A Māori Christmas?

This post is based on some of my memories of Christmas during the 1960's and 1970's, and a bit of history. Is there a traditional Māori Christmas? In my opinion, there isn't. Christmas was introduced to New Zealand with Christianity.

The first Christmas sermon was delivered at Hohi (Oihi), Bay of Islands in 1814 by Samuel Marsden, a Church of England priest, and a member of the Church Missionary Society. Marsden believed that because Māori were experienced in trade they were perfect candidates for conversion to Christianity. Marsden explained that as Māori understood trade, this was a ‘key aspect in terms of accepting European ideals and beliefs’.

The natives of New Zealand are far advanced in civilisation and apparently prepared for receiving the knowledge of Christianity more than any savage nations I have seen. Their habits of industry are very strong; and their thirst for knowledge great, they only want the means. The more I see of these people, the more pleased I am with…they appear like a superior race of men”

Claudia Orange, The story of a treaty, p. 14

Marsden's first sermon however didn’t seem to captivate Maori who were, “clearly in a position of strength, so there seemed little reason for them to heed the new message”. This service marked the beginnings of the Christian mission to New Zealand, but there is a question over whether it was the first Christmas service.

Samuel Marsden preaching at Oihi Bay, Christmas 1814, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A1818.

Clark, Russell Stuart Cedric, 1905-1966. Clark, Russell Stuart 1905-1966 :Samuel Marsden's first service in New Zealand. The Gospel of Jesus Christ first proclaimed on these shores by the Rev. Samuel Marsden at Oihi, Bay of Islands, Christmas Day, 1814 [Christchurch] N.Z. Church Missionary Society [1964]. Ref: B-077-006. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.

My Māori Christmas 

The fondest memory I have around Christmas time is hearing dad saying, "the Pohutukawa is blooming, time to get some kina (sea urchins)". The Pohutukawa tree is also known as the 'Settlers Christmas Tree'. It's bright red blooms are not only visually stunning but have been mentioned as being used by Ngāpuhi leader, Eruera Patuone as part of the table decorations at a feast he hosted. Another staple of Christmas was the preparation of and enjoying a hāngi. Sir Peter Buck describes a hāngi as an earth oven with heated stones and a covering of earth. I remember that the meat cooked in the hāngi was tender, the vegetables tasty and the pudding delicious. Christmas was a time where I enjoyed helping in the preparation of food, watching my father make the hāngi, shell the kina and spending time with my whānau. Okay it was slightly about the presents as well but that's another story.

Image: Melanie Lovell-Smith, Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand 

This post was written by Ani Sharland with thanks to New Zealand History Online, Te Ara: the encyclopedia of New Zealand, The Coming of the Māori by Sir Peter Buck and The Alexander Turnbull Library.

Christmas in Japan

Christmas is a western tradition that has developed in Japan and gained popularity over the past few decades.

In Japan, Christmas is more about spreading happiness rather than recognising the religious aspects of the holiday.

Christmas Eve is a special occasion when couples spend time together and exchange presents - looking at the Christmas lights and having a meal at a restaurant are popular ways to spend the evening. Christmas Eve in Japan is often seen to as the Japanese version of Valentine's Day.

The western custom of sending and receiving Christmas cards is a tradition adopted in Japan. It is not surprising for a country that is known for its beautiful origami paper art, to have designed some of the most beautiful Christmas cards as well.

A selection of Japanese Christmas cards on display
at Te Aka Mauri Rotorua Library, Christmas 2019

Tokyo Disneyland is a popular destination for families to visit during the festive season to experience a Disney-style Christmas.

Another American corporation that is associated with Christmas is KFC. Fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas Day. KFC is a popular choice, following a successful advertising campaign in the 1970s. People will preorder meals KFC weeks in advance.

A traditional Christmas food is kurisumasu keki, a Japanese Christmas cake. This sponge cake is decorated with strawberries, frosting, and whipped cream. The red, white, and circular shape shares the same symbolism as the Japanese flag - the crimson red symbolising the sun and representing a prosperous future for Japan. The white background symbolises purity, honesty and integrity of the Japanese people.

