to familiarize yourself with the Kiwi accent and slang, you can listen to the local radio stations, or watch the New Zealand TV shows.
Socializing at work
Workplaces in New Zealand often have social gatherings from morning teas to afternoon teas to birthday celebrations. These events are typically casual and involve sharing food and drinks. New Zealanders love going out for drinks, especially on Fridays after work.
Interesting facts to learn about what’s common in New Zealand
These amazing facts about New Zealand will blow your mind. Let’s dive into them!
Prepare to be ‘flown’ away: New Zealanders love birds, and you will notice this through their various activities and events for birds. They have ‘bird of the year’, bird sanctuaries, etc. An interesting fact is that when a house is being sold, one of the main selling points is the type of birds one can see flying past the windows. The types of birds you can find in this country are, of course, the Kiwi, Kea, Takahe, the Grey Warbler, Weka, and so on.
Their love for pies is eternal: People in New Zealand love pies such as the popular Irvines’ Heat-N-Eat and many other such packaged or fresh pies sold on counters at shops. People typically buy these pies, open the packet, and start eating it on their way out. They do not prefer eating a pie with a knife and fork unless you want to be made fun of!
Passion for coffee: New Zealand has some of the best coffee in the world. For instance, there’s just one Starbucks Café in Wellington (the Capital of New Zealand) because the independent coffee parlours and their flavours in coffee speak for themselves.
Humour mixed with sarcasm: Close to the style of British humour, you will find that New Zealanders love a good sense of humour. Their jokes mostly revolve around making fun of one another but remember not to take it seriously. It’s all in good humour, and most often, never meant to offend you personally.
4 Seasons in a Day, dynamic weather: So, not many people love the weather in New Zealand. It can get cold and rainy, making it difficult to spend time outdoors. The country has a temperate climate, whereas the north has subtropical weather during summer. On the other hand, the inland alpine areas of the South Island can go as low as -10°C in winter. Since the country is closer to the coast, it exhibits mild temperatures, a lot of sunshine, and moderate rainfall.
Rails, ferries, planes, and long drives: It can take nearly three and half hours to travel from the North Island to the South Island which is why people prefer flying from one to the other in New Zealand. They also prefer long drives to travel from one place to another. Auckland and Wellington have suburban rail systems while other cities use local ferry services.
Know and understand the Maori culture: For international students who will study in New Zealand, you must understand that the Maori Culture is a huge part of this country. It offers a unique and enriching experience as their culture is deeply rooted in the country’s history and identity. Understanding it can help provide you with valuable insights into New Zealand’s past and present. The key aspects of the Maori culture include their language which is called Te Reo, and then there are deep traditions, music, and spirituality. You can take a look at their traditional performance arts which is called Kapa Haka. It involves singing chants with dancing and poi that uses balls tied to strings. Additionally, the Powhiri is a welcome ceremony that exhibits the traditional Maori culture.
The famous Kiwi Onion Dip and V Energy Drink: So, here’s one of the most interesting things to look forward to as an international student. You might just find that the Kiwis love their onion dip. It is made from Nestle’s reduced cream and onion soup powder. The two are mixed in specific proportions and whipped till they deliver a paprika-like taste. People love having this dip with their crisps. The other famous consumable is the V Energy Drink which tastes like any other energy drink but is everyone’s favourite in the country. There are two kinds of people here; those that either like the blue V energy drink or the green V energy drink.
So, we hope that this gives you a glimpse of what to expect when you study in New Zealand. Remember, this country has many wonderful experiences to give you so don’t hesitate to enjoy it all.
FAQs
- What can I talk and not talk about when socialising with people in New Zealand?
The people in New Zealand are quite friendly so you can have an easy conversation with them. You can talk about the weather or ask about some great places to visit, especially if you are meeting someone for the first time. You can refrain from asking personal questions such as how much they earn, why they are not married or don’t have children, etc.
- What traditions should I keep in mind while I live and study in New Zealand?
It is customary to remove your shoes when you enter someone’s home. Avoid sitting on pillows or tables. You could take part in the prayer Maoris perform (Karakia) to bless their meals.