[Natalieb]

For all you residents of NZ.

Just wanted to ask has anything shocked you at all about NZ since you have moved. This could be a negative/positive and relate to anything.

This can be quite general about New Zealand or relate to an area you live in.

Maybe something you were never prepared for, or prepared for but found it difficult/hard/or easy to adjust to.

Natalie

[Jameelka]

2 things offhand, rubbish TV and they do swear alot over here!
oh and at roundabouts they never know when to go!
sure I'll think of more! but still enjoying life in NZ so can't be that bad!!!
Mel
:raebanana

[jonSE]

You can't buy double cream. or even thick pouring cream, or a passable imitation of french bread (Not that you can buy that in the UK or OZ), they wouldn't know what a pork pie was if it jumped and bit them but the steak pies are to die for.

The pioneering spirit remains, as does the "if it's not made in NZ it's no good" attitude.

The crap TV is excused because there is so much repeated old UK stuff - If you want to see crap TV try the US or OZ.

Auckland is wetter than I thought it would be.

[wiki]

You can't buy double cream. or even thick pouring cream

It really does go to show that it's what you're brought up with that you crave.... When I came to the UK all this single, double, whipping, pouring cream thing did my head in!

All I wanted was a simple bottle of cream I could whip or pour or add to a sauce.

We tend to only have cream at Christmas, and only yesterday I was thinking "after nine years I still miss NZ cream!"

And as an NZer in the UK, I was thinking of the things that shocked me about the UK back in 1997.... but after being here so long, I've pretty much acclimatised to them all (apart from the cream and the dodgy UK fish'n'chips)

[gil]

Great question natalieb, and the answer is YES!! If you were born with contact lenses already installed, you'll understand this: NZ has (so far, and it's not v far I admit) totally lived up to my rose-tinted view of life and the world. At the risk of hacking the more "realistic/pragmatic/call a spade a spade" folk off, I like NZ supermarkets, Pak'n'Save included! I like the chocolate and the crisps, and I never used to buy bisto, so I don't miss it. I love the " How's your day?" from shop assistants and have had some very interesting conversations as a result (if you're in the area, talk to Troy at Whitcoulls in Botany!) The driving is nowhere near as bad as I experienced whilst living in Italy, the doctors have been really chatty and take time to get to know you and find out about you, schools have exceeded any expectations I had, LOADS of people run, walk, cycle and exercise, so I don't look like a lonesome loony any more, wine is gorgeous.... need I go on?

Only non-shock is that all the forumites I have met here are as lovely, kind, humorous and helpful as they appear on the forum itself!!

Gil

[Trigirl]

Exactly. Just what Gil said. Sorry Gil - it won't let me give you more reputation otherwise I certainly would have for that post.

Especially agree the bit about people exercising! Also teenagers don't heckle you here when you're out running which is such a blessed relief!

[Moorf]

What shocked me? HOONS... not that we suffer from them here in the boonies, but in town they're a menace......

That's about it - otherwise I'm with Gil :nice1

H
x

[Trigirl]

Gil - I tried to PM you but you have no space left......

[jubjub]

Gil - I tried to PM you but you have no space left......

She is such a slacker, eh? Gil, tidy up your inbox!!:p

I have to say that nothing has shocked or even particularly taken me by surprise. With maybe one exception, racism seems to be tolerated more, but its a symptom of the "call a spade a bloody shovel" society...

[thepiesleys]

Nothing has really shocked me other than hearing Creep by radiohead in all it's original and non radio friendly edit glory on the edge the other day at 2.30 in the afternoon.

One thing that amazes and disapoints is the lack of kids out playing. In the UK my local streets were full of kids playing, nicely, and I am yet to see any of that over here as yet. My kids definately miss that.

I also love the fact I can go out for a run and not feel like I have two heads.

Dan

[Marie P]

I love the trust people have in you here .....We won garden furniture on trade me a few weeks ago . We were finally ready to go and collect it ,I spoke with the guy he said as they were working he would leave the garden gate open .

He said just take it and just leave the cheque in the postbox !!!!!

The radio announcers shock me occasionally with their language and discussions at 8.30 in the morning :roll

Dan .....my kids play out with their friends.

Marie x

[K&CS]

I'm also with Gil here! Although I loved my old life too (I'm not part of the hate the UK brigade), apart from people, I don't actually miss anything!

Piesleys, odd that you don't see kids out playing there. There are always kids playing out here and at all times of year - that's one of the great things about where I live.

Loved your post, Wiki, and it's nice to see a different perspective on things! It'd be really interesting seeing a similar thread in reverse on a board about moving from NZ to the UK and hearing kiwis saying what shocked them about the UK!

Kate x

[Natalieb]

So people really hate the UK?

I dont hate it, cant describe it, its just not us and I think a number of things make you want to make a move like this - Id love to know at what point you know its definately the right thing to do, who knows.

