Anglo-Saxon countries: New Zealand’s Cultural Closest Cousins
New Zealand is a nation known for its cultural diversity. It is in a geographical region often referred to as the ‘Anglo-Saxon’ countries. This region includes New Zealand, Australia, and the British Isles. It is a term applied to cultures that have descended from a mixture of English-speaking settlers from the 1800s and onwards.
The Anglo-Saxon countries share a common historical heritage, as well as a mix of customs, traditions, laws, language and religion. This similarity forms the basis for a strong sense of cultural cohesion among all the countries in the region.
When looking for the most culturally similar nation to New Zealand, the obvious answer is Australia. The two countries have a lot in common; the same language, a shared British heritage, and a common history. There is a strong sense of connection between the two countries which leads to a high level of cultural understanding.
The shared colonial history also means that the two countries share many cultural traits such as a strong attachment to the monarchy, an appreciation for a strong political framework, and a commitment to democracy. Additionally, shared cultural practices such as sports, culture and art are all unifying factors between the two nations.
However, there are some differences between the two countries. For example, Australia is more racially diverse than New Zealand, with immigrants from all over the world. Australia also has a stronger influence from other regions, such as Asia and the Middle East.
The United Kingdom can also be considered as a culturally similar nation to New Zealand. The two countries share a rich and similar history, being both former British colonies. This shared colonial history has led to many similarities in cultural practices, customs, laws and language.
The UK and New Zealand both share a strong sense of respect for democratic ideals, as well as an appreciation for traditional values. The two countries also share a commitment to multiculturalism and a commitment to multicultural education. Additionally, both countries are highly advanced countries, with a high quality of living.
Though Canada may not be geographically located in the ‘Anglo-Saxon’ region, it also has some notable similarities with New Zealand. Both countries have strong commitments to democracy, a shared respect for the monarchy, and a commitment to multiculturalism.
However, the two nations have some significant differences. Canada’s population has a much higher proportion of immigrants, and the presence of French Canada has led to a strong emphasis on bilingualism. Additionally, the two countries have different approaches to some social and political issues, such as same-sex marriage.
Cultural Practices
New Zealand and its Anglo-Saxon cousins share a range of common cultural practices such as sports, gaming and TV/film. These activities form an important part of the cultural fabric and identity of these countries.
The UK and New Zealand both have a strong passion for football (soccer), rugby and cricket. Additionally, the two countries have similar approaches to sport, with both nations showing a strong commitment to fairplay and good-natured competitiveness.
Both countries also share a passion for gaming. Though the UK and New Zealand have different preferences in terms of genres and titles, gaming forms an important part of the cultural identity of both countries.
New Zealand and the UK also have similar viewing habits when it comes to TV and film. Both countries share a love for classic, ‘old-school’ films such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter series. They also have a shared appreciation for modern television shows such as ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Downton Abbey’.
The shared colonial history of the UK and NZ has led to a strong connection between the two nations. One of the key aspects of this connection is the shared language. The two countries share a common language and a shared set of linguistic terms and expressions.
The UK and New Zealand share a common English dialect, referred to as ‘British English’ or ‘New Zealand English’. This shared dialect includes regional variations, as well as shared words and phrases. It is estimated that around 90% of the language used in the two countries is more or less the same.
Additionally, the two nations share many literary works such as the works of Shakespeare and the Bronte sisters. This shared literary heritage forms an important connection between New Zealand and the UK, with the two nations sharing a strong sense of cultural kinship.
Political Landscape
New Zealand and the UK share a strong sense of commitment to democracy and human rights. Both countries have a shared respect for the rule of law, and a strong commitment to upholding the rights of individuals.
Additionally, the two countries have similar political systems. In both cases, the nations operate as constitutional monarchies, with Parliamentary systems of government. This means that the power of the government is centred around elected representatives.
The two countries also have similar approaches to some social issues. For example, both nations have laws banning discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality or religion. Additionally, both countries have laws guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression.
Economy
New Zealand and the UK share a strong economic connection. Though the two countries have different economic systems, they share a common language when it comes to economics. Additionally, both countries have similar levels of economic openness, though the UK has a stronger focus on exports and free trade.
Additionally, both countries are highly developed, with high levels of GDP and income per capita. They also share similar levels of economic development, with both countries having strong commitments to education, infrastructure and technology.
This strong economic connection is also reflected in the financial markets. New Zealand and the UK both have highly integrated financial markets, with a shared banking system and a strong bond and stock market. This means that the two countries have shared interests when it comes to economic matters.
Social Landscape
The UK and New Zealand share similar social issues. Both countries have a strong commitment to multiculturalism, with both nations showing a strong respect for difference and diversity. Additionally, both countries are committed to providing citizens with a high quality of health care, and both countries have universal health care systems.
The two nations also have similar legal systems. The UK and New Zealand adhere to similar systems of property and ownership laws, and both countries have strong commitments to human rights. Additionally, both countries have similar policing practices, with both nations making use of community policing methods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when looking for a nation that is culturally similar to New Zealand, the best choice is a country from the ‘Anglo-Saxon’ region. Examples of such countries are Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Each of these countries has its own unique identity, however they all share overlapping similarities with New Zealand in terms of cultural practices, language, political makeup, economic integration and social commitments. All of these overlapping similarities make the connection between New Zealand and the Anglo-Saxon countries strong.
