I can hardly believe that it’s been over a month since I stepped off the plane in Auckland. Well a month and a half now as I’m back in Europe for work and my poor blog took a backburner for a week. My bad. It’s been 30 days of ups and downs, highs and lows, everything you might expect from a big move abroad.
New Zealand has been everything I wished for and more. It’s almost hard for me to articulate my feelings and emotions so far on this adventure. That being said, it takes a lot for me to be at a loss for words. Born an overly verbose person who has trouble shutting up at the best of times, I’ve spent the past few weeks contemplating this big transition abroad and how best to share it with you all in the least wordy way possible.
Reflecting on my first month in New Zealand, if I had to sum up my experience in one sentence, it would be, “wow, that was a learning experience.”
Let me just tell you, I’ve learned a whole hell of a lot. From improving my kiwi slang vocabulary to acquiring some profound life lessons, the old adage “you’re never too old to learn something new” has never been more true than my first month down under.
Check out 20 things I’ve learned during my first 30 days in New Zealand
1. New Zealanders are the friendliest people in the world
Before I bought a one-way flight to Auckland, I had heard mysterious rumors of the friendliness of the kiwi people. And over the years when I was backpacking around the world, I often met people from New Zealand, and I was struck by how kind they were. That being said, I was not prepared for just how friendly and sweet EVERYONE is in New Zealand.
And I mean EVERYONE! Not even exaggerating.
From the shopkeepers to the bartenders to the average person walking down the street, if there is one thing you can always count on in New Zealand is just how lovely and friendly everyone is.
Moving abroad is scary. Moving abroad to a new country without knowing a single person is absolutely terrifying. However, picking a place with super friendly people has made all the difference.
If I don’t leave New Zealand in a year a completely changed person, I don’t even know myself.
2. What Kiwi really means
Kiwi is the name of people from New Zealand as well as New Zealand’s flightless bird. Kiwis as we know them in America are called kiwi fruit. This is an important difference, as I’m sure you can imagine, especially if kiwis are your favorite fruit.
3. Driving on the left is fun, until you get to a roundabout, then it’s terrifying
If I die in a road accident while living in New Zealand, there is a 80% chance that it happened in a roundabout. While in general I think there are a more logical way of directing traffic, it doesn’t make going through them in the wrong direction any less scary. I pretty much scream every time I go through one here, especially the ones with double lanes.
4. The more sheep than people rumor is not false
So the rumor that there are more sheep than people in New Zealand is not exactly false, as I quickly found out. After leaving sprawling urban Auckland, the complete lack of people took me by surprise. Driving down to Wellington, I would drive for ages and sometimes not see other cars.
Once you get outside of the cities in Wellington, you quickly realize that there are just not a lot of people about. New Zealand really is the end of the world. And yeah, there are a lot of sheep. Everywhere.
But now that spring is here, all the lambs have been born which means adorable, fluffy, baby sheep EVERYWHERE!
5. New Zealand is freaking expensive, but not as expensive as Australia
When I was packing for New Zealand, I made an executive decision to leave my hiking boots at home. I figured I since NZ is such an outdoorsy place, I could pick up a nice pair once I got here. My old ones needed to be tossed and I didn’t want to waste the luggage space.
What a stupid decision, my god!
I went to go buy hiking boots in Wellington, and the pair I wanted was 450 NZD – that’s roughly 375 USD which is roughly twice as much as back home.
Because everything is virtually imported to NZ, things are expensive. For example, I usually drop around $80 on my weekly groceries.
But then I went to Australia and realized NZ was cheap in comparison.
Looks like I’ll be hiking in my running sneakers!
6. NZ has the worst internet in the entire world
No, I am not exaggerating. I’ve had better internet in Africa. In Jordan. In rural Turkey.
When I first heard rumors of shoddy internet in NZ before moving there, I laughed it off. I thought those stories were not up to date or relevant any more. Boy, was I mistaken.
As I understand it from my tech friends, NZ is literally at the end of the under-the-ocean-magic-internet-cable. Literally, it’s the last stop for internet, which means it’s really bad, really slow, and really expensive. It’s also limited. LIMITED!! I didn’t even know limited internet was a thing!
Without a doubt this will be the hardest challenge I have to overcome this year.
