Kiwi Christmas

3. The red-flowering tree, often called the "New Zealand Christmas Tree," seen along the coast in December.
4. The shiny, silvery decoration used to add sparkle to the Christmas tree.
5. The Māori word for family, which is central to Christmas celebrations.
7. The main cooking method used for the family lunch in the summer heat.
8. The jolly old man who sometimes swaps his sleigh for a surfboard and wears shorts.
11. The classic summer sport often played in the backyard or on the sand.
12. What the water and the sand do when the sun hits them on a hot day.
17. The Māori name for New Zealand, meaning 'land of the long white cloud'.
19. The wrapped objects exchanged on the morning of December 25th.
21. A large, spiny seafood delicacy sometimes served on the Christmas table.
22. Cream A necessary cold treat to cool down on a hot Christmas afternoon.
24. Bin A portable insulated container used to keep drinks and food cold at the beach.
25. Needles The mess you sweep up after bringing the exotic Christmas tree inside.
26. The season in which Kiwis celebrate Christmas.
28. The deep red colour of the Pohutukawa flower.

1. A sweet square of sponge cake dipped in chocolate icing and covered in coconut flakes.
2. A sweet, crispy meringue base topped with whipped cream and fresh summer berries.
6. A traditional Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks in an earth oven.
7. Day The day immediately following Christmas, often spent relaxing or at the sales.
9. The local name for your swimming costume or bathing suit.
10. The destination for many families once all the presents are unwrapped.
11. The loud, buzzing insect whose noise defines the hottest part of a summer's day.
13. The lotion you must slip-slop-slap onto your skin before going outside.
14. The simple, informal holiday home, often near the beach or a lake.
15. The slang term for the grill where the sausages and steaks are cooked.
16. Trip The annual, long car journey to visit distant family or the holiday spot.
18. The rise and fall of the ocean water, essential to check before a beach day.
20. The term for a New Zealander, or the name of the iconic flightless bird.
23. The sweet potato grown locally, sometimes roasted alongside the meat.
27. The essential rubber flip-flops worn to and from the beach.