Yes
Even though it is said that cultural and heritage tourism is regarded as a more acceptable form of tourism, there is also an issue of commodification of the culture into a more saleable product for the tourists. Commodification is inevitable in cultural tourism. As much as a cultural tourist will want to seek an authentic experience, a majority of them will still prefer a moderated experience.
Take the Paradise Valley Ventures as an example located just 10 kilometres away from Rotorua City. They provide a thorough riding lesson before each trek, and their staff share stories about local history and geological information about land formations on the property as they move along the tracks. However, customised treks are available upon request. A courtesy vehicle pick up is also available for customers without a vehicle from central Rotorua or Ngongotaha locations. As such, the commodification process will result in the loss of meaning of the culture products. This also leads to the loss in the authenticity of the products and experience. As a result, cultures may be transformed as a result of tourism.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Maori Culture & Tradition
MAORI NATION
MAORI HISTORY
The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, they are Polynesian and comprise about 14 percent of the country's population. Te reo Maori is the native language which is related to Tahitian and Hawaiian. It is believed that the Maori migrated from Polynesia in canoes around the 9th century to 13th century AD.
Dutch navigator Abel Tasman was the first European to encounter the Maori. Four members of his crew were killed in a bloody encounter in 1642. In 1769 British explorer James Cook established friendly relations with some Maori. By 1800, visits by European ships were relatively frequent. At this time, war and disease took their toll on the Maori till eventually their population dropped to about 100,000.
In 1840 representatives of Britain and Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty established British rule, granted the Maori British citizenship, and recognized Maori land rights.
Today many of the treaty's provisions are disputed andthere is an effort from the New Zealand Government to recompense Maori for land that was illegally confiscated.
The video below depicts the scene of the History of NZ- Captain Cook's Arrival.
The present Maori population is around 600,000 or 14% of the population, and Maori live in all parts of New Zealand, but predominately in the North Island where the climate is warmer.
MAORI ORIGINS
Maori legend says that the Maori came from "Hawaiki", the legendary homeland about 1000 years ago. When the Maori arrived in Aotearoa (New Zealand) they found a land quite different to tropical Polynesia. New Zealand was not only colder, but it possessed many volcanoes and huge snow capped mountains. Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand and means Land of the long white cloud.
There are many theories about the origins of the Maori. Some speculate that the island of Hawaiki could have been near Hawaii. The commonly accepted theory today, says that the Maori originated in China, and travelled via Taiwan, the Philippines to Indonesia, onto Melanesia and reached Fiji. From there to Samoa and on to the Marquesas and turned South West to Tahiti, thence to the Cook Islands and to Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Some believe that the Maori found Aotearoa probably by chance or mistake as they could have been blown off course in one of their navigations. But there is also evidence that the Maori had sophisticated ancient knowledge of the stars and ocean currents and this knowledge is carved in their "whare" (houses).
The term "Whakapapa" is used to describe Maori genealogy. The word "Papa" doesn't mean father but rather anything broad, flat, and hard such as a flat rock. Whakapapa means to place in layers and this is the way that different orders of genealogies are looked at. One generation upon another. The Maori term for descendant is uri, its precise meaning is offspring or issue.
MAORI TRADITIONS
HAKA
Before the coming of the Pakeha(White Man) to New Zealand, all literature in Maori was orally passed onto succeeding generations. This included many legends and waiata (song). The most recognised tradition today is the "Haka" which is a war dance. Delivered with fierce shouting, flexing arm movements that resemble fists pummelling the side of someone's head and thunderous stamping to grind whatever is left into dust. Below is a video of a traditional "Haka" dance performed by the Maori's themselves.
The Haka was performed before the onset of war by the Maori last century, but has been immortalized by New Zealand's Rugby Team the All Blacks, who perform this dance before every game. The "Haka" is as follows:
Ka mate, ka mate (It is death, it is death)
Ka ora, ka ora (It is life, it is life)
Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru (Behold the hairy man)
Nana nei i tiki mai i Whakawhiti te ra (Who caused the sun to shine)
Upane, aupane (Abreast, keep abreast)
Upane, ka aupane (The rank, hold fast)
Whiti te ra (Into the sunshine)
POWHIRI
The traditional Maori welcome is called a powhiri, this involves a hongi which is a greeting that involves pressing noses as opposed to a kiss.
The host and visitors exchange welcoming calls, speeches, ceremonial challenges, more speeches, songs, a few speeches, perhaps one or two speeches...you get the idea: there's a fair bit of talking involved. Once the appropriate ancestors have been praised and lineages established, the tapu (complex rules of sacrednessand/or prohibition)of the visitors is deemed lifted and hosts and visitors are permitted to interact with the locals with handshakes and the hongi (pressing of nose).
Ah, the hongi- evidently a problem with visitors. In some parts of NZ, the hongi, a sharing of life breath, is a single press, in others, it is a press, release, press. It is never a rubbing together of noses, a popular misconception. Neither is it a quick kiss on the nose, as was delivered by one confused Australian Prime Minister.
MOKO(TATTOOS)
Another prominent feature of Maori culture are the striking tattoos that were worn. Full faced tattoos or "moko", amongst the Maori tribes was predominantly a male activity. Female forms of moko were restricted to the chin area, the upper lip, and the nostrils.
