• New Zealanders are very friendly and polite but tend to be reserved and formal. They may wait to be approached but are warm and receptive, once they have been approached.
• A firm handshake with direct eye contact and a smile is the customary form of greeting, and is also used again when preparing to leave. The handshake should be firm and accompanied by eye contact. Men will usually wait for a woman to extend her hand. Women may shake hands with each other, although women who already know one another may greet each other with kisses on the cheek.
• New Zealanders tend to be informal about greetings and use first names easily in conversation, although the term "Sir" is respectfully used when a man's name is unknown. Once a relationship is established, New Zealanders progress to a first name basis as quickly as possible. Although one should continue to use titles and surnames until one's counterpart indicates otherwise, it is worth noting the fact that titles, whether academic or job related, do not command singular respect, as is the case in other countries.
• New Zealanders value their egalitarian society and are very emphatic about equality among people. They respect people for who they are, and have little regard for wealth and social status. Also worth noting is the fact that people who flaunt their credentials are likely to receive flack for such behavior.
• New Zealand tends to be home to an understated, polite and informal culture. Although their neighbors, the Australians, are often regarded as rather brash, New Zealanders are more restrained in behavior. This self-possession is characterized by the soft speech patterns, and distaste for loud, buoyant speech. They also tend to avoid expansive behavior of any sort, even amidst more festive settings.
• In keeping with these reserved tendencies, New Zealanders tend to eschew both tactical negotiation and high-pressure efforts in business settings. A direct, bottom-line oriented approach will be appreciated. They also value brevity and as such, long-winded speeches are ill-advised.
• Punctuality is important for both business meetings and social occasions. Tardiness suggests a lackadaisical business attitude. One should allways make appointments for visits in New Zealand. Unannounced visits are considered inappropriate.
• New Zealanders refer to themselves as "Kiwis." If someone describes another person as their "mate" or a "hard case," it is considered to be a compliment, as it denotes friendship and an appreciation for the person's affable disposition.
• New Zealanders love to entertain in their homes so one should not be surprised by invitations from local hosts. An invitation for "tea" is a popular choice, but having said that, visitors should note that there is a difference between "tea" and "afternoon tea." Afternoon tea is served between 3:00 and 4:00 pm, while regular tea is the evening meal served between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. "Supper" is generally regarded as a late night snack, and should be distinguished from the North American variant.
• During a meal, one should not expect much conversation. Over dinner, the focus is on the eating. Most socializing takes place after the meal is complete.
• In social settings with New Zealanders, good conversation topics include history, politics, sightseeing and sports. Thoughtful guests should avoid praising Australia, comparisons between Australians and New Zealanders, not to mention confusion over the two nations. In general, New Zealanders want their country to be appreciated on its own distinctive merits.
• When visiting a New Zealander home, one might bring a modest gift of chocolate, flowers, or whiskey, although it is not expected. One might also send a thank you note the nest day.
• If one is invited to a formal Maori occasion (the Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand), the "hongi" or pressing of noses is customary. Knowing something about this indigenous culture is suggested, however, one might not wish to have a conversation about the cultural and political implications of British colonialism upon the indigenous people until one has had time to learn about the complexities of the situation.
• Dress in New Zealand is similar to North American styles. While general dress is casual, business dress is slightly more formal than in the United States. Generally conservative ion style, business attire consists of suits for both men and women. Women tend to wear more skirt suits than pants suits, but they are also likely to wear less makeup and jewelry in comparison with North American or Latin American female counterparts.