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Explore New Zealand's society
history and origin
Maori arrival
1000 years ago
Some scholars believe that the ancestors of the Maori are the Amis of Taiwan. Some Aboriginal people left Taiwan and began long-distance rafting in the Pacific Ocean 5,000 years ago, until they arrived in New Zealand about 1,000 years ago.
In New Zealand, Maori are mainly engaged in agriculture, fishing, hunting and gathering. Maori culture is reflected in tattoos, war dances, and folk art. They are good at carving and weaving. Carving, including wood carving and stone carving, is the essence of Maori art.
European colonization
18th century
In 1642, the Dutchman Abel Tasman became the first known European to come to New Zealand, naming it "New Zealand" after the Dutch province of Zeeland. In 1769, the British explorer Captain Cook carefully explored and studied New Zealand. Since then, more Europeans have come to sail and fish, and many missionaries have also settled here.
The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 made New Zealand a British colony, but differences in the textual meaning and interpretation of the Maori and English versions between the two sides led to some disputes between the New Zealand government and the Maori. February 6, the date the treaty was signed, is now a public holiday similar to National Day.
independent
1947-present
In 1947, New Zealand gained autonomy from the United Kingdom and implemented a constitutional monarchy democracy.
The main political parties in Congress are Labour Party, National Party, Green Party, Maori Party, United Future, Act New Zealand, Mana Party (Mana Party). Usually the largest party cannot win a majority of the seats and must join forces with smaller parties to form a coalition government.
The current Prime Minister of New Zealand is Jacinda Ardern of the Labour Party .
Multiculturalism
ethnicity and immigration
30% of New Zealand's population was born overseas, compared to 40% in Auckland City. 70% of the country's population is European, 16% is Maori, and the Asian population has grown rapidly in recent years to the third largest ethnic group accounting for 15% of the population. An open and diverse society makes New Zealanders very friendly.
Every year, various ethnic groups hold various cultural events, such as the Lantern Festival in China, the Diwali Festival in India, and the Maori Festival of the Spirits.
Chinese community
Following the Gold Rush of the 1860s, the first Chinese in New Zealand came to Dunedin from Guangdong. Today, Chinese immigrants from all over the country, Singapore, Malaysia and other places have accounted for nearly 5% of New Zealand's population, two-thirds of which are concentrated in Auckland, and other big cities such as Wellington and Christchurch are also gradually influx of Chinese.
The social status of the Chinese is increasing with the population growth, and outstanding talents have emerged in academic research, education, politics, etc.
gender equality
In 1893, women in New Zealand got the right to vote, the first country in the world where women had the right to vote. It was a hallmark achievement of the feminist movement of the nineteenth century. New Zealand has had three female prime ministers in history, including the current prime minister, Jacinda Ardern.
In 2013, New Zealand became the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize same-sex marriage, and many same-sex couples from all over the world choose to come to New Zealand to register their marriage. Every year, there are gay pride parades in the three major cities, and gender equality education for students in primary and secondary schools.
Food, clothing, housing and transportation
diet
The picture shows the British classic - fish and chips
New Zealand does not have a local cuisine, and the classic Fish and Chips (fish and chips) are strictly British. But in this diverse country you can eat almost all the food from Scandinavia to Southeast Asia. In addition to the Chinese restaurants everywhere in Auckland's city center and "Duomei Road", online celebrity shops such as milk tea and fried chicken have also sprung up.
housing
Pictured is the Ponsonby neighbourhood in Auckland
Most people in New Zealand live in villas in residential areas, while there are some apartment buildings in the center of big cities, mainly for international students and office workers. Despite the surge in house prices across the country (with Auckland bearing the brunt) in recent years, average house prices and average rents in New Zealand are still considerably lower than those in first-tier domestic cities.
transportation
Pictured is the Britomart transport hub in central Auckland
New Zealand's big cities have public transport systems, but they are less developed than domestic ones. Auckland also has four metro lines and a subway under construction, as well as ferries between the terminals. The main mode of travel for locals is by car, and here you can get a driver's license when you are 16 years old. A cheap used car can cost around $1000 to $3000.
Entertainment and Sports
Art
Pictured is the Te Papa National Museum in Wellington
Auckland Art Gallery and Wellington's Te Papa National Museum both house tens of thousands of works of Maori and modern and contemporary art, and many communities have their own small galleries.
New Zealand's primary and secondary schools focus on art education, and high school students can choose painting, design, photography or sculpture as a main subject.
entertainment
Pictured is the Civic Theatre in Auckland city centre
New Zealand holds various art events every year, such as the Auckland Arts Festival in March, the Auckland Photography Festival in May, and the New Zealand International Film Festival which is held simultaneously in the three major cities in July. In Auckland, many domestic films will also be released simultaneously to Chinese audiences. In recent years, Chinese drama clubs have sprung up in Auckland, performing original works reflecting the lives of immigrants and promoting cultural exchanges between various communities.
Almost every middle school in New Zealand has activities such as bands, musicals, cultural evenings, etc., giving students the opportunity to participate in the arts and develop their hobbies.
physical education
Pictured is a rugby match
The most important sport for New Zealand is rugby. The All Blacks in New Zealand are one of the strongest rugby teams in the world, and almost every school has a rugby team that develops talent for the All Blacks.
The open outdoor space gives New Zealand children a lot of opportunities for outdoor sports. In addition to rugby, middle school students can also join the school's football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, track and field, swimming, fencing, cycling, rowing, orienteering and other sports teams.