New Zealanders have a unique and dynamic culture, with European, Maori, Pacific and Asian influences. While in the 1950s rugby, (horse) racing and beer were said - only semi-jokingly - to underpin New Zealand culture, much has changed in the intervening years.
Maori are the tangata whenua (indigenous people of the land) of New Zealand and their culture is an integral part of New Zealand life. About 15% of the country's population of four and a bit million claims some Maori descent, and with birth rates higher than the national average, the proportion is growing. Maori is an official language of New Zealand, along with English, and Maoridom's influence on New Zealand society continues to grow, as does the influence of the diverse and growing Pacific Island and Asian communities.
Visitors to New Zealand are presented with many opportunities to experience Maori culture first-hand. The geo-thermal region of Rotorua in the North Island is just one place where tourists can enjoy Maori kai (food) cooked on hot stones underground as part of a traditional hangi. They can also enjoy a Maori powhiri (welcome), visit local marae (meeting houses), listen to kapa haka (traditional performances of song and dance) and relax in the popular thermal pools.
New Zealand's unique blend of Maori, Pacific, Asian and Pakeha cultures has given rise to a fresh, vibrant Pacific identity. The melting pot of Auckland is now the largest Polynesian city in the world, and also home to many thousands of South, Southeast and East Asian immigrants, making it far and away the country's most cosmopolitan centre.
From world-class opera singers such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to exciting Pacific and popular music scenes, or the talent of the theatrical spectacle that is the World of Wearable Arts, New Zealanders are exploring their artistic nature. The relative youth and isolation of the nation has led to artists developing a Pacific style seen nowhere else in the world.
Kiwi culture is about being innovative, independent and celebrating diversity. While there's no denying that rugby - and sport in general - is an intrinsic part of New Zealand culture, Kiwi culture also extends to food and wine, film and fashion, as well as the arts.
New Zealand's best-known fashion designers on the international stage - Karen Walker, World, Zambesi and Nom D - reflect just a fashionable fraction of the design talent blossoming in New Zealand.Kate Sylvester and Nicholas Blanchet are now well established, while up-and-comers Natalija Kucija and Tanya Carlson demonstrate youthful flair and urban sophistication.
New Zealand's most famous film production is undoubtedly Kiwi director
Peter Jackson's trilogy ‘The Lord of the Rings', filmed entirely in New
Zealand. But there is a long history of world-class film making in New
Zealand, dating back to such critically acclaimed films as ‘Vigil',
‘Utu', ‘Smash Palace', ‘Quiet Earth' and ‘Once were Warriors', to name
a few more recent examples.
Recent box office successes such as ‘King Kong', ‘World's Fastest
Indian' and ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' have again showcased
New Zealand's dramatic scenery and cemented its reputation as a world
class filming location. More films are presently in the making in New
Zealand or being planned.
Weta Workshops, the film production and special effects studio Jackson
used for his films, has gone on to produce groundbreaking work for film
productions from all over the world. Many overseas filmmakers have seen
the benefits of filming in a country that, despite its small
population, has a strong artistic talent base and comprehensive film
facilities utilising cutting-edge technology.
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