7. There are a lot of foreigners in New Zealand
New Zealand is an amazing, empty place. I think one of my favorite things about this country is that it’s so remote with so few people. That being said, there are a surprising amount of foreigners to be found around the islands.
NZ has a very open working holiday scheme which means many people from around the world can come and easily get a visa to work and travel around the country. Also NZ is a popular travel destination. Pretty much everyone I’ve met has NZ on their travel bucket list.
This means there are lots of foreigners around town, which for me is both a positive and a negative. Negative because I want to go native and fit in with the locals which can be challenging, but also awesome because I get to make friends with people from all over the world.
8. But no Americans in NZ
That being said, there are NO AMERICANS IN NEW ZEALAND. Fellow countrymen, where are you?
This past month (ok, month and a half) I have flown to NZ from the US, and I have flown from NZ to Europe. From San Francisco, Auckland is a 12 hour direct flight. From Wellington to London, it took me approximately 40 hours of travel time and 4 flights.
How many Brits have I met so far on my journey? Dozens. Germans? A million. How many Americans? One.
What the hell?
Expect a lengthly post about this phenomenon shortly.
9. Rent is per week not per month
Completely random but for those curious-minded folks, apartments are listed with rent prices per week not per month. It’s a confusing but interesting phenomenon which somehow makes the extremely high cost of living more palatable.
And speaking of apartments, they are called flats like in the UK and the deposit is called a bond. Speaking English is hard.
10. Getting the bill in the restaurant
The first time I went out for a meal at a sit-down restaurant in New Zealand, I was surprised by several things. Firstly, the food is phenomenal. Seriously, there are some damn good restaurants to be found in this part of the world. And don’e even get me started on brunch.
However, at the end of the meal I was confused. When were they going to bring the bill? We sat and waited and waited and waited before getting the attention of someone to bring the check. Quickly they explained that you pay at the register and not at the table. Soon I figured out this was standard around NZ.
Can anyone explain this to me?
Instead of having the waiters bring you the check, it’s standard for you to get up when you’re finished and head to the register to pay directly.
This is not universal but I’ve definitely encountered it way more here than anywhere else in the world.
11. Likewise, you usually have to go up and grab a jug of water and cups
Same goes for water. Most of the time they don’t bring water to you, even if you ask. They have sinks or jugs set up for you to grab it yourself.
I haven’t decided how I feel about this yet. It’s an internal struggle between my inherent laziness and my urge to be in control of everything. First world problems.
12. The brunch culture will blow your mind
Hi my name’s Liz, and I am addicted to brunches.
Heavy pancakes. Crispy French toast. Fluffy poached eggs smothered in decadent Hollandaise sauce. Swoon.
One of my favorite things about home was brunching with friends on the weekends. One of the things I hated most about Spain was the total dearth of brunch spots to be found. Lucky for me, NZ is the best of both worlds and has an amazing brunch scene. Everywhere.
13. NZ has the best coffee in the UNIVERSE
In addition to a great foodie scene, there is a thriving cafe culture which means awesome coffee all the time.
I have not had a disappointing cup of joe since I arrived which says a lot considering I’m the world’s biggest coffee addict.
And just like there are new words for everything in NZ, I’ve learned a lot of new coffee vocabulary too. For example, when I get a nonfat or skinny latte, here they call it a trim latte. Makes me feel so classy.
Same goes for a flat white, a type of espresso coffee in New Zealand. A new favorite.
14. Wellington is actually the coolest little capital in the world
I talked before about how much hype Wellington was getting and how it initially put me off living there. But then I arrived and fell head over heels in love with this city.
Proudly named the 2011 Lonely Planet “Coolest little capital in the world,” the buzz around town actually lives up to expectations. In short, Wellington rocks, and I am so so SO happy I decided to make it my home.
15. Everyone in Wellington knows someone who works for WETA or the Hobbit
Sometimes I have to remind myself that not everyone is as big of a nerd as me, and they don’t realize that part of Wellington’s fame comes from the fact that it’s home to WETA, the design studio behind the Lord of the Rings.
Now with the Hobbit franchise in full swing, WETA employs tons and tons of people, which means when I go out at night, there is a good chance I’ll meet someone somehow associated with the project. That is, if they ever leave the studios.
