Posted By

Tags

The Magic Day of Christmas is upon New Zealanders

Auckland, December 25, 2017 (1220 pm)

Venkat Raman

While much of the Northern Hemisphere is yet to wake up to Christmas 2017, New Zealanders have already had their traditional Christmas Breakfast and are currently enjoying their Christmas Lunch in their homes with families and friends.

Christmas Day is a National Holiday with all government, industrial and commercial establishments including supermarkets and other retail outlets closed for business. Newspapers are not published on Christmas day and with Television and radio stations barred from broadcasting commercials, programmes are largely related to Christmas and the holiday season. Traffic is light on most roads as people enjoy the day at home after attending Special Mass at Churches.

Long Weekend

While many commercial undertakings started their annual break on Friday, December 23, 2017 (some even earlier) and would open only on Monday, January 8, 2018 (some even later), local and central government offices, major financial institutions and others will observe only statutory holidays- namely December 25 and December 26 (Boxing Day) and again on January 1 and January 2, 2018. However, most New Zealanders enjoy a longer weekend this season because of the preceding Saturday and Sunday.

Essential facilities such as petrol stations, hospitals and private health providers and others will continue to operate round-the-clock.

The Weather

Snow, ice and cold weather are often missed by New Zealanders on Christmas Day since the Southern Hemisphere is normally hot and humid. Summer began as per season – on December 1, 2017 and it has been hot, although a few days witnessed light rain and breeze.

The Festivities

Festivities began almost a fortnight ago, with commercial organisations and corporates hosting Christmas and year-end parties for staff and customers. Major retailers have placed an extensive range of items on special offers, while shopping malls, with extended business hours, have dedicated counters providing free gift wrap services.

Legends and traditions come alive. Towns, villages, communities and the entire country is in a festive mood. The traditional parade of Santa Claus held in cities and towns throughout New Zealand over the past three weeks brought the usual anxiety and fun.

Christmas Dinner

Christmas dinner in New Zealand is a mixture of Western and South Pacific traditions. Many still have turkey and plum pudding but often served with salads. The traditional feed is cooked on the barbecue outside and may include a variety of typical Kiwi treats, such as lamb chops and Christmas fare.

The festive food is incomplete without a large, fluffy but light Pavlova, our own dessert, made whipped egg whites and sugar, cooked in a slow, low oven and decorated with fruit (often Kiwifruit) and cream.

Maori Tradition

Maori traditionally celebrated the month Hakihea (which begins on or about December 15) as one of ease, before the Christian missionaries exercised their influence.

The ‘Maori Hangi’ is a big hole in the ground, heated with hot rocks and then loaded with baskets of food, covered and allowed to cook underground. The food items include tender pork, chicken, kumara, pumpkin, potatoes and stuffing. The ‘Hangi’ is usually served around 5 pm followed by carol singing.

Food for the Needy

Christmas is also the time when New Zealanders remember the poor and the needy.

Satya Group of Restaurants located at 17 Great North Road, Newton, 515 Sandringham Road, Sandringham and 57 Mt Eden Road, Eden Terrace, have just commenced offering free lunch (from 12 pm to 2 pm) and will carry on with the Christmas spirit with free dinner from 6 pm to 9 pm.

The Auckland City Mission is also serving community lunch to thousands of poor people, especially the lonely and sick. This year, the Mission has also invited refugee families for the lunch served by scores of volunteers.

Tomorrow, December 26, is Boxing Day, which retailers hope, would be the beginning of three-days of bumper sales, with prices on most items reduced to attract consumer interest. Consumer sales this season are expected to set record levels.

Goodwill and Friendship

Christmas is a season for goodwill and friendship. People from all walks of life decide to become a little more human, showing concern for the fellow beings and fostering goodwill, kinship and universal brotherhood. It is a time to give-love, gifts and understanding and a time to forgive.

*

Photo Caption:

  1. Santa on Queen Street, Auckland (File Picture courtesy: Radio New Zealand)
  2. Festivities at Lambton Quay and Midland Park, Wellington today and tomorrow

(December 25 and December 26; Image Courtesy: Wellington Council)

Share this story

Related Stories

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Indian Newslink

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement