Fish and chips on the beach, the hāngī, and the flat white's birthplace

Fish and chips from a takeaway, eaten on a beach, is the national meal; order "a scoop" of chips. A hāngī, food cooked in an earth oven, is the Māori feast, offered at cultural evenings in Rotorua. Green-lipped mussels, Bluff oysters in season (March to August), and lamb are the specialties. New Zealand claims the flat white, and the café culture matches it; order one and a piece of slice. Tipping isn't expected. Wine from Marlborough and Central Otago is excellent and cheap at the cellar door.