Japanese Christmas Cake. Source: Flickr,
Attribution-NoDervis 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

As many of the Christmas traditions in Japan have western origins many Japanese living in New Zealand will continue to enjoy the same Christmas traditions here.

To learn more about how Japan and other cultures celebrate Christmas visit whychristmas.com 

Meri Kurisumasu!


This blog post was written by Graeme.

Christmas in the Netherlands

Vrolijk Kersfeest!

Midwinter Hoornblazen

Rural eastern areas of the country celebrate different Christmas traditions in the Netherlands. In addition to Sinterklaas Avond celebrations, this area is well known for the midwinter hoornblazen, or midwinter horn blowing. Handmade horns, three- or four-foot horns carved from birch or elder saplings, are blown over wells to announce Advent and herald the birth of Christ. The low tone produced from these horns resonating over the wells can be heard for several miles, and it is not unusual for several farms to seem to call to one another with their horns.

In some areas, these horns may be blown each day of Advent, or they may be reserved for the first or last days of the spiritual celebration

Christmas Day and Second Christmas Day

December 25, known as Eerste Kerstdag, is still a holiday in the Netherlands. But since most gift-giving is done on Sinterklaas Avond, this day is a time for quiet church services and traditional family meals. Christmas Day is a time for family gatherings and delicious meals, including special breakfasts and formal dinners that include the food gourmetten. Santa Claus (Kerstman) is believed to come from Finland on Christmas Eve and deliver small gifts (but most of the major gift-giving has already been done on St. Nicholas Eve).

Food : A key element of many holiday celebrations, including Christmas in the Netherlands. Candy wreaths often decorate trees, and small treats may be given with gifts. Lavish dinners on Sinterklaas Avond typically include venison or roast goose, roast pork, vegetables, and homemade breads. Boiled chestnuts, fruit, an almond paste bread (kerststol) similar to marzipan, and cookies are also popular. Many families bake letter cakes shaped like the first letter of each family member's name to add a personal and tasty dish to the holiday fare. Currant buns and rich breads with fruit and nuts (stollen) are also popular.

From : https://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Traditions_in_the_Netherlands

Christmas in the Netherlands Fact #5 – While most Europeans begin celebrating Christmas on December 1st, the Dutch begin the first Saturday after November 11th when Sinterklaas arrives on a boat from Spain. 

Christmas in the Netherlands Fact #7 – Instead of a sleigh pulled by reindeer, Sinterklaas rides a white horse named Amerigo.

Dutch Christmas Fact #13 – Nearly everyone receives a large, chocolate letter of their first initial in their wooden shoes from Sinterklaas.

Dutch Christmas Fact #16 – A thick, brandy-spiked variation of eggnog called Advocaat is often served over the holidays.

From : https://everydaywanderer.com/christmas-in-the-netherlands

From : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

A very scrummy treat to try : 

From  https://www.weekendbakery.com/posts/our-perfect-christmas-stollen/

Ingredients for Stollen

Makes 1 stollen of about 800 g

250 g all purpose flour (we use French type 55)

135 g lukewarm milk*

7 g instant yeast or 21 g fresh yeast

5.5 g salt

1 egg yolk

40 g butter, softened

15 g ‘sweetener'(orange and lemon zest sugar)

180 g dried fruits equal parts, raisins, currants, cranberries, soaked and dried

150 g almond paste combined with 1/2 a small egg or one egg yolk 

melted butter for brushing

icing sugar for dusting

I have bought this treat for several years from the supermarket so it's also available for those who are domestically challenged ( i.e. Can't cook that is :))

Here in Rotorua the "Netherlands Society" celebrates Sinterklaas Avond together every year at the beginning of December. To see how our Dutch community makes Christmas special follow them on their Facebook page 

The society has been running here in Rotorua for over 50 years Netherlands Society

You can also read about the Netherlands in a Lonely Planet Guide by Nicola Williams. This book can be found on the 1st Floor Adult Non-Fiction Collection, at 949.2 TRA 2019

or you could read some newsletters published by the local society "Geyser News" which is found in the Don Stafford Room on the 2nd Floor.

