May 17, 2012

Posts Comments

You are here: Home / Archives for NZ Culture

Join the Celebration of Rugby

October 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Supporting the All Blacks at Rugby World Cup 2011I never was a sport enthusiast or a fan of any team. As a child I used to watch basketball games with my dad; this was the only time I was allowed to stay up late and it was fun but I never thought I’ll find myself shouting at the screen.

I didn’t know much about Rugby until moving to New Zealand. At first it looked like a strange game to me. Why are they passing the ball backwards? Why are they jumping on top of each other? What is the bunch of sweaty man holding each other is trying to do? The kids were the ones to bring Rugby fever to our house and the All Blacks game against France found the entire family watching the special version of the Haka (and running to the computer to read a bit about it), feeling proud to be New Zealanders and supporting this great team, and then shouting loud with each try.

New Zealand have been preparing for this event in the past four years. The excitement and buzz is everywhere. From school kids having a mufti day wearing black to the flags on cars driving around. Whenever you visit New Zealand you will notice this country is Rugby enthusiast, but now you will feel it more than ever.

The Celebration Begins

Four years of hard work aiming at the opening ceremony at Eden Park on 11 Spetember 2011. No obstacle on the way, including the 22 February 2011 devastating earthquake in Christchurch, which forced all of us to face the hard truth our great Rugby supporting city will not be able to host the games, stopped New Zealand from putting together the best show in town.


Fast Tube by Casper

The opening ceremony was spectacular and brought tears to my eyes when the kid player, wearing Canterbury’s red and black jersey went on the field. “Go for Christchurch my friend” said All Black legend Jonah Lomu. You can’t get more emotional than that.

At the start of every game, the All Blacks are performing a Haka.

What is the Haka?

The Haka have become a cultural symbol of New Zealand. Many people see the Haka as a war dance which is understandable as many have seen the haka performed by the All Blacks as a pre-match challenge. But where did the Haka really came from?

The short version of the legend that reflects Maori heritage tells the story of Te Rauparaha, Ngati Toa warrior chief, who was chased by members of Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato tribes. Te Rauparaha sought refuge at the pa of Te Wharerangi. Te Wharerangi was reluctant to give shelter to Te Rauparaha, but nevertheless he hid him in a kumara pit. When Te Rauparaha emerged from the pit he performed Ka Mate. The haka he did was about survival.

The All Blacks Taking Up the Haka

In 1905, the All Blacks performance of the Haka in Britain got the ball rolling. Though more of a pre-match entertainment then a challenge to the other team, it got the Haka really popular to the point where Kiwi kids perform it at school.

In the 1970s the All Blacks team was doing a pakeha version of Ka Mate. Spot the difference…


Fast Tube by Casper

No other international sporting team possesses a pre-match ritual as powerful as the All Blacks’ Haka. In 2005 a new haka was unveiled before a match against South Africa. Kapa o Pango written by Derek Llardelli, an expert Haka composer from the Ngati Porou tribe, is more specific to the rugby team and referring to the warriors in black and the silver fern. High profile matches, one such was 24 September 2011 match against France, will see the Kapa o Pango being performed by the All Blacks players. This Haka created a debate when it was first introduced but once you dig deeper into the cultural meaning and context it can be fully understood.


Fast Tube by Casper

Stadium of Four Million

This is the motto of the locations the games are being played at. The geographical spread reflects the desire to make the tournament a nationally supported event. As Kiwis we support the All Blacks (or I will be expelled from my own home by my own children!) but across New Zealand the warm kiwi hospitality is embracing all the participating teams and their supporters. We want to be part of the fun and to be there in case history was made. Our Stadium of four million have come alive. Will you join us?

Filed Under: NZ Culture Tagged With: , ,

Kiwis Can Sing

June 24, 2011 By 3 Comments

Kiwis since making the decision not to use their wings might not know how to fly, but this small country sure knows how to sing!
When I moved to New Zealand I was surprised to find out just how many world known bands and singers are Kiwis and I also got to know a few local favourites which are a welcomed addition to our collection.
The New Zealand music is an expression of the country’s culture. New Zealand  music is a influenced by Māori roots and British upbringing with contributions from Europe and America. As New Zealand established its own unique culture, artists combined these styles to create music that is distinctively New Zealand.

Bic Runga

Shamefully I have to admit I first got to know Bic Runga’s singing when I went to Leonard Cohen concert in November. Shamefully as she is local to Christchurch. Her first solo album, Drive, debuted at number one on the New Zealand Recording Industry Association charts. Since then she has become one of the highest-selling New Zealand artists. Her songs made their way to films such as American Pie, Cruel Intentions and My Wedding and Other Secrets.