Sat in the UK you do listen to every word of anyone living in NZ just to get a feel of what its like. But from what I can gather its very positive - the swearing bothers me but I think thats it!

Anyway thats enough of my rambling too much wine and present wrapping breaks make me all philosophical (did I spell that right).

Keep up with the NZ comments.

I was thinking today of looking for a forum that is for Kiwis moving to the UK -I might have a look into that?? Interesting!

Natalie

[bob_the_engineer]

Great question natalieb, and the answer is YES!! If you were born with contact lenses already installed, you'll understand this: NZ has (so far, and it's not v far I admit) totally lived up to my rose-tinted view of life and the world. At the risk of hacking the more "realistic/pragmatic/call a spade a spade" folk off, I like NZ supermarkets, Pak'n'Save included! I like the chocolate and the crisps, and I never used to buy bisto, so I don't miss it. I love the " How's your day?" from shop assistants and have had some very interesting conversations as a result (if you're in the area, talk to Troy at Whitcoulls in Botany!) The driving is nowhere near as bad as I experienced whilst living in Italy, the doctors have been really chatty and take time to get to know you and find out about you, schools have exceeded any expectations I had, LOADS of people run, walk, cycle and exercise, so I don't look like a lonesome loony any more, wine is gorgeous.... need I go on?

Only non-shock is that all the forumites I have met here are as lovely, kind, humorous and helpful as they appear on the forum itself!!

Gil


:D me too

Bob

[wiki]

Loved your post, Wiki, and it's nice to see a different perspective on things! It'd be really interesting seeing a similar thread in reverse on a board about moving from NZ to the UK and hearing kiwis saying what shocked them about the UK!

Kate x

You know what, I just realised I've never once looked for a forum on NZ expats in the UK. The internet wasn't as big in 97 as it is now, but I still used it... but never thought to seek "help" from the like-minded.

It's a little odd to find me here seeking help for going home lol!

I do remember that when I came there was nothing I "hated" but I kept double-taking at things (mostly stuff I'd seen on TV and couldn't believe I was seeing it in the flesh) although I did have a couple of embarrassing moments at getting British stuff so wrong like asking them to make me hot fish and chips and not the "leftovers" from the bin, or going on about this "great new song" in 1999 called Sit Down by James to a guy who'd first seen them perform it live 10 years earlier. :exit

[jess]

None of these qualify as 'shock' - just surprises, coming from the US to NZ 8 months ago...

* There are about 400 nature and wildlife reserves in the Wellington region alone.
* Hip hop is big. Maori groups rapping.
* Outgoing mail must be taken to a post box, not your own mailbox. (surprise for American's only)
* Customers seem to be nicer to people working in shops. There's no sense of 'I'm a stock brocker and you just work in a coffee shop, so I don't need to be polite to you.'
* The Warehouse is like a mini Walmart.
* The language as others have said. It's just not considered a big deal to swear.
* There's a good bit of nationalism here, but it bothers me a lot less than it did when I came across it in the states. NZ being small, it's just seems less nerve wracking than hearing it from the US with its power and overseas activities.
* I think they drive very well, in Kapiti at least.
* So many kiwis have been to America or have family who are there.
* Goods are much more expensive than in Virginia.
* It's been easy to find vegetarian food when I eat out.
* Picnic bars are my new favorite candy. :D
* Kids seem to be expected to behave responsibly at a younger age than kids in the states. (I don't have kids... this just comes from nieghbors, things heard on tv and radio, etc...) Seems to be a good thing to me, but I'm certainly no expert.

[Singel]

The first week of arriving in NZ, we saw people walking bare-footed and in pyjamas in the supermarket - really shock us (nothing had prepared us for that).

I am also with Moorf about the HOON. We don't have boy racers in our area but saw and heard it from TV, radio and newspaper.

[marcia]

Dan - I agree - the kids don't play out on the streets here - they have lovely playgrounds which are well maintained so they play there instead!!! - or even in the school grounds which aren't surrounded by high fences topped with barb wire! :laugh

I think the driving here is great - most people stick to the limit, I've not yet heard anyone honking their car horns or shaking fists out of their windows at each other or me - (despite the fact that I forget the turning right rule, I remember to let other people go - but forget that i can go before them the other way around!!)

Disappointed about the chocolate, its as bad as i remember from January - can't wait for my stash to arrive - sorry but it tastes yuck!!! (And I for one have lost far too much weight and need to binge on it - moro bars are ok though!)

I like the way people are friendly in the stores - perhaps that may wear off after a while when you are rushing trying to get in and out quick - but at the moment I can cope!

Shocked at the state of some of the rentals people are prepared to pay to live in, are our standards too high??? And the walls are so paper thin and no double glazing you can virtually hear the neighbours in their own homes!!!! :no :no

Last but not least - wish I'd brought my hot water bottle cos my feet are freezing in this rental!! Kev went to try and get me one - but couldn't find any because it is supposed to be summer!

