Scottish New Zealander - Scottish Culture in New Zealand

Scottish Culture in New Zealand

See also: Culture of Scotland and Culture of New Zealand

The Te Ara Encyclopedia notes that in many cases, the distinctive features of Scottish settlers were often wiped out in a generation or two, and replaced with a British identity which consisted mostly of English culture:

After one generation in New Zealand the Irish and Gaelic languages disappeared, and a more generalised loyalty to Britain developed. School pupils learnt about the heroes of Britain and read British literature. Most of this was in fact English culture, although certain Scottish writers like Walter Scott had their place. Even the Irish, who followed the fortunes of their homeland politically, played the English game of rugby football. The sense of being Britons was a necessary prelude to becoming New Zealanders.

Today, if there can be said to be a "stronghold" of Scottish culture in New Zealand, it would be in the regions of Southland and Otago, although many of the place names around the Waikato Region also bear links with Scotland (notably the city of Hamilton and town of Huntly).

Some of the following aspects of Scottish culture can still be found in some parts of New Zealand.

• Bagpiping and pipe bands.
• Burns Supper
• Ceilidhs
• Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year
• Presbyterianism – the majority of Scottish settlers were Presbyterian (although a substantial number were not).
• Tartan, some regions of NZ having their own tartan, such as Otago. Additionally Scottish dress is worn by some New Zealanders to celebrate their ancestral heritage.
• Tartan Day, in NZ, this falls on 1 July., the date of the repeal proclamation in 1782 of the Act of Proscription that banned the wear of Scottish national dress.
• Lastly, some parts of South Island have a rhotic accent called Southland burr, reflecting an influence from Lowland Scots and Scottish English, although this is less pronounced than in Scotland itself.

The Scottish Gaelic language and culture did not fare well. Turakina in Wanganui was originally settled by Gaelic speakers, but there is not much trace other than annual Highland games.

In the past, Scottish army regiments have been raised from New Zealand, and their successor units still exist in the New Zealand Army. According to Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland:

"New Zealand contains two battalions of New Zealand Scottish affiliated to the Black Watch. Their forerunners include a number of Highland Companies, and the Dunedin Highland Rifles"

The Otago and Southland Regiment is still linked to the Highlanders in the British Army.