Culture Wise New Zealand
Graeme Chesters & John Irvine
Travellers often underestimate the depth of cultural isolation they can face abroad, particularly in a country with a different language. To many people, New Zealand must seem an ‘easy’ option, with its English language, long history of immigration, multicultural society and hundreds of thousands of annual visitors. However, many newcomers find certain aspects of New Zealand life alien – for example its Maori culture – and some come unstuck as a result. Culture Wise New Zealand will help you understand New Zealand and its people, and adapt to the New Zealand way of life. Most importantly, it will enable you to quickly feel at home.
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Extracts from the book…
Work Ethic
Kiwis are not live-to-work people and the country isn’t awash with high-achieving wheeler-dealers, added to which a long history of full employment and a generous welfare state have created a laid-back ‘weekend’ culture. In recent decades New Zealanders have had to become more entrepreneurial to adapt to the changing world and increasing competition, and have become more business-minded and adventurous since the ’80s. The proportion (around 15 per cent) of Kiwis who are self-employed or run their own businesses is now one of the highest in the world.
That said, Kiwis tend to avoid talking about business and the economy, mainly because not many know much about either (certainly outside their particular field) – an ignorance which is reflected in the low readership figures for business publications in New Zealand. This attitude to business is an extension of the country’s tall-poppy syndrome: business success isn’t lauded in New Zealand in the way that it is in, for example, the US. That doesn’t mean that business success is frowned on – if you start from scratch, battle against the odds and succeed, but are modest about it and don’t flaunt the trappings of success, you’ll be highly regarded – the appropriate cliché here is ‘It isn’t what you do but the way that you do it that counts’.
New Zealand’s informality is carried into the workplace, where the atmosphere is invariably laid-back and relaxed, with everybody on first-name terms. A loud, pushy or rude approach to work will get you nowhere. Kiwis’ predominantly work-to-live attitude means that workers know their entitlements and take all available holidays. Nevertheless, everybody is expected to do his share, which is an expression of the Kiwi preoccupation with fairness.
When you start a new job it’s quite likely that you’ll be teased for the first week or two. This is a light-hearted test to see whether you can fit in and are a ‘good sport’. The best way to respond is to laugh at yourself and not be offended. If you’re from an Asian country you may find this ‘ribbing’ difficult to handle, but bear in mind that in Kiwi culture allowing yourself to be mocked doesn’t involve a loss of face but rather the opposite: an increase in your standing.
Meeting Maori & Pacific Islanders
The best place to experience traditional Maori protocol is at an aforementioned marae and visits are organised by many tour operators (although this obviously isn’t as authentic as being invited privately). At a marae, the powhiri (traditional Maori welcome) begins with a wero (challenge). A warrior from the tangata whenua (hosts) challenges the manuhiri (guests). (One of the guests may be invited to be the group ‘leader’ for the day.) He might carry a taiaha (spear) and lay down a small token, such as a small branch, which the leader of the manuhiri will pick up to show that they come in peace. Then kuia (women) from the tangata whenua perform a karanga (call or chant) to the manuhiri. Women from the manuhiri respond as they move onto the marae in front of their men.
Once inside the wharenui (meeting house) on the marae, mihimihi (greetings) and whaikorero (speeches) are made. To reinforce the good wishes expressed in the speeches, waiata (songs) are sometimes sung. The guests then usually offer a koha (present) to the hosts, after greeting them with a hongi, the ceremonial touching of noses. After the powhiri, hosts and guests may share kai (food).
Maori culture differs from Pâkehâ ways and there are a number of rules you should observe when socialising with them, including the following:
- Never touch a Maori’s head with your hands because the head is regarded as the most sacred part of the body.
- Maori find it offensive if people sit on a table where food has or will be served.
- You must be careful regarding the marae (see Chapter 2) and always obtain permission and remove your footwear before entering and refrain from chewing gum, drinking, eating or smoking.
- Obtain permission before photographing Maori buildings and Maori or Polynesian people.
- Polynesians tend to be modest, so avoid making too much eye contact.
- Don’t sit higher than a Polynesian as this is regarded as rude.
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PRICE: £9.95
PUBLICATION: January 2008
EDITION: 1st
PAGES: 232
BINDING: paperback
SIZE: 200 x 130mm
COLOUR PHOTOS: approx. 200
