Welcome to New Zealand!
New Zealand is one of the cleanest and greenest countries with unique land of breathtaking scenery from craggy coastlines to golden beaches, lush rainforests to snow-capped mountains and bubbling volcanic pools, with equally thriving indigenous Maori culture. New Zealanders are generally very relaxed and hospitable. Respect those in New Zealand; learn the country’s culture and travel dos and donts will help you to blend in on your trip to New Zealand and make a wealth of thrilling experiences.
New Zealand Travel Taboo
Burial grounds were taboo; and in New Zealand a canoe which had carried a corpse was never afterwards used, but was drawn on shore and painted red.
New Zealand Travel Donts
- Do not smoke. Smoking is banned in pubs and restaurants as well as on public transport or in public buildings.
- Do not overstay your welcome.
- Do not tip, which is not customary in New Zealand. However, do tip if the services are outstanding.
- Do not make the “V for Victory” sign.
- Do not eat food until it has been blessed in Maori.
- Do not be late for an appointment, nor to make promises which you can’t keep or make exaggerated claims.
- Do not stand in the middle of the road and hold up traffic when taking pictures, watch out for cars.
- Do not wrap your gifts in red. Red is the taboo color in New Zealand.
- Do not touch the head and hair of others, especially of a chief, which are particularly taboo or sacred; to touch a man’s head is a gross insult.
New Zealand Travel Dos
- Do shake hands for greeting and keep eye contact during greetings. The first name is used after introductions.
- Do respect and enjoy the company of fellow members.
- Do dress conservatively and formally for business occasions. Dark suits with a conservative tie and white shirt for men. Suits, dresses, or skirts and blouses for women. Wear casual attire for informal occasions.
- Do open your gift upon receipt, and give gifts such as flowers, chocolate, liquor, or a book about your home country.
- Do bring your own beer (B.Y.O.) if invited to a barbecue. You may also be invited to bring your own meat or a salad.
- Do visit a marae, which is a sacred place that serves both social and religious purposes in Maori society. Do follow the lead for the protocol of welcoming and greeting in Maori.
- Do keep your hands above the table, but don’t put your elbows on the table. Put your fork and knife parallel on the plate with the handles facing to the right when you are done eating.
- Do understand that the word “kiwi” is not an offensive name when referring to New Zealanders. They will call themselves kiwis, too!
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Hi there, I am from New Zealand. There are some points on your “don’ts” list that are so mislead that I feel I must let you know.
It is absolutely fine to wrap gifts in red. We have NO taboo colours in this country.
It is ok to touch a man on the head. It is fine to touch the hair of others. I think this is a taboo in some other countries, not ours.
You do not need to wait for food to be blessed in Maori unless you are at a very formal ceremony at a Maori marae.
If it is a formal dinner, people will normally wait for guests to start eating first. Normally people do not eat until everyone has food infront of them. There are some Christians in New Zealand that like to say grace. Even so, New Zealanders will not be offended if someone does not do these things.
The very idea that these actions would cause offense is quite amusing. Sorry about that – they’re just wrong
Thought you should know
Jessica
This basic tips gives me a good starting info about what not and what should do in NZ.
thanks
Just to add to this:
– I’ve never had food blessed in Maori before (been here 17yrs)
– Red isn’t a taboo colour
– Touching peoples head and hair is just weird, but not bad taboo
Everything else is mostly true. 🙂
Adding as well
No sitting on tables
No hats on tables
No stepping over people
No bags on tables
That’s it
I agree with Amy’s comments above -those 3 pts are rubbish. May apply to Maori culture perhaps but they are only a small part of the population.
Red, touching anywhere above the shoulders, sitting, bags and hats on tables only applys to Maori culture. All of these are usually perfectly acceptable when not on a marae.