[jubjub]

This forum is mentioned in the herald today

"Migrants Slate Kiwi Habits"

I would love to type it all up for you, as its not online... bub wont let me! :wah

But it quotes a source of its info as being this thread...

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8598&highlight=hardest+thing

Be careful what you write folks!

I kind of recognise some of the quotes they used as being from particular folks, but they obviously dont mention names..


Anyone with a scanner, and a copy of the paper feeling kind???

[jess]

Thanks jubjub for letting us know! OH is going to pick one up on the way home if they still have it. I have a scanner if the article isn't already posted by the time I get the paper.

I'm sorry that the post they reference is specifically aimed at what was difficult to get used to, although as always on this forum, both positives and negatives are represented.

[Avalon]

Dont they have to ask before quoting people - or I am being hopelessly naive?

[jo-and-jeff]

Dont they have to ask before quoting people - or I am being hopelessly naive?
Nope, anything posted publicly online is fair game, which is why you never say anything in a Forum or an e-mail that you wouldn't be willing for the whole world to see. (Which is why our blogs are "Friends-locked"; we wanted to be able to speak candidly.)

Although NZ does have a very individual- /consumer-friendly legal system. People can get libel and slander charges upheld here far more easily than in the U.S., where in most cases you might as well not bother filing a lawsuit.

I've got a scanner and the paper, but I can't find the article. Can anyone tell me the section and page number?

Jo

[jo-and-jeff]

Okay, Sal says that it's on page 24 of the Main section of the Sunday NZ Herald, around a big green Kiwibank advert, but my copy (obviously a different edition) has an article entitled "Woman wins 'stress' payout" around that Kiwibank advert.

So if anyone else has the edition with the migrant article, do please let us know where you got it.

Jo

(What a relief, I'd looked through the entire paper 4 times and was worried that I was even more insane than I previously thought.)

[Avalon]

On its way - its really funny. Jo - you have a starring role!

[jess]

Avalon - does that mean you will be posting it here? (I may call OH and tell him not to bother stopping if I can read it online.)

[Avalon]

yep - ive got the paper and hubby is scanning it for me

[jess]

Thanks. :D

[jo-and-jeff]

Jo - you have a starring role!
Loooovely.

:roll

[Smiler]

*sits waiting and tapping fingers impatiently* ;) :p

[Avalon]

Just trying to host the scans now - wont be long!

[Avalon]

Bear with me - having a problem with size - either you need a microscope - or a 66" inch wide monitor at the moment.

IT dept working on it!

[Smiler]

Postage stamp version for me please, magnifying glass at the ready. :D

[Avalon]

Here you go! Im sure there will be a "lively" discussion afterwards!


http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4849/article1dl4x.gif

(only read the first section of the next bit and then go on to the next scanned image)

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6196/article2bv8x.gif

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1394/article3ny8x.gif

[jess]

wow - they really went looking for all the negatives there didn't they. they don't mention that some people offered differing opinions to those they printed even on that same thread. (I'm thinking in particular of jubjub commenting on the friendliness of kiwis, something I particularly agree with).


Hopefully anyone who comes along to the forum from the paper will see a more well rounded group... I like that there are a wide range of opinions.

[jo-and-jeff]

What a shame that the author chose to spin it as "a few sour-graped migrants whingeing that it's not like their home country" instead of regarding it as an opportunity to explore the areas where Kiwis might actually be capable of improvement or enlightenment.

But it's not surprising -- it rather totally proves that our comments are on the mark, doesn't it???

Jo

:roll

[Avalon]

But it's not surprising -- it rather totally proves that our comments are on the mark, doesn't it???

Jo

The irony of that wasnt lost on me either!

Nor was the fact that in all of these similar threads we never really mention M+S! Seems its the one thing many of us can cope with rather well - which possible says more about the current state of M+S than it does about us "struggling" migrants.

