Mãori culture

Mori cultural encounters are well-liked tourist attractions that attract plenty of visitors, but as with any two cultures that come into contact, there is potential for miscommunication. Ceremonial difficulties and welcomes have often proven to be more intimidating for tourists than they had anticipated.

Please refrain from talking and laughing during these sober occasions. Later, laugh and tell jokes. After the hangi is lifted, there will be plenty of time to unwind. Although relations between Mori and non-Mori New Zealanders are generally good, they have occasionally become strained.

Also keep in mind that New Zealand is, by many measures, still a very young country, and that its identity is continually developing. Although New Zealand coinage features images of British royals, the country is an independent member of the Commonwealth, and it can be offensive to some to claim that it is almost identical to the UK. Commenting that New Zealand is subservient to the UK is sometimes admired and other times despised.