How we Celebrate Christmas in New Zealand

One of the most common questions I get asked as an expat is just how we celebrate Christmas in New Zealand. Some people assume it’s very tropical/Pacific island orientated, some people think it’s very western/British (hearkening back to the colonisers of the 1700s onwards – we’re still happily a Commonwealth country now.)

It’s kind of a complicated answer. Half a world away from British wintertime, there are some really interesting differences and similarities to how we celebrate Christmas in New Zealand.

DIFFERENT

Being in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas lands just before the height of summer, but the temperature is deftly transitioning from spring and beginning to heat up. Many families will leave their city homes for their Baches; small beachside homes usually with limited running water and electricity. Think glamping but permanent structures – the temperature is anything from 20-30°C with varying humidity.

The vibe is very much hanging out with family and local friends, and it’s at this point that most people shed their shoes to go either barefoot or slip on a pair of jandals until they finish their summer holidays.

SAME

Christmas cards are sent out (sometimes with snow on them for some strange reason) & shopping amps up to a frenzy level in the weeks before Christmas.

DIFFERENT

Our Christmas trees & decorations are just the same as the world over, but on the ornaments Santa is often in jandals (aka flip flops), we’ll have Pukeko wearing Santa hats and random snow filled ornaments that just make sense in an upside down kind of way. We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving like the Americans, and our trees are decorated at any point during December usually – depending very much in individual families.

The blazing red flowers of pōhutukawa around Christmas time have earned this tree the title of New Zealand’s Christmas tree. Pōhutukawa hold a prominent place in Maori mythology – legends tell of the young Maori warrior, Tawhaki and his attempt to find help in heaven to avenge his father’s death. He subsequently fell to earth and the crimson flowers are said to represent his blood.

SAME

We’ll have something delicious for breakfast; freshly made waffles and bacon with mimosas before opening the much anticipated Christmas pressies under the Christmas tree.

SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT

Christmas lunch/dinner in my family is a big meal where traditional British menus and Kiwi innovation collide. We love having fresh seafood starters; salmon, prawns, mussels, crayfish (similar to small lobsters) to start with.

The main event is usually a glazed ham or xxxx , served with an assortment of sides; roasted veges (including Kumara – red sweet potato – and pumpkin), a variety of light salads, Some families have hangi; a traditional Maori meal that is cooked by steaming/smoking food which is usually placed underground, which cooks deliciously slowly.

Dessert is scrumptious – usually a pavlova (a giant meringue cake INVENTED IN NEW ZEALAND) topped with whipped cream and a selection of fruit, rich fruit cake, mince pies (the sweet festive version) and trifle. These are usually presented with an assortment of cream/ice cream etc. The kids usually pick through the above, or just have sundaes or jelly & ice cream.

A few hours later we’ll usually have a snack or some kind of cheese & crackers/chips & dip selection which keep us fuelled through the games.

SAME

The post-dinner nap. Then an assortment of games designed for maximum mischief.

DIFFERENT

We spend most of our time outside on Christmas day – the table is set under marquees, as well as garden Christmas trees – I love the driftwood trees festooned with Christmas lights. It’s a look. [Spot the palm trees in the below public Christmas tree decorations on the beach front.]

 

SAME

Across the Christmas period there is ample supplies of chocolate, and afterward Christmas Day at least 3 days of leftovers which are almost even better than the main event.

So, yeah, Christmas in New Zealand is a delicious combination of both traditional British things and tropical summer twists.

What are your favourite Christmas traditions?