Today the Moko still lives on as an increasing number of Maori who are opting to receive their Moko, in an effort to preserve their culture and identity.
HANGI
A traditional form of cooking called a Hangi is a feast cooked in the earth. Stones are heated in a fire in a dug out pit and covered in cabbage leaves or watercress to stop the food from burning. Mutton, pork, chicken, potatoes and Kumera (a sweet potato) are then unusually lowered into the pit in a basket. The food is covered with Mutton cloth or similar and traditionally with flax. Finally earth is placed on top to keep in the steam. The food takes about 3 hours to cook. The Hangi is still popular and is a viable alternative to a weekend barbecue. The unique taste of food cooked in a Hangi can best be described as steamed food with an earthen flavour. The video below shows the process of Hangi.
 |
The flag of the Maori nation |
In 1990 there was a national flag competition in New Zealand.
None of the entries showed any Maori acknowledgement or inspiration.
The TE KAWARIKI therefore held their own Maori flag competition.
And the winning entry is shown above on this page.
None of the entries showed any Maori acknowledgement or inspiration.
The TE KAWARIKI therefore held their own Maori flag competition.
And the winning entry is shown above on this page.
- -Black represents Te Korekore the realm of Potential Being. The long darkness from whence the world emerged.
- -White represents Te Ao Marama the realm of Being and light. It is the physical world, where symbolises purity, harmony and enlightment.
- -The Koru, curling frond shape, represents the unfolding of new life, that everything is reborn and continues. It represents renewal and hope for the future.
- -Red represents Te Whei Ao, the realm of Coming into being. It symbolises female, active, flashing, south, yelling, forests, gestation and spirals. Red is Papatuanuku Earth Mother, the sustainer if all living things. Red is the colour of earth from which the first humans was made.
MAORI HISTORY
The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, they are Polynesian and comprise about 14 percent of the country's population. Te reo Maori is the native language which is related to Tahitian and Hawaiian. It is believed that the Maori migrated from Polynesia in canoes around the 9th century to 13th century AD.
Dutch navigator Abel Tasman was the first European to encounter the Maori. Four members of his crew were killed in a bloody encounter in 1642. In 1769 British explorer James Cook established friendly relations with some Maori. By 1800, visits by European ships were relatively frequent. At this time, war and disease took their toll on the Maori till eventually their population dropped to about 100,000.
In 1840 representatives of Britain and Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty established British rule, granted the Maori British citizenship, and recognized Maori land rights.
Today many of the treaty's provisions are disputed andthere is an effort from the New Zealand Government to recompense Maori for land that was illegally confiscated.
The video below depicts the scene of the History of NZ- Captain Cook's Arrival.
The present Maori population is around 600,000 or 14% of the population, and Maori live in all parts of New Zealand, but predominately in the North Island where the climate is warmer.
MAORI ORIGINS
 |
| Map of Hawaiki |
There are many theories about the origins of the Maori. Some speculate that the island of Hawaiki could have been near Hawaii. The commonly accepted theory today, says that the Maori originated in China, and travelled via Taiwan, the Philippines to Indonesia, onto Melanesia and reached Fiji. From there to Samoa and on to the Marquesas and turned South West to Tahiti, thence to the Cook Islands and to Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Some believe that the Maori found Aotearoa probably by chance or mistake as they could have been blown off course in one of their navigations. But there is also evidence that the Maori had sophisticated ancient knowledge of the stars and ocean currents and this knowledge is carved in their "whare" (houses).
The term "Whakapapa" is used to describe Maori genealogy. The word "Papa" doesn't mean father but rather anything broad, flat, and hard such as a flat rock. Whakapapa means to place in layers and this is the way that different orders of genealogies are looked at. One generation upon another. The Maori term for descendant is uri, its precise meaning is offspring or issue.
MAORI TRADITIONS
HAKA
Before the coming of the Pakeha(White Man) to New Zealand, all literature in Maori was orally passed onto succeeding generations. This included many legends and waiata (song). The most recognised tradition today is the "Haka" which is a war dance. Delivered with fierce shouting, flexing arm movements that resemble fists pummelling the side of someone's head and thunderous stamping to grind whatever is left into dust. Below is a video of a traditional "Haka" dance performed by the Maori's themselves.
The Haka was performed before the onset of war by the Maori last century, but has been immortalized by New Zealand's Rugby Team the All Blacks, who perform this dance before every game. The "Haka" is as follows:
Ka mate, ka mate (It is death, it is death)
Ka ora, ka ora (It is life, it is life)
Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru (Behold the hairy man)
Nana nei i tiki mai i Whakawhiti te ra (Who caused the sun to shine)
Upane, aupane (Abreast, keep abreast)
Upane, ka aupane (The rank, hold fast)
Whiti te ra (Into the sunshine)
POWHIRI
The traditional Maori welcome is called a powhiri, this involves a hongi which is a greeting that involves pressing noses as opposed to a kiss.
 |
The host and visitors exchange welcoming calls, speeches, ceremonial challenges, more speeches, songs, a few speeches, perhaps one or two speeches...you get the idea: there's a fair bit of talking involved. Once the appropriate ancestors have been praised and lineages established, the tapu (complex rules of sacrednessand/or prohibition)of the visitors is deemed lifted and hosts and visitors are permitted to interact with the locals with handshakes and the hongi (pressing of nose).
