Discover Australia & New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand, two neighbors of the Southern Hemisphere, boast rich and diverse culinary traditions that reflect their geography, colorful histories and natural resources. From fresh seafood and hearty meats to locally grown fruits and vegetables, their dishes offer a little something for everyone. A few of the top dishes from this region of the world include:

Meat Pie—A traditional snack dish in both Australia and New Zealand, this tasty pie can include steak and cheese or minced meat and vegetables. Kiwis get even more creative with this meal, often adding other fillings like Thai curry or Indian butter chicken.

Barramundi—One of Australia’s most prized fish, the versatile barramundi is light, delicious and   can be served grilled, pan-seared or cooked in the Indigenous method of wrapping in paperbark.

Crayfish—A delicacy in New Zealand, these crustaceans are renowned for their meaty flavor with just a hint of sweetness.

Whitebait—A Māori seafood dish, whitebait is usually prepared as a fritter by frying small fish with eggs, which can then be eaten on toast or as a sandwich.

Pavlova—There is an ongoing debate between Australians and New Zealanders over who invented this beloved meringue. From backyard barbecues to Christmas Day celebrations, this dessert is almost always served on special occasions. Pavlovas are commonly topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream or presented in alternating layers to create a cake.

The first Māori arrived in New Zealand around the year 1280. The people’s oral history tells of a mythical Polynesian homeland, Hawaiki, from which ancestors arrived in large ocean-worthy canoes called waka. Hawaiki may be the stuff of legend, but the waka were very real, serving as the preferred migratory vehicle of the Māori throughout the South Pacific as far back as 3,000 BC.

Over generations, the New Zealand Māori developed their own culture based on that of their Polynesian roots. As the population increased, competition for resources grew fierce. Hill forts (pā) and larger waka were built as the Māori went on the defensive with their brethren. Europeans stepped into this tense environment in the 18th century, bringing with them new technology and weapons. With British-provided muskets newly in hand, intertribal warfare surged from 1800 to 1843. These “Musket Wars” marked a turning point, cutting the Māori population in half.

In 1840, Queen Victoria sent William Hobson to draw up an agreement that would quell growing tensions. The result, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in the Bay of Islands by some 500 tribal chiefs and several British officers, giving the Māori the rights of British subjects and ownership of their land. After a period of population decline, the Māori today are experiencing a cultural revival. Many hold vital roles in New Zealand’s society, even as they preserve their beloved traditions.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 1,400 miles (2,300 km) along the country’s northeastern coast and consists of more than 2,500 individual reefs and 900 islands. It is one of the few living formations visible from space. The reef was formed some 20 million years ago and has continued to evolve due to climate shifts, sea level changes and coral growth patterns.

Renowned for its biodiversity, the Great Barrier Reef is home to approximately 1,500 species of fish and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It also supports a variety of seabirds and is a habitat for several mammals, including marine turtles. The reef holds great cultural significance to Indigenous Australians, who have a deep connection to the land and sea.

The preservation of this iconic reef is essential for Australia, due to its ecological, cultural and economic importance. Today, conservation efforts focus on sustainable practices and scientific research to protect this amazing natural wonder for future generations.