[Cardiff Irons]

Only non-shock is that all the forumites I have met here are as lovely, kind, humorous and helpful as they appear on the forum itself!!

GilTotally agree with this. For those of you planning on coming to NZ, I hope you have as much help and support as we have had.

Special mention for Babette to whom I have asked the Queen to bestow some sort of special empire medal. :nice1

[katandbob]

I like the way people are friendly in the stores - perhaps that may wear off after a while when you are rushing trying to get in and out quick - but at the moment I can cope!

Shocked at the state of some of the rentals people are prepared to pay to live in, are our standards too high??? And the walls are so paper thin and no double glazing you can virtually hear the neighbours in their own homes!!!!

Last but not least - wish I'd brought my hot water bottle cos my feet are freezing in this rental!! Kev went to try and get me one - but couldn't find any because it is supposed to be summer!

I Am in agreement with you on the heating bit marcia -- I bought oil rads for the boys when they arrived - but was too tight to buy one for us!

I wish I had got one now as they are no longer for sale -and its summer! HA!! well it was sunny yesterday (rob got sunburned!) - hot and humid today - turned to rain as soon as we struck the barbie up!

I am now sat in front of the fire.....

As to the shop keepers I like that they ask how you are- i I have had some good conversations with them.

And as to this thread - What supprised me the most was that someone in Omaui had an aunt that married a guy from GRIMSBY and that Jordons Storeman's Son is living in CLEETHORPES!!!

I mean Hey we came to the last place in NZ and there are people who know where we are from! ;)

And as to the tv - I like it..... well certain programs - I am watching ELF at the moment - FUNNY and I Love christmas films....I usually am very xmassy...getting into it early, and decorating the house. BUT I HATE THE ADVERTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gosh they are so LONG and LOUD

I actually couldnt get into it this year - and I finally got the tree up yesterday..... just the lounge - the house in the uk was decked in every room!

Maybe its because my family is split in two - and Jordons off back in January??

But I have found the red wine - and the tv remote and I am trying to get Jolly!!! :o

KAT :cheers

[thepiesleys]

Talking about it being a small world. Went running the other night with a group and the bloke leading it asked me in his best Kiwi were i was from. I told him Halesowen in the black country and we then conversed in Yam Yam for the rest of the run. He was from Halesowen as well. Jeez.

[wanderingoregonian]

Mostly good surprises for me...

- how great the buses are in Welly, and with on board cash registers to make change if you need it (unheard of in the states)

- availability of public bathrooms, one on a recent trip even had fresh flowers in it! (see photo)

- how amazing flowering trees are at christmas time, and that even though the days before xmas didn't feel like Christmas, the day still did.

- how willing people are to help in stores and banks and such, I'll have to soon drop my habit of trying to defend myself/explain myself when in stores (e.g., "I just have a quick question..." or "We're planning to buy something, just not today.. really we are..." or everytime I enter a bank "Hi, I have an account here, could you please___") that I've picked up in the states.

But somethings will be an adjustment such as the pricing structure of mobile phones and internet.

[*Paul]

My biggest gripe is the dozens of boy racers with noisy exhausts that tear around the town all hours with not a cop in sight. I've called it in many times but always get a polite but non-commital response from the police. I live in the town centre so get the worst of it.

I think that the problem has crept up so slowly that people who have lived here for years don't notice it. Last time I visited LA I marveled at the quiet cars :(

Another oddity is this: you are sitting at a table alone in a restaurant, pub, or bar. Someone walks up and takes a chair from the table without even a glance in your direction!

Has anyone else experienced this? It happens to me about 1/3 of the time. Sometimes a glare illicits a half-hearted late response. I don't really care but it seems so inconsiderate.

Today someone tried to steal my car which was parked behind my apartment. The person first entered the rear door of a shop under my apartment, stole money and keys out of purses while the employees were attending to customers, then tried the keys in my car thinking it belonged to the shop staff. He was seen after a few minutes but ran off. Cops were called by the girl whose money was stolen but they didn't show up. And, I have the entire event on video.

[nippa&pippa]

Last but not least - wish I'd brought my hot water bottle cos my feet are freezing in this rental!! Kev went to try and get me one - but couldn't find any because it is supposed to be summer!

Get it from K-mart in beauty areas :nice1
Got two recently, even my OH got funny look from checkout girl!!!

[StevieD]

Scumbags eh Paul.

