1. THE NEW ZEALAND
CULTURE
Presented by Kelli Pfau, Ryan Shearon,
Martin Smith, Katherine Spencer, Deandrea Walker,
Linda VanRavenswaay
May 29, 2012

2. PRESENTATION TOPICS
NEW ZEALAND
 Geography (Ryan Shearon)
 History & Politics (Martin Smith)
 Rituals (Katherine Spencer)
 Music & Art (Deandrea Walker)
 Religion (Kelli Pfau)
GOAL OF PRESENTATION: Share information about facets of life in New
Zealand by exploring the history of the people and their customs. Discuss first
inhabitants of the island – Maori tribes - with special emphasis on both verbal and
non-verbal communication concepts of appearance, diversity and cultural values.
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3. GEOGRAPHY OF NEW ZEALAND
Auckland on North Island - largest city in the country
Ryan Shearon
3 Group Project #5

4. NEW ZEALAND: North and South Island
Physical Geography
 LOCATION: South Pacific Ocean, roughly 1,250 mi
southeast of Australia
 New Zealand runs roughly north-south, with mountain
ranges down much of its length.
 SIZE: 268,680 sq. km (about the size of Colorado).
 POPULATION: 4,367,800 est. (World Book 2012) (about 80%
of people live in cities)
 POPULATION GROWTH RATE: 1.02%
 CLIMATE: Temperate, with sharp regional contrasts.
 Different regions can range from tropical to Antarctic.
 TERRAIN: Predominately mountainous with some large
coastal plains.
 CAPITAL: Wellington
 LIFE EXPECTENCY: 78.66 years. Male-75.67
years, Female-81.78 years.
 NATURAL RESOURCES: Natural gas, iron
ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone.3
 ISLANDS: North Island and South Island as well as: Stewart
Island, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty
Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec

5. NEW ZEALAND: North and South Island
Facts
 It is not unlikely to experience all 4 seasons in one day in most
regions of New Zealand.( new-zealand-nz.net)
 Christchurch is considered to be the driest area, located in the
South Island.
 Auckland is considered to be the wettest area, located in the
North Island.
 Before the arrival of the Maori (1,000 years ago), 80% of New
Zealand was covered with forests.
 This was home to many, now extinct, animals such as the
Moa (first inhabitants; large flightless bird) and the CHRISTCHURCH
Haast‟s Eagle.
 The Kiwi, Kakapo, and the Takahe are considered as endanger
and unique to New Zealand.
 There are no known snakes unique to New Zealand but one
spider:
 The Katipo: venomous, quite rare, and found on costal
regions.
 North and South Islands separated by the Cook Straight.
 New Zealand‟s unique landscape and variety of landforms is
due to its position atop the grinding plates of the pacific Rim AUCKLAND RAINFOREST
of Fire. (newzealand.com)

6. NEW ZEALAND: NORTH ISLAND
 Consists of nine regions:
 Auckland, Northland, Gisborne, Bay of
Plenty, Waikato, Manawatu-Wanganui, Hawke's
Bay, Wellington, and Taranaki. (new-zealand-nz.net)
 Almost 90% of Maoris live on the North Island.
 Particularly around Northland, Auckland and
Waikato.
 Relatively sub-tropical climate.
 receives more than 2,000 hours of sunshine a year.
WAIOTAPU THERMAL AREA
 Temperature hovers at an average of 11º C.
 Considered the 14th largest island in the world.
 Population around 3,000,000.
 With the rest of New Zealanders living on the
South Island.
 Home to New Zealand‟s capital: Wellington.
 The most culturally diverse city in New Zealand.
 Home to the longest river: The Waikato (425km long)
 Home to the largest lake: Lake Taupo
 Positioned above a geothermal system, causing heat to
rise up and manifest in the form of bubbling mud
pools, hot springs, and volcanoes. MAORI FAMILY
(blog.hostelbookers.com)

7. NEW ZEALAND: SOUTH ISLAND
“Te Wai Paunamu,” meaning “the water of
greenstone (Maori new-zealand-nz.net).
 The South Island has seven regions:
 Marlborough, Canterbury, Nelson, Otag
o, Southland, Tasman, and the West
Coast.
 Considered the Worlds twelfth largest island
(151,215 sq. km).
 Home to New Zealand's biggest mountain:
 Mt. Cook. FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
 Two-thirds of the South Island is
mountainous (newzealand.com).
 South Island has 21 ski fields where as the
North Island has only 4
(blog.hostelbookers.com).
 Home to nine of New Zealand‟s fourteen
national parks.
 Home to all 10 of New Zealand‟s highest
mountains (including Mt. Cook).
 Home to New Zealand‟s five largest glaciers.
 Home to 4 of New Zealand‟s 5 largest lakes
PANCAKE ROCKS AT PAPAROA
 Home to roughly ¼ of New Zealanders.
NATIONAL PARK

