When settlers started coming to New Zealand from Britain and other parts of Europe during the mid 1800s, they had to adjust to observing Christmas and New Year’s Day in the middle of summer, rather than the winters they were used to. Many of them brought over their own traditions, including how they celebrate New Year’s Day. For example, Scottish immigrants would celebrate New Year’s Day the same way they did back in Scotland. The men would wear kilts and play the bagpipe during the New Year’s festivities