New Zealand Culinary Discoveries

Before the arrival of European settlers or gawking tourists, the Maori revered the sublimity of the New Zealand landscape. They hunted ostrich-like moa birds, prospected for valuable pounamu (greenstone), and imbued the landscape with ancestral spirits. Today, Maori art and culture remain a vibrant part of Kiwi life. Travelers can witness this cultural heritage by attending a hangi (feast) in Rotorua , Christchurch , or Queenstown . Other opportunities to discover Maori tradition include a visit to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington or a night’s stay at a Maori marae “meeting grounds” in the rarely-touristed East Cape town of Gisborne .

For a different taste of Kiwi culture, sample one of the country’s many wines and beers. Vintages from the regions of Hawke’s Bay , Blenheim , Central Otago , and Martinborough have earned international recognition. Beer-making in New Zealand is a strongly regional affair: Monteith’s in Greymouth , Speight’s in Dunedin , and Sunshine Brewing in Gisborne are just some of the many Kiwi breweries who open their doors for brewery tours. For more foodie feasts, see The Foodie Tour.

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