I think you can imagine my reactions when this happens.
16. Finding Peter Jackson has been harder than I thought
One month into my time in Wellington and I have yet to find and shake hands with the most famous son of New Zealand (apart from Sir Edmund Hillary), the man, the myth, the legend – Peter Jackson.
Of course I count this as a giant failure. Luckily I still have 1o months to go.
Anyone can make an intro for me?
17. Windy Wellington lives up to its name
Wellington is nicknamed “Windy Welly” and let me just say, a more accurate epithet never existed.
I’ve been to some windy places over the years, but nothing could have prepared for Wellington. Most days it’s just average level of winds that will mess up your hair and might blow your skirt up. However, in just a month I’ve witnessed some wind storms where I thought the world was ending.
I’m talking wind that will blow your clothes clean off. One week we had 140 km/h winds for three days. I couldn’t leave the house. Those are the moments where you realize you’re living at the end of the world.
18. Earthquakes
My first week living in Wellington we had an earthquake. I had gone out for a wine tasting that evening, so it’s safe to say I was pretty sloshed by the time I rolled home a few hours later. Climbing into bed, I was closing my eyes when the room started to shake. My hopes that it was just a big gust of the famous wind were dashed when my roommate popped his head in to check on me.
I’m from Virginia. We don’t get earthquakes. I don’t know how to react.
I know there are more and more bigger earthquakes happening in New Zealand, and let me just preface this by saying I am SO not ready for a big one.
In fact, they are so prevalent, many Kiwis I’ve met have an earthquake app on their phone that let’s them know about them. Can I just stick with Candy Crush?
19. No drunken behavior
I learned real fast my first month in NZ that I had to bring my passport out with me to the bars to show ID. I haven’t had to show ID to go out drinking since living in the US, let alone bring my passport.
NZ is also pretty vigilant about drunken behavior. They don’t let belligerent people in bars and will kick you out without a second thought.
One of my last nights in Wellington I was out at a bar with friends and while we were waiting for drinks, a group of young drunk guys were getting rowdy on the dancefloor. Suddenly, I saw one of the bouncers head over to kick him out. Causing a scene, eventually the guy picked him up and carried the dude out on his shoulders. The kid was so waster he was high-fiving and cheering everyone on his way out. Hilarious.
20. The wildlife is slightly different from what I’m used to back home in Virginia
21. Shit happens and you can’t plan for everything
So basically I’ve had the worst luck in the entire world my first month in New Zealand. I legally cannot write the specifics so far, but let me just say there’s a reason I’ve not been online as much as I meant to. My first month was a struggle, but I’ve been trying to make the best of it.
Something bad happened which I’m trying to deal with that’s costing me a lot of money.
If anything, it’s been a good lesson on trying to look on the bright side and be positive. Fingers crossed it will all work out for the best.
22. No matter where you are in NZ, you are approximately 15 minutes from somewhere spectacularly beautiful
New Zealand is ridiculously beautiful. No matter where you are in the entire country, you are likely a stone’s throw away from a place that will make your jaw drop open in awe.
This is probably my favorite thing about NZ. I need beautiful landscapes and lush natural spots to feel comfortable and at peace. Lucky for me, New Zealand has that in strides.
23. I already love New Zealand to pieces and I never want to leave
Only a month in and I can already see myself settling in NZ permanently. It already feels like home to me.
My whole life I feel like I’ve been searching for that special place where I can settle down. Maybe it’ll be New Zealand.
Have you ever been to New Zealand? Is it on your bucket list? Ever transitioned abroad before? What’s something you learned in your new country?
About the author
I quit my job and moved to NZ as well. BIGGEST mistake of my life.
1)There are no jobs. No one will sponsor you for a work visa despite that Kiwis are horribly prepared for the workplace.
2)Kiwis are friendly if you are a cute, blonde American who flatters their country with compliments based on naivete….Kiwis are racist. Period. You will be unemployed and stared at and yelled at with dogs set upon you if you are anything other than White. The severity of racism depends on where you are.
3)The foreign people and the Maori, Pacific Islanders will be the most kind if you are not White. They made NZ tolerable for me as a Black person.
3.2) There is racial tension between the Maoris and the Whites.
