6 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NZ

To the outside world, Australia and New Zealand may seem like the closest of cousins but to those in the know, there is a world of small but significant differences between our two island nations. Here are a few to look out for.

TE REO

Te reo M¯aori is an official language of New Zealand and part of everyday life in New Zealand. From a casual “kia ora” in the street to a formal po¯whiri [welcome] at events and ceremonies, you will hear te reo used frequently. While no one will expect you to speak the language, it’s both ignorant and offensive to mispronounce M¯aori words. Particularly those beginning with “wh”, which is pronounced as a soft F in te reo. For example, the Northland city of Whang¯arei is pronounced, fung-ah-ray, while the Coromandel beach town of Whangamat¯a is pronounced fung-ah-mah-tar.

BAKER’S DELIGHTS

It’s a well-established fact that nearly everything in life can be improved with the addition of cheese. So it follows that while Australia’s classic steak pies are good, New Zealand’s mince and cheese variety are better. To test this theory for yourself, simply locate the nearest local bakery, which you will find in any town or village, no matter how small. While there, you might like to sample a filled roll – a long, soft white roll that typically comes in one of three varieties: chicken salad, egg salad or ham and cheese. And to finish, treat yourself to a jam doughnut, which is neither round nor jam-filled, but rather, a fried finger bun, sliced lengthways and filled with whipped cream, with only the smallest dot of jam on top.

CURRY NIGHT

Just like Australia, New Zealand’s culinary landscape has been influenced and shaped by various waves of immigration. In Australia, that has seen Italian, Greek and Lebanese influences shape the national palate; pasta borders on a national obsession and everyone has a go-to charcoal chicken shop. In New Zealand, the flavour profile leans heavily towards Southeast Asian and Indian influences, especially in metropolitan areas. Your average suburban main street is home to at least three Indian restaurants, while even small beach settlements will offer some version of Chinese or Thai takeaways.

WATTIE’S SAUCE

Kiwis may pronounce fish and chips a little differently to Aussies (as every Australian loves to point out) but that’s not the only thing that sets them apart. In fact, New Zealand fish and chips are near identical to Australia’s, except for one significant detail: Wattie’s Tomato Sauce. Simply known as Wattie’s, this vinegar-driven sauce is the only condiment on offer at most fish and chipperies, often served in a retro, squeezable bottle shaped like a tomato. Some takeaway shops will make you buy your own Wattie’s, offering small tins of the sauce – similar in size and shape to cat food – which you can crack open as you settle in for the most classic of Kiwi culinary experiences: fish and chips on the beach. Other helpful things to know: a potato scallop is known as a fritter. And a hot dog in New Zealand, is a battered sausage on a stick – or what Australians might call a Dagwood Dog.

COFFEE CULTURE

Just like pavlova, Phar Lap and Crowded House, coffee is the source of much contention between Australia and New Zealand, specifically when it comes to the beloved flat white. Various baristas on either side of the Tasman claim to have coined the phrase, which began appearing on café menus in the mid-1980s. Who really invented it? Who really cares. The more important thing to know about coffee culture in New Zealand is that double shots are served as standard. Whether ordering a flat white, cappuccino or piccolo, you will always be served a double. If you want a single shot – as served standard in Australia – you need to request a half-strength or weak coffee. While we’re on the subject, skim milk is known as trim milk and a babycino is called a fluffy.

LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD (… AND RAIN, HAIL, SNOW AND SUN)

Forget the Brits, New Zealanders are obsessed with the weather. So much so, it is consistently the highest rating segment of their nightly news bulletins.

This is because New Zealand weather is wildly unpredictable and volatile. On any given day, at any given moment, the weather will change and no one – including the people paid to forecast it – seems to have any idea it’s coming. This is because Aotearoa is surrounded by ocean, which controls the weather. Nowhere in New Zealand is more than 130 kilometres from the coast.

For this reason, any trip to

New Zealand, regardless of season, requires all-weather attire. From togs and sunnies to raincoats and jumpers, all are essential. Don’t bother with an umbrella unless it’s a Blunt – especially designed by Kiwis for New Zealand’s wild weather. Nothing else will survive.