Kiwixmas

1. The native flightless bird that shares a name with the people of New Zealand.
5. The season Christmas falls in for the Southern Hemisphere.
7. The outdoor cooking method of choice for a hot Christmas lunch, typically involving the grill.
9. The Māori name for New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud.
12. The Māori word for the family and community you celebrate the day with.
13. The small, sharp remnants that drop from a classic (but non-native) Christmas tree often used in NZ homes.
15. A dessert of meringue, cream, and fruit, often eaten on Christmas Day, claimed by both Kiwis and Aussies.
17. What you desperately seek under a tree or umbrella during the mid-afternoon heat.
19. Essential protection needed when celebrating outdoors in the harsh NZ sun.

2. A necessary cold treat for dessert on a hot December day.
3. The item you wear to go swimming at the beach or pool after the feast.
4. The quintessential summer sport often played or watched on television on Christmas Day.
6. A popular fish often caught and eaten fresh as part of the Christmas feast.
7. The sandy location where many Kiwis spend Christmas afternoon, cooling off in the ocean.
8. The red-flowering tree we see along the coast in December, often called the New Zealand Christmas Tree.
10. The deep red colour of the Pōhutukawa flower and Santa’s suit.
11. The three-letter nickname for the famous meringue dessert.
14. Essential rubber footwear for a summer Christmas, also known as flip-flops.
16. The sweet potato often roasted as a traditional side dish for the festive meal.
18. A traditional Māori earth oven method of cooking used for large celebratory feasts.