Hxxx
(Who really doesnt feel than she is struggling with life here at all)

[Carol]

The truth hurts I suppose


OH COME ON KIWIS GET A LIFE!
After all - that is EXACTLY what you are saying to us.

;-)

I thought it was just POMS who were meant to whinge.


Just for the record - i quite like New Zealanders - but their sense of humour is rubbish.
:D

[suebeenz]

Darn, I was hoping I'd get quoted, and they'd be forced to then open a Costco here :laugh

We sure do come off as haters ... but if that were true, we wouldn't be here now, would we. Anyhow, thanks for posting that! Was interesting to read the article.

[Smiler]

They were nearly almost postive in the last 3 paragraph's and then went off on the negative again. :confused:

How about next week they do an article on the the postive things immigrants bring to and say about NZ. :D






Smiler - who just for the record is lovin it!

[Carol]

Wonder if we could point them in the direction of *ahem* any OTHER forums?


;) ;) ;) ;)

[Smiler]

Wonder if we could point them in the direction of *ahem* any OTHER forums?

They'd never come out alive. :uhoh :D


PS It would be nice to know if Miles and Julia are members. They could join in the discussion.

[jo-and-jeff]

i quite like New Zealanders - but their sense of humour is rubbish.
I quite like Kiwis as well -- and I find their sense of humour quite hysterical most of the time! I've been collecting pictures and other examples of funny billboards, commercials, and other manifestations of their quirky humour, and in fact, I've done several posts in my blog delighting in their dry, sly, ribald, or sarcastic wit. But I'm from the U.S., not the U.K., and I'm sure there are many Americans who wouldn't "get" my sense of humour either...

Jo

:cheers

[Avalon]

They'd never come out alive. :uhoh :D


PS It would be nice to know if Miles and Julia are members. They could join in the discussion.
I did find it odd that ANYONE would care what we said on here - certainly enough to report it in the paper. Normally these types of articles quote Stats NZ findings.

And Julia CANT be a member - she has fitted in to NZ - its only us incompetant whinging low-lifes who post on here cos we cant hack it:D

[Smiler]

I did find it odd that ANYONE would care what we said on here - certainly enough to report it in the paper. Normally these types of articles quote Stats NZ findings.

And Julia CANT be a member - she has fitted in to NZ - its only us incompetant whinging low-lifes who post on here cos we cant hack it:D

Ah I guess it isn't Expat Jules then. :D Yep seems odd reporting to me as well. Maybe it's a slow news day and they're dredging the bottom of the barrel.

Off to find something to whinge about, won't be long. :p

[Smiler]

Off to find something to whinge about, won't be long. :p

Back now, couldn't find anything at all. :raebanana

[jubjub]

Wonder if we could point them in the direction of *ahem* any OTHER forums?


;)

That could be interesting.... :uhoh we are the nicest/most postive ones of the lot (IMHO)

I kind of lit the blue touch paper and retired this morning, but I have been out quite a bit of today.... :exit

I must say when I read it I recognised what I thought were quotes from Av & Diny, but have not been and re-read all of that thread, they were harsh in their editing thats for sure, but thats what you do if you want to prove a point sometimes! Bloomin journos...

C'mon Julia and talk to us, we are nice really.... :cheers

[jubjub]

Hey, dya think we will get another article next week, saying we were whinging about them rreporting we were whinging?????

[Ana&Steve]

I guess media tactics (whipping up the crowd) are the same worldwide. :roll
Ana
/Loves Kiwis, kiwis, and kiwi(fruit)

[jo-and-jeff]

Maybe it's a slow news day and they're dredging the bottom of the barrel.
Oh, it was probably some Kiwi who read the thread, got all outraged, and called the local paper to give them a "hot tip" for a story. Which would make it even funnier, and validate our comments all the more.

I also find it highly amusing that the author seems to regard as an unassailable source someone whose livelihood depends on prospective migrants not getting scared away from coming to New Zealand. If they do get a lot of complaints from migrants who come here, they certainly aren't going to admit it, they'd just be helping to cut off their own source of income!