Fast Tube by Casper

The Feelers

Christchurch must be a hot pot for New Zealand bands and singers, as rock band The Feelers was formed here in 1990. Their first album, Supersystem, went to number 1 in September 1998. They won Album of the Year, Song Writer of the Year (James Reid), Band of the Year, and Producer of the Year (Malcolm Welsford) at the New Zealand Music Awards in 1999. The Feelers have a very distinctive sound to their songs and our favourite is One World (no wonder there). On March 2010 the Feelers released a cover version of the Jesus Jones hit Right Here, Right Now as the anthem to the 2011 Rugby World Cup advertising campaign.

Fast Tube by Casper

Midnight Youth

A more recent band, formed in 2006, and gaining popularity in New Zealand and internationally is Midnight Youth. They hit the ground with their first single release, The Letter, which was the #1 most played New Zealand song on radio. The album, The Brave Don’t Run, reflect their diverse musical influences and experiences, and takes you on a journey of joy, despair, youth, loss and hope.


Fast Tube by Casper

Opshop

If you have recently watched TV in New Zealand you will recognize this song from the NZ Post commercials. Another Christchurch raised songwriter, Jason Kerrison, based himself in Auckland writing music. Growing tired of the solo shows and coming across friends from the past, Opshop was established. Will they hit the international scene? Time will tell.


Fast Tube by Casper

The Mutton Birds

The fact that kiwis can sing might not be well known, but the support of Greenpeace is. In 2005, an all-star line-up of New Zealand artists collaborated to re-record the song Anchor Me as a charity-fundraising to mark the twentieth anniversary of the bombing of Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow Warrior.
The Mutton Birds was formed in 1991 by Don McGlashan, Ross Burge, and David Long. They all had previous music career experience and their album remained on the charts for over a year. Anchor Me won NZ’s top songwriting prize.


Fast Tube by Casper

Dave Dobbyn

I could say he is a kiwi icon being one of the most significant New Zealand musicians with more songwriting awards than any other New Zealander and with Loyal voted as the 3rd-best New Zealand song of the 20th century. Dobbyn’s success came first with rock band Th’ Dudes and DD Smash after that. His successful solo career started with writing the soundtrack music for the animated feature film Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale. The hit Slice of Heaven was so successful it is jokingly referred to the song as the New Zealand second National anthem.

In 2002 Team New Zealand chose Loyal to front its campaign to defend the America’s Cup yachting trophy.


Fast Tube by Casper

And the beautiful kid in the photo? oh, he has nothing to do with kiwi music (so far and apart from being a great fan of The Feelers) but after showcasing his brother I had to find a spot for him as well :-)

Did you know these Kiwi artists? What’s your favourite New Zealand music?

Filed Under: NZ Culture Tagged With:

5 Funny Commercials in New Zealand

June 8, 2011 By 2 Comments

I love TV commercials. I am an advertiser worst nightmare as I never buy as a result but I love watching and I love laughing though sometimes I wonder whether the ads were designed to be amusing. If you are looking for a fun way to learn about New Zealand’s culture, here are 5 of the funniest commercials in NZ.

L&P Stubbies World Famous in New Zealand

The famous TV ad promoting the iconic New Zealand mineral drink, L&P. The ad featured and iconic Australian shorts brand, Stubbies, in a 1970s style ad.


Fast Tube by Casper

Pineapple Lumps

You probably wonder, what on earth is Pineapple Lumps? Being unique to New Zealand if you haven’t been here you wouldn’t know. it is a flavoured chocolate covered confectionery with a soft, chewy pineapple-flavoured middle. Back in 1935 (first year sold) who would have thought a goofy flavour combination of Pineapple and Chocolate could work so brilliantly? Well, the kiwis did and it became such an icon it is now identified as kiwiana.


Fast Tube by Casper

DIY it’s in our DNA

Kiwis are famous for their ingenuity and pioneering spirit. If you walk around the suburbs on the weekend, especially on a sunny weekend, you will see this spirit in work. It looks like the entire country is one big DIY job. This ad represents the spirit, the language and a mention of the famous rival with the neighbour across the ditch.


Fast Tube by Casper

Tui Beer – Brewed by Gorgeous Women

NZ is famous for a lot of things. One of them is that its beer is brewed by gorgeous women. Well, at least according to this Tui Beer ad. It’s funny because of the use of all the male-female stereotypes. So take it as it is.