8. HISTORY & POLITICS OF
NEW ZEALAND
Maori people arrived in New Zealand from
eastern Polynesia
Captain James Cook
Martin Smith
8 Group Project #5

9. HISTORICAL TIMELINE
 800 AD - Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand.
 1642 – Dutch explorer, Abel Janszoon Tasman, sails into New Zealand
waters. Encounter between Māoris and Europeans is violent, leading to
bloodshed
 1769 - British captain James Cook explores coastline, also in 1773 and 1777
 1815 - First British missionaries arrive
 1840 - Treaty of Waitangi between British and several Maori tribes pledges
protection of Maori land and establishes British law in New Zealand.
 1845-72 - The New Zealand Wars, also referred to as the Land Wars. Maori
put up resistance to British colonial rule
 1893 - New Zealand becomes world's first country to give women the vote.
 1907 - New Zealand becomes dominion within British Empire
 1947 - New Zealand gains full independence from Britain
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10. POLITICAL HISTORY
 1853 - House of Representatives‟ first 37 members are elected
 1854 - First Parliament meets in Auckland
 1876 - Provinces are abolished, leaving central government as the single
legislative authority. Hundreds of local bodies soon came into being.
 1893 - Universal suffrage is introduced for women aged over 21 (including
Māori). New Zealand becomes the first self-governing country to grant
the right to vote to all adult women.
 1901 - Commonwealth of Australia is established. New Zealand has
declined on several occasions to become a member.
 1902 - New Zealand adopts its official national flag.
 1953 - New Zealand‟s name changes in official usage to the „Realm of
New Zealand‟
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11. NEW ZEALAND
RITUALS
Anzac Day Poppy
Powhiri: Maori Man and Woman
Traditional Dress Katherine Spencer
11 Group Project #5

12. POWHIRI
THE MAORI WELCOME
 Ceremony of welcome involving speeches, dancing, singing
 Spiritual or religious journey where gods, heaven and earth are
acknowledged, ancestors remembered and kinship ties reinforced
 Commonly seen in everyday New Zealand life
 Signifies two groups coming together, negotiating the terms of their
engagement and finishing with guests joining their hosts as one
 Can happen anywhere that tangata whenua (hosts) wish to formally
greet manuhiri (visitors)
 Frequently takes place in the workplace to welcome new staff
and important guests
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13. POWHIRI
BASIC ELEMENTS
Ceremony may vary according to the Occasion and the Tribal Area
Basic Pōwhiri includes the following elements:
 Karanga is a unique form of female oratory in which women bring a range of
imagery and cultural expression to the first calls of welcome (and response).
Important role of women during the Powhiri reflects the sacredness of their
role within Maori culture.
 Whaikōrero (formal speeches) follows the karanga. Skilled speakers craft the
language into a series of verbal images. Protocols for whaikōrero during
pōwhiri are determined by the kawa (practices) of the marae or local iwi if
the Pōwhiri is not held on a marae.
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Women performing Karanga

14. POWHIRI BASIC ELEMENTS
(CONT)
 Waiata (song) is sung after each whaikōrero by the group the orator represents.
Common to hear traditional waiata during Pōwhiri.
 Koha (gift) - generally an envelope of money - is laid on the ground by the last
speaker for the manuhiri. Local kuia (female elder) may karanga as an
expression of thanks. A male from the tangata whenua will pick up the koha.
 Hongi (pressing of noses) signifies the joining together of tangata whenua and
manuhiri. Tangata whenua invite the manuhiri to come forward to shake hands
(hariru) and hongi.
 Hākari (feast) - a shared meal - usually signifies the end of the Pōwhiri.
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15. ANZAC DAY CEREMONY – APRIL 25
Military funeral - Filled with Solemnity and Symbolism
 Uniformed service personnel standing motionless around a memorial,
with heads bowed and weapons reversed
 Bier of wreaths laid by the mourners
 Chaplain reading the words from the military burial service
 Firing of three volleys
 Playing of the Last Post
 Followed by a prayer, hymn, and benediction
Red Poppy – Symbol of Remembrance
 People of all ages wear a red poppy as a mark of remembrance for the
men and women who died in the course of service for their country
 Poppies are a vivid reminder of the sacrifice - the blood lost - in war.
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16. NEW ZEALAND
MUSIC & ART
Pūtōrino Wind
Instrument
Wood Carving Tattoo Art
Deandrea Walker
16 Group Project #5

17. ART
New Zealand Art includes traditional Maori - developed
from Polynesian art forms. Recent forms take their
inspiration from Māori, European and other traditions.
Maori visual art consists primarily of four forms:
 Carving - done in three media – wood, bone, and stone
 Tattooing - permanent body and face marking
 Weaving - used to create numerous things, including wall panels in
meeting houses, as well as clothing and bags (kete)
 Painting - not an important art form. Used mainly as a minor
decoration in meeting houses
Introduction of European paints allowed traditional painting
to flourish - brighter and more distinct colors could be
produced
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Maori Art

