New Zealand has three official languages: English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
Everyone speaks English in daily life, but many signs and places also have a Māori name next to them. The Māori are the Indigenous people of New Zealand. Their traditions and language are an important part of the country’s culture. The government includes Māori language in public spaces to honor their history and make sure their culture continues to be recognized, while still keeping everything understandable for English speakers.
The currency here is called the New Zealand dollar. Unlike countries that use names like pounds (England) or pesos (Mexico), New Zealand simply uses dollars.
One New Zealand dollar is worth about 0.59 cents in U.S. dollars. When I first arrived, I was slightly confused because it seemed like everything was in U.S. dollars and was much more expensive. Then I realized it was all written in New Zealand dollars!
A bottle of water costs around 3 NZD (New Zealand dollars), which is about 1.75 U.S. dollars.
