[kbeisel]

I am planning a move to Auckland to start a business. The business relates to meeting single, professional people. I was curious if anyone from Auckland knows what current organizations exist to cater to single, active men and women. What are the best organizations through which to meet people?

[Angel2850]

There aren't any - Aucklanders don't tend to mix much with anyone else. Everyone is friendly to a certain degree, but to actually make friends here, or interact with others? Choose other nationalities, cause Kiwi's wont let you in.

[kbeisel]

Is this a sentiment shared by others? Why don't Aucklanders mix well with anyone else? And by "anyone else" I assume you mean foreigners and immigrants? And to cut to the chase, is this a racial thing?

[Tia Maria]

Are you talking about starting a kind of dating business, or something more general?

Personally I've found Aucklanders & NZers from all over just as friendly as anybody else.

Cheers

Tia

[dusk]

I haven't seen any 'general' singles activity groups, plenty of specialist societies for sports and cultural and ethnic groups

but then I'm not single so have not really been looking very hard.

[kbeisel]

It is not a dating business per se, but a social club for people who might join for various goals: dating being one, but also creating new friendships and social/business networking.

[Tia Maria]

The Meetup site has some groups:

http://www.meetup.com/cities/nz/auckland/

Plus this thread has some info on dating etc.

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13129

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Tia

[Angel2850]

No, I was not talking about racially at all. I work in an office which is pretty multicultural, although obviously the majority of our staff are kiwi. And again I will stress, they are very very friendly.... but only to a degree. The only two people I have managed to arrange 'outside' of work activities with are both english.

The only other people who seem in any way inclined to socialise outside of work hours are Spanish, american and south african....
I am not saying kiwi's are unfriendly, just that you won't ever actually be their 'friend'.
And no, I dont mean that they are like htis to foreigners and immigrants... its how they are in general. they already have their friends and they don't want any new ones... which seems a little small minded to me, but thats MHO.

The reason I mention Aucklanders is because that is what the OP was asking about and where I live, so the only place I have experienced social scenes (or lack of them).

[M-Squared]

Definitely try meetup.com :nice1

[JandM]

I'm sorry Angel has had this experience in Auckland, but must say it wasn't ours, even on temporary visits. Met some lovely people, some of whom I'm still in touch with over the internet, and who will be visiting while we're still here in the UK. Mind you, these meetings were interest-based, not work-based, so that might make the difference.

[Waters9944]

It is not a dating business per se, but a social club for people who might join for various goals: dating being one, but also creating new friendships and social/business networking.

I think this is a great idea. Even if it's ends up catering to non-Kiwis, there sounds like a market. And hey, expanding one's network of friends and contacts can only be a plus, imo. If I was there, I'd sign up.

[Kerry and David]

Since arriving 6 months ago we have met some lovely kiwi folk who we have socialised with and seem to have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome - invites to BBQ, Movie nights, Curry nights. I think that we have an equal number of expat and kiwi friends. As others have said, each have their own experiences and opinions.