Sushi: A Wellingtonian Love Affair

At first glance, New Zealand and Japan seem to be separate worlds.  New Zealand, having been colonized by the English, is a distinctly western nation, while Japan is an economic power that retains many traditional elements of Asian culture.  However, many similarities can be drawn between New Zealand and Japan.  Both countries are small island nations in the Pacific Ocean that are particularly prone to earthquakes (Copland).  Nonetheless, it was not until after the Second World War that a relationship between the two nations truly began to develop (Copland).  Today, Japanese culture is an evident influence in New Zealand, most obviously in food.  Although food is only a small portion of culture, it is a representative element that also draws attention to cultural differences between the United States and New Zealand. 

After a morning flight cancellation put a damper on our plans and our moods, a small group of Kiwi Terps and me decided to head for sushi. A seemingly interesting choice of comfort food, sushi was casual, calming, and felt close to home for our American stomachs.  However, our sushi experience had a distinctly New Zealand feel, and informed our understanding of food preparation abroad.   Wendy Gallagher, in her “New Zealand beginner’s guide” to sushi, describes how “New Zealand fish such as trevally, snapper and hoki are exported for the sashimi market to the United States” (Gallagher).  She fails to mention, however, that before its importation to the United States, this fish is freeze-dried, whereas it is eaten fresh in New Zealand, as it would be authentically in Japan.  This fresh fish was absolutely delicious in sushi and on sashimi, and I understand why Wellingtonians have been described as having a “love affair” with Asian food, especially sushi ("Sushi Restaurants in Wellington").  This “love affair,” at least in the restaurant I visited, was spaced out over multiple courses that lasted time.  This lengthened the meal and allowed us to both enjoy our food, as well as discuss the sushi and enjoy each other’s company.

A significant contributing factor to the popularity of sushi has been the influx of Japanese immigrants to New Zealand. There was a community of over one thousand Japanese individuals in Wellington in 2013, with even more sizeable communities in Auckland and Christchurch (Copland).  Overall, in 2013, there were half a million Asian people in New Zealand.  By 2038, it is projected that the Asian population will reach one million or more individuals ("National Ethnic Population Projections").  The growth of Asian immigration to New Zealand is due in large part to New Zealand’s improving trade relationship with China and the other Asian economic powers, such as Japan and Singapore.  This fact was mirrored on our tour Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand.  During this tour, we learned that Mandarin is the language taught third most frequently in New Zealand, after English and Maori.

The most interesting aspect of discussing sushi with regards to New Zealand culture is to examine the multiple aspects of culture that can be examined with regards to the microcosm of food.  Differences in food preparation between the United States and New Zealand reveal differences in prioritization of flavor and convenience.  The proliferation of fast food in the United States extends beyond fast food restaurants, and even fine dining locales place an emphasis on speedy service in the United States.  Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the focus on flavor over convenience allowed us to enjoy our meal, regardless of whether we are eating classic fish and chips or sushi.  These food trends on the national level also reveal patterns of immigration and trade, as well as contribute to our understanding of demographic groups in New Zealand and their influence on culture.

Works Cited:

Copland, Tessa. "Japanese." Te Ara Encyclopedia. 9 Dec. 2014. Web. 8 Jan. 2016.

Gallagher, Wendy. "Sensational Sushi - A New Zealand Beginner's Guide." NZine. 18 Jan. 2002. Web. 8 Jan. 2016.

"National Ethnic Population Projections." Statistics New Zealand. 21 May 2015. Web. 8 Jan. 2016,

"Sushi Restaurants in Wellington." View Wellington. Web. 8 Jan. 2016.