A Christmas Around the World Series wouldn’t be Christmas around the globe without including New Zealand. So this time, Fox Rent A Car takes without the long flight to the other side of the Pacific Ocean to discover how New Zealand celebrates Christmas.
Christmas in New Zealand: Traditions
The Christmas traditions in New Zealand are influenced by the UK traditions. Christmas Father is now referred as Santa Claus. The Maori culture shows in the helpers of Santa Claus: they are creatures and spirits, which represents the equivalent of the elves we have in the US. For the religious New Zealanders, there is a special service on Christmas Eve to celebrate Jesus’ birth. It is a tradition to send warm Christmas wishes to far away friends and family members. Though summer is the Christmas season, the cars depict winter scenes.
As a country part of the Commonwealth, New Zealand celebrate Christmas over 3 days: the 24th is Christmas eve, with the mass in church; the 25th is Christmas day that is celebrated with the family and extended family for lunch and exchange of presents; and the 26th is Boxing day, a day spend with family and friends to share food and friendship, but also to donate time and help to the ones that are in need.
Christmas is even celebrated twice a year in New Zealand. It is common in July to find hotels and stores decorated for Christmas…. That way, even in New Zealand, you can have a white Christmas!
Christmas in New Zealand: Decorations
Though Christmas is during summer time in New Zealand, Christmas is still associated to the snow season. You find the typical red and white Santa Claus and other “wintery” decoration in the streets. Stores decorate with fake snow and cotton, or even recreate snow scenes. They also use the same typical Christmas decorations we use here in the US. Families usually also have a tree. However, because Christmas is during the blooming season, the tree associated with Christmas in New Zealand is the pohutukawa. Houses are also decorated with Christmas lights.
Christmas in New Zealand: Food
As mentioned before, since Christmas happens during the summer, it is quite warm on Christmas Eve. So it is common to organize a barbecue at home or even celebrate on the beach. One typical way to cook Christmas Eve dinner is Maori Hangi. They make a hole in the sand and fill it with hot rocks. Then they put meat and veggies wrapped in banana leaves in the hole, cover it and let it cook. On Christmas day the main meal is served for lunch. There the British influence shows again. It is common to find roasted turkey with rich gravy and veggies. The typical Christmas dessert in New Zealand is a fruit pudding made with a brandy sauce. You can also find minced pies, fruit salads, meringue and ice cream.
Christmas in New Zealand: Songs and Celebrations
As early as November, the Christmas season takes over the cities and Christmas parades are organized. Marching bands take over the streets and bring the Christmas spirits. It is normal to see people gather and sing Christmas carols in the streets.
Families like to spend Christmas Eve together and sing Christmas carols after dinner.
Christmas in New Zealand: Presents
Presents are usually put under the tree and exchanged on Christmas morning. The typical wrapping paper colors are green and red. Children have a stacking hung at the bottom of their bed. Christmas Father fills it up with small gifts that they can open when they wake up. As Christmas is becoming more and more commercial, Christmas shopping for presents in New Zealand start as early as October.
As you can see, Christmas is very important in New Zealand and the British culture has strongly influenced various aspects of the New Zealand Christmas traditions. So what do you say, lets exchange our gloves and scarves for sunscreen and sand and an fun outdoor warm Christmas?
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