Ah, the hongi- evidently a problem with visitors. In some parts of NZ, the hongi, a sharing of life breath, is a single press, in others, it is a press, release, press. It is never a rubbing together of noses, a popular misconception. Neither is it a quick kiss on the nose, as was delivered by one confused Australian Prime Minister.
MOKO(TATTOOS)
HeenanBlog-759466.jpg) |
| Female form of Moko |
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 |
| Male form of Moko |
Today the Moko still lives on as an increasing number of Maori who are opting to receive their Moko, in an effort to preserve their culture and identity.
HANGI
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| Hangi Lamb, Chicken, Potatoes, Kumura and Stuffing served in Rotorue, NZ |
 |
| Hangi served in Arossa Ginza Restaurant, Japan |
A traditional form of cooking called a Hangi is a feast cooked in the earth. Stones are heated in a fire in a dug out pit and covered in cabbage leaves or watercress to stop the food from burning. Mutton, pork, chicken, potatoes and Kumera (a sweet potato) are then unusually lowered into the pit in a basket. The food is covered with Mutton cloth or similar and traditionally with flax. Finally earth is placed on top to keep in the steam. The food takes about 3 hours to cook. The Hangi is still popular and is a viable alternative to a weekend barbecue. The unique taste of food cooked in a Hangi can best be described as steamed food with an earthen flavour. The video below shows the process of Hangi.
Cultures & Traditions of New Zealand
LIFESTYLE
For most of its history, NZ's small population and plentiful land has seen its people live in stand-alone houses on large, green sections.
In Auckland, concern about the suburban sprawl and poor public transport, and the gentrification of once-poor inner-city suburbs, has seen a boom in terraced housing and apartments, either in the central city or on its fringes. As immigration-fuelled population growth continues to put pressure on space, more Auckland citizens are learning to do without the birthright of a back yard.
Wellington's inner-city boom is slightly different. There, as the public service has shrunk and large companies have moved their head offices away, old office buildings and warehouses have been converted to apartment living.
At the same time, a parallel trend has seen a rush to the coastlines, and to beautiful areas such as Nelson, at the top of the South Island, where property values have rocketed and orchards have been ploughed under to make way for housing. In the process, an icon of the Kiwi lifestyle, the bach (pronounced 'batch' and mentioned in the previous post)- a rough beach house, often passed down through families- has begun to disappear. Many New Zealanders feel this is a loss, especially when the land goes to foreign buyers, and the fear that coastal land is getting beyond the reach of ordinary families is a significant political issue.
The growth in economic inequality in recent decades has seen a serious problem with overcrowding in a few poor urban areas, such as South Auckland. Two or three families can share a single house, with attendant public health problems.
Family trends, meanwhile, re similar to those in other Western countries: New Zealanders are marrying later- the median age for marriage has increased from just over 20 to about 30 years of age in the last 20 years- or not marrying at all. A third of all people between the ages of 15 to 44 who are living in partnerships are not legally married. About 20,000 couples still get married every year, and half that many get divorced.
Lastly, NZ has one book shop for every 7,500 people. That's more book shops per head of population than anywhere else in the world!
Have you heard of the country’s All Blacks? Of course you have. New Zealand’s national rugby team is legendary, number-one ranked in the world and boasting a winning record against every other national team in the world.
For most of its history, NZ's small population and plentiful land has seen its people live in stand-alone houses on large, green sections.
In Auckland, concern about the suburban sprawl and poor public transport, and the gentrification of once-poor inner-city suburbs, has seen a boom in terraced housing and apartments, either in the central city or on its fringes. As immigration-fuelled population growth continues to put pressure on space, more Auckland citizens are learning to do without the birthright of a back yard.
Wellington's inner-city boom is slightly different. There, as the public service has shrunk and large companies have moved their head offices away, old office buildings and warehouses have been converted to apartment living.
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| A bach in New Zealand |
The growth in economic inequality in recent decades has seen a serious problem with overcrowding in a few poor urban areas, such as South Auckland. Two or three families can share a single house, with attendant public health problems.
Family trends, meanwhile, re similar to those in other Western countries: New Zealanders are marrying later- the median age for marriage has increased from just over 20 to about 30 years of age in the last 20 years- or not marrying at all. A third of all people between the ages of 15 to 44 who are living in partnerships are not legally married. About 20,000 couples still get married every year, and half that many get divorced.
According to Statistics New Zealand, the Family Court granted 9700 divorces in 2008, slightly below the annual average of 10,000 for the past decade.
Still, it's not as bad as 1982, which witnessed 21,900 divorces.
And of those who married the following year, about a third had divorced in the following 25 years.
No silver wedding anniversaries for them last year.
Law changes in recent years have aimed to extend matrimonial property principles to unmarried couples, including same sex couples. The growth in the number of sole-parent families (which tend to be poorer than two-parent parent households) has not been without controversy, but the majority of NZ children are still raised in the traditional family unit.
