Cultural No-Nos And Taboos In New Zealand You Must Know

Filled to the brim with picturesque landscapes and rich culture, New Zealand is a beautiful country that has tons to offer (including high-quality education, of course!)

If you’ve been thinking of choosing New Zealand as your next study destination, you might want to find out more about cultural taboos so as to avoid potential problems during your time there.

After all, every country is different and it is essential to respect your host country and its norms during your stay.

Even if you have never visited the country or stayed long enough to truly know what you should not do, fret not – we’ve got you covered with a list of cultural taboos to avoid.

From not tipping the service staff at cafes, restaurants and shops to not showing up empty-handed to a party, here’s what you have to know.

7 Cultural Taboos You Should Avoid In New Zealand

1. Do Not Criticize The Maori Culture

In case you aren’t already aware, Maori are New Zealand’s indigenous people and their culture shapes the country in more ways than one.

Even if you’re passing through briefly, it helps to understand and respect Maori customs as well as interact with Maori culture.

One of the best ways to go about doing so for a start is to avoid criticism. This is because complaining or criticising is seen as a form of intolerance from a Kiwi perspective.

2. Do Not Eat Food Until It Has Been Blessed In Maori

From hangi – a traditional Maori way of cooking food in an earth oven – to picnics on the beach, sharing food is a Kiwi way of bringing people together.

When you’re sitting at a dining table, you might instinctively want to dig in right away. However, when in New Zealand, you should refrain from doing so until the food has been blessed or a prayer of Karakia is spoken.

As the Kiwi believe that tables are meant for food only, you should avoid sitting or placing your bag on the table as this is viewed as unclean.

3. Do Not Tip In New Zealand

Although it is common to tip service staff at cafes, restaurants or shops in most countries, New Zealand is an exception.

This is because employees are paid with the expectation that they won’t get any tips from customers as tipping is a habit that Kiwis are generally trying to avoid starting in New Zealand.

4. Do Not Brag Or Boast

In New Zealand, it is considered impolite to constantly interrupt a conversation or hijack it to boast about your accomplishments.

Hence, you should be mindful about this while engaging in conversations, especially if the topic starts to lead to a potential opportunity for you to highlight an achievement. Even though you might not intend to boast, it may come across differently – so be careful!

5. Do Not Insult The Rugby Sport

Rugby is one of the biggest sports in New Zealand. Seen as more than just a game, it forms the nation’s sporting backbone and is a huge determining influence on New Zealand life and culture.

Whether or not you’re a fan of rugby, be careful about your choice of words when talking about the sport or comparing it to other sports as it might come across as offensive to passionate Kiwi fans.

6. Do Not Wear Your Shoes When Entering A Maori Meeting House

Before entering a Maori meeting house, there are two things to do. First, wait to be welcomed and second, leave your shoes at the door of the meeting house before walking in.

It also helps to take note that women walk in first and sit behind the men.

7. Do Not Come Empty-handed To A Gathering Or Party

When invited to a gathering or party, you should make it a point to bring food or wine to share even if it isn’t stated to be potluck-style.

In the event the host tells you to not bring anything, you can still bring a small gift as a token of appreciation.

Speaking of parties, New Zealanders tend to be more relaxed when it comes to invitations – so don’t take it personally if sometimes people accept your invitation but end up not showing up.

Gear Up For Your New Zealand Study Adventure

Now that you have a clear understanding of what not to do in New Zealand, are you feeling more prepared and ready to further your studies there?

At IDP, we have a team of education counsellors that will be able to assist you throughout your application process – from course selection to accommodation preparation.

Also, they can offer valuable advice and tailored guidance according to your specific needs so that you pick the best course to pursue your dream career.

Book your free counselling session to get started!