BOXING DAY IN NEW ZEALAND
By Dr. Allan Recto
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 27 Dec 2008
Akaroa, New Zealand (12/26/2008) ? Boxing Day is a public holiday observed in New Zealand every December 26, which also marks St. Stephen?s Day. St. Stephen was the first Christian to become a ?martyr? because of his faith and died by stoning. Boxing Day has nothing to do with the two fighters in the ?squared jungle? trying to knock each other?s head out. It may have been taken from an old tradition where masters placed gifts for their servants in boxes and distributed them the day after Christmas. Its exact origin is still not known but it may have begun in England where the upper class members of society would give cash or gifts to the lower socio-economic status or may have been when priests open charity boxes (church alms) then give them to the less fortunate on December 26.
A local NZ resident informed this writer that many years ago the church would collect gifts or clothes from rich people and put them in boxes. The day after Christmas, they would put those boxes outside the church for the poor people to get what they needed. It was an extension of the Christmas spirit based on the practice of giving to the less fortunate members of society. It is also observed in Australia, Canada and United Kingdom. In England, for example, it is said to be a day being with family, visiting relatives and/or simply resting from the previous Christmas day. In most countries, it is a day off, bank holiday or for ?shopping spree? where stores have massive bargains and post-Christmas sales. Never did Boxing Day become related to the pugilistic sport that we know of today.
In New Zealand, Boxing Day is largely celebrated as a national holiday like Christmas and New Year Day. New Zealand, with roughly 4.1 million people, is composed of 2 big, main islands ? the North and South Islands. Majority of the population live in the north with Wellington being the capital having roughly close to 10,000 Filipinos. The season is reversed from North America where currently it is their summertime. Christchurch, NZ, usually described as the most English city outside of UK, is known for its parks, botanical gardens, tree lined streets and stone architecture. The largest city in the South Island, Christchurch, NZ is a lively place with carefully trimmed lawns where not a blade of grass is out of place.
Signs like above are common during Boxing Day super sale. (Photo by Dr. Allan Recto).
The Casino in Christchurch, New Zealand closed on Christmas Day but open on Boxing Day, December 26. (Photo by Dr. Allan Recto).
Sign at Casino entrance in New Zealand showing Holiday schedule. (Photo by Dr. Allan Recto).
Celebrity cruise ship ?Millennium? which took us to different places during this holiday is seen anchored near Akaroa harbor (New Zealand) during Boxing Day, Dec. 26. (Photo by Dr. Allan Recto).
The author with wife (Ging) pose in front of St. Patrick?s Church in Akaroa, NZ during Boxing Day today, Dec. 26th. (Photo taken by fellow cruise passenger).
In Akaroa, NZ today, many stores have signs of Boxing Day sales. 75 kilometers from the city of Christchurch - Akaroa remains to have a beautiful harbor that dominates its landscape and is home to different sea creatures including the world?s smallest and rarest Hectors Dolphins.
Have a blessed Christmas and best of luck in the New Year 2009 to all!
Note: It is interesting that from such a small country in terms of popoulation, New Zealand won 9 gold medals during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.
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