3.5) The foreign Europeans were the worst of all. Rude, arrogant and spoiled. They were also the most racist. Many people who move or travel to NZ morph into their surroundings and for NZ this is what they imitate.
4) There is no decent housing. The homes are glorified wooden tents. They leak and creak. Doors do not fit in frames windows do not shut all the way. You can hear every sound from every person in every room
5) Communal living is everywhere because that’s all people can afford. You will get annoyed very quickly by rotating room mates and dirtiness and all the other trappings of communal life
6) Most Kiwis are very ignorant of the rest of the world yet very talkative about what they don’t know. They are very behind yet very arrogant.
7) Doing business with people is impossible. see number 6. They are unprofessional, ignorant and argumentative. They do not return phone calls or emails. They do not follow through and they are lazy.
7.5) Simply put they are rude. The deep south of America is my standard for friendly so this dose not compare to southern hospitality by a long shot.
8) Travel NZ but do not move here unless you are already rich and looking to retire.
Jess, either you’ve been hanging out with the wrong crowd, or you need to consider a change in attitude. Sounds like so many things just don’t work for you. From what you have stated, the common denominator in all of these problems is quite for all to see,….It is YOU.
And as for work, there are plenty of jobs out there if you have a work ethic and an open mind. Life will continue to be dull if you trot around with this victim mentality.
And if NZ is such a terrible place, full of racism, rude people and substandard housing, then why would you be suggesting it would be an ok place to live if you were rich and ready to retire.
You really sound like one very confused puppy.
Sorry to hear you feel that way but as an African of colour I never had your problems and this is my seventh year in NZ. Best lot of people I have ever met, down to earth, tell you things straight up and will take the piss outta you if you cant give it back. Maybe you the problem!!
People from third world countries usually think anything is better than where they are from. I am African-AMERICAN. IE they have tall poppy syndrome with the American part and racism with the African part. They cannot handle that they think I am lower yet from a fast paced place. So typical if anyone in NZ says anything other than blind praise they say get the fck out of our country then leave no one want s you here. You are a trouble maker you are a problem. My problems are valid and not imagined. I had a difficult time here and I know others here who have as well. I experienced horrible behaviour from people like old White Kiwi men sexually harassing me all the time as well as my Muslim friends. Backpacker brats and job discrimination. How is this my fault. ASSHOLES Just because some fat White American brat attention whore has a blast spending money dose not mean everyone has it so easy.
Hi Jess, Maybe a little too angry?? however I live in Ireland with my New Zealander husband and I have found his family to be really racist too, particularly against the Maoris and those from the Pacific Islands, however I have met others who have not shown the same racist tendencies . Is it not the same as every country? there are racists everywhere unfortunately. There does seem to be a really weird thing with these guys though( and this was common to all NZ people that I have met and that is quite a lot after 15 years of marriage) They tend to make out that NZ is just the best place ever! that it is some sort of Utopia to the point of being rude about every other country they have been in! Its odd really perhaps due to it being so far away from everything they overcompensate with their devotion to the place. It is truly a beautiful country but there are many beautiful countries!!! New Zealanders don’t seem to get that
And don’t even get me started on Africans! You all are the most self-loathing, White obsessed group of people I have ever known in the US and here. All the weaves and blue contacts and skin bleaching are from Africans. You guys walk around Auckland with cheap plastic hair weaves blowing in the wind and you look like a joke. The Americans were their hair natural. I get made fun of for it and you wonder why Blacks straightened their hair for so long because we don’t like being pet like a dog by White assholes. I can’t even count how many times I have had to educate an African about Black history or culture when they come to our country. I meet you all over here and you don’t say hello or look me in the eye when we pass. You only want White friends and worst of all you tolerate racism because you are too stupid to even know it’s happening. I got a job as a maid and then got fired. There were two other Blacks there. I said why do you think we are all working as maids and getting treated like shit by management. They were like duhh…I was like racism. We can’t get any other job because no one wants to take a chance. The job discrimination has been demoralizing. 