Fast Tube by Casper

Togs vs Undies

Saved the best for last. This is probably the funniest TV ad I have seen until now. By the time you finish laughing you can’t recall what is the product this ad promotes! Tip Top ice cream is another kiwi icon. In this ad, Tip Top help simplify the answer to the question – When does a speedo become underwear?


Fast Tube by Casper

PS. The kid in the photo (all rights reserved…) has got nothing to do with this post (apart from being my son) but I knew no one can resist this smile.

What is your favourite New Zealand commercial? Share your laughs with us

Filed Under: NZ Culture Tagged With:

A Rough Guide To Kiwi Slang

January 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Immigrating to a new country is a hard task. Not only you have to leave behind your family and friends, but you also leave behind all the small details that together is what you call your life. Then you arrive in a new country, which you think you know something about, only to find out you know nothing, and that you only thought they speak English in this country.

My first encounter with the kiwi accent was when I went to buy our sons lunch boxes for pre-school (ha! actually even knowing it is called pre-school was a hard learned lesson). I went into K-Mart and asked the first enthusiastic girl I found where I can find those. ‘Go straight down that isle, then take the lift and it’s there.’ So I was going down the isle and was looking for the lift (eg elevator). It wasn’t until I did the round three times that I realised she was actually saying ‘LEFT’.

It didn’t take long before I got used to the kiwi accent in which every hair is ‘here’ and yes is ‘yis.’ It took me longer to de-code the slang. How come all these people have an uncle named Bob? Don’t these people ever eat? They always have tea, though. Not all kiwis use more slang than English words, but when you stumble upon one that does you end up using the most common phrase of all – ‘hmmmmm ‘ (eg I have no idea what you are saying but I’m over asking for the fourth explanation). So, in order for you travelling down under not going looking for the cow when a local is asking you to go and grab some milk from the dairy, here is a rough guide to some of the used words and phrases in New Zealand, brought to you in no particular order.

  • eh –pronounced ‘ay’ compulsory addition to the end of a rhetorical question. Often used instead of what or pardon. ‘That was a good barbie, eh?’
  • ie – this is added to the end of shortened words.
  • No worries – No problem. Probably the most known slang, which is also a characteristic of the kiwi way of life.
  • Bloke – The common man, the ordinary guy in the street.
  • Bob’s your uncle – Typically used to conclude a set of simple instructions to mean “and there you have it.”
  • Mate – buddy, friend. Can be used even with strangers.
  • Good on ya mate – Well done my friend
  • Cheers – Often used instead of ‘thank you’
  • Cuppa – cup of tea (or in my case, coffee).
  • Dairy – Convenience store, sometimes called ‘the corner dairy’
  • She’ll be right – everything will be ok
  • Does the trick – meaning doing it’s job. A recent TV ad used it to say that the 15 year old TV is still doing its job.
  • Dag – the real thing is a piece of dried up sheep dung attached to the sheep’s bum but in kiwi slanf it is used to describe a hard case character.
  • Sweet as – it’s all good.
  • Footy – Rugby, the national obsession.
  • Jandals – the rubber sandals known elsewhere as thongs or flip-flops.
  • Tiki tour -driving around taking the scenic route.
  • Tomato sauce – sometimes kiwis use more words to describe what elsewhere is known as Ketchup.
  • Drop in it – to get someone into trouble.
  • Good as gold – used to say good job, well done, not a problem and also the plane simple yes.
  • Ta – thanks
  • Winge – complain
  • Loo – toilet or bathroom
  • Long drop – outdoor toilet built over hole in ground
  • Yonks – a long time as in ‘I haven’t seen him in yonks’
  • Tea – dinner
  • Morning/afternoon tea – a short 10-15 minutes break
  • Hard case – Someone who has heaps of personality, may do unusual things but basically is a witty person.

I know there are heaps (oh, there you go, here’s another one) more slang words and phrases kiwis use which I can’t think about at the moment, so if you have come across one you would like to share (could go along a funny story) please do so.

Filed Under: NZ Culture Tagged With: ,

Why Do We Celebrate Labour Day?

November 2, 2010 By 1 Comment

Did you know New Zealand workers were among the first in the world to claim the right to 8 hour work day? I didn’t. But that did not stop me from celebrating Labour Day for the past 6 years since arriving in New Zealand ;-)

On our day to day life we tend to take things for granted, not thinking it was not long ago when people did not enjoy the freedom, the options and the rights we can enjoy today. In my post, A cup of coffee a day is all it takes, I mentioned this, and when planning a post about how we celebrated Labour Day I thought it will be good to do a small research to have a better understanding of the origin of this day .