Jo

[Moorf]

God that pee'd me off.... but then quoting those of us who are a load of happy clapping rose-tinted-wearing happy poms obviously doesn't make good reading... wonder if my letter to the editor will get read... :mad:

[Diny]

Ha !!! How amusing. We've all heard of selective deafness .... guess this is selective reading. Maybe next week they're going to publish the many positive points that appear.

When put into context and written in full the comments of forum members are neither offensive or untrue, they're simply what people have experienced.

For alot of people the truth is interesting - for others it knocks them clean off their pedestals ...... get over it.

Diny

[Avalon]

God that pee'd me off.... but then quoting those of us who are a load of happy clapping rose-tinted-wearing happy poms obviously doesn't make good reading... wonder if my letter to the editor will get read... :mad:
I think thats why I found it so baffling. I mean we werent even saying its stuff we dislike about NZ - just things we find hard to get used to or understand.

It assumes that if there is ANYTHING you dont 100% adore about this country - that you hate it. Which is utterly ridiculous and narrow minded.

I mean - if they really want to see a bad view of this country - there are much better threads to quote - or as Carol pointed out - much better forums (though quoting them may lead to language too bad to publish :D )

I do hope my other posts dont end up in the paper - that could get embarrasing :o

[Brijan]

OMG
I think i've turned into a kiwi, the article didn't bother me, does this mean i'm too laid back, :wah

[jubjub]

I do hope my other posts dont end up in the paper - that could get embarrasing :o

Next weeks headline. "Stone(d) coffee addict in budgeting turmoil" :D

[Smiler]

Next weeks headline. "Stone(d) coffee addict in budgeting turmoil"

:laugh:laugh:laugh:laugh

[Avalon]

Next weeks headline. "Stone(d) coffee addict in budgeting turmoil" :D
:D

You are sooo funny! :D

[katandbob]

ooh bad photo "julia"!!! :laugh

:laugh as to the whinging Pom comment - well we would hate to disapoint the Kiwis wouldnt we!

honestly, I think its just the papers were fed up of writing about their Kiwi MP's and their bad press!


(we will all have to go incogneto from now on! ;) )
Dog!!!!! :exit

[jo-and-jeff]

It assumes that if there is ANYTHING you dont 100% adore about this country - that you hate it.
And that if there is ANYTHING you don't 100% adore about this country, you are a failure as a migrant. What a childish, black-and-white way to write a supposed news article.

"You said something mean about Kiwis! Waah! Well, it's clearly your problem, because everything here is perfect! So you're obviously a big failure!"

Next week in the New Zealand Herald:
Also, Migrants' Mums Are Fat and Ugly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_journalism)

Jo

;)

[Carol]

DId I hear a rumour Don Brash had resigned?
Dont they know yet?

;)

[K&CS]

I'm with Brijan here - can't really see what the fuss is about. If you're going to say something on a public forum, then it is quite possible it will see the light of day elsewhere! At least no-one was named or misquoted. And, in fairness to Julia Brannigan (if that is her name), she was just giving a counter point of view, that there are a lot of immigrants (in her opinion) who seem to make no effort to integrate and who just moan all the time.

tbh, when the thread in question that has caused all the furore was first on the site, I was a little taken aback at some of the comments made about Kiwis as a whole. I know there are a number of New Zealanders who are members of this site, and I'm sure some of the comments could be seen as quite offensive. It's one thing to say things you dislike about various aspects of New Zealand, but I really felt that this particular thread turned into a bit of a 'kiwi bashing' thread.

Yes, it is surprising that little ol' ENZ made it to the press - as someone else said, it must have been a quiet news day!

[Diny]

When we lived in the UK I knew many Kiwis who were over there. They moaned and complained, slated, berated and declared that just about everything about the UK and the Poms was no good ... but they stayed.

