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7 New Zealand Cultural Taboos You Should Avoid | IDP Vietnam

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Filled with picturesque landscapes and rich culture, New Zealand is a beautiful country that has a lot to offer (including high-quality education, of course!)

If you're thinking about choosing New Zealand as your next study abroad destination, you might want to learn more about cultural taboos to avoid possible troubles during your time there.

After all, every country is different, and it's essential to respect the country you want to immigrate to and its standards for the duration of your stay.

Even if you've never visited the country or stayed long enough to really know what you shouldn't do, don't worry – we've given you a list of cultural taboos to avoid.

From not giving money to waiters at cafes, restaurants, and shops to not attending a party empty-handed, here's what you need to know

1. Do not criticize Maori culture

In case you didn't know, the Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their culture shapes the country in many ways.

Even if you read briefly, it will help you understand and respect Maori customs and interact with Maori culture.

One of the best ways to start doing so is to avoid criticism. That's because complaining or criticism is considered a form of religious discrimination from the point of view of the people of Zealand.

2. Don't eat food until it's blessed in Maori

From hangi – a traditional Maori way of cooking food in earthen ovens – to picnics on the beach, sharing food is one way New Zealanders bring people together.

When you sit down at the dinner table, you may instinctively want to eat right away. However, when in New Zealand, you should refrain from doing so until the food is blessed or the Karakia prayer is chanted.

New Zealanders believe that tables are only used to store food, you should avoid sitting or putting bags on the table as this is considered unclean.

3. Don't tip money in New Zealand

While tipping waitresses at cafes, restaurants, or shops in most countries is common, New Zealand is an exception.

This is because employees are paid with the expectation that they will not receive any tips from customers as tipping is a habit that New Zealanders often try to avoid when starting in New Zealand.

4. Don't brag

According to New Zealand culture, it is considered impolite to constantly interrupt the conversation or hijack the conversation to brag about your achievements.

Therefore, you should be mindful of this when engaging in conversations, especially if the topic starts to lead to a potential opportunity for you to brag about an achievement. While you may not intend to brag, it could happen the other way - so be careful!

5. Don't insult the sport of rugby

Rugby is one of the biggest sports in New Zealand. Seen as more than just a game, it became a pillar of the nation's sport and had a huge decisive influence on New Zealand life and culture.

Whether you are a rugby fan or not, be careful in choosing your words when talking about the sport or comparing it to other sports as it can be offensive to die-hard New Zealand fans

6. No shoes when entering Maori places of worship

Before entering a Maori place of worship, there are two things to do. First, wait to be greeted, and second, leave your shoes at the door of your place of worship before entering.

It is also important to note that women go ahead and sit behind men.

7. Don't bring your bare hands to a gathering or party

When invited to a gathering or party, you should be careful to bring food or wine to share even if they are not supposed to be in a special party style.

In case your landlord asks you not to bring anything, you can still bring a small gift as an expression of appreciation.

Speaking of parties, New Zealanders tend to be more relaxed when it comes to invitations – so don't take it too seriously if sometimes people accept your invitation but end up not showing up.

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Prepare for your New Zealand study abroad adventure

Now that you have a clear understanding of what not to do in New Zealand, do you feel better prepared and ready to continue your studies there?

IDP has a team of educational advisors who will be able to assist you throughout the application process – from course selection to accommodation preparation.

In addition, IDP can also provide valuable advice and tailored guidance according to your specific needs so that you choose the best course to pursue your dream career.