Came to NZ in 1960. 18 yrs old, jumped ship and I hadn’t been here a month before I knew it was home. Been tough at times and was lonely to begin with, But hard and lonely times pass and having an extended family after being married for 60 years next year I can look back and feel satisfied that my life wasn’t wasted.
Great points. All spot on. As an immigrant, I thought I’d share my perspective and add a few extra points. While these may not be relevant to everyone, they are based on my personal experience. But the trade-off has definitely been worth it, and I have shared a few points on why I say that. * Access to Healthcare: As an Asian, I find that “access” to healthcare is often ten times better in many Asian countries compared to New Zealand and even many other developed countries. Since there’s no GP system in most Asian countries, you can often get an appointment with a doctor or specialist the same day, and at a fraction of the cost. Channeling a specialist in the private sector hospital is not an expensive thing. That’s something I miss a lot after moving here. In New Zealand, you may have to wait up to two weeks to get a GP appointment, depending on where you live. Meeting a specialist doctor can take even longer. * Pace of Life: If you’re someone looking for vibrant city life full of exciting things, New Zealand may not be the place for you. It is generally a slow-moving, laid-back country. Don’t come to New Zealand expecting fast-paced, high-end cities like New York, Los Angeles, or even Melbourne and Sydney. Also, if you are a highly driven person looking for constant growth and opportunities, I would suggest thinking twice before moving here. New Zealand can provide a very good foundation to build your career, business, or other life goals, but the opportunities available in other countries may be far superior compared to those in New Zealand. This is a very subjective matter and depends on how ambitious you are and what goals you have in mind. Do your own research. * Reliance on Public Transport: You should be comfortable having your own vehicle to get around most of the time. Public transport may not meet your expectations if you're coming from countries with well-established transport networks. New Zealand has a fairly good transport system in the main cities, but it is nowhere near as comprehensive as in places like Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, Germany, London, and etc. BUT THE TRADE-OFF HAS DEFINITELY BEEN WORTH IT, AND HERE'S WHY..... * Accessibility to Nature: New Zealand has an abundance of nature that you can easily access no matter where you live. NZ is probably the most ‘compact and diverse’ country on the planet, offering stunning beaches, green rolling hills, rainforests, volcanic plateaus, glaciers-fed rivers, rugged mountain ranges, ancient forests, geothermal activities, deserted lands and many more. (One of the main reasons why NZ was a perfect filming location for Middle-earth) * New Zealand might not have the rich history formed as a result of ancient civilizations, but the land of NZ is extremely ancient and unique due to being separated from other landmasses for millions of years. The forests, birdlife, and natural landscapes are incredibly distinctive. * Genuinely Good People: * Live Life Your Own Way: You can live your life without worrying about what others think. People here generally care more about who you are as a person rather than what you have or do. * Beautiful and Unique Culture - A really nice blend of Western and Maori culture. * New Zealand offers opportunities to be more active, spend time outdoors and maintain a healthy lifestyle rather than being a couch potato. * There is a strong community spirit, and the list goes on.
What a superb comment!! Thank you SO much for not only watching but for being generous enough to share such a kind, insightful, and well thought out points. Thank you, my friend, I can’t tell you how much that means to us! Have a wonderful weekend ahead! 🇳🇿❤Liz and Brian
Thank you for such an insightful comment. I’ve been watching as many videos of Liz and Bri as I can-they’re incredible! Their banter is both entertaining and informative, and it’s thanks to people like you who share firsthand experiences and selfless advice that make it easier to learn and feel connected. I’ve been reading many comments on their videos, and your perspective really resonates with me. I’m planning to move to New Zealand for a lifestyle change. I desperately want a slower-paced, safe, and secure place for my two little girls to grow up in. Here in Delhi, it’s hard to feel truly stress-free with young children. The pollution, corruption, and relentless rat race make it challenging. I hope our savings will give us a good start in New Zealand for the initial transition, and I’m ready to work hard to create a peaceful life for my family.
