Arts, Sports & Entertainment
One of the best things about life in New Zealand is the number of different things you can do in your free time.
We have a wide range of environments and climate, from sunny surf beaches, to remarkable skifields, from rich gardens to thick untamed bush (a NZ cross between forest and jungle), and from small seaside shops to cities stacked with restaurants & clubs.
Being a relatively new society and a long way away from larger cultural and artistic centres has helped give New Zealand space to develop its own style.
There are very few places you won’t find a Kiwi, and very few things you can’t do, when you start from here.
Kiwis seem to like to do things their own unique way, which may explain some of our successful citizens, such as artists Len Lye, Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon, Katherine Mansfield, and James K. Baxter.
It may well have helped motivate NZ to become a successful sporting nation greatly out of proportion with its population size.
It can also be seen in the success of Split Enz, Crowded House, the International World of Wearable Art, Peter Jackson, and many more.
Whether you prefer the silent contemplation of inspired prose or painting, the excitement of high level competitive sport, or the buzz of city living at night, there is a city, club or online connection somewhere in New Zealand likely to provide it.
Things for you to do
From eating out to going out, there’s plenty of things for you and your family to do.
Eating out
New Zealanders enjoy food from all over the world, and there are plenty of places to buy the ingredients for different styles of cooking. Our own food combines Asian and European influences. New Zealanders love to eat out and there is a huge choice of restaurants and cafes. Central Wellington, for example, has over 300 restaurants and cafes, meaning it now has more restaurants per capita than any city in the world.
In New Zealand we don’t expect tips for normal service – that includes restaurants and bars. You can tip for excellent service if you wish, but it’s not expected.
Arts, culture, festivals and entertainment
New Zealand has a thriving cultural life, with a unique mix of European, Maori, Polynesian, Asian and, increasingly, other traditions. Orchestra recitals, dance and theatre performances means there’s plenty to see, especially in the main centres.
Our film industry is world famous, having brought to the screen such modern day classics as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Whale Rider, Once Were Warriors and King Kong.
Overseas artists and exhibitions tour regularly.
Several centres hold International Arts Festivals featuring a wide range of local and international artists. The most wellknown is probably the International Festival of the Arts which is held in Wellington every two years.
Maoritanga
Maori cultural traditions receive strong support. There has been a real revival in recent years in all the Maori art forms, from carving and weaving to traditional dance. Kapa Haka – a range of performing arts that includes haka, waiata, and poi dancing – enjoys enormous cross-cultural support.
The great outdoors
Rugby union and league, football, netball, cricket, horse riding, biking, swimming, fishing, tramping (hiking in some countries), walking, rowing, kayaking, rafting, skiing, hunting, diving, climbing, gliding, surfing, golf, frisbee, running, orienteering, bowls, petanque, sailing, windsurfing, water–skiing, wakeboarding, and fly–fishing are all common activities in New Zealand society.