[lollypop]

Great question natalieb, and the answer is YES!! If you were born with contact lenses already installed, you'll understand this: NZ has (so far, and it's not v far I admit) totally lived up to my rose-tinted view of life and the world. At the risk of hacking the more "realistic/pragmatic/call a spade a spade" folk off, I like NZ supermarkets, Pak'n'Save included! I like the chocolate and the crisps, and I never used to buy bisto, so I don't miss it. I love the " How's your day?" from shop assistants and have had some very interesting conversations as a result (if you're in the area, talk to Troy at Whitcoulls in Botany!) The driving is nowhere near as bad as I experienced whilst living in Italy, the doctors have been really chatty and take time to get to know you and find out about you, schools have exceeded any expectations I had, LOADS of people run, walk, cycle and exercise, so I don't look like a lonesome loony any more, wine is gorgeous.... need I go on?

Only non-shock is that all the forumites I have met here are as lovely, kind, humorous and helpful as they appear on the forum itself!!

Gil

:nice1 :yes Gil, great post.

[Avalon]

Shocked by:

If you love New Zealand you must be wearing funny coloured glasses and if you dont you are a doom-mongerer :D

Weird - cos I'm doing neither, and yet I love it and really dislike a few things. I don't know me own mind - which I guess explains a lot :D

[pieeater]

A collegue of mine has a problem with hoons.He lives on a road that leads to the beach and is regularley woken in the early hours of the morning by the sound of revving engines and squealing tyres.He threw a bottle of beer through the windscreen of one car.The problem hasn't stopped though.

[Trigirl]

He threw a bottle of beer through the windscreen of one car

gobsmacked. completely.

i don't suppose there's any hope he went to prison for that?

[jen]

We've been here a whopping 11 days now, so I obviously haven't had time to absorb a lot about life in NZ, but coming from the US here are a few things I was surprised by or that I didn't realize before I came:

Our Quest apartment has no central heat - I couldn't believe it when we walked in and sure enough, there was a space heater! Our soon-to-be-rental doesn't have heat either. I've been reading about this on the forum forever, but central heat isn't even something I'd THINK of as optional in the US.

As Oregonkiwi said, the bus drivers make change and buses run frequently and on time! In our US town, taking the bus was the option of absolute resort and the system was used really only by low-income people and students without cars as it was so inefficient to get anywhere on it.

Everyone seems used to dealing with immigrants, or was one, or has family in the US/overseas. The car salesman we bought our 'new to NZ' Honda from just came from Ireland & the dealership is fine with holding the car until our money (hopefully) gets wired here Monday as they are used to that. My OH's workgroup has Scots, an Aussie and South African emmigrants and the recruiter that got him the job moved here from England. Maybe we've just hit an unusual ratio, but it does really seem like a country still being settled, in an odd way.

I love that when you buy something the price includes tax! A 3.50 flat white (I'm addicted already) is exactly 3.50 - no stupid state tax to make it an odd number. I don't miss pennies or nickels at all!

I didn't realize quite how lost I would be in a metric country. I'm used to looking at calories and carbs on food labels but am having a hard time getting my brain around (for example) how much 200 grams of something is for comparison to what I'm used to. The kjoules on food labels I have to divide by 4 to get what I know in the US as calories. I haven't even started working on celsius or meters yet - I have a "cheat sheet" by the computer I'm trying to study.

The January Kiwi holiday was a BIG surprise - we moved here Jan 1 & expected things would be closed. We were more surprised to venture out Jan 2nd - everything still closed. We then started noticing all the signs taped to store windows "reopening Jan 8th" etc. Welly seemed to start "waking up" last week - before then it was so quiet I was picturing the whole city population out bumping into each other at campgrounds across North Island!

One last funny thing - there's a band I really like that I just missed as they played in our hometown right after we left. I missed them again by a few days in my in-laws hometown. So I almost fell over when we walked into a record store and saw they're playing HERE in February! I mean, they're from Tucson, Arizona so how they're making it down here I don't know but I've got tix :laugh

Jen

[*Paul]

I was at university in Christchurch when the country "turned metric" somewhere about '78 or '79. It literally happened overnight. For example where you saw meat at the butcher priced "per pound" one day, it was simply changed to "per 445 g" the next day. It worked out well (apparently.)

I'm still talking "in inches" and hardly anybody can understand me.

What cracks me up is that TV's are still measured in inches ... I guess that's just too hard to change.

Another major law implemented about the same time was the incredibly lame and dangerous "give way to traffic approaching from the right." If I recall it's the same basic road rule in the US, despite the fact that driving is done on the other side of the road.

[Ana&Steve]

Another major law implemented about the same time was the incredibly lame and dangerous "give way to traffic approaching from the right." If I recall it's the same basic road rule in the US, despite the fact that driving is done on the other side of the road.
The law in the US, if there are no traffic lights or stop signs giving exclusive right-of-way, is that traffic crossing the flow yields. So a car making a right (or left in NZ) simply goes, (everyone yields to pedestrians) while the car making a left, (or right in NZ) who is already yielding to oncoming traffic, also yields to the car making the right.(or left, as it were) We had a bit of trouble remembering the NZ rule, but you could just see the other drivers shaking their heads and muttering "bl**dy tourists!". :D
Ana

[*Paul]

Here's the edited video from my security cameras of the guy who tried to swipe my car Saturday at 10 am. First he enters the shop at the rear and steals money from the employee's purses, then tries their keys in my car. Police are very busy and didn't show up until today.

