New Zealanders are very hospitable and friendly people. They will not hesitate to help other without being asked. They are also very casual and do not stand on ceremony. They are also very environmentally cautious as they believe that all things have a ‘mauri’ (life-force). They believe that if people try to damage the eco-system, the ‘mauri’ will lose its energy and thus will affect every living thing.
New Zealand has a very varied culture due to the Europeans travelling to the country many years ago, but the Maori culture plays a very big role in the way New Zealanders lead their life. New Zealanders posses this rugged, self-reliant nature and an eye for invention.
The art in New Zealand is also largely influenced by the Maori culture too. There are many displays regarding the traditional Maori art like carvings and weaving.
There are also the contemporary art scenes which have strong Maori and Pacific along with feminine influences.
The Maori has a unique way of welcoming their guests. They will perform the Powhiri which is a formal welcome and it takes place on a Marae which is a scared place to them. The duration of the Powhiri depends on the importance of the guests and may last up to 2-3 hours! They also like to sing and tell legends of their culture to guests and it is only polite that the guests sing songs from their own homeland in reply as a sign of appreciation and respect.
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