Cultural Exchange! Hi I'm from New Zealand
Replies
Let's see where everyone's from and have a (respectful) chat, ask questions, maybe learn a thing or two!
Where are you all from? Where are you currently? What do you love and hate about the place? Best and worst things? Common questions you get asked by people overseas? Fun facts? Questions for others?
I'm from South Africa but grew up here in New Zealand, AKA Middle Earth, where the newest Avatar movie is being filmed. Yeah, Kiwis (NZ folks) tend to brag but we are a small country and don't often get the international limelight so we take particular pride when we are (for good things of course). I love the beautiful sights, the friendly people, and the multicultural atmosphere. The worst part is how expensive stuff is, the lack of affordable housing, the benefit dependency culture, terrible justice system, (good) job shortages (and the associated jealousy-aggression toward foreign workers and those who are very successful) and the toxic masculinity.
Now for some fun facts! -Second most peaceful nation in the world -New Zealand has no native land predators, which means those introduced are a big problem. We also have no snakes, not even the zoo is allowed. -Only 5% of New Zealand’s population is human. -We have a town called Bulls full of puns. You will see signposts for the CONST-A-BULL (Police), READ-A-BULL (Library), SOCIAL-A-BULL (Town Hall) and RELIEVE-A-BULL (Toilets) -Longest place name in the world? Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu! -1/3 of our country is covered in National Park -First to give women the right to vote -You're never more than an hour's drive from the closest beach. -WE HAVE AN OFFICIALLY APPOINTED NATIONAL WIZARD
Wow so much info about NZ that I never knew! I've been looking into moving there for some time now but I can't believe there are no snakes thats crazy to me! Also I'm curious about the aggression toward foreign workers, I met someone recently from the northern part of the southern island and he said that NZ is looking for skilled workers/people because there was a shortage.
Maybe it's different in the South Island. Only about 23% of New Zealand's population lives there, just over 1 million people. It's much higher in the North Island where I am at, and I've lived in the two major cities, Auckland and Wellington, so my experience is likely different.
I'm not highly knowledgeable about this particular fact, I will admit, it's something I've noticed other people complain about rather than observed myself.
I think it's for a number of reasons. Every country probably prefers local workers after all, and it may just be a very vocal minority. At the moment we have a housing crisis which already creates tension towards anyone immigrating. We do have a shortage of teachers, nurses and doctors, etc. and those, in particular, are because of working conditions and pay issues. Bringing in skilled foreign workers for those roles instead of resolving the actual problem is a bandaid solution which I think factors in as well. Like I said I'm not an expert on this particular problem, it just seems to me that the problem lies within NZ but some of the blame and tension is put on foreign workers because they're easy targets.
But for the most part, people are friendly. We have quite the cultural mix and you'll find a number of different cultural festivals throughout the year.