Samuel Parnell, a carpenter from Wellington was the first one in 1840 to win this right. He arrived to NZ in 1840 and was offered a job by George Hunter, a shipping agent who was looking to build a shop. Parnell’s response has entered New Zealand folklore, and sets the ground for our way of life today, where the time for our recreation is of equal importance:

“I will do my best, but I must make this condition, Mr. Hunter, that on the job the hours shall only be eight for the day … There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation and in which for men to do what little things they want for themselves. I am ready to start tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, but it must be on these terms or none at all.”

The idea of reducing the hours of work was out in the air; It was discussed among the emigrants on the ships bringing them to New Zealand, and was carried into practice upon their arrival. The determination of Samuel Parnell and others, who will be later known in history as humanitarian thinkers, was translated into the practicality of an 8 hour work day.

The first Labour Day was celebrated on 28th October 1890. The celebrations aimed to raise the profile of the union movement and also had a political purpose – pressing for the wider adoption of fair working hours. But despite the efforts and increasing pressure from unionists on the government to legislate an eight hour day for all workers, New Zealanders are still not universally entitled to an eight hour working day by right of law, which is a frustrating thought in the country who was first to give women the right to vote.

Returning to the begining of my post, we took our tribe and went to the Groynes. Is there a better way to celebrate Labour Day day then to going out and celebrate our right to recreational time?

The great thing about the Groynes is you have it all in one place: a wonderful playground,

walking tracks

wide picnic area and space for all kinds of outdoor activities, including kayaking.

How do you celebrate Labour Day? What do you think about the holiday and it’s origin? Leave a comment below and start a conversation.

Filed Under: NZ Culture Tagged With: , ,

A Cup Of Coffee A Week Is All It Takes

October 24, 2010 By 3 Comments

Usually I’m the one taking the kids out from school. As the internet does not have a preference as to where I’m connected from, be it the office or home, my partner’s hoist and water blaster do, so I’m the one to go home early. Once in a while it happens that the hoist and water blaster take a day off and my partner joyfully finishes the day early and enjoy the afternoon with the kids.

On one such occasion when I came home I found the kids entertaining Michelle, a lovely young woman who just came to live in Christchurch, and her first job here brought her to our doorstep. Michelle works for ‘Save the Children‘ and she came to ask our help.

Michelle introduced us to a few facts which made us appreciate not only how lucky we are to live where we live, but also to have been born where we have been born.

One can not choose where to be born, but in today’s world that is the first factor which will have the most significant influence on the choices one will have and the ability to even have a choice.

While we think of where to travel to, whether we should buy the kids the next hot thing or what to have for dinner, people on this planet hope to have enough strength and a lot more luck to live to see another day. While we consider which is the best primary school to send our children to, there are kids in our world who will never see the inside of a classroom. While we debate about the anti smacking law there are children in this world who suffer daily abuse.

Together with Michelle we calculated a donation of the eqvivalent of one cup of coffee a week can help bring children around the world clean water, give them better healthcare and teach them to read and write.

For each of us it’s a small token; for each of the child who will benefit from this token it’s the world.

RCM5KDM9ZYNK

Filed Under: NZ Culture

Say NO to minimg in our National Parks

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Recently the New Zealand government has announced its plans to remove Schedule 4 protection from New Zealand’s conservation estate to enable mining to take place.

Usually I don’t mix business with politics, but this announcement has an impact on our business as much as it has effect on other aspects of our life here in New Zealand, so I felt I have to do something. Apart from signing my submission to the proposal, I have decided to put a post on this blog. The more people join the call to put a stop to this proposal, the better chances we have.

Apart from New Zealand’s clean and green international reputation we so strongly emphasize in the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign, we also need to think about the legacy we are leaving for generations to come.

Mankind should stop thinking we can exploit the earth and not bare the consequences. The days when mankind did not realize the full extent of its actions are long gone. We are aware of the numerous species of plants and animals which do not longer exist because of what our ancestors have done. Conservation projects are making an enormous effort to save the animals and the plants which are endangered in an effort to prevent us from loosing more of the natural life surrounding us. How much more damage do we need to cause before we will realize we are not leaving anything valuable for our children?

I join the call to Mr John Key, our Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, to offer us an economic vision for the 21st century that plays to the strength of our clean and green reputation and meets the challenges of climate change.

Please join the call to say NO to mining in our National Parks.

Filed Under: NZ Culture Tagged With: , ,