The second term of Labour-led government will be remembered for two controversial pieces of social legislation: the Prostitution Law Reform Act and the Civil Unions Act. The first legalised prostitution and made it subject to standard workplace regulation. The second created a new category of union- similar to but separate from marriage- open to both heteosexual and same-sex couples. This is a 'moral backlash' driven by the Pentecostal churches accompanied the latter in particular, but opinion polls consistently showed a majority of public supported the establishment of civil unions.
Lastly, NZ has one book shop for every 7,500 people. That's more book shops per head of population than anywhere else in the world!
POPULATION & MULTICULTURALISM
Auckland | 1 050 000 | Invercargill | 52 000 |
Wellington | 329 000 | New Plymounth | 48 520 |
Christchurch | 318 000 | Nelson | 50 000 |
Hamilton | 153 000 | Whangarei | 44 180 |
Napier/Hastings | 112 000 | Wanganui | 41 210 |
Dunedin | 112 000 | Gisborne | 31 480 |
Palmerston North | 75 000 | Timaru | 27 640 |
Tauranga | 76 000 | Kapiti | 27 380 |
Rotorua | 55 000 | Blenheim | 23 637 |
There are just over four million resident New Zealanders, and almost one in three of them now live in the largest city, Auckland, where the growth has been fulled both by a 'drift north' that has been going on for half a century, and more recent waves of immigration. The general drift to the cities means that urban areas now account for 72% of the population.
Auckland has easily become the most multicultural centre in NZ (while, at the other end of the country, the population of the southernmost town, Bluff, is 95% European). Auckland has also been the prime destination for ethnic Chinese since immigration rules relaxed in 1987. While many (east) Asian immigrants have chosen to cluster in Auckland's distant eastern suburbs, visitors are often startled by 'Asiansation' of its central city, where thousands of Asian students reside, either studying at Auckland University, learning English, or both.
Now, more than 13% of Aucklanders are Asians and 6% of of these are Chinese. About 20% of Auckland Chinese were born in NZ, but considerable attention has been focused on the so-called '1.5 generation': young Chinese born oversea but socialised (and sometimes educated) in NZ. The traditionally quiescent culture of Chinese New Zealanders has been challenged in recent years, and a dynamic group of young ethnic Asians is emerging into leadership roles not only in within their local community, but in wider NZ society.
The Maori population was somewhere between 100,000 to 200,000 at the time of first European contact 200 years ago. Disease and warfare subsequently brought the population near to collapse, but a high birth rate now sees about 15% of New Zealanders identify as Maori, and that proportion is likely to grow.
Within that bicultural nation, room will have to be found to accommodate the diversity, the developing multiculturalism of NZ.
So now my question is, how will the strong claim of cultural stake by the growing Pacific population be accommodated in coming years? The country has, over the years, absorbed and assimilated earlier waves of migrants- English, Dutch, Polynesian- but will it also do so with the more varied and, to some, exotic cultures no taking root? Will 'new' New Zealanders settle more widely, or stay in the urban north? These factors will now inevitably help shape what it is to be a New Zealander.
SPORT
1.Rugby
New Zealanders not only watch sport, they play it: and although golf can claim more participants than any other sport, no one doubts that the national game in rugby union. The game is interwoven with NZ's history and culture, and the national side, the All Blacks, have, even in the professional era, an almost mythical status.
The All Blacks are, however, the subject of extraordinary expectations; it frequently seems that nothing less than 100% success will satisfy the public. When the All Blacks dip out of the Rugby World Cup at semi-final stage, there is national mourning.
For all rugby's influence on the culture, don't go along to a game expecting to be caught up in an orgy of noise and cheering. Rugby crowds differ from city to city. For example, the rugby crowds in Auckland's Eden Park are as restrained as their teams are, but they get noisier as you head south. Fans at Canterbury's Jade Stadium are reputed to be the most one-eyed in the land. Auckland is home to the NZ Warriors rugby league team, which plays in the Australian NRL (National Rugby League).
2.NETBALL
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| NZ's netball team, 'Silver Ferns' |
You need to go to the other end of the country to find the heartland of netball, the leading winter sport for women (and the one in which the national team, the Silver Ferns, perpetually vies for world supremacy with the Australians). The Invercargill-based, national women's netball team, Southern Sting attracts a fanatical following from the local community- and repay the support by winning most of the time.
3.CRICKET
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| New Plymouth's Pukekura Park, NZ |
Cricket is the established summer team sport, and the State Shield (one-day) and the State Championship provincial competitions take place alongside international matches involving the national side, the Black Caps, through the summer months. Wellington's Basin Reserve is the last-sole test cricket venue in the main centres and New Plymouth's Pukekura Park is simply one of the prettiest cricket grounds in the world.
4.SOCCER
Have you heard of the country’s All Blacks? Of course you have. New Zealand’s national rugby team is legendary, number-one ranked in the world and boasting a winning record against every other national team in the world.Ever heard of the All Whites? Didn’t think so. New Zealand’s national soccer team is pretty much unknown internationally and even at home has been a decided afterthought. New Zealand didn’t even compete in soccer World Cup qualifying rounds until 1970.But in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, New Zealand had played their best in their teams' history when they had a 1-1 draw with Italy, former World Cup champions, marking the first time NZ has ever led a match at a World Cup. They went on to become the only unbeaten team in the tournament. This pretty much looks like a growing sport culture in NZ.