Isn't this just the same but in reverse?

Diny

[Smiler]

Nobody bothers to pick up on all the migrants that have integrated, have settled in and have bravely gone where no man has dared to tread etc. They are getting on with their new life, working hard, paying taxes etc

Out of the 1000's of threads and post's on here they pick on that thread, but they haven't balanced it out with anything positive.

[K&CS]

I know what you mean, Diny - I really don't like it when people moan about Brits or Britain or make sweeping statements about us as people, as we're all individuals. And you're right - this is the same in reverse - I just wish it wasn't that way sometimes... I wish we could all live in Peace and Harmony! Think it's time to go to bed....

[Smiler]

Think it's time to go to bed....

I was going to say I'll join you, but that would probably be misconstrued and make next weeks headlines. ;)

[jonSE]

Diny said (about Kiwis in the UK)


They moaned and complained, slated, berated and declared that just about everything about the UK and the Poms was no good ... but they stayed


Isn't that why we all left the UK?

If it's good enough for the government (UK or NZ) to use a particular set of statistics (or comments in this case) to advance an argument that suits their purpose, it is difficult to complain if a newspaper does the same.

They should have perhaps been brave enough to point out that in a forum such as this they are unlikely to find threads and posts reiterating all the good things - None of us need "help" with the good stuff. Yes, we share our good experiences now and again but we can't ask for help with them now can we?

Hence it is a given that in one way or another a majority of threads on this forum will be of the "help how do I do this it's different from the UK " or "are all kiwis like this?" or "why is getting PR so difficult because I'm from Mars etc...." or "why are UK shipping companies so stupid as to think that they can keep trying to rip us all off"

In a way the forum is like the press - there will be a preponderance of questions derived from bad news because that is what makes it useful. If there were nothing in the press or here but Rose tinted spectacle views there wouldn't be much readership or many papers sold.

Perhaps the news article was subtly attempting to be a wake up call to kiwis. Wake up and smell the coffee this is what immigrants think - maybe some of it is valid - lets re-examine and take some of it onboard - could be beneficial, and none of it would hurt.

[jo-and-jeff]

If you're going to say something on a public forum, then it is quite possible it will see the light of day elsewhere! ... I really felt that this particular thread turned into a bit of a 'kiwi bashing' thread.
I really disagree that it was a "bashing thread".

A prospective migrant who, through their questions, has been doing an excellent job of researching New Zealand posted a question asking members what they found hardest to get used to here. Members responded openly and honestly -- with a lot of good things as well as the not-so-good things. Their opinions are just as valid as anyone else's opinions, and I don't think anyone who posted in that thread has any reason to feel ashamed of what they said -- nor do I think anyone has indicated that they do.

People aren't objecting to the fact that they were quoted. They're objecting to the childish, blatantly one-sided slant of the article, including the fact that many of the quotes were taken out of their appropriate context. (Notice that the author chose not to include the URL of the thread, which would have enabled readers to find out the context for themselves.)

I was taught that a good news article presents all sides and lets the reader decide which angle, if any, has more merit. Really, if I had turned this piece in to my high school journalism professor, she'd have made me stay after school and write on the chalkboard one thousand times
Editorial pieces belong on the Editorial Page.
I've said it here before (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=95404#post95404) and I'll say it again:

This Forum serves as different things for different people:
a "how-to" on Immigration
a source of encouragement and support
a source of realistic information on NZ
a source of miscellaneous unrelated information
a way to socialize with people with whom we have something in common

While we personally (jo-and-jeff) have participated for all of these reasons, the most important has been to get all of the information we aren't going to find in the NZ Tourism materials. We can get the positive sales pitch elsewhere; we come here to get the truth, however unpalatable it may be at times.

I suspect that the members here who feel that the information is overwhelmingly negative do so because their main purpose in coming here is for the encouragement, support, and validation of their decision to emigrate.

