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December 22, 2022

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Kiwiana: Uniquely NZ things that take you home

By Andy Boreham | 00:05 UTC+8 December 22, 2022 | Print Edition

“kiwiana” is a term coined in New Zealand to refer to any object or icon that exudes New Zealand-ness, basically. These things aren’t necessarily only found in Aotearoa (although many are), but they will elicit a warm, fuzzy feeling inside any Kiwi, wherever they are in the world. Here are some of my faves!

Chocolate fish

The chocolate fish is a popular Kiwi sweet, which is basically a large piece of chocolate-coated marshmallow in the shape of a fish. Rumor has it that the chocolate fish has been around for 120 years, although marshmallow wasn’t added until 1937. In 1970, a politician once famously asked about a planned price increase of the chocolate fish during Question Time in Parliament.

The tomato sauce container

This tomato shaped, plastic tomato sauce container can be found in nearly every Kiwi home, and it’s become so iconic that it has been elevated into the status of Kiwiana. Make sure you fill it with New Zealand-made Watties tomato sauce – to use any other would be blasphemy!

Hei-tiki

The Hei-tiki is a small, carved Maori figure that is usually made of greenstone and is considered taonga (a treasure) in Aotearoa. It is believed that the figures, which are mostly found as necklaces, represent a man name Tiki, who is supposed to be the first human being in Maori legend. “Hei” means “to wear around the neck.”

Lemon and Paeroa

L&P is a homegrown, lemon flavored fizzy drink which first hit the tastebuds of Kiwis in 1907. Paeroa, a small town of less than 5,000 residents located deep in the Waikato region, refers to the location of the iconic L&P factory. The drink is nothing special – tasting similar to other fizzy lemon drinks found around the world – but its branding and catchphrase, “World famous in New Zealand,” have pushed this fizzy bugger into Kiwiana territory.

Lamingtons

This strawberry or chocolate flavored sponge cake, coated in dried coconut, is a Kiwi invention – I don’t give a hoot what those Aussies say! They’ve already tried to claim the flat white, pavlova, Phar Lap and Russell Cro––, no, they can keep him! They look and sound simple, but there’s nothing like a fresh strawberry lamington with freshly whipped cream and a cup of hot tea. That’s what New Zealand is all about!

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