New Zealand Culture Study

Allan Croad and May-Li Tsai

NZ6

New Zealand in May-Li’s eyes

• First visit in 2002• It is so spacious and green. Everything is in its intact,

primitive form as it’s been kept away from pollution but yet modernized.

• I was also surprised to see a lot of second-hand Japanese cars running around on open roads. Kiwis seem very happy with what they’ve got.

• This country is famous for not only the breathtaking scenery and landscapes, but also the blending of various cultures in such geographically isolated country. Polynesians, Maoris, Europeans and Asians all integrated together.

• As a foreigner (or a new immigrant), I see New Zealand as a pure outdoor paradise. Here we have native bush, alpine lakes, glaciers, beaches and volcanoes. Everyone can find their own niche within part of the nature.

• Often, my Asian friends ask me about what’s worth seeing in NZ. I always say, “the friendly people, fresh food and majestic scenery!”

Allan’s meaning of New Zealand Culture in the World

• My ancestors came to New Zealand 140 years ago and were predominately Scottish. Modern New Zealand society is a mix of cultures from Polynesia, Britain, Ireland, Europe and Asia as well as the Maori tangata whenua (original inhabitants).

• New Zealand is unique with its isolated position down-

under, surrounded by a vast ocean. We have unique wildlife such as the kiwi, local fauna and indigenous Maori people. The land holds a mix of stunning mountains and fiords, subtropical beaches as well as volcanoes.

• Like many Kiwis (New Zealanders), I have travelled and worked in Europe in my 20’s and enjoyed being immersed in European culture. Since the mid 90’s I have been a passionate exporter and regular international traveller. I feel great pride in not only marketing my own product to the world and marketing our country, but also significantly helping the economy.

Common discussion topics when abroad are:

• Social structure and history of immigration

• Maori language and NZ words

• Emphasising that we are not the same as Australia and there is 2000 km between us.

• The lifestyle opportunities and lack of congestion (Auckland Motorways are an exception)

•The All BlacksSupporting the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup last year.

All Black supporters against Scotland.It all turned bad after that.

•The diversity and beauty of the landscape

Bay of Islands

•Volcanoes and Earthquakes

The volcano, Mt Ruapehu from Waiouru where I first lived. The mountain erupted on the day of my birth in celebration.

•NZ contribution and sacrifices in WW1 and WW2

Many lost their lives on the Western Front in WW1 including 2 more of my great uncles.

As a Nation New Zealand made it’s presence felt and many paid the ultimate price for their courage at Gallipoli, Turkey in 1914. A family trip of remembrance of our Great Uncle.

Brief history of New Zealand

• Early Polynesians explorers: between 1100 and 1300 C.E . The country was then settled by Maori.

• First European: Dutchman Abel Tasman 1642• First Pakeha landed: James Cook 1769• Extensive European settlement : 1840• Gold rush: Chinese settlers in 1860s

Ethnic groups in NZ

• Maori 9.7%

• Europeans 78.3%

• Pacific Islanders 3.8% Includes Cook Islanders, Samoans, Tongans, Tokelauan

s, and Fijians.

• Asian and others 7.4%

NZ foods

Developed in New Zealand

• Pavlova

• Colonial Goose

• Pork and puha

• Hokey pokey ice cream

• Anzac biscuits

Developed elsewhere but an important part of New Zealand culinary culture

• Fish and chips• Hangi food • Roast lamb and mutton • Vegemite and Marmite• Scones• Lamingtons• The boil up• Meat pies

New Zealand Ways of Preparing Food

• The Maori Hangi

• The Barbeque

• The Picnic at the Beach

• Lighting a fire and cooking shell fish on the beach

• Fish Smoking

• and more

Other cultures’ food preparations and traditions

• The Asian Wok style of cooking

• The Plastic Oven Bag Cooking (I call this my plastic Hangi)

• The “Crock-Pot” – Slow Cooker

• Taiwanese Kiln Cooking

• And more

The Maori Hangi • A Hangi is a traditional Maori way of cooking food in the ground using hot rocks to

produce steam. • The rocks are heated on a wood fire and then deposited in the bottom of a dug out

pit. • Baskets of food wrapped in foil, wet clothes or leaves and then further covered with

wet sacks are placed in the pit. It is then sealed over with soil. • The water in the cloths and sacks turns to steam that is trapped under the soil and

cooks the food.

Other variations of the Hangi theme

• The Hangi Shop www.hangishop.co.nz

Delicious Hangi Meals:Pork, Chicken, Potato, Pumpkin, Kumara, Cabbage, Stuffing $11.00

Boilup Meals:Porkbone, Watercress, Potato, Kumara & doughboys $11.00

Brisket, Watercress, Potato, Kumara & doughboys $11.00

Extras:Steamed Pudding, custard & cream $ 4.00

Rewena Loaf $ 8.00Rewena Slice $ 1.00 ea

Fry Bread $ 1.00 ea

• The Eco Hangi www.eco-hangi.co.nz• The Eco-Hangi is an Economic and Environmentally Friendly

portable Hangi, made from re-cycling a 50 litre Stainless Steel Keg. It is a cooking option for Camping and Parties

• The Eco-Hangi contains Hangi, Hangi Rocks, Three (3) Bamboo Baskets, Towel, Single Ring Burner, Regulator, 4 kg LPG Bottle, Instructions for use

Observations of Hangi

The Hangi has some distinctive aspects such as; • Under ground• Wood smoke infused • Food is wrapped • Traditionally for large groups of people• Bound by ritual and tradition • Distinctive flavour and aroma• The actual cooking is done by men.• Cutting vegetables and serving can be done by women• The whole process is a very social affair usually involving

many people.

The Barbeque

•Associated with social activity and drinking on the patio, deck, veranda or lawn. •Kids have sausages on bread and the adults more sophisticated food. •An outdoor tradition •Men normally do the cooking •Women often do the salad preparation and setting up for serving•Modern BBQ has evolved and uses convenient gas bottle powered flames on a portable outdoor grill. •The older traditional method is using wood or charcoal fire contained beneath in an open outdoor grill.

Observation of NZ BBQ

Picnic at the Beach

Lighting a fire and cooking shell fish on the beach

Fish Smoking

The “Crock-Pot” – Slow Cooker (some similarities with the hangi)

The Plastic Oven Bag Cooking (a plastic Hangi)

The Asian Wok style of cooking

Taiwanese Kiln Cooking

Product Statement

• Design a food preparation system or related product, which is distinctively kiwi, but blends the diverse nature of New Zealand’s culture derived from its immigrants.