YouTube Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqpr6d4MfRU)

[Jenny & Mark]

Here's the edited video from my security cameras of the guy who ...

Interesting idea to post it on You Tube, Paul. The Hamilton Police (Hamilton, Ontario) used "You Tube" a few weeks ago to help catch a murder suspect (http://www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca/HPS/News/George%20Gallo%20arrested%20for%20Murder.htm). Hopefully you might have similar results. :)

Mark.

[*Paul]

Thanks for the info - I didn't know Canada had a "Hamiliton" as well as NZ!

I did give the Police a video but I got the impression they wouldn't be doing much with it, so realized this would be a perfect opportunity to find out how to upload videos to YouTube.

[Jenny & Mark]

Thanks for the info - I didn't know Canada had a "Hamiliton" as well as NZ!

Yeah, Ontario is not known for its original place names: Kitchner, Waterloo, London, Paris, Stratford, Windsor, Witby, Scarborough, Cornwall, Perth, Warkworth, Peterborough, et cetera. :)

Mark.

[Caroline and Dave]

One thing I am not happy about which is perfectly legal in NZ is the way some estate agents carry out house auctions. The person selling the house (vendor) or the agent acting on the vendor's behalf can bid against a prospective buyer to bump the price up. In my opinion this is a total farce and should not be allowed. I would never bid at such an auction anyway but many people do and some pay over the odds. If you do go to an auction ask the agent if there is a vendor bid. They are obliged to tell you.

Dave and Caroline

[stu70]

Not there yet but done a ton of research and what amazed me is the house prices compared to the quality you get for what you pay(in most cases). I checked several websites and saw homes that looked like made of cardboard boxes(given the decor is better in some cases) yet the tag was several hundred thousand if not millions. Whats up with that folks? I am not sure most of what you see there will be allowed to be sold here in Canada (not atleast for those crazy prices)

[able]

There's nothing up, it's supply and demand.

It's also not so much the quality of the house as the value of the underlying land that makes the prices high. Land in NZ is, for whatever reason, more valuable than land in Canada. If land values in NZ are unrealistically high, they'll fall again sooner or later.

A lot of wealthy Californians and Brits moving to NZ keeps the market moving upward as well as Kiwis who have made a packet in London returning and buying up land and houses. If that stops, demand will fall and so will prices. If it doesn't, well there won't be a fall.

[wilson182]

One thing I am not happy about which is perfectly legal in NZ is the way some estate agents carry out house auctions. The person selling the house (vendor) or the agent acting on the vendor's behalf can bid against a prospective buyer to bump the price up. In my opinion this is a total farce and should not be allowed. I would never bid at such an auction anyway but many people do and some pay over the odds. If you do go to an auction ask the agent if there is a vendor bid. They are obliged to tell you.

Dave and Caroline

Thats good to know Caroline, thanks

[nippa&pippa]

I am shocked of how much people are prepare to help you when you got children on tow....especially at the bus stop that, they let me jump th queue because i got a baby in the pushchair and a 3 years old!! Bus drivers often came out of seat to help you onboard with piles of shopping bags or in early days, piles of washing!! (in suitcases of course!), fab! :nice1

Other one i still can't head around that is playcentre, preschool and kindy are well equipments, with fantastic stuffs in it as well as got outdoor play areas which our former local's in UK have nothing similar to it. With UK is over the top with protection etc, frightened of getting sued by parents and here, who care! There is huge climbing frames with slide and go-kart came with ramps at my son's kindy!

There is playareas in every corner of estate and they are well equipments and nice clean as been well look after.

Everytime, visit butchers, children get free meat or sausage to eat!!!

[Diny]

What a brilliant thread, only just come across it (very limited on-line time at my olds house). Very interesting reading.

First of all I have to (once again) agree with Avalons post - hitting the nail on the head again.

I've been shcoked by a couple of things since moving to NZ. The first was being told that I was going to get my f****** throat cut by some yob who had caused an accident which I witnessed when he realised I was going to report all I'd seen to the police. Secondly was having a complete stranger in a pub come up to me (after he learned I was English) and asked me (very loudly, spitting the words out) whether I have any idea just how much people hate me (because I'm a Pom), and then having everybody within earshot roar with laughter and agreeing with him ...... try that one on for size folks, a totally crushing experience. It was the first time in my life I'd ever come across such aggresive violence and hatred.

Having spent alot of time in NZ over the last 20 years and being married to a Kiwi I don't think there's much that 'shocks' me, I am disappointed by a few things, such as the education and the cold houses. However I'm delighted by alot of things that NZ has to offer so I guess it all balances out in the end.