3 years UNEMPLOYED!!! and I had a professional life before moving here. People say I should try hospitality when I have a degree and a resume full. people say I look too alternative…um what? Then these Africans started realizing all the fcked up shit people actually told them. I’m like open your eyes. And it’s not just Kiwis. It’s the Europeans too. They feel safe being assholes here because NZ allows and tolerates that kind of behaviour. Afro-Europeans are brain washed! As for being straight up! hahahaha! They are the most backdoor insulting condescending people ever! They are ignorant and argumentative and stubborn. Try getting scans and copies made at the printer…it’s like I have to tell these fucks how to scan paper. And then print it. But they are arguing with me the whole time. So fcking stupid. Try working as a nanny for some bitch ass kiwi mother. They don’t raise their kids. This Young Adventuress is not experiencing NZ in a real way because she isn’t really working, going to school or anything. She is being paid to go to cool places and blog about it. The anti-Americanism yet the desperation to go to America sickens me here. The fact that people here are so ugly and prematurely wrinkled yet they tell me I don’t have the right look to get a job disgusts me. I struggle to afford food and rent. My dad has had to set aside retirement money to get me to the plane. The clock is ticking. My degree was completely botched because these dumb professors and now I’m screwed. African and Indian men here are all cheating dogs and try to come on to me and grin and wink with their wives standing right there. They lie and try to treat normal women like whores. Then they all get White and Aisan wives because they hate their own skin so much. Pathetic. I have no marriage prospects here, no career prospects and no funds to enjoy the scenery so why am I even here.
“This Young Adventuress is not experiencing NZ in a real way because she isn’t really working, going to school or anything. She is being paid to go to cool places and blog about it.”
Absolutely wrong – how about you get a clue and get the correct information before you keep trolling on my blog. thanks.
Also what the fuck is this novel of a comment you left?
Oh goodie… I love a race baiter… get over yourself.
How about I just get my own blog then I can be entitled to write novels all day long! Only bloggers can write long things but people who comment are limited to a few words which can only consist of blind praise. Maybe spend a little less on brunch and spend more time getting a fucking clue yourself. The biggest part of travelling for some people is the racism they will encounter. The unemployment they face. The lack of housing available. The list goes on. Bloggers always present such a one sided view. I could put up a careful selesction of photos to create a certain image on facebook or on a blog that give a delusional experience as well. Get comment moderation if you don’t like oppositional comments. You chose to post it for clicks and views and attention. Your worst comments of the year is so people can be entertained by it. So it’s your own fault that you bait people to write mean things. You want to talk about solo travel for women all day long….what about solo travel for Asians in the south island where dogs get set on them or Black people where they ironically love/hate rap music here aka Lorde and explicit rap is played everywhere in all the shops. What about people yelling obscenities at you from moving cars. You are delusional and do not speak in real terms because you are paid to be an advertisement. That’s all travel blogging is advertisement for cultural sectors, businesses and the like. Catering to those who can spend the bucks on all the cafes and tourist sites you go to. Please get the fuck over yourself. You did not invent New Zealand. You want to be the next Oscar Wilde or Ernst Hemingway…that is the most delusional thing ever considering this blog is so bad.
good god, I wish you’d write your own blog and get off mine. Thanks.
Have you hitch-hiked as a Black woman here Liz! You might get a lift to your destination…Indian men pull over thinking I’m a prostitute because brown women are sex workers here. It is so egotistical of you to only care about your little pride out of everything I wrote. That’s all you picked up on! How about I’m sorry this happened to you. People here are always telling me it’s my fault I am having problems. My school fucked up my funding resulting in visa and financial problems. Friends abandoned me because I had no money for expensive brunches and coffee dates. They said I was a bad friend for never hanging out and I said listen I am working as a live-in nanny with no pay!! Let’s do something free instead. They just want to feel elite going to the shops and sitting around cafes. People change when they get to NZ. The fact is by default of being a travel blogger you will never know what it is really like for regular people no matter where you go. You travel for the purpose of blogging therefore you will never have a real experience. You blog if you happen to travel therefore you will never have a real experience. Did you not say you are going to be on House Hunters International!? Ok then. It’s like an author who write novels while the movies are in production. The process is forever tainted. Your life is public now out of your own doing. if you can’t take personal criticism then don’t blog about your personal life. …and I promise to never, ever read your blog again!
I don’t know where you got the impression I travel for the purpose of blogging but that’s not the case at all. occasionally I take sponsored press trips but almost everything I’ve done in NZ has been on my own dime.
