New Zealand

In New Zealand Schools break up (on vacation) in December for 2 months. That means children have almost two whole months to enjoy their Christmas present! In the UK, we have two weeks off school over the Christmas and New Year period.

As well as schools closed for the Christmas summer break, adults are on vacation too. As soon as Christmas is over, families head out for their summer vacations.

Christmas Dinner

As it is usually hot on Christmas Day, many New Zealanders eat their Christmas dinner outside. They have a picnic or a barbecue. Some people follow the British tradition of having a hot turkey dinner, whilst others have a cold dinner.

Some of the Islanders around New Zealand, eat raw fish in coconut for their Christmas dinner.

The traditional Christmas dessert eaten on Christmas day is a fluffy Pavlova (meringue confection made of whipped egg whites and sugar).

(We have Pavlovas in the UK, but it is not a traditional British christmas food.)

Did you know?
Pavlovas were created by a "Kiwi" (New Zealander) who worked as a chef in Australia. Both countries therefore have a claim to the 'invention' of the pavlova.

Maori Families

In Maori Families, it is traditional to have a Hangi: a feast of traditional Maori food cooked in an earth oven (a hangi).

First they dig a hole in the ground and heat it by putting hot stones inside. They then put various types of meats and vegetables, such as kumara or sweet potato, wrapped in leaves on top of the stones. The opening to the oven is covered and the food is left to cook. The hangi feast is served late afternoon or in the evening.

In many small towns and villages, Santa visits all the children on Christmas morning riding on a fire engine. They hear him coming because the siren warns them to come out of their homes and stand by the road so he can toss sweets (candy) to them.

Boxing Day