[Sovenok]

please share your making-friend story, how and where did you meet

[Ana&Steve]

how to become a friend of a kiwi?
say that you love "The Rugby":D

[YouMeAndThree]

Get yourself a bunch of school-aged children ;)

[Belmont Babes]

Don't ever use these words in a sentence "well, in the UK we ......."

Speak to everyone even though it's exhausting at the beginning and always go and introduce yourselves to the neighbours.

[IanW99]

Don't ever use these words in a sentence "well, in the UK we ......."

Speak to everyone even though it's exhausting at the beginning and always go and introduce yourselves to the neighbours.

As the OP isn't from the UK, I suspect that they won't... :D

Ian

[YouMeAndThree]

:laugh

[Mrs Pony]

Get yourself a bunch of school-aged children ;)


Make sure they are yours... :laugh (Sorry watched Jimmy Carr stand up last night... for the first time)


Marry someone that lived here before and adopt his Kiwi friends! :cheers

Everyone is really friendly here... I don't think you would have a problem making friends... If you're shy like me you have to try a little harder

[925dancer]

See, this is where I get thoroughly baffled by those that say they are unable to make Kiwi friends and that their circle of friends since emigrating are mostly ex-pats. (I know you haven't made the move yet Sovenok).

When I was here previously and again this time round, most of the people I have met have been Kiwi's.

My flatmate has turned into quite a good friend and she's Kiwi, all of her friends have welcomed me and they are all Kiwi's and if I get this job tomorrow I think they are all Kiwi's too. Maybe when I start my theatre/dancey stuff I'' meet a more diverse group! Have to say though, my circle of friends in the UK was far more random than here.

[BkyMonster]

Go places when they invite you, or invite them somewhere.

[britzy]

:laugh

[Scotty69]

Amateur football is huge over here. There are more football pitches than rugby and Wellington city council just had to cap the number of teams because they were running out of pitches. There are teams for all ages, I'm playing in the "Masters" league for over 35's, great bunch of guys.

[Sovenok]

say that you love "The Rugby":D
:nice1 a good idea, but I've never played Rugby, that would be a lie if so :uhoh, however I used to do some other sports and going to go on, it should help a lot ;)
Playing in teams seems to be an especially effective way

[Sovenok]

Get yourself a bunch of school-aged children ;)
The only problem is to meet their mom first :D

well, seriously, I'm not so naive to think I can marry a kiwigirl one day, it doesn't mean that I would'n like, the question is if she would like to :confused: ... would she? I have no idea what a living with a kiwi look like

[Sovenok]

Don't ever use these words in a sentence "well, in the UK we ......."
:laugh I got the point: don't teach them how to live, be down to the Earth



Speak to everyone even though it's exhausting at the beginning and always go and introduce yourselves to the neighbours.

Ok, I will definately try to have a small talk every day, but I'm afraid I do I have a chance to turn neighbor's life into the movie Groundhog Day :D

[Sovenok]

Make sure they are yours... :laugh (Sorry watched Jimmy Carr stand up last night... for the first time)


Marry someone that lived here before and adopt his Kiwi friends! :cheers

Everyone is really friendly here... I don't think you would have a problem making friends... If you're shy like me you have to try a little harder
No doubt, the DNA check goes ahead :laugh

I'm looking forward to marrying as soon as I will be able

you know what a majority of people I know think about friendlyness, including me? Tne most friendly people are British. I hope kiwis are similar to them :)

[Sovenok]

See, this is where I get thoroughly baffled by those that say they are unable to make Kiwi friends and that their circle of friends since emigrating are mostly ex-pats. (I know you haven't made the move yet Sovenok).

When I was here previously and again this time round, most of the people I have met have been Kiwi's.