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| The All White's NZ soccer team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa |
MEDIA
Almost all NZ cities have their own morning newspapers, sometimes coexisting with the likes if the Auckland-based New Zealand Herald, which covers wider regions, and they're fairly good.
The magazine market is more varied, and dominated by independent publishers. Auckland's own magazine, Metro, is a good-looking guide to the style of the city. Cuisine is a sleek, popular and authoritative guide to food and wine.
Free-to-air TV is dominated by the two publicly owned Television New Zealand channels (TV One and TV2), versus the Canadian-owned TV3 and its sibling music channel C4. Regional TV struggles, but is stronger than on the South Island, where Nelson's Mainland TV and Invercargill's Southland TV are part of their communities. The country's only access TV station, Triangle, reflects Auckland's cultural and ethnic diversity.
There is also a nationwide network of iwi (tribal) stations, some of which, including Waikato's Radio Tainui, offer welcome respite from the commercial networks- others, such as Auckland's Mai FM, take on the commercial broadcasters at their own game. Also worth noting are the national Pacific Island station Niu FM and the dance station. George FM, which can be heard in central Auckland and Queenstown.
RELIGION
Reflecting its English heritage, NZ is nominally of the Anglican-Protestant denomination, and where religion has a place in public affairs, it will be of that flavour. The Catholic church claims about 470,000 adherents to the Anglican church's 630,000.
According to the 2006 census, Christianity is the predominant religion in New Zealand, held by 55.6% of the population, a decrease from 60.6% at the 2001 census. Another 34.7% indicated that they had no religion, up from 29.6% in 2001, and around 4% affiliated with other religions. The main Christian denominations are Anglicanism, Roman Catholism, Presbyterianism and Methodism. There are also significant numbers who identify themselves with Pentecostal and Baptist churches and with the LDS (Mormon) church. The New Zealand-based Ratana church has adherents among Māori. According to Census figures, other significant minority religions include, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam which are the main religions in Singapore.
WOMEN IN NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand is on its second female prime minister, Helen Clark, and women have held several of NZ's other top jobs, from Governor General to chief justice to CEO of the country's second largest company, Telecom NZ. There is also a Ministry of Women Affairs in NZ.
There is an extremely strong tradition of women's sport in NZ, and the world-champion Silver Ferns netball side and individuals such as Olympic boardsailor Barbara Kendall are household names. There is even a women's national rugby team, the Black Ferns, which labours under the same expectations as the All Blacks.
Nowhere is women's contribution to NZ stronger than in the arts and creative industries. Niki Caro, director of Whale Rider, is but one in a line of accomplished film-makers that include directors Jane Campion (The Piano, In the Cut, An Angel at My Table), Christine Jeffs (Rain, Sylvia) and Gillian Ashurst (Snakeskin), Peter Jackson's longtime collaboration Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and top-flight costume designer Ngila Dickson, and actors Anna Paquin, Kerry Fox and Lucy Lawless (Xena, Warrior Princess). In literature, Janet Frame, Fiona Kidman, Elizabeth Knox and Stephanie Johnson enjoy a stature equal to or greater than their male counterparts.
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| NZ Herald newspaper |
The magazine market is more varied, and dominated by independent publishers. Auckland's own magazine, Metro, is a good-looking guide to the style of the city. Cuisine is a sleek, popular and authoritative guide to food and wine.
Free-to-air TV is dominated by the two publicly owned Television New Zealand channels (TV One and TV2), versus the Canadian-owned TV3 and its sibling music channel C4. Regional TV struggles, but is stronger than on the South Island, where Nelson's Mainland TV and Invercargill's Southland TV are part of their communities. The country's only access TV station, Triangle, reflects Auckland's cultural and ethnic diversity.
There is also a nationwide network of iwi (tribal) stations, some of which, including Waikato's Radio Tainui, offer welcome respite from the commercial networks- others, such as Auckland's Mai FM, take on the commercial broadcasters at their own game. Also worth noting are the national Pacific Island station Niu FM and the dance station. George FM, which can be heard in central Auckland and Queenstown.
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| Changes in religious beliefs since 1991 |
Reflecting its English heritage, NZ is nominally of the Anglican-Protestant denomination, and where religion has a place in public affairs, it will be of that flavour. The Catholic church claims about 470,000 adherents to the Anglican church's 630,000.
According to the 2006 census, Christianity is the predominant religion in New Zealand, held by 55.6% of the population, a decrease from 60.6% at the 2001 census. Another 34.7% indicated that they had no religion, up from 29.6% in 2001, and around 4% affiliated with other religions. The main Christian denominations are Anglicanism, Roman Catholism, Presbyterianism and Methodism. There are also significant numbers who identify themselves with Pentecostal and Baptist churches and with the LDS (Mormon) church. The New Zealand-based Ratana church has adherents among Māori. According to Census figures, other significant minority religions include, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam which are the main religions in Singapore.