Great summary. Ukrainian moved here 20 years ago, raise kids and enjoy all good stuff you mentioned. Tradeoff’s are so negligible in compare to joys of being here. But tshhh, don't advertise NZ too much. We don't need crowds here, especially at Oakura ;-)
Thank you for living in my country and my country is yours. I'm incredibly happy you are here. I wish Ukrainians were friends of mine but I know noone. Everything I wear from earrings to tshirts to flags are Ukraine. My heart goes out to you.
My south african friend came to live here from being a doctor in the USA. He lasted about 3 years. He and his oh-so-very-important wife absolutely hated it. He couldn't handle it that the little #%$@%#$# at the reception called him by his first name and did not address him as Dr so-and-so. They lived in the best street in the best neighborhood in our city and still just couldn't handle it that no one over here cared about their importance. Your point number 7 exactly. Personally l lived a long time in the UK and found this exactly the most amazing thing in NZ. We are all the same man!!! Let's lite the Braai(bbq)!!!
Yes, these doctors have a god complex. They think that they should be revered like a god. It's such a toxic attitude. And look what they did since 2019 to the world and the coof?
I'm in SA and I wouldn't see him as any more or less important than anyone else, I would see someone who wants to be seen as being important as having a problem.
White Sth Africans have not had the best reputation in AoNZ. Harks back to the apartheid era. It seems that some from there (and other mainly Western countries), still haven't recognized that we're an egalitarian society. Our history is different and the Māori people and culture are a big part of who we are as a country. Some Sth Africans would probably find that hard to stomach. In which case they shld definitely find somewhere else to live.... for their sake and ours!
I am from South Africa. New Zealand is the best country in the whole world. I am very happy here and its worth the sacrifices. I am from pioneering people it is an advantage
Been in NZ for 9 years, as of this month... it has not always been easy, regarding the road to Residency... but looking back, it has certainly been worth it.
@@brucehowe194 there you go. Video and UA-cam. You'll never know how breathtaking the world is and the colours of cultures and traditions, widen your views...
As a Therapist working with n being sensitive to natural energy, I must say NZ draws you in, when you come to visit for first time. It's energy feels innocent n very young, despite the very bad things that happened here. It feels like home to many first comers. And if you are into spiritual awareness, NZ is one of the areas that is and will be more mentoring the earth towards spiritual growth as a leader. You feel it if you meditate or even walk in the nature here. Love n Light be with you.
Does that mean if I'm inclined towards spirituality and healing, NZ might be a great place for me to move to? I'm thinking of becoming a psychotherapist. I felt a "sacred" feeling when I was walking in South island forest many years ago. That was before I became spiritual.
Hello dear. NZ is a very spiritual place n its energy really draws you in, to stay. But we dont have education, trainings, or courses about spirituality, self-awareness, or personal spiritual growth. Not even much in Natural Medicine, Energy Medicine at university level or degrees. I n few others i know had our education n training in other countries before we moved here. But it is all about your timing. If you are ready, you can study normal psychology courses just to have ur degree, but you would be educated n trained by universe, telepatically, n led to your mission. Most importantly, you need to know your life's mission... may be in meditation you get answer? But if it is your mission you would be led to it no matter what, even when you feel forced n unwilling to what is on your path to connect to ur chosen path for your mission. Good luck@@ZhiyingHarp
You guys are just so nice! I feel like you could move anywhere and see the positives of it. I know people who've moved here and they still whinge about the things they miss from back home... I love that you embrace the new things and take them as they are.
Thank you for your kindness and your support, Anna ❤ It’s not so hard to be positive when you live in the best place in the world!❤we appreciate you, enormously. Thank you! Liz and Brian x
I moved here at the age of 16years old I went sheep shearing at about 18yrs old jobs were plentiful I am 83 yes old and and I'm still bouncing around I just love the place. Wouldn't swap it for love or money.
