Manners are another important aspect of New Zealand’s cultural etiquette, as they reflect the beliefs and values of the people. New Zealanders are generally relaxed, friendly, and egalitarian in their behaviour. They value individuality, freedom, and equality. They also respect the environment, the community, and the indigenous culture. Some of the common customs and norms that New Zealanders follow are:

• Greeting: New Zealanders usually greet each other with a handshake, a smile, or a verbal greeting. They may also hug or kiss on the cheek if they are close friends or family. They usually say kia ora, hello, hi, or hey when greeting someone, and cheers, bye, or see you later when saying goodbye.
• Visiting: New Zealanders usually invite their friends or guests to their homes to socialize, eat, or drink. They usually expect their guests to arrive on time, bring a small gift, such as a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, or a bunch of flowers, and offer to help with the preparation or cleaning. They usually say make yourself at home, help yourself, or feel free to when welcoming their guests, and thanks for coming, it was lovely, or take care when saying goodbye.
• Eating: New Zealanders usually eat three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They usually eat with a knife and fork and sometimes with their hands, depending on the type of food. They usually say bon appetit, enjoy, or dig in when starting a meal, and cheers, thanks, or that was delicious when finishing a meal. They usually wait for everyone to finish before leaving the table and offer to pay or split the bill when eating out.
• Dressing: New Zealanders usually dress casually and comfortably, depending on the weather and the occasion. They usually wear jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, and sneakers for everyday activities and suits, dresses, skirts, and heels for formal or professional events. They usually wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun and raincoats, boots, and umbrellas to protect themselves from the rain. They usually respect the dress codes of different places, such as schools, workplaces, or religious sites.

Some tips to keep in mind when engaging with New Zealanders:

• Follow the local etiquette, as New Zealanders appreciate people who respect their customs and norms. For example, you can greet people properly, bring a gift when visiting someone, offer to help when needed and dress suitably for different occasions.
• Respect the environment, as New Zealanders care about their country’s natural beauty and resources. For example, you can recycle, reuse, and reduce waste, conserve water and energy, and avoid littering, polluting, or damaging the environment.
• Respect the community, as New Zealanders value their society’s social harmony and diversity. For example, you can obey the laws and rules, pay taxes and fees, volunteer or donate to local causes, and avoid violence, crime, or discrimination.
• Respect the indigenous culture, as New Zealanders acknowledge the history and identity of the Maori people. For example, you can learn about the Maori language, traditions, and arts, attend Maori events and ceremonies, and visit Maori sites and landmarks.

Adapting to New Zealand’s cultural etiquette can be a rewarding and enriching experience for international students. It can help them to improve their communication skills, make new friends, and learn new things. However, it can also be challenging and stressful, especially initially. Therefore, being prepared, patient, and positive is essential when facing cultural differences and difficulties. Immerse yourself in Kiwi culture firsthand! Kickstart your educational journey in New Zealand by booking a personalized 1-to-1 counselling session today.