I'm not a member of the hate UK brigade either so coming to live in NZ hasn't acted as some kind of escape for me, I guess this is why I'm one of the 'middle of the road' forumites, can see good and bad in both places .... and I'm still waiting for my epiphany !!

Diny

[Sam B]

Oooh, that really scares me Diny. I'm feeling too anxious at the moment (11 days to go) to hear things like that. I know what the contents of tonight's anxiety dream will be now!!

[able]

I guess this is why I'm one of the 'middle of the road' forumites, can see good and bad in both places
I don't know about middle of the road Diny. A lot of your posts come over as down on NZ, and up on the UK. I'm fine with that because people can only feel the way they feel and if someone doesn't like something, well fair enough. But you certainly haven't come across to me as being anywhere near the middle ground. ;)

I hope you're enjoying your hols.

[Diny]

I'm not down on NZ at all, I love the place, it's just that I don't see it as the all singing all dancing place that some do.

Maybe this is why I agreed with Avalons post so much - damned if you do damned if you don't.

Believe me, there's things I like/dislike about both places.

Diny

[able]

I don't see it as the all singing all dancing place that some do
Most people on the forum seem to enjoy their lives in NZ. At the same time they do write about things they don't like and their comments are all the more valuable for that. I think it's a little harsh to say that because they are enjoying life and they share their upbeat views on the forum, they see NZ as "the all singing all dancing place". I can't think of anyone whose posts I'd describe that way.

[Diny]

OK - you obvioulsy feel the need for abit of bickering. I, however don't. Have a happy day.

Diny

[able]

Not bickering, merely commenting. I hope you have a very happy day too.

[Paul]

People can only give their personal opinions on this forum i.e what is relevant to their personal circumstances, and for that we should all be thankful as it gives information you wouldn't normally know about unless it was from family or friends
I think its fair to say that Diny has always made no secret of the fact that she liked the life she had in the UK and therefore wasn't someone who was escaping the Uk, but rather was trying something elsewhere, which like everywhere in the world has its pluses and minuses.

Personally I think if someone is always giving pluses and minuses for both countries that would perfectly describe them as middle of the road no?

[stu70]

What is absent on this forum and thank GOD for that, is the bickering bits. Able, I know we are all capable of handling things well and not go argumentative about trivial things(which I think your notes smell of unfortunately). Live and let live.

[able]

which I think your notes smell of
I was going to have chat with Paul about where the middle of the road in terms of NZ was until I saw this. So, I'm signing off instead.

You may not agree with what I said, but I have been polite. Please don't demean anyone by describing their posts as "smelling" of anything. That is offensive and completely uncalled for.

[stu70]

I am sorry if it offended you. It was obviously not the intent. Regards,

[Sam B]

Anyway, on a lighter note, has anyone else been abused in the pub for being English? Or was it a freak occurence Diny?
Sam
(not bickering at all!!)

[stu70]

You mean to say "Pubbing while British" incidents? No bickering here either :D

[gil]

The only time I've been in a pub here was with a large group of ex-pats in my first week (along with The Piesleys :D). Safety in numbers combined with the fact we were for the most part Irish, Scottish and Welsh may have prevented any violent outbursts! On the pub "banter-borderline-violent outburst" theme, being Welsh, I have endured countless verbal attacks over the years, all by English people, some which I can see were intended to be funny (jokes re sheep, for example, which may well have been mildly amusing the very first time anyone thought of it, i.e. when Henry VII first became king) and some which, if you had substituted another nationality, say Pakistani, would have been racially abusive. I think you find people like this all over the world.

Was surpirised by the spelling I saw in Pak n Save last week "Special offer profitter rolls" :laugh

Am daily surprised by the sheer volume of poeple out exercising! All ages, I see people walking (serious walking!), running and cycling at all times of day and night. Brilliant. Propbably connected with that is the general level of slimness in the population that I have noticed here, compared to UK. This is not intended to be rude or offensive to anyone, just an observation. My two older girls really stood out amongst their classmates in Cardiff as being very slender, and here they look like everyone else.

Biggest shock is that here, I have swum in the sea and am now looking to buy a kayak! :D

Gil

PS I love this thread too!

[veronica]

think for me the biggest shock was the cost of things, particlarly food. With the exception of meat and veg in season its on a par with the UK and when put against the much lower earnings here thats expensive.

[jess]

...jokes re sheep, for example, which may well have been mildly amusing the very first time anyone thought of it, i.e. when Henry VII first became king...

:laugh:laugh

[Avalon]

"Special offer profitter rolls" :laugh
too!
:laugh So funny. I (almost) can't beleive it!

[Avalon]

Im not sure if this really counts as a shock as such, but I think it is to me - so im putting it on here.