WOMEN IN NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand is on its second female prime minister, Helen Clark, and women have held several of NZ's other top jobs, from Governor General to chief justice to CEO of the country's second largest company, Telecom NZ. There is also a Ministry of Women Affairs in NZ.
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| Lucy Lawless (Xena) |
Nowhere is women's contribution to NZ stronger than in the arts and creative industries. Niki Caro, director of Whale Rider, is but one in a line of accomplished film-makers that include directors Jane Campion (The Piano, In the Cut, An Angel at My Table), Christine Jeffs (Rain, Sylvia) and Gillian Ashurst (Snakeskin), Peter Jackson's longtime collaboration Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and top-flight costume designer Ngila Dickson, and actors Anna Paquin, Kerry Fox and Lucy Lawless (Xena, Warrior Princess). In literature, Janet Frame, Fiona Kidman, Elizabeth Knox and Stephanie Johnson enjoy a stature equal to or greater than their male counterparts.
New Zealand on a whole
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| Map of New Zealand |
Capital: Wellington
Currency: NZ Dollar (NZD)
Population: 4,173,460
Geographic
New Zealand consists of 2 narrow islands and a number of smaller islands, located near the centre of the water hemisphere. The North and South Islands are separated by Cook Strait, 20 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. The total land area, 268,021 square kilometres (103,483 sq mi),is a little less than that of Italy or Japan, and a little more than the United Kingdom.
1. North Island
(Te Ika a Maui, in Maori)
Consists of high volcanic core, hot springs and geysers.
Main attractions: Auckland, Rotorua, other areas (white water rafting at Bay of Plenty, and Wellinton which consists of 300 cafes)
2.South Island
(Te Wai Pounamu, in Maori)
Consists of high, snow-capped mountains ranges(Sugarloafs) and well-watered forested areas.
Main attractions: Christchurch (which is the largest city in NZ), Mount Cook (Highest mountain in NZ), Fiordland National Park, other areas (cruises, diving and kayaking are common activities, and Queenstown where people can bungee jump or stay in luxurious resorts)
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| Maori man performing the Haka |
The first settlers of NZ were the Polynesian forebears of today's Maori. Exactly where in the east Polynesia did they come from?- the Cook Islands, Tahiti, the Marquesas?
New Zealand's Tangata Whenua (People of the Land)
New Zealand's indigenous people came from tropical Polynesia more than 1000 years ago. Learning to live in New Zealand shaped their thinking and their beliefs until they became Te Māori, a race clearly distinct from other Polynesian cultures.
The Maori culture was a highly sophisticated culture which centered upon village life and complex trading and waring relationships among the 53 tribes.
The Maori numbered approximately 115,000 when New Zealand was “discovered” by the western world, primary through the sailing journeys of Captain Cook in 1769. He made several journeys to
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| The Maori children |
LANGUAGES
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| Pie chart of languages spoken in NZ |
Until 1987, English was the New Zealand's only official language, and remains predominant in most settings. Maori became an official language under the 1987 Maori Language Act and New Zealand Sign Language under the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006. Maori is now an official second language and a system of Maori schools has now been created. Curriculum materials have been
translated and aspects of the Maori culture are taught throughout all of New Zealand’s school. The two official spoken languages are the most widely used; English is spoken by 98% of the population and Maori by 4.1%. Samoan is the most widely spoken non-official language (2.3%), followed by French, Hindi, Yue and Northern Chinese.
In New Zealand, just like in Australia have certain 'lingos' that foreigners might not understand. In the case of NZ, this 'lingo' is called the Kiwi-ese.
translated and aspects of the Maori culture are taught throughout all of New Zealand’s school. The two official spoken languages are the most widely used; English is spoken by 98% of the population and Maori by 4.1%. Samoan is the most widely spoken non-official language (2.3%), followed by French, Hindi, Yue and Northern Chinese.
In New Zealand, just like in Australia have certain 'lingos' that foreigners might not understand. In the case of NZ, this 'lingo' is called the Kiwi-ese.
If a Kiwi asks you to pop down to the ‘dairy’, they’re not suggesting you milk a cow, they’re talking about going to what you might know as the corner shop or convenience store. Don’t let New Zealand slang confuse you – use the Kiwi-English translation guide below and ‘get to grips’ with basic Kiwi-ese.
Bach A basic holiday home, classically found at the beach or by a lake
Beehive The hive-shaped executive wing of New Zealand’s Parliamentary Buildings
Bloke The common man, the ordinary guy in the street
Boy-racer Young person in a fast car, usually with the stereo ‘cranked up’ (‘loud’!)
Capsicum Bell pepper
Cheers Often used in place of ‘thank you’
Chilly bin Polystyrene box to keep food and beer cold
Chippies Potato chips or crisps
Chippy Builder
Choice Great, excellent: “That sports car is choice!”
