Disneyfication

One aspect of Merchandising in New Zealand is the Kiwi. The Kiwi is actually a flightless bird that is endemic to New Zealand. They are the smallest living ratite which is the term for flightless birds, and lays the largest egg in relation to their body size of any species of birds in the world.

The association is so strong, that the term Kiwi is used all over the world, as the name for a New Zealander.

Rugby is always associated to the New Zealanders too. In addition with the term of Kiwi, it can be found even in Singapore. The Rugby tournament known as The Kiwi Cup, is played among Singapore’s secondary school rugby teams.

In 1965, the Kiwi Cup was started. It was a tournament solely between Raffles and St. Andrews, fierce rivals from the onset of Rugby. Proudly, we held on to the cup for eight consecutive years, losing it to them finally in 1973.

The schools Raffles and St. Andrews cup that they play for is named kiwi cup in tribute to the game of rugby.

Another form of Disneyfication in New Zealand, would be their Haka. As all around in the world, you can find the Haka. The war dance may not have the same meaning as the Maori's, however they all derived from them.

An example would be the  Island of Samoa. Thou people would normally associate the Haka with New Zealand, they have their own Haka too.

The Samoan Haka

The Haka can be found in a different form too. As seen in the video below, the Haka is performed by St. Andrews Rugby team in Singapore. They may not scream the same cry as the Haka, but they have the same meaning as the Haka, and that is to call out their readiness to the opponents, that they are ready for battle.

Changes brought about by growth of Tourism

The Maoris in New Zealand have a deep and wonderful culture and heritage. 
This this has led to tourists choosing New Zealand as their destination of choice.


A positive change in New Zealand brought by tourism would be:
An increase in Foreign Exchange, Jobs and Household Income. 
All New Zealanders are part of the tourism sector, whether they are travelling away from home, hosting guests, or simply giving directions to someone in the street. The values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manaakitanga (hospitality) provide the foundation for a uniquely New Zealand approach to the development of the industry.



Tourism is important for New Zealand’s future economic growth. It contributes $18.6 billion to the economy each year—9% of New Zealand’s gross domestic product. It is also an important source of employment. One in every 10 New Zealanders works in the tourism industry.
Tourism is our largest export sector. International visitors contribute $8.3 billion to the economy each year, which accounts for 19.2% of export earnings . During 2006, 2.4 million international visitors arrived in New Zealand .


Unlike other export sectors, which make products and sell them overseas, tourism brings its customers to New Zealand. The product we are selling is New Zealand itself—the people, the places, the food, the wine, the experiences.
Domestic visitors are also a vital part of the tourism industry. They contribute $10.3 billion to the economy each year, and they help sustain tourism businesses during the low season . Product development for the domestic market provides a springboard for building export capability.


However there is a Negative change caused:
That would be the social-cultural impact.
As the traditional Maoris who live in New Zealand, would not go about their daily life as part of living their culture and heritage. They no longer fish for a living, nor do they practice their culture based on their traditions.
For example, they would usually do the Haka as a form of challenge or responding to a challenge by an opposing tribe. However these days, they are doing it as a mere tourist commodity. To attract the tourist.
Their traditional tattoos called Moko, was used to signify their identity our the tribe. However these days, they have been made as face painting for the tourists, or to be sold to them. 

Tourism, A Culprit

in commodifying cultures and traditions?

Tourism has definitely commodified cultures and traditions. However, it might not necessarily be a culprit. It can only be measured from the extent of how much culture and tradition it has commodified.

When there is a negative impact on the locals of a host destination, people may say that it is due to the cause of tourism.

However, there are many other causes too. One such cause would be the Government. As they would stay at the "side lines" and watch as their culture gets commodified. They would do nothing, as they feel that they are generating revenue as a result of their culture and heritage. 

Another cause would be the tourists. As when they visit a cultural site, they must keep in mind that this culture must not be tainted by the acts of globalization. The tourists would offer money, or food to the local people when use their eyes to view them as pitiful. 

This would cause the locals to realize that they do not need to work the lands or work hard to get money or food anymore, they can just look towards these strange people who are tourist to get them. 

Another cause would be the Locals themselves. They can preserve their own culture and heritage, but they choose to sell them to tourists. An example is the of Moko face painting. As this is a tradition of the Maori, by manufacturing it, and selling it as a commodity, they are allowing their culture to be slowly eradicate from their lives.

In my opinion, there are many factors and causes to the commodifying of culture. However I do feel that not 1 factor or cause can take the complete blame or fault for it. As the saying goes, it takes 2 hands to clap,  the other factors or causes are to be blamed too.