Christmas in new Zealand

traditions

• Christmas is spent going to the beach or going camping.
• Instead of going house to house, New Zealanders do Christmas Caroling in the park.
• Cities have competitions on who has the best decorated house.
• Cities celebrate the holidays with local parades.

Holiday foods

• Hangi: A type of cooking underground.
• Pavlova: A plum pudding covered in seasonal fruits.
• Minced pie: A handsized meat pie filled with minced meat and gravy, vegestables, and cheese.
• Keke: A deep fried dough, rolled in sugar.

new Zealand language

• English and Maori are the primary languages spoken in New Zealand.
• Meri Kirihimete is how you say "Merry Christmas" in Maori.

Important characters

• Santa Claus is called Father Christmas.
• In stead of the Christmas tree of holly and ivy, the “Pōhutukawa” tree is used, which usually blossoms around late December.

Holiday weather

• December is during New Zealand's Summer Season
• Some New Zealanders choose to celebrate Christmas in July, during their Winter Season.