There's nothing wrong with having that as a priority; but it's important to remember that we can't expect other Forum members to tailor their posts to what we feel is most important, and we can't expect them to not say things we'd rather not hear.



If I had come to this Forum for information before our move and gotten nothing but
Everything in New Zealand is great, Kiwis are perfect people, and it's just a happy la-la land all the timeI'd have been absolutely livid when I got here and discovered that the members of this Forum had been dishonest with me.


I'm sure some of the comments could be seen as quite offensive.Of course they could. Anytime you say anything that isn't all sweetness and light, there will no doubt be someone who will find it offensive. I've had people find something I said highly offensive simply because my opinion differed from theirs. :eek:

But I hardly think that justifies limiting ourselves to only positive posts or being less than honest -- and if we did, I think we would be doing a grave disservice to the other people who come here for helpful information.

Jo

[jonSE]

I just went quickly back through the "what was the hardest thing" thread and it seems to me that there are only two NZ specific complaints in there.

Watties Baked beans
The lazy disorganised comment

All the other "negatives" are not NZ specific and would equally apply to any country one may reasonably emigrate to.

Tongue in cheek one must conclude that a minority of immigrants think that a small sample of the NZ population is lazy and disorganised etc, and that a majority of the NZ population is missing out on decent baked beans.

[Moorf]

Tongue in cheek one must conclude that a minority of immigrants think that a small sample of the NZ population is lazy and disorganised etc, and that a majority of the NZ population is missing out on decent baked beans.



:laugh Marvellous.

For me it's the sheer bias of the article, and I wonder if any Poms will get comments at work tomorrow from Kiwi's?

The generalisations made about the Kiwi's would certainly pee me off - I put myself in their position - what if it were Kiwi's talking about Brits in the UK that way... I'd be thinking what the Kiwi's probably do .. i.e. get off back home then if you don't like us / our weather / our attitudes / our food / our way of life etc etc etc.

I remember thinking that MANY times in the UK when an immigrant began to moan about the country/people/attitudes/customs/way of life ... used to make my blood boil.

Ah well, off to bed....

[willsken]

tbh, when the thread in question that has caused all the furore was first on the site, I was a little taken aback at some of the comments made about Kiwis as a whole.


Have to say that when I was following the thread at the time, I thought some of the comments were very harsh and real generalisations were made of Kiwis.

I do agree however, the article was very one sided. :mad:

[Diny]

Isn't that why we all left the UK?





For you maybe.


p.s. Love the observation re the baked beans.

[Diny]

A prospective migrant who, through their questions, has been doing an excellent job of researching New Zealand posted a question asking members what they found hardest to get used to here. Members responded openly and honestly -- with a lot of good things as well as the not-so-good things. Their opinions are just as valid as anyone else's opinions,


People aren't objecting to the fact that they were quoted. They're objecting to the childish, blatantly one-sided slant of the article, including the fact that many of the quotes were taken out of their appropriate context


the most important has been to get all of the information we aren't going to find in the NZ Tourism materials. We can get the positive sales pitch elsewhere; we come here to get the truth, however unpalatable it may be at times.

I suspect that the members here who feel that the information is overwhelmingly negative do so because their main purpose in coming here is for the encouragement, support, and validation of their decision to emigrate.

There's nothing wrong with having that as a priority; but it's important to remember that we can't expect other Forum members to tailor their posts to what we feel is most important, and we can't expect them to not say things we'd rather not hear.



If I had come to this Forum for information before our move and gotten nothing but
I'd have been absolutely livid when I got here and discovered that the members of this Forum had been dishonest with me.


Of course they could. Anytime you say anything that isn't all sweetness and light, there will no doubt be someone who will find it offensive.


But I hardly think that justifies limiting ourselves to only positive posts or being less than honest -- and if we did, I think we would be doing a grave disservice to the other people who come here for helpful information.

Jo





VERY good points - excellent post !!

