[victoria24]

for those of you that have made the move, what would you say the percentage is for you of kiwi friends and expat friends??
where are you in nz?
( i wondered if there was a pattern for different location ie: more expats congregate etc)

[veronica]

we have a far greater proportion of expat friends than Kiwi. my own theory being that most of the nzers have an established friend group and don't need to increase it whereas expats arrive friendless and alone (get the violin out) and are eager to build up a friend network.
don't think its anything personal just a fact.

[peebles16]

For me my closest friends here are ex-pats and my bessie mate happens to be from this very forum and Scottish too ;) I'm slowly but surely building friendships with kiwis but it does take more time.... As Veronica said most of the kiwis we've met already have established friends and networks so we just have to work our way in - it's fun though :)

Karenx

[Derv]

We've got one expat friend; all the rest are New Zealanders, and very welcoming and friendly they are too.

[Carey]

We bought a house only to find that 2 of our 3 neighbours are expats. Meeting lots of kiwis thro' our kids schools but most tradesmen are expats too!

[NikT]

More Kiwi friends than expats.:)

Nick.:cheers

[Milliemoo]

The majority of our friends are expats, but we have lots of kiwi 'acquaintances' . I think the main reasons for this is:
* we don't have kids, therefore don't meet kiwi parents at playgroup/school etc
* we live in Devonport which is full of expats :D

I don't think having mostly expat friends is a bad thing, it makes no odds to me where someone is from originally and what they're background is. If you're a happy, smiley kinda person you're welcome to be my friend :nice1

Milliemoo

[NikT]

I don't think having mostly expat friends is a bad thing, it makes no odds to me where someone is from originally and what they're background is. If you're a happy, smiley kinda person you're welcome to be my friend :nice1

Milliemoo

Well said.:clap

Nick.:cheers

[Sam B]

More expats that Kiwis, but some of each.

[jubjub]

I reckon I am about 80% kiwi friends, which is primarily cos I met them all when I had AJ and we were all new mums...., any friends I have without preschoolers tend to be expats!

[jandk]

1st friend i made at work was expat then next friends were kiwi neighbours , weve moved but friendship is good. Had a street bbq last night (meet the neighbours thing ) seems about 75% of our cul de sac are expat.Was a damn good night though and something we really enjoyed.

[M-Squared]

Mostly expats but increasing numbers of kiwis. There are a ton of expats where I work, not just UK either. Some yanks, a couple of French, and some aussies too.

[dilanium]

Mainly friends with expats (Americans and Canadians coincidentally), but I think it's because I'm in school and the international students are older than most of the kiwis in our class and we're not into the same things (I'm mainly over going out just to get drunk).

I do have some kiwi friends though, my next door neighbour is becoming a great friend and there are a few kiwis my age in my class.

[seattle]

We've been to a few school events (picnics, etc.) since we arrived and noticed that the expats are more likely to initiate conversation first- once they realize you are new/expat. The kiwis seem very nice and talkative once you start a conversation though. We've only been here a little while but so far this is the experience we've had.

[nate]

About 95% of my friends are kiwis. I am still surprised at how genuinely friendly and welcoming kiwis turned out to be.