Today, let us take a deeper look into New Zealand and see what has it to offer us. I will be sharing with you more on the the indigenous group - the Maoris and how their culture has become an influence in the daily lives of the people in New Zealand.
Overview of New ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses, the North Island and the South Island, and numerous smaller islands. The majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent with the indigenous Maori as the largest minority; followed by Asians and non- Maori Polynesians.
New Zealand is one of the most recently settled major landmasses. The first known settlers were the Eastern Polynesians who arrived by canoe in about AD 1250 -1300 according to most researchers. Over the following centuries, these settlers developed in to a distinct culture now known as Maori.
Languages
The official languages of New Zealand are English, Maori and Sign language. Maori became an official language in 1987 and New Zealand was the first country to declare Sign language as an official language in April 2006. The Te reo Maori is the native language which is related to Tahitian and Hawaiian and is only used in New Zealand.
Education
New Zealand's academic model was developed after the British system and qualifications earned in a New Zealand education institute can be used around the world. They also have the credit base system for grading purposes. The education model can be seen below:
New Zealand has 8 major universities spread across the north and south islands that offers degrees in the arts and humanities, business and the sciences. The academic year for universities usually begin late February and ends in October. Just like polytechnics in Singapore, the academic years are split into 2 semesters and students get to enjoy a 2 week break in the middle of the semester as well as a 6 week break at the end of the year. Not forgetting, New Zealand also offers specialized courses in polytechnics.
Festivals
There are many festivals that can be found throughout New Zealand and these festivals ranges from musical performances to the adventurous sports race. Instead of listing all the festivals, I will share with you on the more popular ones that you might be interested to know:
The Maori
History
Maori culture & traditionsEducation
New Zealand's academic model was developed after the British system and qualifications earned in a New Zealand education institute can be used around the world. They also have the credit base system for grading purposes. The education model can be seen below:
Education Level | Year | Age |
Primary School | 1 | 5 |
2 | 6 | |
3 | 7 | |
4 | 8 | |
5 | 9 | |
6 | 10 | |
7 | 11 | |
8 | 12 | |
Secondary School | 9 | 13 |
10 | 14 | |
11 | 15 | |
12 | 16 | |
13 | 17 | |
14 | 18 |
New Zealand has 8 major universities spread across the north and south islands that offers degrees in the arts and humanities, business and the sciences. The academic year for universities usually begin late February and ends in October. Just like polytechnics in Singapore, the academic years are split into 2 semesters and students get to enjoy a 2 week break in the middle of the semester as well as a 6 week break at the end of the year. Not forgetting, New Zealand also offers specialized courses in polytechnics.
Festivals
There are many festivals that can be found throughout New Zealand and these festivals ranges from musical performances to the adventurous sports race. Instead of listing all the festivals, I will share with you on the more popular ones that you might be interested to know:
- Waitangi Day Celebrations, New Zealand
- Ninety Mile Beach Lion Red Snapper Classic Event, New Zealand
- The Great New Zealand Trek Event, New Zealand
- New Zealand International Sevens, New Zealand
- Stroke & Stride Series, New Zealand
- Wild foods Festival, New Zealand
- Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival, New Zealand
The Maori
HistoryMaori, one of the longest surviving indigenous people of New Zealand and they are Polynesians (Native of Polynesia). It is believed that the Maori migrated from Polynesia in canoes around the 9th century to 13th century AD. Today, the Maori population is at least 653,100 which is about 15% of the total population of 4.32 million in New Zealand.(estimated figures as of June 2009). Maori lives in all parts of New Zealand, but mostly in the North Islands where the climate is warmer.
The pictures below show the Maori tribes residing in the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
Resources taken from : http://databook.co.nz/factfile/MaoriTribes.pdf
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| The All Blacks, New Zealand's rugby team performing the haka |
New Zealand's Culture and traditions is very diverse and is partly influenced by the Maori cultures. Before the whites came into New Zealand, all literature in Maori were orally passed down to succeeding generations. Some of which included many legends and songs (waiata). The "Haka", which is a war dance would be today's most recognized traditions passed down. The Haka is a dance that is performed before the onset of war by the Maori last century; however, the Haka dance today is performed before every game by the All Blacks, New Zealand's Rugby Team. There is a common misunderstanding that the Haka dance is just war dance. However, this dance may also be performed for visiting dignitaries or to honor local heroes, but they are used to celebrate great occasions or achievements within a group. Another form of the Haka dances known as the Kapahaka includes their female counterparts performing in it.
Another prominent feature of Maori culture are the striking tattoos that were worn on the faces of the Maori people. The full faced tattoo also known as "Moko" in the Maori tribe is mainly an activity for the males. The female version of the moko were restricted to the chin area, the upper lips and the nostrils. The Moko is similar to an identity among the tribes. For men, it shows their rank, status and ferocity. Maori people can tell the position of power and authority a Maori man is holding just by looking at the Moko. For an example, the chief of the tribe will wear a full faced Moko and a dog cloak and is immediately identified as a person of authority, being in charge of warriors. The traditional process of the Moko is generally a painful one as a bone chisel was used to engrave the marking. Not to mention that this form of culture is starting to disappear. However, in order to preserve this form of culture and their identity, the Maori people of today are choosing to receive their Moko.
The Moko (tattoo) generally has the following significance :
Upper forehead = rank
a) The left and right areas, above the eyes = position
b) The left and right areas, just beneath the eyes = genealogy
c) The far left and right areas, leading to the ear = marriage(s)
d) Left and right areas, between the nose and lips = signature
e) The left and right areas, just under the ear = profession
f) The left and right areas of the chin = power and standing
g) The left and right areas leading onto the neck = position at birth
Another culture of the Maori is the traditional form of cooking called a Hangi, known as a feast cooked in the earth. Stones are heated in a fire inside 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 but in a more modern way. The unique taste of food cooked in a Hangi can best be described as steamed food with an earthen flavour.Maori Celebrations
Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed what is New Zealand’s founding document. The day was first officially commemorated in 1934, and it has been a public holiday since 1974.
For some people, Waitangi Day is a holiday; for many, and especially for Maori, it is the occasion for reflecting on the Treaty. Since the 1970s the style and mood of the commemorations on Waitangi Day have been influenced by the increasingly heated debate surrounding the place of the Treaty in modern New Zealand.
Waitangi Day is recognised as New Zealand's national day, but the long-standing tensions associated with it are always likely to surface in one form or another. The date is an important marker in the country's history. Recognition of the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi as the nation's founding document will continue to encourage leaders, communities and individuals to mark the day in new ways.
(Waitangi Day, URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/waitangiday-introduction, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 17-Jan-2010)
Matariki (Maori New Year)
Matariki is the Maori name for the group of stars also known as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. The Maori New Year is marked by the rise of Matariki and the sighting of the next new moon. Matariki events are held throughout New Zealand depending on the local Iwi (tribes) and geography.Matariki is also associated with the winter solstice and Matariki is celebrated at mid-winter with the stars set to align this year on 14th June 2010. Special celebrations around the country include:
- A Matariki Gourmet Hangi, hosted by popular Kiwi celebrity chef Peter Gordon who is of Māori descent, is a Matariki highlight. (The hangi is a traditional Māori way of cooking food in an earth oven).
- Northland Fire Shows by the community circus featuring fire sculptures, unicycling and pipe bands.
- Plus festivals throughout New Zealand featuring kapa haka, education, kite workshops, art displays, Maori kai (food) stalls, star-gazing and storytelling.
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