You are clearly taking your personal rage and anger out on me, and if that makes you feel better go ahead. I feel so sorry for you. I hope all your problems get resolved soon and all your bitterness and hate disappear.
I guess I got that impression cause….you have a travel blog. Did you not explain in your own words that this is a travel blog. Read below what you wrote above. You are a ditz with an ego.
Hi, I’m Liz, and I got my first taste for traveling when I was 16 years old. On my own, 9 years and 30 something countries later, my wanderlust has only grown and the list of countries I want to visit longer. After living in Spain for the past few years and returning home for a stint, I then quit my hellhole job and moved to New Zealand. Follow my misadventures as I wander, eat, and photograph my way around the world
I am a New Zealander, and I have also done some bits and pieces of travelling – both of my own country and abroad. I love my country, and although I don’t agree that everyone here is lovely and friendly, I do believe that for the most part, friendly and genuine people are what makes this country great!
Liz, I enjoyed reading your blog, it is always interesting to understand a foreigners opinion. And to answer your question, the reason we generally pay at the counter at restaurants is because we love out EFTPOS cards, and never have cash! You need to enter a pin number in order to pay by EFTPOS – hence we pay at the counter. Often if we pay by credit card the waiter will come by the table – but most Kiwi’s will only use their credit cards for large purchases.
“get over yourself” I feel like your experiences have been because of your negative attitude and outlook on life, it is quite sad really. I am sorry that you believe you have been a victim of racism, all I can say is that I strive to be an open minded person who doesn’t judge a person by their colour. I often pick up hitch hikers that look like travellers, because I enjoy meeting new and interesting people. I just hope you meet more people with a similar outlook while you are here.
But leave this nice girl’s blog alone, and take your negativity elsewhere.
Cheers,
Viv
I’m just wondering if auckland or wellington is the right places to get a job? I’m planning on moving here next year to continue my study. Any suggestion? because i’ve heard that new zealand needs more people, so the opportunities here in NZ is huge.
Mind sharing experiences, so i wouldn’t have to make a wrong decision.
to make it simple, in term of future (job) which is better, Australia or New Zealand?
Thanks
lots of work in auckland though I think wellington is a cooler city.
Well, although I disagree with about half the list above, I can understand what the author is getting at. Obviously her experience is unique, just as you would expect it to be. However, your comments are, well, pretty dark. I can understand trolls but you are more complex, I can also understand that you may be upset if you had a bad experience but why put it all on here? What relevance is it to the post? It’s ok to be angry, but don’t do it like this, you are only hurting yourself. I’d be happy to talk to you about anything, anytime, if you want.
I understand where you are coming from. I am from South Akl and I am Poly. Us Polynesians experience the same thing. There are some good white people but to be honest the majority you come into contact with are RACIST ! I’ve had worst experiences living in australia. However, racism is everywhere and we can’t do much about it but to keep our guard up. “Go back to where come from”. I hate that fuckn phrase. Its used alot. Funny thing is, it should be applied to themselves !
Hi Liz,
Thoroughly enjoyed your post.
There is a lot of good things about New Zealand and most Kiwis are very proud of it. I grew up in Wellington, but lived the last 17 years in Hamilton, (a lot cheaper living).
I also lived in Spain for a couple of years when I was younger + a year in the UK. Loved it.
But I would be interested in your thoughts on where would be good to spend some time In the US.
some of the Americans I have met on my travels have not been “great ambassadors” for your country, but the people I have met over there at conferences etc have been really friendly. The only thing that freaks me out a bit is the gun culture over there. In NZ many (if not most) people will not see a real hand gun in their entire life.
Cheers!
Hi Chris, gun control here in the US is that of not having any control. You can get a gun anywhere and shoot anything it is simply that easy that is a fact. But on the bright side you learn quick where ever you go in your travels where not to go. I’ve been almost everywhere in the US and if you got any questions just ask a nice looking person everyone is helpful. Except people in blue wearing gold badges =p they will rob you.
make sure you get down to queenstown. blows every other place in nz. away i miss living there.
Hi.. Just loved yr description!! Planning to visit NZ this year end. Now post reading your blog, I am super excited to make that plan wok.