Nov 8, 2011
47 days and counting - as daunting as it might sound, Christmas is just around the corner! Many new students to New Zealand will experience their first Christmas in the land of the long white cloud and they are in for a treat – with the combination of summer, holiday fun and the traditional annual festivities of Christmas, New Zealand can take on a very different look.While many traditions of a winter-inspired Christmas are still ingrained in New Zealand, these traditions have been adapted to fit in with fun in the sun, the beach and summer holidays. All of these elements are the basis for a relaxed Kiwi-style Christmas where most of us Kiwis put an emphasis on the outdoors rather than the fanfare of a traditional Northern Hemisphere Christmas banquet indoors keeping warm.
As with most countries, in New Zealand Christmas is a time spent with family and friends. But Kiwis will always welcome someone in need of a true Kiwiana Christmas experience to join them in their home. Christmas morning usually sees gifts exchanged, and then the preparation for a relaxing festive lunch or dinner begins. The Kiwi barbeque is one of the most popular options on Christmas Day with groups gathering around midday at beaches, parks and backyards for a casual afternoon of fresh seafood and meats, seasonal salads and vegetables, combined with the traditional roast turkey or ham and roasted kumara and potatoes. Dessert is a fest in itself with traditional plum puddings topped off with the classic Kiwi pavlova covered in strawberries and kiwifruit. All of the food is enjoyed outdoors while soaking up the best of what summer has to offer, and the afternoon is usually topped off with a game of backyard cricket, beach volleyball, boating , fishing or swimming to name just a few.
How to Experience the Festive Season in Auckland
Auckland has always embraced the Christmas spirit and has 5 must do’s for the festive season:
1. Franklin Road Christmas Lights – what started with one resident decorating his home with Christmas lights has now expanded into over 100,000 people visiting the street each December to experience and soak up the atmosphere of Franklin Road Christmas Lights! With its own organising committee and an official opening, almost every house on the street takes on a life of its own with dazzling creative displays for the month of December. This is a must-see once the sun goes down, so grab a coffee or hot chocolate and wander down the Christmas light wonderland…and best of all it is FREE.
2. Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest ‘Christmas Tree’ – every year, the iconic Sky Tower is lit up like a giant Christmas tree that changes colour in an orchestrated phase. It is an amazing site from all over the city after dark.
3. Telecom Giant Christmas Trees in Ponsonby - only 5 minutes from Central Auckland, the tree stands 7 stories tall and features 375,000 lights. There is even a phone box at the base to call the North Pole – with the callers’ voices magically activating the tree lights!
4. Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park – on 11th December 2011 at 7.30pm, this extravaganza is in its 17th year and gives all of Auckland the opportunity to gather family and friends together to enjoy New Zealand’s biggest outdoor concert celebrating Christmas. For a magical night with some of the country’s top entertainers, dancers, musicians and singers bring along a picnic and get into the Christmas spirit.
5. Auckland Santa Parade – another great free event is the annual Farmers Santa Parade. With a 75-year history, young and old line the footpaths of Queen Street to be entertained by the Christmas floats, clowns, acrobats, school bands and all in anticipation of getting a glimpse of the man of the moment, Santa.
Come and join us this summer Down Under, experience a Christmas in the sun and enjoy all of the festivities that New Zealand has to offer over the festive season!
For more information on the various courses offered by Quantum Education Group, please visit http://www.qegroup.co.nz/group/our-schools/
