Halloween in New Zealand
If you’re accustomed to a grand, autumnal Halloween celebration, experiencing it in New Zealand might feel a little puzzling at first. Unlike the crisp, cozy fall celebrations elsewhere, Halloween in New Zealand arrives in a warmer, greener season. You’ll be enjoying spring weather, and that shift in season can take some getting used to. Pumpkins and other traditional autumnal decorations might feel out of place here, as spring flowers bloom around you.
While still growing in popularity, largely due to American influence, the way Halloween is celebrated in Aotearoa has its own unique quirks.
Here are some key points to help you navigate Halloween in New Zealand:
Neighbourhood celebrations vary
The level of Halloween enthusiasm differs widely depending on where you live. Some neighbourhoods go all out, while others may not celebrate at all. The best way to gauge this is to ask locals about what it looks like in your area. In places where trick-or-treating is embraced, homes will signal their participation by decorating the front of their house or letterbox. Popular decorations include faux spider webs, which you’ll see popping up on fences and porches.
The decorations are short lived.
Unlike countries where Halloween decorations might stay up for days or even weeks, Kiwis tend to keep things brief. Decorations often appear around midday on Halloween itself and are quickly removed by the following morning. The focus here is less on long-term displays and more on a fun, fleeting evening of festivities.
Simple, Recycled Costumes
Costumes in New Zealand tend to be simple and practical, often reused from year to year. Families might have a few staple costumes that get passed around among siblings, or kids might get creative with items they already have. The emphasis is more on fun and less on elaborate, brand-new outfits each year.
You wont see any pumpkins.
One major difference is the absence of pumpkin carving. While pumpkin carving is a big part of Halloween in other countries, it's not really part of the New Zealand celebration. You won’t see many jack-o'-lanterns glowing on doorsteps.
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