Chocka Full
Crook Sick
Cuppa Cup of tea
Cuzzies Relatives
Dairy Convenience store, sometimes called 'the corner dairy'
Footy Rugby, the national obsession
Gumboots Waterproof rubber boots, also known as ‘gummies’
Haere mai Welcome
Hangi Traditional Maori cooking method using an underground earth oven
Hard case Clown, witty person
Heaps A lot
Hokey pokey New Zealand’s favourite ice cream flavour, vanilla with toffee bits
Jandals Open-topped rubber sandals, known elsewhere as thongs or flip-flops
Kia ora Hello
Kiwi A flightless bird or a person from New Zealand
Kiwifruit Small, fuzzy, brown-skinned and green-fleshed fruit
Knackered A tired person ("I've been at work all day and I'm knackered!") or a broken thing ("My car won't start, I think the engine's knackered").
Lollies Candy or sweets
Loo Toilet, also known as a ‘dunny’
Marge Margarine
Mate A close friend
Mate’s rates A discount for a friend (or the kind of good discount you’d give a friend)
Motu Island
OE Overseas Experience
Pakeha New Zealander of European descent
Pavlova iconic New Zealand dessert is a baked meringue topped with cream and fruit
Pinky Bar Chocolate bar with marshmallow centre
Pommie Someone from Britain
Shout Paying for something on behalf of others (often a round of drinks or dinner)
Puke Hill
Strapped for cash Short of money
Stuck in To ‘get stuck in’ is to start working on something
Sunnies Sunglasses
Sweet/Sweet as Great, excellent (“This concert is going to be sweet as!”)
Ta Thanks
Takeaway Food taken ‘to go’, often fast food such as fish 'n' chips
Thanks Often used in place of ‘please’, as in “I’ll have a bottle of orange juice, thanks.”
Tiki tour Scenic route
Togs Bathing suit
Tomato sauce Ketchup
Ute Utility vehicle
Varsity University
Whanga Harbour, bay
Wop-wops In the middle of nowhere
Yonks Forever, a long time
Beehive The hive-shaped executive wing of New Zealand’s Parliamentary Buildings
Bloke The common man, the ordinary guy in the street
Boy-racer Young person in a fast car, usually with the stereo ‘cranked up’ (‘loud’!)
Capsicum Bell pepper
Cheers Often used in place of ‘thank you’
Chilly bin Polystyrene box to keep food and beer cold
Chippies Potato chips or crisps
Chippy Builder
Choice Great, excellent: “That sports car is choice!”
Chocka Full
Crook Sick
Cuppa Cup of tea
Cuzzies Relatives
Dairy Convenience store, sometimes called 'the corner dairy'
Footy Rugby, the national obsession
Gumboots Waterproof rubber boots, also known as ‘gummies’
Haere mai Welcome
Hangi Traditional Maori cooking method using an underground earth oven
Hard case Clown, witty person
Heaps A lot
Hokey pokey New Zealand’s favourite ice cream flavour, vanilla with toffee bits
Jandals Open-topped rubber sandals, known elsewhere as thongs or flip-flops
Kia ora Hello
Kiwi A flightless bird or a person from New Zealand
Kiwifruit Small, fuzzy, brown-skinned and green-fleshed fruit
Knackered A tired person ("I've been at work all day and I'm knackered!") or a broken thing ("My car won't start, I think the engine's knackered").
Lollies Candy or sweets
Loo Toilet, also known as a ‘dunny’
Marge Margarine
Mate A close friend
Mate’s rates A discount for a friend (or the kind of good discount you’d give a friend)
Motu Island
OE Overseas Experience
Pakeha New Zealander of European descent
Pavlova iconic New Zealand dessert is a baked meringue topped with cream and fruit
Pinky Bar Chocolate bar with marshmallow centre
Pommie Someone from Britain
Shout Paying for something on behalf of others (often a round of drinks or dinner)
Puke Hill
Strapped for cash Short of money
Stuck in To ‘get stuck in’ is to start working on something
Sunnies Sunglasses
Sweet/Sweet as Great, excellent (“This concert is going to be sweet as!”)
Ta Thanks
Takeaway Food taken ‘to go’, often fast food such as fish 'n' chips
Thanks Often used in place of ‘please’, as in “I’ll have a bottle of orange juice, thanks.”
Tiki tour Scenic route
Togs Bathing suit
Tomato sauce Ketchup
Ute Utility vehicle
Varsity University
Whanga Harbour, bay
Wop-wops In the middle of nowhere
Yonks Forever, a long time
EDUCATION
The Ministry of Education is the Government's lead advisor for the New Zealand education system.
Levels of Education
1. Early Childhood education
-Playcentre (Birth yo School Age_
-Kindergarten (Age 3 to 5)
-Kohanga Reo (immersed infants in Māori from infancy to school age)
2. Compulsory (Primary and Secondary)
-Primary and Secondary education is compulsory for students between the ages of 6 and 16 (15 with parental and school permission), and is a right until the end of the calendar year following the student's 19th birthday
-New Zealand has recently moved towards a system where school levels are identified by the year number.
-There are 15 year levels - numbered 0 through to 14
3. Tertiary Education
-Universities
-Colleges
-Polytechnics
-Private Training Establishments (their purpose is to provide training often not available in the public sector)
-Wananga (provides education in a Maori cultural context)
In summary, this is how the education system should look like in a form of a table.
