National identity
By Gena Bagley | Posted: Thursday February 20, 2025
As Year 11 English students settle into their classes for the year, many are unpacking the importance of context and how it is influential for character development, setting and the effect it has on language.
National identity and what it means to be a New Zealander are the focus of Ms Bagley’s course, and the boys have started considering: what does it mean to be Kiwi?
Ollie Scott
What does it really mean to be a Kiwi? Some people say to be a Kiwi means you are a rugged farmer listening to an All Blacks match on the radio of your trusty Toyota Hilux, sipping away on a cold beer as you bounce around rough farm tracks, Barry Crump styles. Others might say a Kiwi is someone who spends their Friday afternoon strolling down to the Four Square in bare feet, grabbing a packet of Pineapple Lumps and a can of L&P to share with their sibling. Some might even argue that a Kiwi is a person who strongly believes in the concept of DIY, and you can always find them tinkering around and crafting up something in their garage that will apparently save them a fortune, even if it doesn't work. But the truth is that none of these things are what make us a true Kiwi - they are merely the stereotypes that we have adopted, embraced and made part of our culture, but they are not what makes us Kiwi. What really makes us Kiwi is the pride, passion and connection to New Zealand’s pure culture, beautiful landscape and our people. What makes us Kiwi is the pride we feel when we see the All Blacks doing the haka before a game. What makes Kiwi is the connection we feel when we see another New Zealander when we are overseas. What makes us Kiwi is the kindness we receive and distribute on a daily basis. These are the norms that every single one of us shares and enjoys, no matter which country we were born in, which ethnicity we are, what religion we practise or even the accent we have. Every single person who believes and accepts that New Zealand is their home, can be considered a Kiwi.
Vincent Cavanagh
New Zealand’s culture is one to behold. It simply cannot be compared to other countries, let alone replicated. Nationally we hold an appreciation for even the smallest things. Having a barbecue and sharing a laugh with your mates, family or even neighbours can be something that unites communities in the most magnificent way. Religiously watching and enjoying rugby; the All Blacks continually brings families and friends together.
Have some banter with your friends.
Share a laugh over a terrible sarcastic joke.
It’s as simple as a “chur” when your mate hands you a stubbie, a “kia ora” from the local dairy owner as you walk in to buy a drink, or even just having a yarn with your parents over some kai at the dinner table - just enjoy yourself in the typical rugged “Kiwi” way we’ve all come to know and love. It’s almost as if our country shares a unique appreciation for a care-free environment; one filled with endless humour, Kiwi slang and usually the enjoyment of either food or a drink.
So what does it mean to be a Kiwi? As previously mentioned, on the surface being a Kiwi is simply being a citizen of New Zealand - specifically born and raised. But when you reflect on the question much more efficiently, you may begin to have your own personal take on what it means, and this isn’t a negative thing in the slightest. In fact, I firmly believe that the variation in what people believe a Kiwi to be, could well be a factor in what makes us Kiwis. Our ability to have such different views on topics yet still have the capacity to come together as a nation is what sets us apart from the world. It’s what makes us special. That is what it means to be a Kiwi.