I can say that I personally have been quite shocked at how "at home" I have become here. I know I struggled at first, but to be honest - even though I knew that was likely - I also felt that I would never feel at home outside the UK. That has changed - and it feels like ive found my "place" here.

I guess it means that above and beyond all the little things that have "shocked" me about New Zealand itself - when it comes down to it - its the change in me, and the fact that I HAVE settled here that really blows my mind.

And the wierd thing is that, like the stuff that made it so hard in the beginning - its the little things that make me feel like I belong here: sitting on the beach, warm nights and sunsets, a dip in the pool with the family. Yesterday we had to go into welly - and grabbed some snacks from New World and sat down at Oriental bay to eat. There are days that I just cannot take in what we have accomplished in coming here.

For someone like me - thats a huge thing.

So - im sorry if that doesnt really fit here :o

[Angelonthemove]

What shocked me, in a nice way, was having come from North Cyprus first and been on their forum, that everyone here are so polite and helpful on this site. I put it down to being more educated with people who have manners. I stopped using the site in NC as it was so boring to read a thread which went off on a rude tangent.

Other than that I don't think anything has shocked me here YET!!! Amused re the bare feet though. Went out the other day and it got so hot in my boots I thought I might have to join in :laugh

[jubjub]

Sam B:-Anyway, on a lighter note, has anyone else been abused in the pub for being English?

Not here, but I am guessing it's more likely to happen (if at all) in "the sticks" or the smaller towns/cities where a pommie accent would stand out more, and the locals can be a bit more set in their ways. I am in Auckland and to be honest hear more UK accents than kiwi ones most days!

I have had a bit of abuse for being English, but that was when I lived in Scotland.... (95% of it was lighthearted!)

Diny, not sure how on earth you deal with that, have you been back in that pub at all? (I would be far too chicken!)

[Patrick]

I was mildly shocked that many smaller businesses here in Pukekohe shut down for almost two weeks around the Christmas holidays. I know everyone deserves a holiday, but I thought more things would be open on days other than public holidays besides the big box stores. My wife, who is Taiwanese, puts my feeling down to the fact that I've been away from Canada for over ten years living in Asia, so I both forgot about Christmas holidays (definitely!) and was part of a society where just about everyone is prepared to work on a holiday in order to make some extra money. In my defense, though, Christmas to me needs snow!

[stu70]

In my defense, though, Christmas to me needs snow!

welcome to Canada, it is mind numbing cold here right now ( -20 at the last check). But then if you don't like snow, this ain't the place for you :)

[Diny]

Diny, not sure how on earth you deal with that, have you been back in that pub at all? (I would be far too chicken!)


Nooooo - never been back - not brave enough !!! Apart from the usual anti Pom banter nothing else like that has happened.

Diny

[thepiesleys]

Dinny - that has really shocked us. Can I ask where it happened?

Some more shocks for us:

1) Pubs on a saturday night having about three people in them at 9.30pm
2) The amount of English/Chinese people in East Auckland - are there any Kiwis here?
3) I've said it before - but where are all the kids? A few more out this week, but still not what we're used to.
4) Groups of 17YO lads organising themselves into a game of cricket on a sat afternoon (a good thing)
5) My neighbour lending me his motor mower without being asked - cant bring myself to pay $400 dollars for one.
6) The use of the suffix 'aye' on most sentences
7) The fact I cant catch a fish.
8) Not a legal requirement to have car insurance
9) Is all the beer chilled and fizzy?
10) Picking, cooking and eating cockles within an hour - yum yum
11) Rice or Noodles (heaps) plus any three other dishes for $6.00 at a chinese we found on Queen Street, Auckland today - again yum yum
12) Dentist bills :mad: $900 for a root filling, $7000 for kids brace work
13) Primary schools with there own rugby pitches

Bit of a mixed bag there, but this thread has mutated anyway - aye

[Diny]

Dinny - that has really shocked us. Can I ask where it happened?




Sure can, it was in the main bar of The Commercial pub in Ashhurst. You could class it as 'hicksville' but we're only 12 mins drive from the centre of Palmy.

Diny

[gil]

Just checked through this thread to see if I have already said this, but no, it appears I've only thought it so far. (Every night since arriving) It amazes me that when I cleanse at night, the only thing that comes off is make-up! Everywhere else I've lived (or even visited) Wales, England, France, Italy, lots of other parts of Europe and the USA, I have always had a grimy face! The worst was when I lived in Milan. but here, it's only make-up!! Truly incredible!

Gil

[Smiler]

Oh Gil that reminds me.......... along the same lines. ;)

In the UK I was always wiping a black film of grime off the TV screen, here in NZ the screen is never grimey or really even dusty. :clap

I'm sure some technical bod could explain that for me, please? :D

[jubjub]

In the UK I was always wiping a black film of grime off the TV screen, here in NZ the screen is never grimey or really even dusty. :clap

I'm sure some technical bod could explain that for me, please?