[sarahw]

Just caught up on this thread - flippin' 'eck! All I can say is they must be very hard up for a story if they've sifted through all our posts to make one!!! (Carol - I was thinking exactly the same thing about other forums!) ;)

[Avalon]

I really disagree that it was a "bashing thread".

A prospective migrant who, through their questions, has been doing an excellent job of researching New Zealand posted a question asking members what they found hardest to get used to here. Members responded openly and honestly -- with a lot of good things as well as the not-so-good things. Their opinions are just as valid as anyone else's opinions, and I don't think anyone who posted in that thread has any reason to feel ashamed of what they said -- nor do I think anyone has indicated that they do.

People aren't objecting to the fact that they were quoted. They're objecting to the childish, blatantly one-sided slant of the article, including the fact that many of the quotes were taken out of their appropriate context. (Notice that the author chose not to include the URL of the thread, which would have enabled readers to find out the context for themselves.)

I was taught that a good news article presents all sides and lets the reader decide which angle, if any, has more merit. Really, if I had turned this piece in to my high school journalism professor, she'd have made me stay after school and write on the chalkboard one thousand times

I've said it here before (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=95404#post95404) and I'll say it again:

This Forum serves as different things for different people:
a "how-to" on Immigration
a source of encouragement and support
a source of realistic information on NZ
a source of miscellaneous unrelated information
a way to socialize with people with whom we have something in common

While we personally (jo-and-jeff) have participated for all of these reasons, the most important has been to get all of the information we aren't going to find in the NZ Tourism materials. We can get the positive sales pitch elsewhere; we come here to get the truth, however unpalatable it may be at times.

I suspect that the members here who feel that the information is overwhelmingly negative do so because their main purpose in coming here is for the encouragement, support, and validation of their decision to emigrate.

There's nothing wrong with having that as a priority; but it's important to remember that we can't expect other Forum members to tailor their posts to what we feel is most important, and we can't expect them to not say things we'd rather not hear.



If I had come to this Forum for information before our move and gotten nothing but
I'd have been absolutely livid when I got here and discovered that the members of this Forum had been dishonest with me.


Of course they could. Anytime you say anything that isn't all sweetness and light, there will no doubt be someone who will find it offensive. I've had people find something I said highly offensive simply because my opinion differed from theirs. :eek:

But I hardly think that justifies limiting ourselves to only positive posts or being less than honest -- and if we did, I think we would be doing a grave disservice to the other people who come here for helpful information.

Jo




Couldnt aggree more :raebanana

Sorry - but if we cant give an honest view of what we see in NZ - then why are so many of us wasting our time posting on here! A member asked a question - and those of us with an opinion answered it. ANy chance we could stop taking pops at those that do? Really - a lot of thought does goes into answering these sorts of questions. Do we need to start having rules about what questions people can ask in case in answering, we say something bad about Kiwis?

I thought the article was very funny- as it seems do most people posting about it. I certainly was not at all upset about being quoted.

And in case anyone is really bothered - my comments were not generalisations. They are very specific to OUR lives and what WE have experienced in the last two years as very happy migrants . If no-one else is - then as far as im concerned - thats absolutely wonderful. But im not going to say that the IT workplace is a great place to work, full of highly qualified Kiwi professionals. Cos from what we have seen - that would be far from the truth.

[willsken]

And in case anyone is really bothered - my comments were not generalisations. They are very specific to OUR lives and what WE have experienced in the last two years as very happy migrants . If no-one else is - then as far as im concerned - thats absolutely wonderful. But im not going to say that the IT workplace is a great place to work, full of highly qualified Kiwi professionals. Cos from what we have seen - that would be far from the truth.

It wasn't any of the comments on incident related experiences that I felt uncomfortable with, it was comments that referred to things about Kiwis as a whole. As in the UK and every other country sweeping generalisations about the occupants of a country can’t possibly be made. I only have to look at the vast difference between myself, family and friends to see huge differences in us. As in work ethic, sense of humour, friendliness etc etc…. let alone generalising about the occupants of the rest of the UK.