My flatmate has turned into quite a good friend and she's Kiwi, all of her friends have welcomed me and they are all Kiwi's and if I get this job tomorrow I think they are all Kiwi's too. Maybe when I start my theatre/dancey stuff I'' meet a more diverse group! Have to say though, my circle of friends in the UK was far more random than here.
What a great post!!! :nice1:yes
I'm touched, apparently it's up to a taken person and his ability to have friends, just ask himself if he really wants to have friends or just saying that he would but couldn't

Thank you, dancer

[Sovenok]

Go places when they invite you, or invite them somewhere.
You are right, it makes sense even if you're busy or tired, or the event looks boring, not to deny an invitation, you never know what happends next. It's a chance to meet other people.
:cheers

[Sovenok]

Amateur football is huge over here. There are more football pitches than rugby and Wellington city council just had to cap the number of teams because they were running out of pitches. There are teams for all ages, I'm playing in the "Masters" league for over 35's, great bunch of guys.
Lovely :)
Glad to know you are lucky, well done!!!

[JandM]

Whenever we have moved into a new area, I've always gone looking for my interests (NOT said, 'I want to make friends'), and that way I've got in touch with like-minded people, some of whom have then turned into new friends. Good luck, Sovenok.:nice1

[jeanmarcJ202]

Hi to all,

I shall shortly submit my ITA and currently getting headaches finalising all the documents requested by the INZ.

Anyway, documents are documents and they need that to evaluate our profile.

Besides this, I am looking to have new friends in New Zealand in order to have a genuine network of friends.
Ok, let me present myself, I am a married man of 35 yrs old with a wife of nearly same age + 2 kids (1 boy 8 yr & 1 girl 4 yr old).

I work in the IT Sector (mainly security and auditing). I work as Assistant Manager in a major leading insurance company.

My wife is a French Teacher teaching students in the age bracket of 11-18 yrs.

If anyone is interested, kindly get in touch.

Looking forward for good friends in NZ.


And hope to see you soon.

Regards
JM & Co

[Sovenok]

Whenever we have moved into a new area, I've always gone looking for my interests (NOT said, 'I want to make friends'), and that way I've got in touch with like-minded people, some of whom have then turned into new friends. Good luck, Sovenok.:nice1
Thank you for your point of view, it's nice to hear a fresh outlook ;)

Maybe I sounded not very clear and obvious, like an obstinate donkey which only wants to have friends, just in order to have them, it reminds me the movie Cableman :D

I'll try to explain: the same as we live not for working, but wotk for living, friends are the top of our social life. You might meet some bad friends and some good friends, it's up to you to decide, but gradually you will make friends you wanted. On the contrary, you would not like to meet any friends at all, because they don't represent your interests, but is that piece of cake really sweet? I would die in the ocean of boredom and depression.
Well, my approach are seemed a bit simple, sorry, I don't have another one :)

[Sovenok]

Hi to all,

I shall shortly submit my ITA and currently getting headaches finalising all the documents requested by the INZ.

Anyway, documents are documents and they need that to evaluate our profile.

Besides this, I am looking to have new friends in New Zealand in order to have a genuine network of friends.
Ok, let me present myself, I am a married man of 35 yrs old with a wife of nearly same age + 2 kids (1 boy 8 yr & 1 girl 4 yr old).

I work in the IT Sector (mainly security and auditing). I work as Assistant Manager in a major leading insurance company.

My wife is a French Teacher teaching students in the age bracket of 11-18 yrs.

If anyone is interested, kindly get in touch.

Looking forward for good friends in NZ.


And hope to see you soon.

Regards
JM & Co

Hello, I can be a friend of yours :cheers

Congratualtion on your ITA submitting!!! :clap:nice1
I'm going in Auckland in summer, but if I'm not so lucky with job hunting, I'll go to Wellington. So we will be able to meet there

Could you please explain what does "genuine network of friends" mean? I'm afraid if I'm eligible to join such a strict structure.

Good luck!

[jeanmarcJ202]

Hi sovenok,

Thanks for your prompt response.

And I am very glad :cheers that you propose to be a friend of mine.

What by "genuine" is simply good friends, we can share ideas, interests, help each other wherever possible.

I hope that your job hunting turns out fruitful. Crossing fingers for you.

