Taihape is a small town in the centre of the North Island that prides itself on being ‘the gumboot capital of the world‘. Every year since 1985, the community celebrates Gumboot Day — a fun-filled family event that includes the town’s famed gumboot throwing contest. The iconic festival is held on the Tuesday after Easter, and its biggest ambition every year is to break the world record for the longest gumboot throw.

Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, is renowned for being the world’s steepest street. What outsiders may not know is that this is the main venue for the city’s annual Cadbury Chocolate Carnival. To kick off the sweet festivities, giant Jaffa balls (that is an orange chocolate that is unique to New Zealand) race down this steep stretch of road. There are also competitions, choc-filled activities, and an iconic Crunchie Train to entertain the crowds.

The hongi is a personal, customary greeting, usually saved up for special occasions. The pressing of noses and foreheads is how this physical greeting is exchanged. This symbolises the passing of the breath of life (‘te ha’ in Maori) from one person to another. A hongi is common practice when welcoming visitors onto Maori grounds, as well as within traditional ceremonies.

Whenever you’re entering a Maori house (whare), meeting place (marae) or tribe (iwi), you will participate in this traditional welcoming ceremony. A powhiri usually begins with three warriors challenging the guests to see if they are coming into their territory in peace, while a kaikaranga (female caller) leads the visitors towards them. Presentations, waiata (traditional songs) and speeches usually follow, and then the powhiri ends with the aforementioned hongi.