New Zealanders know the comfort of a lovely cup of tea (or “cuppa”). Even dinner is called “Afternoon Tea” (or just “Tea” as in England)! Tea is served as “Tea for one or two” which brings an appropriate size pot of either EBT (english breakfast), Earl Grey or regular (“Gumboot”), a cup and saucer and a small pitcher of milk (not cream). Almost all restaurants and cafes serve a perfect cuppa with 2 exceptions so far. One was a raging tourist place called Puzzle World (which also had coin-operated coffee machines) and the other was a wonderful cafe that roasted their own coffee. Both places served tea in one cup with hot water and a tea bag plopped in in an unsightly manner.
Campgrounds, motels and backpacker hostels always provide an electric kettle either in the room or in the kitchen or both. (I also admired this in China, where boiling water was readily available everywhere… on the trains, in the airport, hotels…) The key to a civilized and graceful country is the means and access to a good cup of tea. NZ wins big points for their cuppa.