Your October Mobile Newsletter

Aotearoa New Zealand's Ties to the British Monarch

Queen Elizabeth's recent passing may have made you curious about the British Monarch's relationship with Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our cultural connections to the UK remain strong, though definitely not exclusive in our increasingly multi-cultural society. Nonetheless, our British political connections are embedded in our governmental system and appear on our calendar and currency.

Aotearoa New Zealand is one of 56 independent states that form the Commonwealth of Nations, created in 1949 to keep connection between countries that had once been British colonies but have gone on to be considered 'free and equal'.

Within the Commonwealth, we are one of 15 Commonwealth realms: sovereign states that share a single head of state. That head of state is currently King Charles III.

Aotearoa New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy. While the British Monarch is our head of state, they act at the advice of the government. Our government is selected through democratic elections every three years and operates as a parliamentary system.

The Māori Monarch, currently Tūheitia Paki, is influential within Aotearoa and has historically had a special relationship with the British Monarch.

To recognise the death of Queen Elizabeth, the 26th of September was made a public holiday and a state memorial service was held in her honour. We celebrate the sovereign's birthday annually with a public holiday on the first Monday in June.

Look here for more about our government, here for more about the Commonwealth, and here for more about the Royal Family's relationship with New Zealand. You can learn more about the Kīngitanga (Maori King Movement)'s history here and his relationship with Queen Elizabeth and King Charles here.

HOW TO: Communicate like a local

Communication consists of both words and the way the words are delivered. Like anywhere, there are some fairly distinct ways that Kiwis do it, and we're going to deliver some tips to allow you to communicate like a local.

Know the lingo. To call someone on the phone is 'to ring' while the common slang for sending a text or email is 'to flick [someone] a text/email'. When scheduling something, one does not consult a schedule, calendar, or itinerary but rather the diary.

Learn and use Te Reo. Te Reo Māori is often dropped into English conversations and news. The more you know, the more you'll understand and the more Kiwi you'll sound.

Use your phone as a phone. That's right: ringing a person or business is the single most effective way to connect in Aotearoa New Zealand. Individuals ring each other, and you can even ring businesses or government agencies when you need help sorting out an issue.

Variable digits. Phone numbers vary in length, so the number of digits won't flag if you're missing or have added a number. More on phone numbers and their meaning here.

Begin with a greeting. Before launching into the desired topic, Kiwis tend to start each text and online chat with a greeting, such as 'hello' or 'kia ora'.

Download WhatsApp. The most popular communication tool in Aotearoa New Zealand is WhatsApp. It's used both for one-on-one chats as well as group chats off all types (friend groups, groups by common interest, communication about events, and more). Anytime you (or your child) join a group, club, class, or the like, ask if there is an accompanying WhatsApp group.

This is a great thing to chat about with your Advisor as they can give you the hyperlocal scoop on the way things are done in your new community.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NZ: Labour Day

Ever since 1890, Labour Day has been celebrated in New Zealand on the fourth Monday in October. It recognises the 8-hour work day that was adopted here in 1840.

Labour Day is one of 11 statutory holidays protected by law and the only one that falls during the spring.

Like most holidays, it is celebrated on a Monday and becomes a great reason for people to get away for the weekend or take four days of annual leave for a full week away from work. Check out the full list of public holidays and anniversary days here.