How would you describe typical New Zealand culture to outsiders?

In New Zealand, there are some things that are considered "kiwi core values", and these values ??are also understood and applied by those with foreign backgrounds.

I certainly adopted them when I lived there, as did most of my non-kiwi friends, because if you want to make a difference, that's the easy way:

< p>When you go to someone's house, bring something with you. Food or bottled drinks, don't arrive empty-handed.

Māori are, directly or indirectly, the ultimate site of decision-making. Never put your hat on the table. Maori will object. Never put your hands on a child's head. Maori will object. Never assume that a piece of land can be used as envisaged before consulting Māori.

When visiting other people’s homes, go around to the back door. No one ever used the front door. Life happens later.

Bragging is strictly prohibited. In New Zealand, everyone is equal and any peacock's antics will have you chopped down before you can say "tall poppy".

New Zealand is perfect. 36. Criticisms should not be spoken out, and jokes should not be used as a price, unless you want to find someone to fight.

When you venture into someone else's house, be sure to close the door. Some rooms have heating, some don't. You don't want to disrupt this arrangement.

Friends support each other. Unlike people from other English-speaking countries, your New Zealand friends will actually help you when you need help.

Speak realistically. Again, unlike most other English-speaking countries, New Zealanders are very direct and won't mislead you with meaningless polite expressions. When the Kiwis say, "We should have you over one day," they are undoubtedly adding to their shopping list for that evening.

Know your stuff. In New Zealand you can do whatever you want and no one will mind, but proven incompetence is an absolute killer from which no one can recover.

Respect and trust need to be earned, one person at a time. They will test you, or challenge you, before deciding whether you are worthy of their trust. They may think you don't need it, even if you try.

As a European, these things are a mystery to me because, on the surface, New Zealand is so European. But it's a very different place and you really need to meet its own conditions if you want to do well there.