All Types of Social Life in New Zealand

Film/TV/Media/Entertainment

New Zealand today is somewhat comparable to the United States when it comes to the world of entertainment. New Zealanders love to be entertained and occupied just like any other group of people. There are 10 newspapers in circulation for everyday purchase at most convenient stores. People and families can subscribe just like in the United States and have it delivered to their house. There are 41 television stations providing service to about 1.96 million tv sets across the country. There are only 16,720 cable subscribers country wide which is low compared to other larger countries.

Radio in New Zealand is much more of a larger market, there are 418 radio stations playing for close to 4 million receivers country wide. Talk shows and sport channels are very popular in New Zealand. That being said New Zealanders like to find entertainment in other ways instead of sitting in front of a tv. New Zealand’s amazing landscape has been home of many tv and movie shoots, one of the biggest being Lord of the Rings. (CIA World Fact Book (2001))

Music/Arts

There are many types of music genres and styles in New Zealand. All around the country you can find world class orchestras. Music and culture go hand in hand in New Zealand. You can’t walk around a town or square without seeing a theatre, hearing music, or coming across street performers. One Big name artist who is from New Zealand is Lorde, she’s a very popular artist in the United States for her cool authentic sound. Arts and crafts other than music are large industries in New Zealand. New Zealand is known to host the Te Matatini National Festival (Worldinformation.com (2002)), which is an inventive and innovative textile arts show. It’s nationally known and is a great place for artists and designers from around the world to meet to share their love of art. There is also a wearable arts festival usually held in Wellington Auckland. Art and fashion are huge parts of life for New Zealanders.

Schooling and education was first introduced to New Zealand by colonial Britain. New Zealand’s education system is fairly normal and comparable to most other places. It starts with pre k, then primary and secondary school. Universities and higher education isn’t super uncommon but it is seen as a sign of being elite. Kids start primary school at 6 and graduate secondary school at 16. It’s a few years shorter than our education system in the states but it is still very successful. Kids in school study most of the same basic skills that we do in the United States. Kids are kids regardless of where they are from, playing on the playground or in gym class will always be the best.

Public Celebrations/Holidays

Like almost every country or nation New Zealand has a few special days or events. Holidays and nationally recognized days/ events in the United States vary in seriousness and participation. The same is with New Zealand, whether it be a religious holiday or a festival there will most likely be many different groups of people celebrating to different extents. A few main celebrations are Anzac Day which is almost like their 4th of July which is held on the 25th of April. This day marks New Zealand’s involvement in the Gallipoli conflict in World War 1. Even though New Zealand was defeated it marked the start of something new. One mainstream holiday that New Zealanders adopted in 1642 was the idea of Christmas. Explorer Abel Tasmans and his crew celebrated with meals in sacred caves in Cape Reigna, they decorated and had a “Christmas tree” which was really the native Pohutukawa flower. This paved the way for the newer idea of Christmas with Santa Parades throughout November and December. Maybe the most important and historical day for New Zealanders is Waitangi Day, this marks the signing of the Waitangi Treaty (feb 6th) which made New Zealand its own country. People in New Zealand get off for this day and usually spend it hanging out with family and relaxing. (WILSON, PETER J.)

There is tons of things to do while growing up in New Zealand. The recreation and leisure scene is huge. New Zealand is a beautiful country with tons of things to do outdoors. Hiking, skiing, fishing, hunting, kayaking,etc. The list goes on and on for possible things to do, some main sports kids grow up playing are Rugby, Football, Netball, Basketball, Field hockey, and many more. A big game played in New Zealand is cricket, in warm months it can be played on the beach and enjoyed by all. If ball sports and organized activity aren’t your thing New Zealand has a vast landscape providing great parks, nature preserves, and off the grid activities.

Many young kids growing up in small towns play games around the block, tag, bulrush, kickball, catch, basically anything to have fun or pass the time. (WILSON, PETER J.)What we can learn The New Zealand culture is much more laid back and relaxed. In the United States everything is rushed and everyone and everything has a deadline. People in New Zealand focus on taking things slowly and enjoying the moment. There are many more cultural traditions and cool festivals then the United States. New Zealanders don’t dwell on material things and the changing world they live in, visiting New Zealand would be an amazing experience.( McPhail, Thomas L.)

New Zealand is a beautiful place to grow up, from childhood to adult hood there is nothing but endless fun to be had. Growing up in this country is probably better then growing up in the United States. New Zealand is a very high achieving and high ranking country. There are high standards and expectations that you are held too. New Zealanders typically are healthier and 76% of parents said that they actually believed their children were better off living in New Zealand rather than anywhere else. Health care and welfare is provided for almost everyone free of charge. Public services are all provided and are higher quality than most other countrys. There is a wide range of housing options in New Zealand in terms of style, quality and price depending on location. Many tend to be built for the temperature/climate and often don’t have some of the creature comforts (e.g. central heating, double glazing) people may be used to in cooler parts of the world. Family values and time spent together doing things is very important. (Robert L. Welsch and Matthew Dee)

There are wonderful opportunities for young people to grow up with easy access to sports and outdoors, space and freedom: to ride horses, to run along open beaches, to swim in clean water, to walk through native forests and to truly experience the beauty of nature. Wide open spaces mean you have the choice of every style of living you and your family could want - from suburban homes with room for kids to run around in, to places by the seaside or even a spot out in the country with your own farm animals. Growing up on farms or little country sides is what its like for most children in New Zealand.

These families usually have 2/3 children to help out around the house, farm, or family business. School starts at 5 years old and from then on children are expected to help out and pull their weight. That being said there is plenty of down time for recreation and leisure.(CIA World Fact Book (2001))While growing up in New Zealand, Children go through the same things as any normal child. Going to school, having tests, playing sports, having crushes(etc). children are usually thrusted into arts or music and learning instruments in and out of school is big. Kids play games on the playground such as tag, bulrush, hide and seek, amongst many more. All in all children have it pretty good growing up in New Zealand, they have great schools, healthcare, family structure, and recreation.(BAKER, MAUREEN).

New Zealanders know what it’s like arriving somewhere new. They’re great international travelers and nearly a quarter of New Zealanders were born outside New Zealand. Over 90% of people feel some connection with another country through family, friends or interests. New Zealand is sort of a melting pot open to guests and travelers. Warmth and hospitality is also a product of its size. New Zealanders don’t have to protect their private space by staying aloof. It’s the opposite, living on the edge of the world as some people do, they prefer to reach out and make connections.(GRAHAM, JEANINE). Nearly four in five migrants say they are integrating well with the local Kiwi and Māori culture according to HSBC’s 2015 Expat Explorer survey. The spirit of welcome runs deep here. Māori have a word for it Manaakitanga. Loosely translated as hospitality, Manaakitanga sums up the act of welcoming and looking after guests. The idea is that by offering hospitality, generosity and mutual respect everyone involved comes out better off. No country or nation got anywhere from being rude or unwelcome to guests, New Zealanders have experienced economic prosperity in certain professions in hospitality or travel.(Catley, Bob)

There are some things you want to do when visiting and other things you definitely don’t want to do. Don’t, touch a man on his head or face, smoke on public transportation, overstay your welcome, be late, or wrap gifts in red. Some dos, shake hands and show respect, dress conservatively, bring your own beer, keeps hands above the table, and know the word kiwi is not offensive. Some of these are specific to New Zealand and others we can see used worldwide just as signs of respect. There are few things you could do to really get in trouble in New Zealand. The people are amazing the traditions are amazing and there is so much to do. All it takes is a little bit of brushing up on the culture so you don’t make yourself look like a fool. (PETER J. WILSON).