New Zealanders celebrate Christmas with native and more conventional Christian, British, and North American practices. The summertime nature of the holiday makes it ideal for outdoor celebrations like picnics, barbecues, and beach outings. Summer fruits, meats, shellfish raised or caught in the area, and pavlova for dessert are New Zealand Christmas staples. Both the classic Northern European tree and Pōhutukawa trees, which bloom in December, are displayed in the streets and homes. English and Māori hymns and carols are sung at Christian church festivities on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day since, in the latter half of the nineteenth century, Christmas became a frequently observed holiday among Christians in New Zealand.
-> See also: Old Zealand: Where Is It and What Is It?
History of Christmas in New Zealand
In the early 1800s, Christian missionaries brought the Christmas celebration to New Zealand. In 1814, chiefs Te Pahi and Ruatara invited Anglican priest Samuel Marsden to preach to around 400 Māori at Oihi Bay in the Bay of Islands at the first ever documented Christmas service in New Zealand. There was a great deal of sectarian variation in Christmas celebrations in the middle of the nineteenth century. Since most Irish immigrants were Catholics and most English were Anglicans, each group brought its own unique Christmas customs with them.
Scottish Presbyterians never put much stock in the Christmas celebration since they believed it was unscriptural. However, Christmas became a widely celebrated holiday in New Zealand in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the Presbyterians started celebrating it. But, until the late 20th century, most New Zealanders still kept it quiet and private. With the passage of the Bank Holidays Act in 1873 and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act in 1894, Christmas Day was officially declared a bank holiday and all employees were granted a day off. An additional non-working day was designated as “the day after Christmas Day” (Boxing Day) by the Public Holidays Act of 1910, which superseded Christmas Day.
Christmas Traditions in New Zealand
Seasons in New Zealand and Australia occur at the polar opposites of those in North America since both countries are located in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, New Zealand Christmas takes place in the summer, and the country’s culture and the balmy weather influence the Christmas customs, which include the following:
- Santa Parades: In the months of November and December, all over New Zealand, you may see Santa parades, and these parades include adorned floats, bands, and marching teams.
- Pōhutukawa Tree: The Pōhutukawa tree represents the season with its red blossoms and is considered New Zealand’s most famous Christmas tree.
- Grills: Whether at home, in a park, or on the beach, a New Zealand Christmas dinner is only complete with a grill, and the grilled meats such as venison, ham, and turkey, as well as seafood such as whitebait fritters and shrimp, are served with seasonal salads and vegetables.
- New Zealand Carols: The traditional New Zealand folk songs are “Te Harinui,” “Christmas in New Zealand,” and “A Kiwiana Christmas!” These can be heard at Christmas services throughout the island country.
- A Summer Feast: Spending time at the beach, camping, or vacation homes is a way for New Zealanders to celebrate Christmas since it marks the start of summer vacations.
- Gift-Giving: When it’s time to give gifts, kids put out carrots for Santa’s reindeer and a drink and pineapple chunks for the big guy.
- Church Service: On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung in both English and Māori at Christian churches.
New Zealand’s Pōhutukawa Christmas Tree
In New Zealand, the Pōhutukawa tree—sometimes called the New Zealand Christmas tree—has vivid red blossoms that appear in December, just in time for the event. The Pōhutukawa tree has grown into a Christmas icon, appearing in poetry, music, and greeting cards in the country.
Beginning in the 19th century, the red summer flowering blooms of the Pōhutukawa tree were substituted for the holly that was historically used for Christmas decorations. This has marked the beginning of the tree’s use as a Christmas tree. ‘Antipodean holly’ and the ‘Settlers Christmas tree’ were two names for it. The Pōhutukawa tree’s first specific usage as a Christmas decoration dates back to 1857.
A role in Māori mythology is played by the Pōhutukawa and its relative, the Rātā. According to legend, the young Māori warrior Tāwhaki sought assistance from above, with the red Pōhutukawa blooms symbolizing his blood. Pōhutukawa is shown with classic Northern Hemisphere Christmas symbols like mistletoe, stars, and angels today.
The Appearance of Santa Claus in New Zealand
A long-standing part of celebrations in New Zealand is the figure of Santa Claus, and in 1894, he made his commercial debut at the DIC shop on Lambton Quay in Wellington. The store showcased him with a tree and gifts. Ever since then, Santa has played a role in the Christmas festivities, and the practice of seeing him in businesses has grown into an aspect of the season. The months of November and December see Santa Claus parades, complete with marching teams.
Department stores started holding the parades in the early 1900s to attract shoppers and promote the advent of in-store Santas. Santa may even change out of his red suit and put on the rugby jersey of the New Zealand “All Blacks” team for these parades. He may even wear “jandals,” which are sandals native to the land. New Zealand kids throw carrots out for Santa’s reindeer, and the old guy may even get a beer and pineapple chunks as presents.
Traditional Christmas Foods and Drinks
Since Christmas is in the summertime, the Kiwis prefer to consume colder festive foods and drinks. People celebrate this holiday with great gusto since the country is a culinary melting pot due to the many different cultures and ethnic groups that have lived there.
- Barbecue: The practice of having a BBQ for Christmas lunch is growing in popularity among New Zealanders (slices of ham, venison, etc.).
- Seafood: Their Christmas dinners include seafood, particularly crayfish and other shellfish.
- New Zealand Lamb: It is a popular Christmas meal in New Zealand.
- Hāngī: It refers to a traditional Māori cooking technique wherein food is cooked by pressing hot pebbles into a pit oven.
- Fish and Chips: Many Kiwis enjoy traditional New Zealand fish (shrimp) and chips (or whitebait fritters) at Christmastime.
- Pavlova: New Zealanders also love their Pavlova, a famous meringue dessert.
- New Zealand Wine and Bear: During the holiday season, people like drinking wine (Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc) and beer (Speight’s original) from New Zealand.
- Fruit Salad: It is a light side dish that is served during the summer holidays.
Christmas Decorations in New Zealand
While celebrating Christmas in the country, local traditions are interspersed with biblical and conventional winter images from the Northern Hemisphere.
Kiwiana Christmas Ornaments
The New Zealand kiwi bird, the Pohutukawa flower, and the wood cut tui bird ornament are a few examples of “Kiwiana” decorations—certain items and icons from New Zealand’s heritage. Ornaments made of pottery, Paua shell, and Rimu wood depicting kiwis and pukekos are known as “New Zealand Christmas ornaments” in the country.
Summertime Decor
Other decorations include summery aspects, such as beach-themed ornaments and the Pohutukawa tree, which produces red blossoms. Ferns and flaxes, which are native plants, are also not uncommon, including mistletoe, biblical stars and angels, and nativity scenes with figurines of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the wise men.
