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Cultural considerations in Australasia

From Kiwis in skirts to knowing your cricket, here are a few things to be aware of if you're going Down Under

Without doubt, Australia and New Zealand are two of the most popular destinations for travellers and it’s easy to see why. Cosmopolitan cities, unspoilt wilderness, secluded islands, world-class sites, and more adrenaline-packed adventures than you can shake your rucksack at! And as for the locals, Australasia is home to some of the friendliest inhabitants on the planet. A 'no worries’ ethic sets the laid back culture across Australia and New Zealand.

While the Australasian culture appears to be Western in many ways, this doesn’t automatically mean that the culture will be the same as your own, so you should be careful not to take this comforting familiarity for granted. Here’s a quick guide to living as a local down-under to help you stay in the locals’ good books! You should carefully consider these points and grab a decent travel guide such as a Lonely Planet book before you go, which will soon become your well-thumbed in-country 'bible’.

The local lingo

Almost anything seems to be “no worries” to Australians, while everyday life tastes “as sweet as” to New Zealanders. This laid back attitude induces a relaxed lifestyle, so if you’re used to living life in the fast lane, take a step back and go with the flow. The best way to adapt to local life in Australasia is by watching what the locals do. If something doesn’t get done in time and it’s no worries there, it needn’t be a concern for you.

Give it a fair go

Equality forms a big part of the culture down under. The belief in giving everything a “fair go” is important to Australians and this balanced viewpoint is echoed in a society which aims to offer everyone an equal chance. Discrimination or a judgemental attitude cause ripples down under, so if you have an opinion about a contentious issue then it’s wise to keep it to yourself. Remember - you’re a visitor so you should respect your host country’s culture and custom.

In New Zealand, it’s common for Kiwi women to get stuck into masculine tasks such as car maintenance and playing rugby, and independent female New Zealanders certainly aren’t held back by preconceived feminine notions.

Meeting and greeting

Australians are renowned for their friendliness and you’ll often be greeted with an informal “G’day” or “G’day mate”. If you’re not used to this it might sound a little patronising at first, but it’s the Aussie way of saying a casual “hello”! You’ll find most Australians prefer to use first names, even at an initial meeting. If you’re not a very modest person try and be sensitive to the fact that modesty is very important to Australians, so being a boastful rabbit won’t get you far! In comparison, New Zealanders are friendly but can be more reserved, especially at a first meeting. However, once they strike up a friendship you’ll find an outgoing nature beyond the initial formality.

Be a good sport

Sport is prominent throughout Australasia and its residents are very proud of their home teams, so overly brandishing your home country’s team to the locals isn’t a wise idea. Cricket is Australia’s national sport, while building on the hardship and heroics of historic Australian soldiers, more aggressive contact sports such as rugby league and football are popular across both Australia and New Zealand.

Cultural cringe

It’s a big “no no” for Australian residents to believe that another country is superior in any shape or form. Anyone who thinks this is considered to devalue the country’s pride and will be frowned upon. Pride, belief and loyalty never hurt anyone and you should respect this.

Don’t mix it up

Mixing spirits to make a tasty cocktail may work a treat, but Australians and New Zealanders don’t appreciate being confused with one another, so try not to mix things up. This is on the basis of a respectful rivalry between the two countries, which flares up to a fierce competition on the sporting field.

Watch that one!

Here are some specific cultural hotspots to look out for when travelling to Australia and New Zealand. If you spot something we’ve missed, feel free to scribble it down!

In New Zealand, look out for

Men in skirts

If you travel to New Zealand, you’ll stumble across brawny men tattooed up to the eyeballs donning nothing more than revealing skirts and a scattering of jewellery. These dashing locals may seem like a dream come true for many girls, but they’re not just here for our entertainment! The Maori people are indigenous to New Zealand, first arriving here over 1000 years ago. Today, they make up over 14 percent of the country’s total population and Maori traditions form the cultural foundations for everyday New Zealand life. This rich and varied legendary culture embraces traditional and contemporary arts, including carving, weaving, film, television, poetry, theatre, whaikorero (oratory) and moko (tattooing). A visit to a kapa haka (group performance) - famously performed by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team - is a must

Surprising signage

When you first visit New Zealand, you’ll quickly become aware of lots of unusual sounding places of Maori origin. Don’t be too bamboozled by these seemingly impossible to pronounce names - the Maori language has a logical structure so give it a fair go! If not, the locals will be really pleased if you ask them as this will show you’re making an effort to engage with their culture.

In Australia, look out for...

A whole lot of multi-culture

Although its initial population was purely made up of Aborigines and British and Irish descendents, the last 30 years have seen Australia liberalise its immigration policy after opening its borders to South East Asia. These days, as Australia strives to redefine itself as a multi-cultured country, it continues to actively welcome immigrants to build its population and workforce.