Coming to NZ to us is really a major project and we were thinking that it would be good to have friends in NZ who can provide us with some guidance. And similarly, we would really love if we could also provide a helping hands to our friends, anytime.

Hope indeed to meet you in NZ soon.

By the way, in which work area are you?

I am in the IT Sector as mentioned earlier.

Jean Marc:nice1

[JandM]

You're mistaking my meaning. I well understand the need/wish to have friends. I'm just telling you the way that, over all my lifetime (since I'm quite old) I have found has been the quickest way to find friends that 'stick'. After all, the things you are interested in are the things that make you YOU, and distinguish you from everyone else. Also, alone in a new environment until you find people to spend time with, you'll presumably be using your interests to give you pleasure and fill your days anyway. Use the method or not, just as you like.

[victoria24]

i'm trying to say goodbye to mine but they keep turning up after the goodbye to engage in post goodbye goodbyes! for gods sake man...

[Sovenok]

You're mistaking my meaning. I well understand the need/wish to have friends. I'm just telling you the way that, over all my lifetime (since I'm quite old) I have found has been the quickest way to find friends that 'stick'. After all, the things you are interested in are the things that make you YOU, and distinguish you from everyone else. Also, alone in a new environment until you find people to spend time with, you'll presumably be using your interests to give you pleasure and fill your days anyway. Use the method or not, just as you like.
Sorry, that's all my poor English :confused:
I got the point, thank you!:)

[Sovenok]

i'm trying to say goodbye to mine but they keep turning up after the goodbye to engage in post goodbye goodbyes! for gods sake man...
never say goodbye, use another word for leaving :D :laugh

[Tesall]

New Zealanders in general are quite reserved, I wouldnt be to keen to start talking about being friends. Dont get to deep and meaningful to early, I would stick with superficial things for a while. Generally NZ males will run a mile if some keen foreign chap started acting like your best buddy after a few weeks. Just talk a load of superficial inane nonsense.

I would suggest asking for help to understand rugby (even if you dont want to know!), they will invite you over and you can chuck back a couple of beers as they explain the rules to you. Next suggest maybe suggest going to a match.. with pre and post drinks of course!

[Sovenok]

New Zealanders in general are quite reserved, I wouldnt be to keen to start talking about being friends. Dont get to deep and meaningful to early, I would stick with superficial things for a while. Generally NZ males will run a mile if some keen foreign chap started acting like your best buddy after a few weeks. Just talk a load of superficial inane nonsense.

I would suggest asking for help to understand rugby (even if you dont want to know!), they will invite you over and you can chuck back a couple of beers as they explain the rules to you. Next suggest maybe suggest going to a match.. with pre and post drinks of course!
Well, you are a wise person, Tesall :)
Truely speaking, in counrty where I have lived we never ask each other like "would you be my friend?" but everyone knows who is his friend, it's a kind of feeling, attitude, relationship. And the process of acquireing friend may take years, nobody looks for friends purpoesfully, meeting are usually took place at work, your friend can represent you, at gyms, at clubs.
The advice about rugby is really useful, thank you for focusing my attention on this matter, I will definately try to learn ragby and spend more time at matches, who knows I might love it finally
:nice1

[Ash3000]

kiwis are very friendly people...just say "hi" at your workplace or uni...and im sure u will get along well :clap

invite them for a few beers on a sunny afternoon :cheers
or plan a rugby match together :yes

[Kanga]

New Zealanders in general are quite reserved

Not the ones I made friends with :)

I think I got lucky but after only two years I made genuine, lasting freinds that I call and email and can't wait to see again.

