The allure of New Zealand

This peaceful island nation, with its beautiful natural landscapes, is rated by US News and World Report as one of the most livable countries in the world .

Hongi is the traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand. (Source: roswellpres.org)

By gently touching noses and foreheads, the Māori people of New Zealand will teach you their traditional way of greeting. The Hongi greeting, in particular, will make anyone visiting the land of the kiwi feel especially welcomed.

Core identity

According to Māori culture, two people greet each other by touching noses and foreheads and ending with a handshake. This ritual symbolizes the sharing of the breath of life.

Furthermore, first-time visitors to New Zealand will be surprised to see the Māori people roll their eyes and stick out their tongues at them. In fact, this is another way they show a welcome to their guests.

Perhaps it's because they've enjoyed so many natural advantages that the people of New Zealand are so open-minded, gentle, and friendly.

The country's culture is primarily shaped by two main cultural groups: the indigenous Māori people and those of European descent.

Currently, the Māori people make up about 15% of New Zealand's population, and their language is the second official language alongside English.

The Māori people have ancestors who were ethnic minorities living in Eastern Polynesia, and they migrated to New Zealand by small boats across the sea between 1250 and 1300.

Over the centuries, the indigenous peoples of Polynesia have developed a unique and distinct culture called the Māori, with its own language, rich mythology, distinctive performing arts, and exquisite crafts. To this day, this culture remains a core element of New Zealand's identity.

Another distinctive feature of Māori culture that can be easily observed is the facial tattoos. The Māori use sharpened bone knives, sharp stones, or shark teeth to create these designs. The Māori believe that tattoos make Māori men more courageous and stronger in battle, and make women more attractive.

Because this is a multicultural community, the people are very hospitable and friendly to people from other places and ethnicities. They easily make friends, build relationships, and integrate into society.

As a country with many religions, with Christianity being the majority, New Zealand also has many followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and more.

Another thing that might surprise you is that New Zealanders are comfortable going barefoot everywhere. From restaurants and supermarkets to bars, people prefer to go barefoot. Especially in the summer, shoes are not a requirement for locals.

New Zealand's nightlife is very peaceful; the streets become quieter around 6 or 7 pm. Most people spend their evenings at home and go to bed around 10 pm. However, on weekends, regardless of age or gender, people will party together at bars until dawn. Weekends here are like a festival.

Immerse yourself in nature.

New Zealanders are traditionally sports enthusiasts, with rugby being the most popular sport among the community.

Rugby is so popular in New Zealand that you can easily find exciting matches even in schools and sports centers.

It's no coincidence that extreme sports are so popular in New Zealand. With its landscape blessed with majestic volcanic peaks, snow-capped mountain ranges, and long stretches of white sandy beaches, it offers spectacular recreational areas perfect for sports like skydiving, zorbing, and kayaking. This country also attracts tourists with its many thrilling outdoor activities and adventure games such as mountain climbing, downhill skiing, zip-lining, golf, and snowboarding.

Visiting New Zealand, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in pristine nature and meet friendly animals such as dolphins, seals, and whales.

Known for its picturesque beaches, majestic mountain ranges, and clear blue skies, the serene beauty and pristine environment bestowed by Mother Nature upon the land of the kiwi bird is a particularly captivating feature that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who visits New Zealand.

There are so many more exciting things to discover in this beautiful country, so why not consider a trip to the land of the kiwi this summer?

The island nation of New Zealand is currently among the top 20 economies in the world, comprising two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and several smaller islands.

Located in the Southwest Pacific, the symbol of New Zealand is the kiwi bird, the smallest bird in the ostrich family (weighing only about 2-3 kg) and an endemic species.

This island nation has over 5.2 million people, of whom more than 50% live in the four largest cities: Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington (North Island) and Hamilton (South Island).

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/suc-hut-new-zealand-262508.html