I always thought that the official Tourism Board pamphlets for New Zealand should begin with WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND- NOW OPEN WEEKENDS!*
*Auckland and Christchurch only; Wellington by appointment
Things are a lot better know, but when I was growing up in NZ it certainly felt like the entire country shut down on Saturday and Sunday, well into the late '90s.
I was born in NZ and lived there for 18 years, and my impressions even now are this:
Bloody cold
A long, long way from anywhere
Most of the country plotting to move to Australia or the UK
Good education system
Bloody cold
Oddly, I never saw that many sheep when I lived in NZ. Haven’t seen that many over here in Australia either, for that matter. I assume there’s some about because you can buy lamb in the supermarket, though.
Islands in the… south of… er… way the hell out there.
Some rather shocking urban gang violence related to me by two young women I met online. I suppose it’s possible they were putting us on, but I was fairly shocked by the depth of violence they discussed and the calm acceptance they had of it.
Haven’t seen anyone mention kiwifruit, yet (saves a lot of confusion, I s’pose). Yep, we have a lot of apples still. And fine wine-producing country, lots of cash crop varieties – and some of the illegal leafy stuff grown in the depths of the bush.
We’re pretty shocked about that kind of thing, believe me. But between ranting about the government-in-power not doing enough (happens with any government-in-power) or naughty policemen and lack of trust in the thin blue line – there’s not much else for the talkback radio callers to do.
There are some here who want it to go back to being that way an’ all. Shop opening regulations are an annual battle through parliamentary bills, and Easter always features shots of rogue plant store owners breaching the regs.
Back in the 1950s, it was worse, though. My mother arrived in Auckland in June 1958. Because the ship came in at 8pm, they had to wait until the morning for Customs to open up shop again before being allowed onto our fair shores. NZ - open Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.
Although I’m a suburban Kiwi, born and bred – there was a sheep paddock right next to where I live up until just a few years ago. Cornwall Park has lots, and sheep were once used to keep the local cemetery grass under control. I still remember the primary school trip to Mt Albert school farm, and the sheep petting.
Tying in NZ with sheep still holds true. But the possum fur products are way more interesting than the sheepskins.
You’d have to be in a very hot climate to even consider NZ’s temperate climate as “cold”! The “brain drain” has meant many educated NZers moving to UK and Australia as salaries are better, but apparently they are coming back and not only that, but people are coming here in droves from the UK! (not to mention China and India).
My wife and I will be going on a one-year Working Holiday Visa in February are are dreading facing the rumor that Kiwis look out for their own so much that it’s tough to get good jobs if you’re an outsider.
And they are buying houses, which has done insane things to the price of real estate in popular locations. I heard of a 70-hectare property (no buildings) close to Queenstown that sold for over $NZ 60 million (!). As you’d expect, it now has many dozens of houses on it.
That’s equal to seven hundred 1000 square metre blocks, or NZD85,000 per block. For residential land, that’s small change by the standards around here.
I’m a career counsellor and often help new immigrants - customer service roles are very easy to get whomever you are. Finding other type of work requires more persistence sometimes. Employers the world over prefer to hire people they already know, job seekers prefer to look at job adverts. Have a great CV/Resume, target your job search, establish networks as soon as you can, join hobby groups etc. and you will get work.
NZ is small, so chances are employers know someone or know someone who knows someone for the job - they aren’t necessarily kiwis looking out for their own, just people who are known.
It may depend on what sort of work you are after. If you’re just going to be working bars, picking fruit, or whatever to help fund your holiday then I think it’ll be no problem. If you are after skilled work though then you may find it more difficult.
New Zealand is Awesome! the Maori are some of the greatest warriors the world has ever known . The only man who I know from there calls everyone who thinks he is from Australia a wanker . Other than that you got me.
Plus, New Zealand women are really bossy. It’s all “Take out the trash” this and “Feed the cat” that and “Did you get the spot on your back checked out?” and “When’s the last time you had a shower?”, “Don’t do that at the dinner table.” nag nag nag.
I also seem to recall reading lots of concerns on the internet that NZ buildings are poorly insulated or not insulated at all despite the cold, and that windows are never double-paned. And that there are no screens on any doors or windows.
As you can tell, my big concerns are work, doors, and windows. And screens, I guess.
I lived in the South Island (in Christchurch). The winters were terrible- still dark at 8am, and I still have vivid memories of having to shovel snow off the car so I could go to school/work.
It was good training for my trips to the UK, though- Having wintered in England, I think I’m now qualified for Polar Expeditionary work.
The cold, again? Not all New Zealand has snow. We get snow mainly south of the North Island, and in the South Island. Up here right now, In Auckland, we’re having a very mild winter, I’m in bare feet, without any heating at all. Didn’t even need my overcoat coming home tonight from the city by bus.
There are screens on people’s doors, here, especially newer, aluminium-framed doors. Haven’t seen double-glazing, but I have seen underfloor heating, insulation, loads of snugginess. You’ll be okay, Miscue. We’ll look after ya. Lots of wool and possum fur to choose from.
You don’t have any heating on?? I’ve had my heater on for a few weeks now and at 6am when I walk the dog it is decidedly chilly.
Days can be quite warm if the sun shows up, evenings are always colder - we are used to layered clothing, we slowly strip through the day…okay that might give you the wrong expectations…
And don’t forget our finest merino wool outdoor gear.
