Dining Etiquette

Sadly, a lot of British eating habits were introduced to New Zealand. A lot of diets are comprised of a steady diet of meat pies and fish and chips. Curries and Chinese delivery complete the unhealthy convenience-food diet that too many Kiwis maintain. Other favorites include a lot of ice cream and sausages on white toast. Pavlova, a layer of meringue topped with whipped cream and fruit, is their preferred "fancy" dessert. Kiwis frequently just refer to this dessert as "pav" to save time because it is such a significant part of their culture.

But things are starting to shift very slowly. People are becoming more aware of the value of a balanced diet and the fact that veggies may do more than just spruce up your plate. The population of New Zealand has become more diverse, which has expanded the variety of foods available. Along with European and Indian products, there are increasingly more Asian foods available in stores. Additionally, families are being urged to enjoy meals together more frequently. Similar to North America, hectic lives have caused family members to get food on the fly at various times.

It is acceptable to bring a bottle of wine, some beer, or food if you are invited to a party at someone's house in New Zealand. You should bring food and drink to share if the host requests that you "bring a plate" because the event is a potluck.