I can explain how ours gets dirty.... a certain small, blonde, sticky fingered creature that lives in our house! :p

The only time ours gets black grimy dirty is in winter when the wood burner is on.

And on a current topic happening right now, the severity and heaviness of the rain storms! Its what I imagine a monsoon would be like!

[willsken]

Well I haven't been here long enough to comment on many things but...

How kind everyone has been to us (Kiwi and Expat)

The quietness of the place.

How lovely shop assistants are, they go out of their way to help you and nothing (so far) seems too much trouble. One even gave Tom a lolly when we were queuing in the supermarket.

No dodgy lads mags in the entrance to the supermarkets

How quickly you can arrange a mortgage and buy a house

How I feel safe when the boys go out.

How clean the river is for swimming.

For me the best feeling about the place is the peace I feel. A real calm feeling I haven’t felt for years.

Bad:

Can't get used to the taste of the water. My neighbour said there is a lot of fluoride in it (good thing is it only tastes bad in tea!)

Flies - maybe it's just the time of year!

[Super_BQ]

I'm sure there's horror stories no matter which country you've lived in the past. If you came from a developed country, IMO the differences aren't that drastic so the following lists by all means, IS REALLY superficial at best:

1) FOOD: No Kraft Dinner macaroni & cheese, Barq's root beer, and an absense of snacking foods available like pizza pops and trans fat free potatoe chips. The frozen meat 'savories?' just don't cut it. The absense of good sausages such as smoked Bravarian, cheese & bacon. Oh yeh, stripped (streaky) bacon sells for a huge premium here. Whole portions of bacon sold here is called 'smoked ham' in Canada. Huge variance on the prices of vegetables between in/off season. Tomatoes $1/kg -> $8/kg which is insane.

2) HOME ACCESSORIES: Difficult time to find a decent BBQ grill instead of the open steel plate pans and thick grills known for the chicken skin to stick permantly on. Oh and no selection of BBQ sauces at the supermarkets. Where are the front wheel propelled lawn mowers?

3) GETTING AROUND: Almost every case of driving In Christchurch I spot mistakes all the time with local drivers. Lack of signal / indicating which direction they're going. Biggest offender is the tendancy to drive VERY close behind cars. Safe to assume no Kiwi can survive driving a winter in Canada without 'rear-ending' into another car. Where are the intersection cameras to catch those that drive through the red lights? Why couldn't the gov't expropriate all the farmers' land so the city roads can be 'gridded' in parallel? Now Auckland is a major traffic mess.

4) LIVING COSTS: High cost of electricity - 3 x the national rate of Canada. This may attribute the reason for no central heated homes. Of those available in new homes such as tiled floor heating, they're inferior to the gas central heated furnaces in Canada that constantly exchange stale air while filtering the dust out. Absense of home central vacuums where mains power the head end of the vacuum hose (power bar).

5) PATRIOTISM: A bit of a rivalry between NZ and Australian sporting - rugby & cricket - dirty tacktics such as Australia's win by doing the famous underhand bowl. Though most locals only view America as a country that only plays by themselves, it's safe to say all professional players in hockey/basketball/baseball can play for either country (Canada/US) without shame. Speaking of patriotism, where was there when PM Helen Clark was stranded in Australia and had to call the NZ Navy to rescue her over the NZ Ansett Airline deal? Would any Canadian P.M. get this treatment when visiting G. Bush in the US? I think not.

6) Absense of visable minorities working in the police force. Likewise in gov't. No they all don't want to be doctors and lawyers.

7) For the beer lover, beer in NZ contains 4% alc vs 5% alc in Canada

Again, just my experience and there are other more important matters such as lower income taxes that would attract ppl to NZ.

BQ

[Milliemoo]

7) For the beer lover, beer in NZ contains 4% alc vs 5% alc in Canada

BQ

I'm sat here drinking Mac's Hop Rocker which is 5% and I'm sure there's quite a few others, but it's not the alcohol content I'm bothered about, it's the ring pull things that are on Mac's bottles. How the heck are you suppose to open them ???? At first glance you think "Oh that's cool, I don't need a bottle opener" but then you break all you fingers trying to open the damn thing before resorting to stabbing it with a knife :(

Can someone tell me if there's a 'knack' to opening them? :confused:

Milliemoo

[jubjub]

Ah, the bottle tops.... after a few fights & a lot of swear words I got it sussed...

turn ring pull ring away from you, put finger through hole, and pull away from you and the bottle, this loosens it, then pull backwards towards you... the middle then kind of splits open....

Make sense?? It works for the ginger beer bottles too!

[Milliemoo]

hummmmmmmm well now I'll have to have another one, just to see if I can open it :D


Milliemoo

[Milliemoo]

Wahooooooooooo BEER :p

Thanks :cheers

Milliemoo