As I said, I thought the article was bias and took a lot of things that were said out of context but I stand by what I said about the thread making uncomfortable reading for me. :)

[K&CS]

I totally agree with Nicola. I said in my post that I didn't have a problem with people saying negative things about aspects of New Zealand at all - I just found this particular thread was starting to become unkind about New Zealanders in general, which I thought was unfair. We are all individuals and I don't think it is a good thing to generalise about people in this way. I'm sure that is why this particular thread caught the attention of whoever it was who decided to write the article.

Kate

[spudulike]

I have to say I agree with Avalon that people can only post about what happens in their lives and their experience, and not to do so would not give an all round opinion of NZ, and that is what people come on here for after all.

I can also see how it looks like sweeping generalisations are being made about NZ and Kiwi's but then I read alot of threads on here about people's experience of living in the UK that also makes pretty disturbing reading. To read stories of the UK it often sounds as though people are trying to escape a violent hell hole and that's not my recollection at all! There are good and bad aspects about all countries and migrants and prospective migrants can have a rose tinted view of the country they're moving to/a bleak view of where they're leaving/or somewhere in between - all opinions are very subjective as we all have very different family, financial and working circumstances.

As it has been pointed out, there are many positives written on this forum about people's experiences on life in NZ but the journalist chose not to focus on those - which would make me assume she has a problem with migrants, and it is people like her that many migrants are complaining about being aloof and unfriendly! I actually find it quite amusing that somebody had nothing better to do than look for a story on an internet forum and that was the best she could come up with - hardly investigative journalism worthy of reporting in The Times is it!!

Anyway, I for one will not stop being honest about my life here!

Louise

[jo-and-jeff]

I've had people find something I said highly offensive simply because my opinion differed from theirs. :eek: For instance, someone saw fit to give me negative reputation on this thread, apparently because I think members ought to be able to relate their experiences openly and honestly.

:laugh

[willsken]

I don't for one moment want anyone to stop relating experiences. They are an invaluable source of information for all of us coming. I have said before in posts that the “bad stuff” is just as, if not more, useful than the good things people say. I will say again I found some of the things said sweeping generalisations and I don’t find things like that help at all.

[Diny]

To read stories of the UK it often sounds as though people are trying to escape a violent hell hole and that's not my recollection at all! There are good and bad aspects about all countries and migrants and prospective migrants can have a rose tinted view of the country they're moving to/a bleak view of where they're leaving/or somewhere in between - all opinions are very subjective as we all have very different family, financial and working circumstances.




Well said !!

[K&CS]

Again, I have to say I totally agree with Nicola - I think you're more able to articulate what you're thinking than I am, Nicola, but you're spot on!

Louise, I agree that people make generalisations about the UK, but as this isn't a website about moving to the UK, it really doesn't bother me. Also, they are normally peoples' opinions of the state of the UK, rather than slagging off the Brits as people!

Jo, re the reputation thing, I've made my feelings very clear about that on the thread about reputation. I think it's outrageous that people give negative reputation just because someone's views differ to their own.

I can understand what everyone's saying about this article giving a very one sided view of ENZ, but the thing is, this article isn't about ENZ. It's about newcomers to NZ being scathing of their new country and it is just quoting ENZ as its source (which I also find astonishing). I must way, when I first read the article, as I think JonSE said, I thought it was a veiled dig at kiwi work practises rather than a dig at new migrants' attitudes. Nowhere in the article did it try to defend or deny what was said! It certainly wasn't the best piece of journalism I've ever read, but I've read worse!

It does make you realise that you have to be careful what you write - big brother is watching you!!!