In A suburb of Wellington ( Newtown) I am reliably informed that these days there are over 200 languages spoken on the main street, so you are right on with us being a melting pot. 👍
My parents, with three children, emigrated in 1962 from the UK. We settled in New Plymouth and built a house. It was a culture shock for them, they were amazed at all the iron rooves for a start. However they thrived and lived well into their nineties and I am a proud NZer'/ London born 63 yr old.
Moved here 7 years ago, almost penniless. The struggle was worth it. The people are diverse and mostly great. Hard work is recognised and rewarded. I remember looking out of the airplane window on one of my flights back from a vacation. The plane banked to the side and I got a bit emotional as I watched the sun shine over the lush forestry. Proud to call NZ my home.
If people come here expecting to have it all, they won't. You have to be prepared to DIY... a lot. You have to be ready to live without a lot of things... or make/grow them yourself. The isolation from the world by time zone, by culture, even the news ('World News' has become an afterthought on media websites). Brian is so right: the tyranny of distance grinds. It grinds on locals, so it must be worse on those who have come here. This is why you have to be tough, or the FOMO will eat you. You have to change what you value, reprioritise. This is really important: if you want to maintain dual citizenship, fight hard to keep it. Do it for your kids who have lost part of themselves when you moved. I know what it's like to have almost all my family in the UK and never getting to meet them, only hearing when they died. You have to be tough to face that too.
So very, very true. Thank you for sharing your experience with us all, it helps massively. Sending you much love my friend, thank you as always for your support 🥰 Liz and Bri
Aotearoa New Zealand allows dual citizenship. But if for example you are a USAian or a Chinese who wishes to become a citizen of AoNZ then US and Chinese law requires you to renounce their citizenship.
Such an honest video, thank you for being candid, you both obviously love New Zealand, so it must have taken a lot to do this x Best wishes from sunny Scotland xx
You hit that nail right on the head, my friend, and it means a lot to us that you recognised that. Thank you. You are right, we hesitated making this video for such a long time, but in the end it is about being real (or at least sharing 'our' version of real). It's about 'being the help you needed'. If this video helps people get an understanding of what we (and others) struggled with when we moved to NZ, then hopefully, they won't have such a shock if they do the same. Thank you again for your lovely support, it really does mean the world to us❤Love to Bonnie Scotland 🏴🥰 Liz and Brian xx PS: Crikey...You don't know how long it took me to put an X on that thumbnail flag...seriously...I had to force myself to press publish...😆🇳🇿❤️
Over 40 year's ago when i lived in Wellington i had to order a couple of parts for my car one part was coming from Christchurch and the other part was coming from Japan the part from Japan in 2 day's and the part from Christchurch took a week and a half.
Utopia is what you make it, Aotearoa New Zealand gives an opportunity to live your best life. No way perfect, but where is? The growth in embracing cultural diversity is a massive positive. Hey and we're Trump and snake free.
I moved to New Zealand (Oamaru!) 14 years ago but though I’m American by nationality and birth, I moved here from China, where I was a long-term expat. A lot of the things you mention are definitely true about NZ (the cultural differences, the lack of history-though being in Oamaru makes it a bit less noticeable-and things like that) but the thing about Amazon Prime not being available never struck me as an issue since I never experienced that before moving here anyway. Who needs to have everything delivered next day anyway?
