Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has urged people to quit handshakes, hugs and hongis and instead do the 'East Coast wave', to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
"The best thing we can do right now to show love and affection to one another is to switch to the East Coast Wave," Ardern said on Saturday.
But many are perplexed about what the East Coast wave actually is.
"Google the 'East Coast Wave' and you get surfing reports, so I'm still at a loss!," posted one person on Twitter.
Many others echoed the remark.
"I have know idea what the East Coast wave is - does anyone know?" said another.
Labour Party MP Kiri Allan, who's from the East Coast, has now taken to Twitter to show people how it's done.
"For those wanting to know that (what) the PM @jacindaardern meant by the #EastCoastWave," Allan posted, with a video example.
Meanwhile, iwi Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi is encouraging the 'Kahungunu wave'.
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi said they will be doing the Kahungunu Wave rather than the hongi.
"The Kahungunu wave is the raising of the eyebrows in greeting, in affirmation, in exasperation, or in seduction, Ngāti Kahungunu chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana told NZME.
Tomoana said the Kahungunu wave has been used as commonly as the hongi, and is part of the iwi's tradition.
To avoid catching and spreading COVID-19, health officials encourage people to avoid contact with sick people; wash hands often; sneeze into the elbows; stop greetings with hugs, handshakes and hongis; seek medical attention if unwell and be mindful of older citizens.
