New Zealand Traditions: 4 Key Cultural Practices You Should Know

September 30, 2025 | 09:34 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Despite its considerably young age and compact size, New Zealand is quite a nation rich in culture. With a fusion of influences from the indigenous Mori and European settlers, New Zealand traditions form a unique and harmonious cultural identity.

Whether you’re planning a visit or simply curious, understanding these traditions can deepen your appreciation for this unique country, where iconic cultural expressions like the Haka, Hng, and Pwhiri pair seamlessly with mesmerizing natural landscapes, such as volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers.

But before diving into the New Zealand traditions you’ll want to get familiar with, there’s no better place to start than with the foundation of it all: Mori culture.

Mori Culture as an Integral Part of New Zealand’s Identity 

Mori culture is the beating heart of New Zealand traditions. First arriving in Aotearoa—the Mori name for New Zealand—around 1,000 years ago, the Moris have long embraced and nurtured traditions rooted in community, a deep respect for nature, and strong spiritual values. 

To this day, many of New Zealand traditions are deeply influenced by it and can be seen across everyday life. This includes the Mori language—Te Reo—arts, social customs, cuisine, and beyond. 

Understanding Mori culture is essential to truly appreciating New Zealand’s heritage. It offers insight into the stories, symbols, and ceremonies that visitors and locals alike hold dear.

4 Key New Zealand Traditions to Know

Once you’ve gained the insight of the foundation of New Zealand traditions, here are four key practices that embody the spirit of the nation:

The Hongi

In every culture, social etiquette takes on unique forms, and New Zealand is no exception. One of the most distinctive greetings in Mori tradition is the hongi, where two people gently press their noses together, and sometimes their foreheads as well.

But it’s more than a gesture—it symbolizes the sharing of the “ha” or the breath of life, which represents mutual connection and respect. The hongi can be shared between Mori and non-Mori alike, including foreign visitors and New Zealanders from diverse backgrounds.

The Haka

As noted by The Culture Trip, the Haka is a traditional Mori war dance. Historically performed by warriors before battle, this powerful dance reflects the passion, strength, and cultural identity of the Mori people.

Its global recognition, however, has largely been driven by New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team, who have performed the Haka before their Test matches for over a century. Beyond the sports field, the Haka is also performed at important cultural events such as weddings, funerals, or any ceremonies held in Marae (Mori meeting grounds).

The Hng

Moving on to New Zealand’s culinary scene, Mori culture still plays a significant role here. One of the most iconic traditional cooking methods is the Hng—a technique where food is cooked underground using heated stones in an earthen oven. The process, which typically takes three to four hours, results in tender, smoky, and flavorful dishes that bring people together for a shared cultural experience.

While the Hng continues to be preserved in modern times, it has also evolved in several ways. Among these are changes in both the ingredients and the cooking methods. 

The original staples were fish and kmara (sweet potato), but today’s Hng feasts often include pork, lamb, potatoes, pumpkin, and cabbage, as noted by newzealand.com. Traditionally, the food was wrapped in flax leaves, but modern practices have replaced these with mutton cloth, aluminum foil, and wire baskets.

Pwhiri

Pwhiri is a formal Mori welcoming ceremony that you’re likely to experience when visiting a marae (a sacred meeting place). It begins with a series of traditional steps, usually starting in the open area outside the meeting house, and includes formal speeches (whaikrero), supportive songs (waiata), and eventually the sharing of food (kai), which helps to lift the sacredness (tpu) of the gathering. At its core, the pwhiri is about establishing whether the manuhiri (guests) come in peace—as friends—or not.

New Zealand traditions are a powerful reminder that indigenous cultures are flourishing, living legacies. Rooted in Mori heritage, these practices offer a unique lens into the values of identity and community.

As we celebrate the richness of New Zealand traditions, we’re also reminded that many unique cultures around the world still thriving today, each with their own stories worth discovering.

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