In recent years, the introduction of Maori language nests (kohanga reo) has received the Maori language. At kohanga reo, preschool children are encouraged to speak Maori. Primary and secondary schools build on this early immersion by including Maori in the curriculum. This curriculum covers the areas of geography, math and English language arts. It uses photographs to introduce the students to both New Zealand and aspects of the Maori culture.
In relation the above paragraph, almost everything that is done in the curriculum has to incorporate some sort of Maori element into it. For without it, future generations might not come to know of this culture and way of life. Hence, there is a possibility that the Maori culture will simply diminish right before their very eyes. Educating younger New Zealanders and incorporating the Maori culture into their curriculum in their various schools is an excellent way of saving the Maori culture as it raises awareness and appreciation for them.
New Zealand vs. Singapore
My godmother, Shirleen Oh, lives in Wellington, NZ, and she has expressed her views on the education system in NZ vs. Singapore.
She said, "Personally I like it here better. Kids are encouraged to better themselves in any area that they're good at. So if you're not very good academically, but very good at sports or in the arts (music, etc), these strengths are encouraged instead of you being written off as not very bright or clever, or a lost cause.
Also, they don't do the type of streaming that they do in Spore. Education is important, but its approached here in a slightly more easy pace. I find that students don't get stressed out the way they do in Spore, and yet, many do just as well.
Students in their teens also mature earlier here in terms of the direction they want to take in life. Your dreams and hopes are encouraged and supported here at an earlier age, whereas in Spore, its all study, study, study."
Most schools cater for either primary, intermediate, or secondary school students:
- Years 1–6: Primary School (Ages 5–11)
- Years 7–8: Intermediate School (Ages 10–13)
- Years 9–13: Secondary School (Ages 12–18)
1. Early Childhood education
-Playcentre (Birth yo School Age_
-Kindergarten (Age 3 to 5)
-Kohanga Reo (immersed infants in Māori from infancy to school age)
2. Compulsory (Primary and Secondary)
-Primary and Secondary education is compulsory for students between the ages of 6 and 16 (15 with parental and school permission), and is a right until the end of the calendar year following the student's 19th birthday
-New Zealand has recently moved towards a system where school levels are identified by the year number.
-There are 15 year levels - numbered 0 through to 14
3. Tertiary Education
-Universities
-Colleges
-Polytechnics
-Private Training Establishments (their purpose is to provide training often not available in the public sector)
-Wananga (provides education in a Maori cultural context)
In summary, this is how the education system should look like in a form of a table.
| Year | Old system | Curriculum/Qualification Level | School type | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | New Entrants | Level 1 | Primary school | Primary School | Composite school | |
| 1 | Junior 1/Primer 1 | |||||
| 2 | Junior 2/Primer 2 | |||||
| 3 | Standard 1 | Level 1-2 | ||||
| 4 | Standard 2 | Level 2 | ||||
| 5 | Standard 3 | Level 2-3 | ||||
| 6 | Standard 4 | Level 3 | ||||
| 7 | Form 1/Standard 5 | Level 3-4 | Intermediate school | Junior secondary school | ||
| 8 | Form 2/Standard 6 | Level 4 | ||||
| 9 | Form 3 | Level 4-5 | Secondary school | |||
| 10 | Form 4 | Level 5 | ||||
| 11 | Form 5 | Level 5-6 / Level 1 | Senior secondary school | |||
| 12 | Form 6 | Level 6-7 / Level 2 | ||||
| 13 | Form 7 | Level 7-8 / Level 3 | ||||
| 14 | – | |||||
In recent years, the introduction of Maori language nests (kohanga reo) has received the Maori language. At kohanga reo, preschool children are encouraged to speak Maori. Primary and secondary schools build on this early immersion by including Maori in the curriculum. This curriculum covers the areas of geography, math and English language arts. It uses photographs to introduce the students to both New Zealand and aspects of the Maori culture.In relation the above paragraph, almost everything that is done in the curriculum has to incorporate some sort of Maori element into it. For without it, future generations might not come to know of this culture and way of life. Hence, there is a possibility that the Maori culture will simply diminish right before their very eyes. Educating younger New Zealanders and incorporating the Maori culture into their curriculum in their various schools is an excellent way of saving the Maori culture as it raises awareness and appreciation for them.
New Zealand vs. Singapore
My godmother, Shirleen Oh, lives in Wellington, NZ, and she has expressed her views on the education system in NZ vs. Singapore.
She said, "Personally I like it here better. Kids are encouraged to better themselves in any area that they're good at. So if you're not very good academically, but very good at sports or in the arts (music, etc), these strengths are encouraged instead of you being written off as not very bright or clever, or a lost cause.
Also, they don't do the type of streaming that they do in Spore. Education is important, but its approached here in a slightly more easy pace. I find that students don't get stressed out the way they do in Spore, and yet, many do just as well.
Students in their teens also mature earlier here in terms of the direction they want to take in life. Your dreams and hopes are encouraged and supported here at an earlier age, whereas in Spore, its all study, study, study."
I couldn't agree with her more. It's true, the pace in terms of education in NZ is much slower and easier whereas in Singapore, the government stress' a lot on the point of education and how important it is to be educated.
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