New Zealand - Kids Culture Corner

For Kids

Kids Culture Corner

Do you know the capital of New Zealand?
View the map!

Do you know what New Zealand's flag looks like?
Color the flag!

Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Why do you think these countries share the holiday?

Part of the tradition of Boxing Day is giving money and other gifts to people who are in service jobs. No one knows for sure when or how the holiday started. What do you think? Hint: Hundreds of years ago the wealthy people who lived in England had their servants work on Christmas to make and serve the holiday meal.

The holiday has nothing to do with the sport of Boxing, but it probably has something to do with how gifts are given, or where people put money for needy families when they go to Church.

Captain James Cook claimed New Zealand as part of the British Empire while he was looking for a southern continent.

Although English is the main language in New Zealand, there are many people who speak Maori. Here are some children's songs in both Maori and English.

The Birth of Daylight (a Maori myth)
Ranginui, the Sky, dwelt with Papatuanuku, the Earth, and was joined to her, and land was made. But the children of Ranginui and Papatuanuku, who were very numerous, were not of the shape of men, and they lived in the darkness between their parents. The darkness of deep water, of moonless night, and of deep earth were all that they knew. Continue reading...