Really informative video - thank you for sharing your honest thoughts! As a former Kiwi who moved to the UK in 2019, and absolutely loves it here, allow me to add a few thoughts: 1) Related to #7 on your list is Tall Poppy Syndrome. NZ is an egalitarian society, which could be uncomfortable for those who are status-driven/conscious, as you pointed out - but it also means that the best and brightest are sometimes denigrated rather than celebrated. Plenty of my friends who left NZ have done so in order to spread their wings. 2) Access is certainly an issue, not just in terms of range of products and services, but also in terms of life satisfaction based on career and lifestyle choices. As a musician and music-lover, the multitude of concerts and festivals in the UK, as well as potential collaborators for musical projects, is simply unparalleled. And as an academic, the research in the UK is of a much higher standard, in large part due to the concentration of top academics in various fields in this part of the globe. 3) Point #2 really resonated with me, being a history buff - I am in awe of the plethora of ancient structures, monuments, and historical sites all over Britain. This sense of grandeur is missing when you live in NZ. The richness of cultural heritage runs deep in Britain - there is so much more to explore and experience here. It's a completely different scale of things. 4) This next factor won't be relevant for everyone, but speaking as someone whose ethnic ancestry is East Asian and South-East Asian, let's just say that my experience (and the experience of friends from ethnic/minority backgrounds) has been that the UK is far less racist (and more accepting toward non-whites and foreigners) than NZ. That being said, NZ is indeed a great place for certain lifestyle options - for instance, to retire and start a family, if that's what you're looking for.
New Zealand does have ancient history but NZ govt have put over 100 embargoes on pre Maori historical sites to keep Maori happy, we have more gangs members than police, cost of living through the roof, if you come here just go straight to the south island, its the best part.
The same govt who stole Māori lands and took out half the Māori population are trying to keep those exact same people (Māori) happy? How does that work? I think your bias is showing and you're using Māori as the excuse. No surprises!
Moved here 15 years ago and truly feel at home. Super beautiful nature. Super relaxed and safe. Only drawback is the Kiwi reaction to a "strong accent." In the education system and schools, the kids, parents and colleagues can make a big deal of it. But with shear WILLPOWER & PERSEVERANCE you can fit in eventually. I saw teachers going back to the UK, USA, Asia and SA who were discouraged by the resistance from the locals. But you'll eventually find a place where you fit in 💯 % and it will be much much better than what you had ' back at home '.
Please don't come here rents are up to $600 per week jobs are not secure food is sky high power utilities are sky high and everybody is broke you will be too if you come to nz
My parents came to NZ from UK. 70 years back. Came from Fleet St in London to the west coast of Manukau harbour back in the 1950s. What a culture shock. Loved there was no aristocracy, no snobbishness, they cooked on a wood stove. 5 kids, No electricity. But loved it, never went back.
point 1 - noted! point 2 - yes NZ is a newly 'civilised' (colonised) country! 3 - yes lots of our current communities (let alone the past 200 years) are a result of our 'pioneering' e.g. lots of community agencies had been established in the 70's and 80s. 4 - yes, our problems just follow us, hehehe. That's true of any 'greener on the other side' dreams eh. 5. Yes, we encourage to shop local in NZ. We are likely to be less materialistic than elsewhere in the world. Yes, people are here for the land. 6. Yes, lots of personal space!!!!! We love it if there is NO-ONE on a beach we visit 7. yup, we are real here and we keep each other honest .... mostly. Naumai haere mai, welcome to Aotearoa - Toitu Te Tiriti ... I would add - your No. 8, they might not like to come to NZ if they dont want to understand our founding document and our history .... regards from an immigrated pom from back in 1955
I traveled to New Zealand for a week to set up a business. Honestly, I fell in love with this country from day one. So much so that after finishing everything I needed to do, I extended my stay from a week to a month just to soak in the beauty of this amazing place. One thing I noticed right away was how kind and welcoming the indigenous people are, despite all the atrocities they faced from colonizers. What really shocked me there was the lack of integrity among non-indigenous business owners who came to that land. It reminded me of what you said about the clash of civilizations-where ش "word" hold value in our culture-but over there, it’s hard to trust anyone, especially when it comes to business dealings with immigrants. So, I totally agree that we need to be strong and skeptical of promises; unfortunately, that's part of the cultural shock. What ultimately stopped me from starting a company there, even though we were determined to do so, were the numerous laws that restrict investors' freedom and creativity in managing their businesses. First off, there has to be a local manager with full authority, which is simply not feasible in the world of commerce and trade. Plus, we can't bring skilled labor directly from abroad immediately; as we have companies and branches overseas with highly experienced engineers. We would have to wait at least a year before the company could bring them over, and that would definitely pose a significant obstacle in successfully managing our projects there.
