Local traditions and culture in New Zealand

In New Zealand we have the NZ Maori and NZ European (or also known as Pakeha). A traditional greeting here of the Maori is to press their nose against anothers nose which is known as a Hongi. It is often displayed at official ceremonies and when visitors are
welcomed onto a Marae (Maori Meeting place). When a person is greeted in this
fashion they are then considered part of the group and no longer a guest. I have
just looked it up on the internet and it basically means "sharing of breath."

I have just shared this with Mikebond in hope that this will help him with his studies at High School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators of the University of Trieste (wow)! :-)

New Zealand has two main Languages English and Maori. Both are used for everyday purposes and although not everyone in New Zealand is fluent in Maori they do know alot of words that they say without even thinking about it especially when reading names of cities such as Rotorua or townships such as Whakatane. Even Greeting a person by saying Kia Ora (Hello).

Below I have added a few words that may be beneficial to the traveller

Hello ~ Kia Ora
Welcome~ Haere mai
Food~ Kai
Drink ~Inu
Road~ huarahi
Street~ waharoa
Weather~ rangi
Mountain~ maunga
Lake~ roto
Sea ~ tai
Man~ Tangata
Woman~ Wahine
Child~ Tamariki

This is NOT a local custom, to hang your bra on the fence as you drive by. But strangely enough the collection of discarded bras is growing here.
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!
UPDATE: Authorities decreed that this fence be removed, so it is no longer there for people to admire unfortunately.

Hongi(pronounced hor-ngee) is pressing of the noses. You press your nose against the nose of the other person. This is the way Maori greet each other.
The reason we hongi is acknowledge each other and where you come from and signifies the 'breath of life' when god blew life into Adam.

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Puede parecer raro hablar de vallas , pero nos impresionaron las vallas que veíamos en NZ acostumbrados a vallas de metro y medio máximo , aquí había algunas que medían más de cinco metros , hechas de árboles y que destacaban en los paisajes por su altura y por su verde oscuro
Hemos supuesto que son tan grandes para de alguna manera romper las fuertes corrientes de aire

It may seem strange to talk of fences, but we were impressed by the fences we saw in NZ as we are used to fences five feet up, here there were some that were higer than five meters, made of trees and they were highlited in the landscape due to their dimensions and their dark green colour
We have assumed that are so great to somehow break the strong air currents

New Zealand is famous for The All Blacks our national team. If they are playing while you are in NZ it is worth a trip to see them. This is a pic of The All Blacks playing the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park, Auckland.

Want to know more about Rugby in New Zealand? Then check out this website:

New Zealand Rugby

Employees in New Zealand do not depend on tips or gratuities as part of their income. Its purely at your discretion for good service. So if you get good service and want to tip, then it will be appreciated... not expected.

These food icons have been part of a great debate in New Zealand for many years - the question? Which is better, Marmite or Vegemite? For the traditionalist, Marmite is the kiwi icon with Vegemite its nasty Aussie cousin who has insinuated itself into the land of the long white cloud.

Marmite has its origins in the UK although the product from over there doesn't taste anything like the Kiwi version (you can buy the Kiwi version in the UK branded as Vita-Mite). Vegemite was first made in Australia in the 1920's and found its way into NZ not long after that.

An old myth is that Vegemite comes from vegetables and Marmite from meat - incorrect on both counts. Both products are made from yeast extract and a few other bits & pieces (salt, sugar, colour....). I must admit that I prefer Marmite (I have a tub at work - ready for any occasion) though I guess it's all about what you were brough up on.

Don't feel that you have to try it while you are in NZ - feedback from friends from the USA was that it is repulsive...... mind you, those two eat Grits for breakfast!