Geography and Weather
New Zealand is an island nation composed of a north and south island. The typography of this country features mountains, volcanoes, beaches, forests, and even glaciers! Due to it's location in the southern hemisphere just over 2500 miles southeast of Australia, New Zealand experiences seasons opposite of the US. Spring in New Zealand begins in September, and ends in November. From December to February is the New Zealand summer. This is followed by a fall season from March until May. This puts the New Zealand winter right in the middle of our typical US summer; winter falls from June until August.
Swanson, the suburb of Auckland where my teaching experience is taking place, is home to about 2500 people. This small suburb is located just 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles) west of Auckland. To the west of Swanson you can find a beautiful chain of hills covered in greenery called the Waitakere Range.
Swanson, the suburb of Auckland where my teaching experience is taking place, is home to about 2500 people. This small suburb is located just 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles) west of Auckland. To the west of Swanson you can find a beautiful chain of hills covered in greenery called the Waitakere Range.
A waterfall found in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
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A photo of Auckland's city skyline.
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Language and Culture
New Zealand is a primarily English speaking country. However along with English, New Zealand also claims New Zealand Sign Language and the indigenous Maori Language as national languages. There are also some terms that, although they are English, mean very different things in New Zealand than they do in the US.
A list of these words includes:
New Zealander's also have a preference to the word "kiwi". The people of New Zealand find ownership and pride in referring to themselves as a Kiwi. New Zealand also uses a different currency than the US. The currency in New Zealand is called the New Zealand Dollar. Currently, one New Zealand Dollar is equal to about $.65 US Dollars.
New Zealand also celebrates the culture of its indigenous peoples from the Maori population. The Maori culture is celebrated in many ways including:
A list of these words includes:
- Jumper = Sweatshirt or sweater
- Rubbish = Garbage
- Vivid = Permanent Marker or Sharpie
- Chips/Hot Chips = French Fries
- Toilet = Bathroom/Restroom
- Dairy = Grocery Store
- Togs = Swimsuit
- Jandals = Flip Flops
New Zealander's also have a preference to the word "kiwi". The people of New Zealand find ownership and pride in referring to themselves as a Kiwi. New Zealand also uses a different currency than the US. The currency in New Zealand is called the New Zealand Dollar. Currently, one New Zealand Dollar is equal to about $.65 US Dollars.
New Zealand also celebrates the culture of its indigenous peoples from the Maori population. The Maori culture is celebrated in many ways including:
- Haka = Haka is a dance or series of movements that is traditional to Maori culture in times of war, or celebration. Most recently the Haka made an appearance at the 2016 Olympics as it was performed by New Zealand's rugby team the All-Blacks (here's the video!)
- Powhiri = The Powhiri is a welcoming ceremony in Maori culture.
- Hongi = The Hongi is a traditional Maori greeting where two individuals press their noses together to exchange the breath of life.
Schools in New Zealand
In New Zealand, children begin attending school between the ages of 5 and 6 years old. There are 13 years of schooling for children to complete with the opportunity to continue on to additional schooling, or University, after graduating from secondary school. School is split into Primary and Secondary levels. Primary school houses years one through eight while Secondary school houses years nine through thirteen.
A typical school day in New Zealand is expected to begin at 9:00AM and end at 3:00PM or 3:30PM. The school year is composed of four terms with a two week break between terms one, two, and three. At the end of term four, students are allotted a six week break until the new year starts. Term one begins in late January and the school year continues until the end of term four in mid December.
Students studying in New Zealand earn their National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) throughout secondary school. This certificate and the classes students take to earn it are meant to help students decide a career path while still studying in secondary school. The credits they earn towards the NCEA will help them be more prepared for post secondary plans such as University or Vocational Training.
A typical school day in New Zealand is expected to begin at 9:00AM and end at 3:00PM or 3:30PM. The school year is composed of four terms with a two week break between terms one, two, and three. At the end of term four, students are allotted a six week break until the new year starts. Term one begins in late January and the school year continues until the end of term four in mid December.
Students studying in New Zealand earn their National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) throughout secondary school. This certificate and the classes students take to earn it are meant to help students decide a career path while still studying in secondary school. The credits they earn towards the NCEA will help them be more prepared for post secondary plans such as University or Vocational Training.