Pushing past people is considered extremely impolite. It is not enough to say “excuse me” as you pass, but more acceptable to wait until these two little words are acknowledged, and the other person has the opportunity to step aside.
Chewing gum is considered a little “trashy”, and certainly the streets are so immaculate, that dropping gum onto them would definitely be frowned upon – and the culprit is quite likely to be fined.
It is the custom to shake hands upon being introduced, and maintain eye contact. However, it should be noted that within the Polynesian cultures, which includes the Maori, prolonged eye contact may be considered a bit too personal.
The Maori make up about ten percent of the population, and their word for non-Maoris is “Pakeha” which genrally means “stranger”. “Hongi” is the Maori custom for rubbing noses, a sign of greeting and affection. Good relations maintain with the Maori. They have always been more integrated into society than, say, the Aboriginal Australian, and have never been marginalised or “re-homed” in reservations.