Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand notes that in many cases, the distinctive cultural features of Scottish settlers often disappeared in a generation or two, being replaced with a British identity which consisted mostly of English culture: After one generation in New Zealand the Irish and Gaelic languages disappeared, and a more generalised loyalty to Britain developed. School pupils learnt about the heroes of Britain and read British literature. Most of this was in fact English culture, although certain Scottish writers like Walter Scott had their place. Even the Irish, who followed the fortunes of their homeland politically, played the English game of rugby football. The sense of being Britons was a necessary prelude to becoming New Zealanders. Today, if there can be said to be a "stronghold" of Scottish culture in New Zealand, it would be in the regions of
Southland and
Otago, although many of the place names around the
Waikato region also bear links with Scotland (notably the city of
Hamilton and town of
Huntly). Some of the following aspects of Scottish culture can still be found in some parts of New Zealand. •
Bagpiping and
pipe bands •
Burns Supper •
Ceilidhs •
Highland games •
Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year •
Presbyterianism – the majority of Scottish settlers were Presbyterian (although a substantial number were not). •
Tartan, some regions having their own tartan, such as Otago. Additionally Scottish dress is worn by some New Zealanders to celebrate their ancestral heritage. •
Tartan Day, which in New Zealand falls on 1 July, the date of the repeal proclamation in 1782 of the
Act of Proscription that banned the wear of Scottish national dress. • Some parts of South Island have a
rhotic accent called
Southland burr, reflecting an influence from
Lowland Scots and
Scottish English, although this is less pronounced than in Scotland itself. The
Scottish Gaelic language and culture did not fare well.
Turakina in
Wanganui was originally settled by Gaelic speakers, but there is not much trace other than annual Highland games. In the past, Scottish army regiments have been raised from New Zealand, such as the
New Zealand Scottish Regiment, and their successor units still exist in the
New Zealand Army. According to
Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland: :New Zealand contains two battalions of New Zealand Scottish affiliated to the Black Watch. Their forerunners include a number of Highland Companies, and the Dunedin Highland Rifles The
Otago and Southland Regiment is still linked to the
Highlanders in the British Army. ==Otago and Southland Province==