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 | New Zealand Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 156 |  |
 Cattle Stop by kiwi
This is the name us kiwis give to a grid in the road, that cattle theoretically cannot traverse. I say theoretically, because I live on a farm and we have a few of these things, and the sheep anyway, can sometimes find their way across these things.
They are a pit in the ground with a grill/grid over the top, that vehicles can drive across but animals can't.
The purpose being that it is not necessary to have a gate across the road, to keep the animals confined to an area.
This photo showing a cattlestop, was taken on the Crown Range Road. Leave a Comment
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 Part of the war waka in
Waitangi by martin_nl
But the Maori are stil in New Zealand and have been through many wars, not only since the arrival of the first Europeans, but also among different Maori tribes. The plan was to end all of this with the Treaty of Waitangi, a controversial document. This because the words translated from english into Maori, meant something different in both languages. So Maori's signed, but actually they agreed to something else according to the english language. Very complex to say the least. Apart from all of this the Maori and Europeans are well integrated nowadays.
There are many customs and believes in Maoridom. One thing that might interest you is the meaning of the three main islands. One day Maui went out fishing and he caught an immense fish, he beat the fish and it became the North Island. It was called Te Ika a Maui (The fish of Maui). The South Island was called Te Waka o Maui (The canoe of Maui) and Stewart Island was called Te Punga a Maui (The anchor of Maui). On 90 mile beach on the west side of Northland you can see a rock in the sea that looks like a fish hook. It is unofficial, but I think this is the hook Maui caught the fish with ;-) Leave a Comment
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 Inside the Marae meeting house by martin_nlLeave a Comment
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 The Bra Fence by kiwi
This fence is on the Crown Range Road, Cardrona, between Queenstown and Wanaka. I guess it's something people are just compelled to do when they see the array already hanging there.
I have seen at Wanaka a fence made of bikes, and there used to be a fence with boots and shoes hanging from it, but this one was dismantled.
Perhaps this odd habit is becoming an local custom after all! Leave a Comment
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 The haka taparahi by martin_nl
Ka mate, ka mate (It is death, it is death)
Ka ora, ka ora (It is life, it is life)
Tenei te tangate puhuruhuru (Behold the hairy man)
Nana nei i tiki mai
I whakawhiti te ra (Who caused the sun to shine)
Upane, upane (Abreast, keep abreast)
Upane, ka upane (The rank, hold fast)
Whiti te ra (Into the sunshine)
The dance was pretty easy to learn. The funniest was the end of the dance where we had to roll our eyes and stick out our tonge. Leave a Comment
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 Head Piece at the entrance to
the Marae by fishandchips
You can visit this link below to get a full rundown of everything there is to know about marae protocol. Leave a Comment
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 Maori's in Tamaki Village
Rotorua by martin_nl
After the performances are over you are requested to come for hnagi in another hall. Everything is nicely arranged in buffet style, but all the food is prepared in the way of hangi. This way of preparing food is done by digging a hole in the ground and by putting coals in the hole. The food is wrapped in silver foil and also thrown in the hole, then the whole is closed with the food inside and left there for a couple of hours. If you want to know how it tastes I suggest taking a tour to this Tamaki Village!! Leave a Comment
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 Regional Billboards by kiwi
Here in the photo you see that rivalry being taken to a further level, by being an advertisement for beer.
The underlying origins from this are with the so-called dislike of Aucklanders by the Waikato region. I'm an Aucklander living in Waikato, so it's dear to my heart. I don't like it LOL!
But Aucklanders need to drive through Waikato to get to the rest of NZ and often they are the cause of accidents or congestion on the Waikato roads. Also people from other regions believe that Aucklanders think Auckland is NZ and that the rest of the country doesn't exist. This is not true and I attack that argument whenever I can.
I do laugh though at these billboards, as although they attack what is dear to me, they are very funny to read!
"NO AUCKLANDERS - OUR FOREIGN POLICY" Leave a Comment
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 Mobile surgical vehicle. by kiwi
I'm very proud of this service. The bus itself was privately funded but the service is funded by the Minstry of Health and uses national and international expertise, working in conjunction with regional health providers. It is a 39 tonne mobile unit with very modern video communications and surgical tools. During an operation, the bus has sides that extend out. Obviously very customised both in the surgical area and the driving cab.
The bus provides surgery to small town rural areas, and allows certain surgical procedures to go ahead without the patient having to travel a long way to the nearest city.
I believe that the doctors and surgeons donate their time on this service, but am not sure if that is still the case. Whatever it is a very welcomed service in smalltown New Zealand.
Here in the photograph you will see the MSS bus loading onto the Interislander Ferry, that travels between the North and South Islands. I'm sure they do this trip very regularly and it has become a common site. I was thrilled to see the surgery loading on. Leave a Comment
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 TE WERO by K.Knight
The warrior will go through some intimidatory gestures and display his skills with his spear (TAIAHA,) until he places a peace offering (TEKA) at the foot of one of the visiting chiefs. This Teka must be picked up while maintaing eye contact with the warrior.
PLEASE, out of respect for their culture, DO NOT laugh, smile or poke out your tongue. Leave a Comment
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