Kate

[Moorf]

It wasn't any of the comments on incident related experiences that I felt uncomfortable with, it was comments that referred to things about Kiwis as a whole. As in the UK and every other country sweeping generalisations about the occupants of a country can’t possibly be made. I only have to look at the vast difference between myself, family and friends to see huge differences in us. As in work ethic, sense of humour, friendliness etc etc…. let alone generalising about the occupants of the rest of the UK.

As I said, I thought the article was bias and took a lot of things that were said out of context but I stand by what I said about the thread making uncomfortable reading for me. :)

I'm with Nic on this one.

The article was unbalanced and a misrepresentation of the forum and its members. Nope, it wasn't about ENZ, but as 75% of the article banged on about ENZ members this and that it pretty much overshadowed anything else (imho). Dangerous to limit sources....

Bad journalism, sensationalism, whatever you want to call it. I'd love the writer of that article to contact me. :D

[Howie]

Wow, I'm going to have to tell my mom that I was quoted in the paper. She'll be so proud - and no she won't care what it was about.

I thought it was interesting that the article says something like only a minority of immigrants have problems/complaints. I think anytime you move to a new place, if it's around the world or across the street, there are always things to adjust to. Wasn't the thread about the hardest things to get used to in NZ?

[Carol]

Maybe we are in the Matrix.



Maybe I have been watching too much late night telly
:laugh




OK.......I've just replied to a post which has gone.......
We are DEFINITELY in a parallel universe!


Off on the look out for Jean-Luc RIGHT now.....
:o

[Moorf]

Is this locked?

[Carol]

trying it out....

nope appears OK Helen

[MB]

Howdy. Just popping in with a quick welcome to anyone who is visiting the forum after reading yesterday's newspaper article.
Like other members, I spend quite a bit of my spare time composing and reading posts. I reckon that if you can spend 15 minutes browsing these boards you will see the overwhelmingly sound, good-natured and flame-free quality of the threads. I know I am not alone in believing that the ENZ forums maintain an extremely high level of responsible material, and credit is due to the members and to the ENZ admin staff.

Moving a family to a new country is a 'life-size' experience. From what I can tell ENZ forum folks tend to take the responsibility of posting about their own NZ life, and of posting information, very seriously. If the forum wasn't so respectful a place -- to everyone -- we probably wouldn't take as much trouble.

And if you want to join and contribute, terrific. Cheers! :yes

[veronica]

Well it just goes to show that reporting and articles in the newspapers aren't always gospel.
If you feel that we/this forum are suffering from misrepresentation then imagine how politicians (I am thinking of one in particular) feel. shows how they get 'sensational' news, just ignore the bits that don't fit the story.

It also brings back something I have said before on this forum, some people seem to feel that its a closed circle and give out all sorts of personal details that I feel shouldn't be put out on the public domain where they can be seen by anyone.

[Moorf]

It also brings back something I have said before on this forum, some people seem to feel that its a closed circle and give out all sorts of personal details that I feel shouldn't be put out on the public domain where they can be seen by anyone.

I've removed all references to my blogs for that very reason.

[zippygoblet]

Uh oh...I don't suppose I'll be getting much help/advice after this??!! :) (psstt..I had previosuly asked for advice in ENZ on how to go about working as a journo in NZ!) oh dear... :)

zippy

[macs gold]

I must comment that it was a poorly written article.

Now please don't conclude that all kiwis are incompetent, lazy and shallow, narrow minded and insecure, just because that one journalist may seem to meet these criteria.

Cheers,

a kiwi down south.

[jo-and-jeff]

Now please don't conclude that all kiwis are incompetent, lazy and shallow, narrow minded and insecure, just because that one journalist may seem to meet these criteria.
Hee!

You are so right!

:cheers

[zippygoblet]

Just a thought...well, the writer's email is listed in the article, I guess we can make a formal 'complaint', and maybe CC the Editor? But then, would it create a bigger fuss??

zippy

[UK Neil]

No disrespect to this fine forum! but it must have been a very, very slow news day!