National New Zealand Stereotypes<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
Each country is commonly believed to have a distinct national ‘type’ often viewed positively or negatively. Many commonly held beliefs have some truth, but they can also be outdated and only relevant to a specific group. They commonly exclude women, although there might also be a specific national female category. Several well-known individuals from New Zealand appear to embody the country’s commonly held characteristics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nKiwi Male<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
The typical New Zealand man is a pioneer type: he lives in the country, is smart, is strong, doesn’t feel much, is democratic, doesn’t care much for high culture, is good with animals (especially horses) and tools, and can do almost anything. People often think this type of man is special to New England because of its colonial past. However, he has much in common with the stereotypical American frontiersman and Australian bushman. <\/span><\/p>\nEven though most New Zealanders have lived in cities s since the late 1800s, New Zealand guys are still expected to have many of these characteristics. This has kept New Zealanders from thinking of themselves as country people who are good at doing the things that country life demands. The average Kiwi guy is considered straight and of Ang o-Celtic descent, but Mori men are often thought to have many of the above qualities.<\/span><\/p>\n1. Hard Man<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nThe “hard man” is an image that says New Zealand men are strong, don’t have feelings, and are violent. This was seen as a good thing for a long time, and Col n Meads, an All Black, was the best example of this. New Zealand Rugby Monthly magazine named Meads the “New Zealand player of the century.” He was the second All-Black to be sent off the field, and he once played with a broken arm. <\/span><\/p>\nIn the past few decades, men with macho attitudes have been criticized and hated for being dangerous to themselves and those around them. It has been blamed for New Zealand’s drinking culture and the high suicide rate among men. Some critics say the All Blacks don’t have enough “mongrel,” but it still has fans.<\/span><\/p>\n2. Ingenuity<\/span><\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\nThis is the idea that New Zealanders can solve any problem in a MacGyver-like way, often by using unorthodox methods or whatever is left around. This way of thinking is also called the “number 8 wire mentality,” which says anything can be made or fixed with simple, everyday things like the number 8 fence wire. <\/span><\/p>\nKiwi ingenuity is also tied to the term “she’ll be right, mate,” which is used in New Zealand and Australia to say that the situation, repairs, or whatever has been done are enough for what is needed. It’s not as good as Kiwi innovation, especially when something goes wrong. Kiwi’s creativity is not limited to men, even though it is usually discussed in terms of men.<\/span><\/p>\n3. Rugby, Racing, Beer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Traditionally, the “three Rs” of New Zealand male culture was said to be Rugby (union), Racing (horses), and Beer. Rugby union has been a popular sport to watch and play for a long time, and the national team called the All Blacks, is considered a national star. Horse races have been the most popular thing to bet on more than anything else. Also, horse racing was one of the few legal things you could bet on for a long time. Most people in New Zealand drink beer, but most are different-colored lagers.<\/span><\/p>\n