New Zealand is best known for its lamb, but there is so much more to explore, and if you are a fan of seafood, then you are in luck! This is a destination influenced by both its people and its location. With a thriving seafood industry and seas abundant of fresh sea life, it is no wonder that many of the most iconic New Zealand dishes have fish in them. If seafood isn't a favourite, then there are plenty of other options for you to choose from.

There are many ways to explore this beautiful island, but one of the best is with a caravan or motorhome. This is a country packed with things to see and do so you will want to experience as much as you can on your trip. On an Alan Rogers Worldwide caravan and motorhome holiday, you can travel from place to place, taking in all the best sights and treats along the way.

Get ready for a holiday you will never forget, people go to New Zealand for the once in a lifetime epic experiences, but they come back for the people and the food.

"A Local Cuisine Based Around Great Flavours And Fresh Ingredients"

Our New Zealand motorhome and caravan holidays, you can taste your way around this stunning island country. On the way, you will find a host of delights from the world-famous lamb to fish and chips with a New Zealand difference.

Much of New Zealand's cuisine is dependent on local ingredients and seasonal foods, chosen for their freshness and flavour. This is an island with agriculture at its heart and an abundance of sea life to discover just off its shores, so it is no wonder that the tasty treats this country has to offer are world-class.

Of course, culture plays a part, and you will be able to spot the cultural influences that have shaped the country over the years.

Maori Culture

Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their influences are present and are an integral part of every culture, tradition and recipe you will find on the island. Everywhere you go in New Zealand you can experience this incredible ancient culture, and it is well worth spending some time learning about the Maori people, their myths, legends and history while in New Zealand.

Maori food is still very present in New Zealand, and you shouldn't find it too difficult to find a dish to enjoy. In Maori the word for food is Kai, and the recipes rely on the sea, birds and agriculture as the staples of the diet. This hasn't changed, and much of the food you can source is still seafood or made from local ingredients.

British Influences

Due to British settlers moving to New Zealand and bringing traditional British dishes with them, the cuisine is still mostly British based, but it comes with a delightful twist. Along with British cuisine came influences from the Mediterranean and the Pacific Rim. These early settlers tried to recreate the dishes they loved from home but found they couldn't source all of the ingredients they needed, so they improvised. These improvised recipes now make up the bulk of traditional New Zealand recipes. So, on your trip, be prepared for all of the comforts of food from home but with a difference!

What to try when on holiday in New Zealand

New Zealand has fused the best of Maori and British cooking methods and ingredients to create a modern menu that is both traditional and brand new all at once. This is an island that has never forgotten it's traditional roots, so you will see a fantastic mix of foods and cultures wherever you go.

As we already mentioned, the majority of New Zealand's traditional dishes are made from locally sourced foods, and ingredients so expect to see a lot of fresh seafood on the menu. In addition to this, you will, of course, come across the famous New Zealand lamb and if you are lucky, you will be able to find some traditional Maori food too.

Here are some of the best dishes to keep an eye out for.

New Zealand Lamb

We couldn't write an article on New Zealand cuisine without mentioning the lamb! The lamb produced here is world-famous and for good reason. The subtropical climates, fertile pastures are the ideal place for these 100% grass-fed animals to graze and be farmed. Order some of the local lamb, and you won't be disappointed.

Maori Cuisine

Maori food is made from kai Moana which means food from the sea and Kai Whenua, meaning food from the land. The recipes contain a mixture of seafood and locally harvested ingredients that can be turned into delectable treats to delight any taste buds. When on your travels look out for whitebait, seaweed, karaka berries and mussels. Chances are these dishes have been influenced by traditional Maori recipes.

New Zealand fish and chips

It isn't an uncommon sight to see fish and chips on the menu in New Zealand, but it won't be quite the traditional British fayre you are used to. When settlers colonised the island, they tried to create their home favourite but couldn't source the traditional British fish, so they improvised! The result is a fantastic dish of chips served with fish of all kinds of varieties battered in the way you would expect! You might find yourself eating elephant fish, blue warehou, red cod or even shark.

Mince and Cheese Pie

This is a traditional New Zealand dish made from shortcrust pastry and filled with cubes of cheese and mince. The mince filling is seasoned well with garlic and mixed with mushrooms, carrots and stock to create a pie that is both filling and satisfying. The ultimate in comfort food!

Bacon and Egg Pie

This dish is a firm favourite in New Zealand and is perfect for a picnic as it is best served cold. The dish consists of flakey puff pastry with a filling made of bacon and scrambled egg yolks mixed with seasoning, cheese and leeks. You might even find a whole egg in there too. Perfect for a satisfying breakfast or as part of your lunch. This is a pie that isn't good for your waistline but is a tasty treat while on holiday.

Whitebait Fritters

One of the most popular methods of cooking and eating whitebait in New Zealand is by making it into a fritter. This is a simple recipe where fish is added to a batter made from eggs and flour and fried into a snack.

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

To finish our tastes of New Zealand, let's talk about a sweet treat. In New Zealand, one of the favourites is Hokey Pokey Icecream. This is an ice cream treat that you are likely to be familiar with, even if you haven't heard of this name for it. Hokey Pokey is the name for honeycomb in New Zealand so hokey pokey ice cream is vanilla ice cream with lumps of honeycomb mixed through. Delicious!

Book A Motorhome Holiday With A Difference

New Zealand is the perfect place to make memories that will last you a lifetime. It is easy to fall in love with this island with its stunning scenery, beautiful coastlines and unique culture. Make sure you make the most of your holiday and pack as much in as you can.

The best way to see as much as possible is by booking a motorhome or caravan holiday. You can hit the road and see as many sights as you want to, safe in the knowledge that you have your bed and everything you need with you. Take a look at our New Zealand holidays and see where you can head for your next holiday.

Discover New Zealand with a discovery tour that takes you on a scenic journey through the Southern Alps and gives you plenty of opportunities to explore the beautiful national park and learn about the Maori culture.

Take in the Wonders of New Zealand with a tour that allows you to amble through stunning scenery as you travel from destination to destination throughout the whole North and South islands. While on this holiday you can visit the epic Fox and Franz glaciers, visit the impressive pancake rocks and explore the towns and cities along the way.

Discover the delights of the South island where you can spend a month travelling the island with a caravan as you take in the beauty of the Southern Alps, Visit the stunning Milford Sound and even spend some time whale watching.

Make the most of your once in a lifetime trip with a grand New Zealand adventure with your very own caravan. This one of our longer tours and over 36 days you can explore dramatic scenery, beautiful coastlines and the best in New Zealand heritage.

There is no doubt about it New Zealand has a lot to offer from the dramatic sights, stunning scenery and of course the food. You will be delighted by the traditional food you know with their New Zealand twists and no matter where you go you will find something new to try. If you are ready to book your holiday, get in touch with us or request a brochure and find out more.

Peter Stannett

Content Writer

Peter is our content writer and SEO specialist, helping keep our content current and monitoring website traffic.

His content covers all four corners of the globe, across topics like activities, advice, food, culture and history.

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