Christmas in New Zealand, in common with other countries in the southern hemisphere, occurs in the southern summer.
As such, the New Zealand Christmas season is thus inextricably linked with the summer holidays.
Christmas dinner
New Zealand's Christmas holiday traditions came with the arrival of English settlers in the 18th century, so is very much an outgrowth of English Christmas practices, such as having a Christmas roast dinner.
So it is still quite traditional to have roast turkey with vegetables and rich sauces for Christmas dinner, with fruity liquor-spiked Christmas pudding for dessert.
New Zealand being New Zealand, the Christmas feast may also take the form of a hangi.
Shepherds and their flocks
With a largely Christian population, New Zealand celebrates the birth of the Infant Jesus with a special service — made more evocative of that first Christmas in Bethlehem since New Zealand is sheep country and shepherds tend to their flocks, as on that first Christmas, but under the stars of the Southern Cross.
Outdoor activities
But because it's summer, going to the beach, holding picnics and other outdoor actvities are becoming more and more common at Christmastime.
Christmas decorations
In shops, with Christmas carols blaring, decorations still reflect northern Christmas images, such as snow scenes, reindeers and Santa.
Christmas tree
A number of New Zealand trees and plants bloom in the southern summer, such as the pohutukawa with brilliant red blossoms.
The pohutukawa grows in mainly coastal area on the North Island and because of its red flowers has become known as New Zealand's Christmas tree.
