Latest from Cultures

Year of the Snake festivities

David Round: Treaty 'rights' a trap in constitution plan

Firing up Maori economic engine

The departing head of the Maori Development Ministry says Maori business has transformed in the past decade and iwi are no longer considered a risk to the NZ economy.

NZ tattoos are world class

The North Island of New Zealand is the second best place in the world to get a tattoo, according to travel bible Lonely Planet.

Honeymooners' epic journey on bicycle built for two

It won't be a stylish honeymoon, but Kat and Steve Turner hope to be sweet upon the seat of a bicycle made for two - for 38,000 kilometres.

The end - and we're still here

When a mynah bird fell from the sky in front of a startled Katja Wernicke, she wondered if the doomsday predictions might be right.

How to survive doomsday

Doomsayers believe December 21, 2012, marks the end of an ancient Mayan calendar - and, therefore, the onset of world-ending natural or extraterrestrial catastrophes.

Dr Elizabeth Rata: Treaty no longer symbol of national unity

I was surprised to read in Deborah Coddington's recent Herald column that the Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's founding document. Of course some New Zealanders mistakenly believe that is the case.

Peter Calder: Language on knife edge

It's a sobering experience to be in a room where no one is speaking your native language.

Racism claims in No Doubt vid

No Doubt has pulled their new video and apologised amid criticism that the clip was offensive to Native Americans.

Andrew Alderson: Song and dance over haka use strikes a chord

More knocks for baby milk firm

The new sponsor of the Warriors rugby league team has been using Maori imagery to sell milk powder - despite vowing last year to stop.

The return of the moko

A group of Tainui women took the hint of their beloved Maori Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu and began a movement to revive the art of moko in their tribe.

Talking about the teenage years

Bruce Wills: Rural life and culture set us apart

By banning promotional imagery of Maori and country scenes, Tourism NZ is denying our global uniqueness.

John Minto: Communities turfed out - you'd be angry too

Aucklanders could be forgiven for not understanding why so many Glen Innes residents are hotly opposed to the promised "redevelopment" of their suburb, writes John Minto.