New Zealand celebrates Easter in autumn, a time when the leaves fall from the trees, the days get shorter and the nights turn colder. Add to this a lifeless mourning garden and some would surely be wondering about the sad state of affairs in New Zealand on this “spring festival”. However, the dull, lifeless autumn does not stop the Kiwis from celebrating Easter. Cards, emails and gifts can be seen boasting pictures of daffodils, yellow baby chickens and rabbits, of course. The markets and stores are jam-packed with hot cross buns and chocolate Easter eggs and bunny rabbits.
New Zealand’s largest and most varied family festival, The Royal Easter Show is held every year in Auckland over the Easter weekend. It includes thrill seeking rides, carnival stalls, candy floss, hotdogs and A&P Show. Unlike Europe, New Zealand does not follow the tradition of painting eggs and decorating trees and gardens for the festival. However, Easter egg hunts are organized for kids on a large scale. Apart from the traditional prayers, fasting and repentance of Lent, the Kiwis also indulge in preparing various seasonal and symbolic Easter delicacies. The tasty hot cross buns are the favorites among the Easter foods in New Zealand.