18. PERFORMANCE ART
Kapa haka - term used to describe Maori performance art
 Incorporates singing, dancing and facial expressions
 Every action has a meaning, which ties to the words
Songs (waiata) are sung solo, in unison or at the octave
 Include lullabies (oriori), love songs (waitata aroha) and laments (waiāta
tangi)
Traditional to end a speech with a song
 Smaller, traditional wind instruments used by Māori provided a unique
sound
 The poi (swinging tethered weights through a variety of rhythmical and
geometric patterns) provided a rhythmic accompaniment to waiāta
European missionary influence led to the harmonization that
characterizes modern Māori music today
18 Kapa haka Ceremony

19. INSTRUMENTS – TAONGA PUORO
Traditional musical instruments of the Maori people fulfilled many functions
including a call to arms, dawning of the new day, communications with the
gods and the planting of crops. Significant in sacred ritual and story-telling role.
 Koauau - small flute, ductless and notchless – made of wood or bone
 Putorino - carved from a solid piece of wood, split in half lengthwise,
hollowed out like two small waka and lashed together with flax cord or
similar substitute for binding
 Nguru - small vessel flute made of wood, soapstone or bone - shaped like a
whale's tooth.
 Pūkaea - traditional Maori trumpet made of wood
 Pūtātara - traditional Maori conch shell trumpet
 Pahū Pounamu - made of wood and a jade / greenstone gong
 Pūrerehua - made of bone, wood or stone - blade-like and swung on a long
cord
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20. NEW ZEALAND RELIGION
New Zealand South Island Church
Kelli Pfau
20 Group Project #5

21. EARLY MAORI RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Maori Tribes held an essentially spiritual view of the universe
 Practiced a form of paganism
 Tapu – Supernatural concept of mana (respect/authority) derived from the
gods.
 Supreme god known as Io
 Two primeval parents, Papa and Rangi - eight divine offspring
 Haumia - the god of uncultivated food
 Rongo - the god of peace and agriculture
 Ruaumoko - the god of earthquakes
 Tawhirimatea - the god of weather
 Tane - the father of humans and god of forests
 Tangaroa - the god of the sea
 Tu-matauenga - the war god
 Whiro - the god of darkness and evil
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22. MAORI RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Religion Practitioners
 Senior deities had a Priesthood ( tohunga ahurewa)
 Responsible for all esoteric rituals
 Knowledgeable about genealogies and tribal History
 Believed to control the weather
Ceremonies
 Public rites performed in the open, at the marae
 Gods offered first fruits of all undertakings
 Slaves were occasionally sacrificed to propitiate them
 Incantations ( karakia ) chanted in flawless repetition to influence the gods
Death & Afterlife
 Dying and dead taken to a shelter on the marae
 Body laid out on mats to receive mourners - hapu or tribal groups
 Spirits of the dead made voyage to final abode - a mysterious underworld
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23. NEW ZEALAND RELIGION
 Missionaries introduced Christianity to the Maori - 19th century
 Christian prayer (karakia) - start and end Māori public assemblies
 Prayers begin new projects, enterprises and personal journeys
 New religions in 19th and 20th centuries merged several aspects of
Christianity with traditional and non-traditional Māori belief
 Includes the power of Ratana church
 Christmas and Easter - major Christian events
 50% of Population is Christian
 Freedom of religion - protected by Treaty of Waitangi - 1840
 “God Defend New Zealand” - National Anthem of the country
Ratana Chuch

24. CONCLUSION
CMST& 101 Group 5 would like to thank you for the opportunity to
present information on the culture of New Zealand.
Topics Covered were:
 Geography – Ryan Shearon
 History & Politics - Martin Smith
 Rituals – Katherine Spencer
 Art & Music – Deandrea Walker
 Religion – Kelli Pfau
Our stated goal for this presentation was to share information about the culture
and facets of life in New Zealand by exploring the history of the people and their
customs. The first inhabitants of the island, Maori Tribes, through their
rituals, art, music, and religion continue to influence the culture of New Zealand
today.
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25. QUESTIONS
 How is New Zealand art related to New Zealand culture?
 Describe events where the national dance of New Zealand
is performed.
 What do you think you would like best about being
involved in a real live New Zealand ritual welcoming
ceremony called "Powhiri“?
 Describe the significance of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.
 What are the responsibilities and roles that the priests
fulfill in the Maori religion?
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26. REFERENCES
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/new-zealand-photos/#/auckland-new-zealand-
sunrise_9108_600x450.jpg
http://www.newzea-land.net/Things-to-do.aspx
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/new-zealand-photos/
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/new-zealand-facts/
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/topic-index/maori-culture/maori-culture_home.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hinepare.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taonga_p%C5%ABoro
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/features/maori-culture/maoriculture_kapahakatematatini_feature.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cook
http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/NZ-religion.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/491890/Ratana-church
http://www.anzac.govt.nz/significance/traditions.html
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/features/maori-culture/maoriculture_powhirimaoriwelcome_feature.cfm
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