Te Reo Māori (the Māori language) is very much a part of New Zealand life. Not only is it recognisedas one of the country’s official languages, Kiwis are known to drop the occasional Māori word in conversation. As such, it’s highly recommended that you learn a few key sayings before you travel. Here are a few common phrases you’re bound to hear during your stay. 1. Kia Ora (Hello, informal) Both Māori and Pākeha (New Zealand Europeans) will greet you with this phrase. It’s a

*This article was originally featured in The Maori Cultural Guide to NZ It’s a question that baffles even the most culturally-aware travellers – and the answer is much more obvious than one might think. Here’s a hint: it’s directly tied to the curious bird species that has, along the years, become the country’s national symbol. Okay, but why the kiwi? To start answering this question, one must simply look at the country’s history. New Zealand’s indigenous Māori have always

Immerse yourself in the spirit of our land, hear our stories and appreciate our culture. Aboriginal Australians have developed and are bound by highly complex belief systems that interconnects the land, spirituality, law, social life and care of the environment. The terms Dreamtime, Dreaming and Songlines are regularly used and interchanged to describe these important elements of Aboriginal cultures. The Dreamtime is the period of creation when the world was a fe

New Zealand is not some faraway dreamland that should stay in travellers’ imaginations. It’s very easy to get to, and the journey across the Pacific will reward you with plenty of incredible attractions and local treasures. If you need some convincing, here are 14 reasons everyone should visit this lovely destination at least once in their lifetime. The sublime landscapes Even if you haven’t seen the The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit films, you’ll know New Zealand is incred