[StevieD]

OK, been here a couple of months now, and getting into the local life here in Cambridge. In order to get into the community and get ourselves known we thought about all sorts of things, but the best in our book, as we have kids, was to do something in school.

Sooooo, after looking for and choosing a school, visiting the principal, we joined the PTFA - good way of getting into things and meeting people we supposed, and how right we were. It is amazing how clannish the Kiwi's are, very much "your scratch my back" type of approach, and this being a small town, everybody seems to know everybody else.

First thing up was to help out at a team building day held at one of the other local schools. Great fun, the kids loved it, and for the few hardy souls who helped out in the most stunning of locations, it was worthwhile.

So it came as no surprise today that Kieran's teacher approached me, knowing I am musical, and asked me to play drums in the school production! Now, not being a drummer (although I have always wanted a set to supplement my desire for guitars and stuff) I have succumbed to pressure and now find myself as drummer, guitarist and general dogsbody for the school production. Jan offered to chip in with the costumes, so I suppose a paint brush will be thust our way too so as we can help with the set decorating. :laugh :laugh Glad we have a big car because we are going to have to fit a 2 guitars, a cello, flute, and all sorts of other paraphernalia for the show.

People may say we are mad, but in all honesty, you get out of this place what you put in. ( I suppose that goes for anywhere) We have always played a big role in our kids school in UK, so now this is the next logical step for us.

It would interest us to find out what other forum members have found themselves doing in their early days here. We are sure that there are many interesting and possibly funny tales to tell, and to give those waiting to come here another flavour of what Kiwi life is like.

Steve and Jan

[jubjub]

Sounds good to me, and its a great way to meet folks too... get stuck in is what I say

[Kim39]

Good on ya Steve. Knowing how well you pluck that guitar of yours, drums could be just as good, and i'm sure you'll excel at them.

That sun still burning your neck when your on to your mum;)


Kim

[StevieD]

LOL not today mate :) Although I did both sides at regulo 8 on the deck...

[Lupin]

I offer my ferrying services to the school whenever I can, am involved in a community party planning thingamy as well as many other things as they crop up, but probably the Biggest thing (and this was very big for me, changing the thinking and habits of a lifetime, literally) we decided to do to feel a part of the small farming community we're moving in to was to quietly start eating meat.

This was a real biggie for us, but given that almost all the families farm for a living (not just a hobby) we felt we just couldn't with good conscience declare ourselves vegetarians and live there as an "insider". Different kettle of fish in the city or town or outlying areas but it's "proper" rural there.

[pieeater]

Hi Stevie,In the early days, in the name of integration, I 'volunteered' to play in a local 'Golden Oldies' Rugby match.We downed a litre and a half of All Black Port during the pre match preparations as is the local Tradition at such events.We wobbled giddily onto the pitch only to be confronted by a Serious looking bunch of 'Old Dargavillians' all steaming,grunting and snorting like a herd of Bulls that had escaped from the stockyards next door.The whole thing passed in a kind of blur.I vaguely remember hearing my son shouting "Get stuck in you old duffer" from the sidelines and I staggered off sometime in the second half with a broken rib.I'm a bit more choosy about the invitations I accept these days.Anyhow,I don't think I've welcomed you to N.Z.yet so Kia Ora Bro.And Good luck with it all mucker.

[jewelsvani]

Not quite appropriate yet but I have already started networking so to speak ( I am still in the uk for another 6 months), I play trumpet and have already been in touch with ASO (auckland symphony ochestra) and WCCB a concert ochestra based in auckland. Who have already provisionally accepted me into the ochestras. This will go a small way of intergrating into the scene, plus the fact I play jazz so intend to go to jam nights should allow me to meet people.

Failing this I also surf so can't wait to hit the beaches in the area. hopefully the locals ain't too teritorial. :) Will have to see how things pan out never goes as you think it will.

[rosco]

wow - Lupin77, that is a big compromise - I would hope they'd have respected your choices but good for you for going to such lengths.

And Pieeater, that is a funny story. Sounds like I might fit right in to nz life!

This is one of the things I am so looking forward to in NZ - that feeling of belonging to a community. From a lot of accounts it sounds like neighbours and other shared groups (such as schools) play quite a large part in a kiwi's social life.

[StevieD]

Great stories, thanks for your official welcome pieeater from that Wigan ;)
Music is a great way to meet up with people as is sport. Art and crafts are huge here too, can't believe the amount of mosaic work and quilting that goes on. Even knitting has it's diehard fans.

Yes, it is very much community based, and this probably comes from the fact that the population is small compared to some countries. Added to that is the large rural feel to the country and you get some idea of life here.

As for the cities, that is another matter but one which I am not familiar with.