CULTURAL ICEBERG

 

CULTURAL ICEBERG AND NEW ZELAND

In a country there are an infinity of factors that the majority of foreigners fail to appreciate because they are not immersed in the culture, for which in this opportunity I am going to focus on three aspects that I consider relevant to mention on this occasion.

            Assumptions

New Zealand sometimes is thought of as a small country, so it's interesting to see juxtaposed on a map of Europe. This shows its length from the north of the North Island to Stewart Is comparable to the disatance from north of Copenhagen to southern France.

It seems more than a few people out there are under the impression that New Zealand is a bit behind the times, if not a third-world country. Also, most of the people think that the country is extremely peaceful and progressive oasis with no social issues at all.

              Values     

New Zealanders believe in the rule of law (rather than being ruled according to the whims of leaders) as the highest value. As well as democracy and protection by government. For them all people are equal before the law and must be protected by the law.

New Zealanders are honest, fair and consider each other as the same, therefore discrimination is prohibited.

            Beliefs

New Zealand is nominally Christian, with the largest Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian denominations. Other Protestant and Christian Maori adaptations (Ratana and Ringatu churches) make up the rest of the Christian population. About a third of the population does not indicate any religious affiliation. Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh followers are few, but they are growing. There is no established (official) religion, but the Anglican Church is widely used as the state religion.