Our Christmas Display on the 2nd Floor has items loaned to us by Abbey one of our lovely staff members who has shared some of her own items from the Netherlands.

This Post compiled by Alison

Christmas in the Czech Republic

New Zealand is inhabited with people from cultures all around the world, and inevitably traditions from "home" will be brought to the new land. Often the traditions are altered to become a fusion of Kiwi culture and what was celebrated back "home".

One of the staff at Te Aka Mauri originates from the Czech Republic, and she has kindly shared how Christmas was celebrated as she grew up. She has been fortunate in being able to take her children back to the  Czech Republic to experience Christmas there and so shares this plus what she's brought to this new land.

The first Sunday in December is the beginning of Advent and the first candle on the Advent wreath is lit. Each Sunday in December another candle is lit so by Christmas Day, the candles are all at different lengths. This is one tradition she has brought to New Zealand.

Throughout the month of December mums get busy baking, not just a Christmas cake but as many variety of vanocni cukovi (small sweet treats) as they can. In fact it can be a bit of a competition. Because it is so cold, they are often stored in boxes out on the balcony until Christmas Day.

On the 5th Dec, there is a knock at the door and St Mikulas appears at the door to discuss the children's behaviour. He is accompanied by a devil and an angel. The devil often "threatens" the children but the angel intervenes. Those who've been good receive chocolate, those who've been naughty, are given a potato. The family used to visit the Czech school in Tauranga to participate in this day.

St Mikulas with an angel and the devil check children's behaviour

Christmas markets also begin on the first Sunday in Advent. Often a life-size nativity is set up in the town square where the markets occur. As the month progresses Nativity plays are also performed, along with music and choir events.

The Nativity set up in the town square where the markets take place.

The outdoor Nativity play

The fisherman begin to arrive with their big barrels of carp to sell at the markets as well. About two days before Christmas, the carp is selected by the family, brought home and placed in the bath! This will be a central part of the Christmas Day menu.

The carp in the bath!

Christmas Day is celebrated on 24th December. First thing Christmas morning the carp is killed and turned into steaks and fish soup. No one has breakfast.  Along with creating a fish soup, furniture is re-arranged with tables joined together so everyone will be able to sit together for the mid-day meal. The family then heads off for the Christmas morning church service. Something they still do here in New Zealand.

The menu begins with a small plate of lentils. Hidden under each plate is a fish scale, which is popped in your wallet to signify you'll have money in the New Year. Next comes the fish soup, a light garlicky soup made from the head, bones and internal organs of the carp. Battered or crumbed carp steaks are then served with homemade potato salad.

Fish soup. Note the Advent wreath in the centre of the table

Here in New Zealand, the menu is still fish and home-made potato salad, with all the family around joined-together tables.

Modified Czech Christmas Day lunch for the New Zealand summer

At this point there's a break. Children may perform a concert or recital for grandparents, but often the children are also taken outside.

Afternoon ice-skating

 It could be to go ice-skating, playing in the snow, building snowmen or a visit to the nearby woods to decorate trees with carrots and apples for the animals.

Decorating a tree for the animals

While this is going on, other adults in the family are moving a decorated Christmas Tree and the presents into the living room. When a bell rings, everyone can enter. Now is when the mothers, grandmothers and aunties special sweet treats come out.

Vanocni cukovi (small sweet treats)

Finally the day finishes with everyone attending Midnight Mass.

Twelve days after Christmas, the Three Kings visit and write on each door with chalk their initials K+M+B (Kaspar, Melchior and Balthazar) and the year, e.g.2020. At this point the Christmas Tree is taken down and thrown out. Christmas is over for another year.

This blog is written by Trish with thanks to Kristina and her family for sharing their memories and photos.