How to Celebrate Summer Solstice in New Zealand

Few people celebrate the summer solstice in New Zealand. The summer solstice in the southern hemisphere, where New Zealand is located, occurs in the middle of December, so this holiday is eclipsed by Christmas celebrations. Those who do practice a celebration of the summer solstice tend to be non-Christians, who celebrate earth and astronomy.

Things You'll Need

• Car
• Homemade food
• Musical instrument (optional)
• Clothing made of natural fibers (optional)

Instructions

Visit Stonehenge Aotearoa

1. Travel to the Wellington area in New Zealand to visit the full-sized and functional adaptation of the English Stonehenge. Signs to the site are posted along Park Road to help you find your way.

2. Make your own food to bring and share. The annual summer solstice celebration at the New Zealand Stonehenge is a communal event, where each participant is encouraged to bring food that she grew and made to share with others.

3. Bring your musical instruments. Part of the celebration is the performance of music. Groups of revelers are encouraged to play their instruments together in the spirit of the longest day of the year.

4. Dress in clothes made of natural fibers like cotton. Many of the people who gather at Stonehenge Aotearoa are committed to honoring the earth and sun by wearing organically produced natural clothing.

5. Compose a poem about the sun, summer or stars. Poetry readings are encouraged at summer solstice gatherings in Aotearoa as another way to celebrate the sun's presence.

Hold a Maori-Style Celebration

1. Gather a group of friends and family for a small celebration of the summer solstice. This is usually held around December 21.

2. Ask someone to relate the Maori stories of the summer solstice. Stories about Maui attempting to hold back the sun during the summer solstice are favored.

3. Serve locally grown food that is in season. Maori culture celebrates summer by serving fresh fruits and summer foods rather than the more traditional Christmas fare.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to visit New Zealand for summer solstice, book your flights and hotel rooms early in November. The summer solstice is near Christmas, so flights to the area can book up quickly.

• Public transportation is not available to Stonehenge Aotearoa.

• Lighting bonfires in the summer in New Zealand is usually illegal.

• Summer solstice at Stonehenge Aotearoa often attracts people from many different religions, including Wiccans, Witches, Druids and other earth-worshipping people. Their rituals and dress may be offensive to some people.