New Zealand: The South Island
Introduction
New Zealand is internationally known as a land of gorgeous landscapes, breathtaking outdoor adventures, and an exciting culture both ancient and new. It is also popular as the home to both a rich history of native culture and modern filmmaking; people travel from all over the world to immerse themselves in the world of the traditional people of New Zealand, the Maori. The South Island of this beautiful country is an impressive sample of all that New Zealand has to offer, from astonishing hikes to quirky city life to cultural celebrations that take you back in time and pull you into the Land of the Long White Cloud.
Brief History
According to legend, New Zealand was discovered by a god named Maui who lived on a mythical island called Hawaiiki. One day, out fishing with his brothers, he came across New Zealand while paddling in his great canoe. When he first laid eyes on the two islands, he gave them two names that they are still called today by the natives that live there: ‘Te Ika a Maui’ (the fish of Maui) and ‘Te Waka a Maui’ ( the canoe of Maui). The South Island, ‘Te Waka a Maui’, was initially inhabited by a group of people of Polynesian descent known as the Maori. They were lead there by the real discoverer of the islands, a Polynesian traveler named Kupe. After he sent word of the beautiful land he had found, his people came in droves and brought with them their fascinating culture that makes New Zealand what it is today.
Years later, the first European to set foot on these two islands left his mark for years to come. His name was Captain James Cook and the people who followed after him would change New Zealand forever. A large majority of the Europeans who immigrated to either of the two islands were missionaries or whalers, but in time people from all over the world began to call the islands their home. The names of many of the major cities on both islands have a distinctly English feel; Queenstown and Christchurch are prime examples. As you can probably guess, Christchurch is named after the enormous cathedral at its center. The cathedral was built in the gothic style by Sir George Gilbert Scott, one of the most impressive architects of his time. The cathedral took over 40 years to complete and serves as a striking testament to the English settlers the came to inhabit the area.
Another immigrant group that became an essential part of the history of the South Island were the Scottish settlers who sailed over in the 1800's. Drawn by the possibility of gold, the Scottish recreated their capital city of Edinburgh as the new city of Dunedin. In an attempt to make it look as much like home as possible, the architects of the city designed the buildings to look like the ones in their old city. The result has been called “grand and quirky” by many in reference to the challenges of building on the tricky terrain. Even today, the ever-present reminders of the South Island’s cultural past are as varied as its landscapes.
What To Do
ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
A very large part of South Island tourism is centered around its natural beauty, and for good reason. A visit to Abel Tasman National Park in Nelson has something to offer for both the seasoned outdoorsman and the casual camper. Named after one of the first European explorers to the area (before even Captain Cook), the park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. The great thing about this park is the range of independence visitors can choose to have with these activities. Companies like the Sea Kayak Company will take visitors on guided kayak tours around the waters of Abel Tasman to see the wildlife or just to soak up the scenery. There is also the option to rent a kayak and tour on your own if you prefer, as well the option to either camp out under the stars or rent a private lodge to go home to after hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. The Department of Conservation rents out a handful of lodges year-round for visitors and includes a kitchen, mattresses, and a private bathroom.
CHRISTCHURCH
If you would like to take a break from the outdoors for a while, the city of Christchurch would be an excellent place to try. One of the quirkiest attractions in the city is the Re:START shopping mall; its made out of old shipping containers and hosts everything from coffee shops to designer clothing stores. Also located in Christchurch is QuakeCity, an interactive “earthquake attraction” that is an interesting mix of museum and multimedia presentation. Christchurch is well-known for the frequency with which it experiences earthquakes and takes great pride in its ability to bounce back from disaster.
KO TANE LIVING VILLAGE
Another matter of great pride in the area in Maori culture. The South Island does not have as many traditional performances as the North Island but the few that they do have are very impressive. One group that performs through the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve boasts a “living village” where visitors get to experience the traditional Maori way of life. In an effort to preserve a culture that in the past had been suppressed, performers of Maori descent display traditional dances and greetings in order to educate visitors about New Zealand’s native culture. At Ko Tane, one of the South Island’s only Maori visitor experiences, the traditional greeting known as the Powhiri is performed before you enter into the living village. Visitors are first welcomed with a display of force or the wero. This is not meant to intimidate necessarily, but to reinforce the image of the Maori warriors’ fierceness. After the wero one of the elder women of the tribe will make a song-like call known as the karanga to welcome the manuhiri, or visitors to the village. Once inside the village, the visitors are treated to a feast of traditional foods and music.
Culture and Communication
In the past few decades the traditional language of the Maori has been making a comeback. After years of schools attempting to stamp out its usage among students, Te Reo Māori is working its way back into everyday life. Here are a few helpful phrases:
“Kia Ora” — — — — “Hello!”
“Kei te pehea koe?” — — — — “How’s it going?”
“Kei te pai” — — — — “Good”
“Ka kite anō” — — — — — — - “See you again!”
A larger list of words can be found here.
Another major part of communication on the islands is through traditional practices. The customary greeting among the Maori people is the hongi; when two people meet they press their foreheads and noses together to symbolize the peace between them and the sacredness of life. To a lot of visitors, this type of greeting may seem a bit intimate for a first meeting and can make some people uncomfortable. However, it is seen as a practice as common as a handshake but with a deeper expression of respect and would therefore be very offensive to refuse. Another aspect of Maori communication is through intense facial expressions. This can also be a bit unnerving for visitors from countries like the United States, but like the wero, they are not meant to be threatening, but to convey a strong sense of emotion during traditional dances and songs.
One of these dances is called the haka or the “war dance”. This dance is certainly meant to be threatening! With wide open eyes and screaming war chants, the haka is meant to make the performers seem bigger than they are, fierce, and ready for battle. While the dance can catch someone who has never seen it before off guard, it is hard to deny how terrifying it would be to be on the receiving end of a serious threat from anyone performing the haka. Just take a look at how the New Zealand rugby team the All Blacks start off every one of their matches:
Keeping in mind the fact that all of these traditional practices are meant to convey strong emotion, it is best to be respectful during a performance. Also be aware that many of the traditional practices of the Maori may take visitors a little out of their comfort zone and make them a little unsure of how to respond, but it is also a wonderful opportunity to witness a culture that is still vibrant after hundreds of years.
Final Thoughts
The South Island of New Zealand is known all over the world as a place that has everything to offer. For the history buff, there’s a varied past of native people and international settlers to explore. For the outdoorsman, there’s a range of activities that include hiking, swimming, and kayaking that allows for the preferences of people who prefer a guided tour and for those who love to adventure on their own. Eccentric shopping malls and interactive museums add even more variety to a tour of the South Island. Along with all the places to visit, Maori culture provides another exciting venue to explore. With a beautiful language and compelling traditional performances, the tangata whenua or the “hosts” of New Zealand draw the visitor in to this captivating country and make a visit to the South Island an unforgettable experience.
Disclaimer: This article was written as part of an Intercultural Communication class at University of Nebraska — Lincoln under the direction of Jennifer Kienzle. Students chose different regions of the world to explore the unique history and cultural practices in those places. Please contact Jennifer Kienzle at jen@huskers.unl.edu if you have any questions or comments.