[qslinger]

Go to Pub quizes, they are the easiset way of making friends. Join a club, volunteer, gym, take classes (cooking, art, etc)

[Wooly_Cow]

ummm how to make Kiwi mates? Stop spending time on Ex Pat forums? :laugh

[Wooly_Cow]

Go to Pub quizes, they are the easiset way of making friends. Join a club, volunteer, gym, take classes (cooking, art, etc)

Excellent advice....pub quizes are great 'cause you don't stand a cat in hells chance unless you have a Kiwi with you 'cause a lot of questions are about Kiwiana, (and you learn lots)

Kiwis are very into clubs so joining one is a great idea...and imho they are very welcoming. Classes are great (if the government doesn't cancel them all)....not sure about gyms...maybe the smaller ones or in the classes otherwise people tend to get into their own 'zones'

Also inviting work colleagues for a barbie - they can have a laugh at your feeble attempts for weeks ("call that a Barbie?") ;) - though maybe not in winter

....and believe it or not .....accepting offers of help....you'll need it so don't tough it out in silence...Kiwi's love to help out mates....of course it helps to reciprocate

[victoria24]

i find going "Hi, hows it going" works pretty well :exit

[GrumpyGoat]

interesting thread here.

Personally, I have NOT found kiwis to be all that friendly.

I have had heaps of trouble adjusting because of it.

But, then again, I am from the american south---where people are REALLY friendly.

Also, I have found that there is A LOT of the "keeping up with the joneses" type consumerism and materialism.

I think I may have picked a bad locale.

[SharpBlade]

Hi Grumpy goat,
would you mind telling us where you are in Canterbury ? Thanks. Laura

[Kanga]

Also, I have found that there is A LOT of the "keeping up with the joneses" type consumerism and materialism.

I think I may have picked a bad locale.

Wow, I guess that just shows how NZ is as varied as anywhere else!

I hope it improves for you soon GG :)

[Sheldon]

We went to a small church in Dunedin and got a warm welcome from everyone. We got invited over for lunch by 2 different families and experienced incredible hospitality. We have kept in touch with them since returning home. Through this friendship we were even able to assist an elderly couple who almost had to fly to South Africa to look after their sick missionary son. We arranged for him to get in touch with a nursing home in joburg. Knowing that we already have a support network in Dunedin is a huge encouragement.

[xanctus]

interesting thread here.

Personally, I have NOT found kiwis to be all that friendly.

I have had heaps of trouble adjusting because of it.

But, then again, I am from the american south---where people are REALLY friendly.

Also, I have found that there is A LOT of the "keeping up with the joneses" type consumerism and materialism.

I think I may have picked a bad locale.

I agree with you about kiwis are not all that friendly.
They are likely to be cold and reserved. But again, NOT ALL.

[Ally Bally Bee]

I had no trouble making friends when I moved here. I was a single backpacker who knew no one (I moved to a small town as I got a job there on the local newspaper).

My first friends were the four women I worked with (one old enough to be my mum, one old enough to be the other's younger sister and two my younger sister's age). Then I moved in as a boarder with a young couple and my friends circle expanded from there.

With workmates I went to pub quizes (and met heaps of people there), rugby and shopping. With my landlords I got involved in sport.

I joined a running club and a voluntary organisation (search and rescue) and the rest is history.

I'm now organising a move for me and my husband (a kiwi I met on a blind date thanks to one of my former colleagues) to Rotorua. To make friends there I will join the triathlon and cycling clubs, he the mountain bike and bmx clubs. We will make friends with new colleagues.

I don't think making kiwi friends is any harder than making friends in the UK (where I'm from). In fact, I have more kiwi friends than expat friends (though excluding my husband they are my closest friends but only cos I've known them since before any of us were expats).

[enb]

interesting thread here.

Personally, I have NOT found kiwis to be all that friendly.

I have had heaps of trouble adjusting because of it.

But, then again, I am from the american south---where people are REALLY friendly.

Also, I have found that there is A LOT of the "keeping up with the joneses" type consumerism and materialism.

I think I may have picked a bad locale.

There are differences with the level of friendliness throughout NZ and in my experience to date I tend to find people living in small towns or out in the country much friendlier compared to people living in cities. Then again, I found the same for other countries which I've lived in.

It's interesting that you've mentioned 'keeping up with the joneses', as I've not seen this, in fact quite the opposite and have found it very refreshing! I do hope you find friendlier people. http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif