The different cultures of Aotearoa

A DigitalNZ Story by Son of the best Mum ever

Images from our collections representing some of New Zealand's diverse and beautiful cultures

Image: Chinese family in a greengrocer's shop

Chinese family in a greengrocer's shop

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Chinese children learning Chinese

Chinese children learning Chinese

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Chinese miners

Chinese miners

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Chinese community champions

Chinese community champions

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: First Chinese medical graduate

First Chinese medical graduate

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Chinese Anglican Mission, Wellington

Chinese Anglican Mission, Wellington

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Attacking Chinese

Attacking Chinese

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Welcoming Chinese miners, 1865

Welcoming Chinese miners, 1865

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Chinese pakapoo shop, Dunedin, 1904

Chinese pakapoo shop, Dunedin, 1904

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Chinese Martial Arts Association, 1969

Chinese Martial Arts Association, 1969

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Reverend Don and Chinese gold miners

Reverend Don and Chinese gold miners

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Chinese market gardener in South Dunedin

Chinese market gardener in South Dunedin

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Matilda Lo Keong, who is thought to be the first female Chinese immigrant to New Zealand

Matilda Lo Keong, who is thought to be the first female Chinese immigrant to New Zealand

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Muldoon meets Mao

Muldoon meets Mao

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Denied the old age pension

Denied the old age pension

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Mawai Hakona 1973; 2nd New Zealand Polynesian Festival, Rotorua 7; Ramona Mercer.

Mawai Hakona 1973; 2nd New Zealand Polynesian Festival, Rotorua 7; Ramona Mercer.

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Banquet

Banquet

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Ōtara market

Ōtara market

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Black Grace

Black Grace

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Tīpene O'Regan and Amster Reedy, 1982

Tīpene O'Regan and Amster Reedy, 1982

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Elsdon Best and Māori at Ruatāhuna, around 1919

Elsdon Best and Māori at Ruatāhuna, around 1919

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Apirana Ngata, 1947

Apirana Ngata, 1947

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Hoani (Hone) Paraone Tunuiarangi

Hoani (Hone) Paraone Tunuiarangi

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: William Henry Skinner at Te Koru pā, Ōakura, 1897

William Henry Skinner at Te Koru pā, Ōakura, 1897

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Peter Buck and his wife leaving Hawaii

Peter Buck and his wife leaving Hawaii

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Maintaining culture

Maintaining culture

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Tatau : Samoan tattoo, New Zealand art, global culture

Tatau : Samoan tattoo, New Zealand art, global culture

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Samoan dance

Samoan dance

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Samoan cultural club

Samoan cultural club

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Western Samoan immigration

Western Samoan immigration

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Samoan protesters outside Parliament

Samoan protesters outside Parliament

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Robert Logan in Samoa

Robert Logan in Samoa

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Celebration of Samoa’s Independence Day

Celebration of Samoa’s Independence Day

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The citizenship of Western Samoans

The citizenship of Western Samoans

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The Aukuso family learning Samoan

The Aukuso family learning Samoan

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Non-Mau Samoans - Malietoa Tanumafili I

Non-Mau Samoans - Malietoa Tanumafili I

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Samoan force members in Auckland

Samoan force members in Auckland

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Auckland Secondary Schools Maori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, Manukau City. Samoan performers, Avondale College

Auckland Secondary Schools Maori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, Manukau City. Samoan performers, Avondale College

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Corned-beef tin bull

Corned-beef tin bull

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The songmaker’s chair

The songmaker’s chair

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The Talamaivao family, 1991

The Talamaivao family, 1991

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: White Sunday

White Sunday

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: A Tokelauan family, 1966

A Tokelauan family, 1966

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Polynesian festival, 2004

Polynesian festival, 2004

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Women Mau leaders

Women Mau leaders

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Jemaima Tiatia and Suresa Gavet

Jemaima Tiatia and Suresa Gavet

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Basketball team

Basketball team

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Tongan overstayers deported

Tongan overstayers deported

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Tana Umaga

Tana Umaga

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Workers celebrate Christmas

Workers celebrate Christmas

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Factory work, 1977

Factory work, 1977

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Farah Palmer

Farah Palmer

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Mua Strickson-Pua and his granddaughter

Mua Strickson-Pua and his granddaughter

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: National Māori Speech Contest winners, 1985

National Māori Speech Contest winners, 1985

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Speeches at Aotea Quay, Wellington

Speeches at Aotea Quay, Wellington

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Paul Reeves: speeches in the ballroom

Paul Reeves: speeches in the ballroom

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Drawing, Māori war party

Drawing, Māori war party

MTG Hawke's Bay

Image: Māori attending an event at Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Māori attending an event at Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Māori attending an event at Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Māori attending an event at Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ivon .1. Hill Photo. Archbishop Averill wearing the mat presented to him by the Maoris ai the official opening of the new meeting-house at Whangara last Wednesday. The Archbishop conducted the religious portion .of the ceremony. Sir Apirana Ngata (left) supervised the programme and translated the speeches for the benefit of European visitors (Evening Post, 17 April 1939)

Ivon .1. Hill Photo. Archbishop Averill wearing the mat presented to him by the Maoris ai the official opening of the new meeting-house at Whangara...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: The 28th Māori Battalion, 10th National Reunion at Gisborne in 1976

The 28th Māori Battalion, 10th National Reunion at Gisborne in 1976

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Scenes taken at Hui Topu, the first all Aotearoa Anglican Maori hui, Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaruawahia

Scenes taken at Hui Topu, the first all Aotearoa Anglican Maori hui, Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaruawahia

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Scenes from the annual reunion of Maori World War I servicemen, Tikitiki Marae, Tikitiki, East Coast

Scenes from the annual reunion of Maori World War I servicemen, Tikitiki Marae, Tikitiki, East Coast

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: John Waititi at the website launch in Parliament

John Waititi at the website launch in Parliament

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Haare Reneti saying a prayer at the start of the Maori Affairs Department's national strategy conference - Photograph taken by Ross Giblin

Haare Reneti saying a prayer at the start of the Maori Affairs Department's national strategy conference - Photograph taken by Ross Giblin

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A kaumātua graduates

A kaumātua graduates

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Governor Grey and Te Rangihaeata

Governor Grey and Te Rangihaeata

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The hongi

The hongi

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Ōrongomai marae 1999; lunch for members of 60s Up and Probus Clubs; Hazel Bailey, Shirley McLean.

Ōrongomai marae 1999; lunch for members of 60s Up and Probus Clubs; Hazel Bailey, Shirley McLean.

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Welcoming Sir Bernard Fergusson, Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaruawahia

Welcoming Sir Bernard Fergusson, Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaruawahia

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Young Greek women arriving at Wellington Airport

Young Greek women arriving at Wellington Airport

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Members of the Wellington Greek Cypriot community giving a dancing exhibition

Members of the Wellington Greek Cypriot community giving a dancing exhibition

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Members of the Wellington Cyprus community at a picnic at Paremata beach

Members of the Wellington Cyprus community at a picnic at Paremata beach

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Vitoria and Mativa Faasoo playing Samoan style cricket, or kirikiti, at Wakefield Park, Island Bay, Wellington - Photograph taken by Ray Pigney

Vitoria and Mativa Faasoo playing Samoan style cricket, or kirikiti, at Wakefield Park, Island Bay, Wellington - Photograph taken by Ray Pigney

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified woman preparing Indian food

Unidentified woman preparing Indian food

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Protest by Indian nurses at Parliament, May 2012

Protest by Indian nurses at Parliament, May 2012

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Māori boys walking down a road, Waikato

Māori boys walking down a road, Waikato

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Jung Lee and his family holding their nationalisation certificates - Photograph taken by Ron Fox

Jung Lee and his family holding their nationalisation certificates - Photograph taken by Ron Fox

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two nurses from Korea, Miss Pak Hi Chung and Miss Whang Kyung Woon

Two nurses from Korea, Miss Pak Hi Chung and Miss Whang Kyung Woon

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Somalian refugee family, Lower Hutt

Somalian refugee family, Lower Hutt

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Somali family reunion, Wellington Airport, New Zealand - Photograph taken by Ross Giblin

Somali family reunion, Wellington Airport, New Zealand - Photograph taken by Ross Giblin

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Classroom. Somali refugee children

Classroom. Somali refugee children

NZEI Te Riu Roa (New Zealand Educational Institute)

Image: South African immigrants Annette and David Johnson with their children - Photograph taken by Melanie Burford

South African immigrants Annette and David Johnson with their children - Photograph taken by Melanie Burford

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lydia and William Williams seated in a garden with two others

Lydia and William Williams seated in a garden with two others

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tokelauan group who came to live in Wellington

Tokelauan group who came to live in Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Immigrants on the last trip of the Atlantis

Immigrants on the last trip of the Atlantis

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Young male British immigrants arriving in New Zealand

Young male British immigrants arriving in New Zealand

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Russian immigrants on a shopping spree

Russian immigrants on a shopping spree

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Japanese cooking demonstration by wife of Japanese Minister

Japanese cooking demonstration by wife of Japanese Minister

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand soldiers with their Japanese wives

New Zealand soldiers with their Japanese wives

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Women from Czechoslovakia in national costume

Women from Czechoslovakia in national costume

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Austrians and Croatians seeking gum by draining Hardings Swamp between Aratapu and Aoroa, 1899

Austrians and Croatians seeking gum by draining Hardings Swamp between Aratapu and Aoroa, 1899

Auckland Libraries

Image: Indian performers

Indian performers

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Wellington Indian women's group

Wellington Indian women's group

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Indian immigrants, 1920s

Indian immigrants, 1920s

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: 19th-century Indian immigrants

19th-century Indian immigrants

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The Singh family

The Singh family

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Tiemi Apes beside a whale boat

Tiemi Apes beside a whale boat

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Gujarati dance

Gujarati dance

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Elephant ride

Elephant ride

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Wellington’s Hungarian community

Wellington’s Hungarian community

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Hungarian refugees in a bus, Wellington

Hungarian refugees in a bus, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Hungarian wedding of Mr & Mrs Denes Siklosi

Hungarian wedding of Mr & Mrs Denes Siklosi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Hungarian refugees in a bus, a young man and a young woman, holding a bunch of flowers

Hungarian refugees in a bus, a young man and a young woman, holding a bunch of flowers

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: German soldiers, Somes Island

German soldiers, Somes Island

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: German internees on Somes Island

German internees on Somes Island

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand ambulance men attending to German paratroopers

New Zealand ambulance men attending to German paratroopers

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: German prisoners of war, on Somes Island

German prisoners of war, on Somes Island

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wellington Welsh Society choir

Wellington Welsh Society choir

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Scottish dancers at Tawa Flat, Wellington

Scottish dancers at Tawa Flat, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Rugby test between New Zealand and Scotland, Eden Park, Auckland

Rugby test between New Zealand and Scotland, Eden Park, Auckland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Children doing scottish highland dancing on a stage at Hutt Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt

Children doing scottish highland dancing on a stage at Hutt Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Group of unidentified children and adults, most in Scottish Highland costume outside the Caledonian Hall, Christchurch

Group of unidentified children and adults, most in Scottish Highland costume outside the Caledonian Hall, Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Staff and Scottish children at the Presbyterian Boys' and Girls' Home, Berhamphore, Wellington

Staff and Scottish children at the Presbyterian Boys' and Girls' Home, Berhamphore, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified man in a Scottish kilt, with an ice pick, on a snow covered mountain, Ball Hut, Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury Region

Unidentified man in a Scottish kilt, with an ice pick, on a snow covered mountain, Ball Hut, Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Studio portrait of unidentified elderly man, soldier in uniform and a young girl wearing Scottish national costume, probably Christchurch district

Studio portrait of unidentified elderly man, soldier in uniform and a young girl wearing Scottish national costume, probably Christchurch district

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Studio unidentified family portrait, a boy standing wearing a soldier's Glengarry Scottish cap with badge and army belt with a boy's Eton shirt collar, Christchurch

Studio unidentified family portrait, a boy standing wearing a soldier's Glengarry Scottish cap with badge and army belt with a boy's Eton shirt col...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Three unidentified young women dancers, Provincial Highland Gathering, Wellington

Three unidentified young women dancers, Provincial Highland Gathering, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Royal Irish Fusiliers, Post Office Square, Wellington

Royal Irish Fusiliers, Post Office Square, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wellington Irish National Society camogie team, with trophy and camogie sticks

Wellington Irish National Society camogie team, with trophy and camogie sticks

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Irish women playing a camogie game at an unidentified sportsground, Wellington

Irish women playing a camogie game at an unidentified sportsground, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Scandinavian picnic with beer bottles, Lowry Bay

Scandinavian picnic with beer bottles, Lowry Bay

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Second generation settlers at the Norsewood Golden Jublilee

Second generation settlers at the Norsewood Golden Jublilee

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A F Mills with a crane, Vogel Building, Aitken Street, Wellington

A F Mills with a crane, Vogel Building, Aitken Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Harold and Elizabeth Berntsen

Harold and Elizabeth Berntsen

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cousins, Kitty and Marie Berntsen

Cousins, Kitty and Marie Berntsen

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mr Mollgaard, Uncle Peter Berntsen, and Uncle Ole Olsen

Mr Mollgaard, Uncle Peter Berntsen, and Uncle Ole Olsen

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Children of Neils and George Berntsen

Children of Neils and George Berntsen

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Rarotongan soldiers, World war One

Rarotongan soldiers, World war One

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Marama Mata of Porirua comes of age - Photograph taken by Ian Mackley

Marama Mata of Porirua comes of age - Photograph taken by Ian Mackley

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Townwatch group, Porirua East - Photograph taken by Mark Coote

Townwatch group, Porirua East - Photograph taken by Mark Coote

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Fijian Chief, Christchurch exhibition

Fijian Chief, Christchurch exhibition

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Market scene, Suva, Fiji

Market scene, Suva, Fiji

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Fijian rugby players

Fijian rugby players

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Fiji Students Association of Wellington

Fiji Students Association of Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maori welcome for First Nation visitor

Maori welcome for First Nation visitor

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cambodian refugee family at Wellington Airport - Photograph taken by Gail Selkirk

Cambodian refugee family at Wellington Airport - Photograph taken by Gail Selkirk

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cambodian refugees learning to ride bicycles in Waikanae - Photograph taken by Melanie Burford

Cambodian refugees learning to ride bicycles in Waikanae - Photograph taken by Melanie Burford

Alexander Turnbull Library