What a refreshing approach and outlook you two have! From a New Zealander's viewpoint and from the heart... Welcome! We need more people like you in New Zealand.
Well said and if I could add something else, to be able to live in NZ comfortable you need to get your time management skill up your sleeve, for example if I know I will need something (to use in 2 weeks time), I need to organise it min 2 weeks prior just incase I have to return it or it does not fit or any other problems to give you enough time frame. Planning is also an important part of living in NZ.
5th generation NZer here. I once asked a Dutch immigrant "why on earth would you want to come here?" He said " life in Holland is great if you like to live in a museum, but if you want to do something new, or create something for yourself, you have to leave and go somewhere freer".
You two are great! As a kiwi it's very interesting to hear what others have to say about my country. You look very happy...it must of been hard in the beginning for you. Fantastic content!❤
I feel humbled that it's 2024 and you still have positive things to say about us. From many NZ'ers pov our country is in the toilet. If you like it now, you'd have adored it 30 years ago, so thanks for your positivity.
That is what is happening to Canada right now. I'd love to be able to live in NZ but holy moly it is impossible to buy a property being a Canadian. Was there last in November and loved every moment there.
I moved here 42 years ago from the US and never looked back. For me the hardest thing was having elderly parents back in the States (I have no brothers or sisters) and having to try and meet their needs--many, many trips back and forth, and the job disruption that causes. They have now passed on, and I'm now retired, but for several years that was a huge issue. Also, you commented on the challenge of 10-12 hour time differences when calling friends and family back home, but didn't mention the expensive long-haul flights if you actually want to visit or take a holiday. Just speaking from experience here. Also, confirming your observation, my husband and I moved out here and some years later we divorced, and both ended up with Kiwi partners. A good video I just stumbled on by chance. I live just down the road a couple of hours from you in Whanganui.
I've found out from people from the UK, who miss the shopping options etc. And they dismiss the stuff available here. Well, you chose to move over to NZ, don't expect to see a Primark, or a Mark's and Spencers or a Aldi, etc. You can order online for that, you want your ITV or BBC shows, be prepared to pay for a VPN and or Sky TV to get access to it. Also, expect to be up watching your favourite sports teams in the early hours of the morning, not at Breakfast time or the ideal times you were once used to. Also, expect to have a Summer Christmas, instead of during the Winter back home, and wear sunscreen and protective clothes, hat, sunglasses, as due to the UV rays intensity here in NZ.
I have seen such comments on these type of channels like "you cant get decent cheese here", like it is a big deal that our cheese does not measure up to their standards, but when you are emigrating so far away, how can cheese be so important?
We moved to Christchurch in 2009, got settled in then went through all the trauma of the Chch Earthquakes. You definately need to be resilient to live here, especially on the South Island, where there are less people and plenty of Earthquakes. We absolutely love it here. Fully embraced what NZ has to offer. I even taught myself to speak Māori! The scenery is to die for and Kiwis are really good friendly people. Put the effort in and you will reap the benefits.
I lived a few years in Australia and I loved it once I adjusted to the culture as I had grown up in Canada. I visited New Zealand but it is quite different from Australia and I didn't think it was my cup of tea.
Hi, I live in NZ. I have a degenerative spinal cord injury as a result of a workplace accident. I cannot get medical care for my condition because there is a lack of neurosurgeons. I cannot get appropriate medicines in NZ for my injury and the ones that are available are not funded.ACC refuse to cover me even though I won my court case, ACC are very good at finding loopholes to hide behind.I cannot get disabled modified social housing because I previously owned my own home, which I had to sell to battle ACC in court for 10 years. My wheelchair was stolen and cannot afford the $5000.00 to replace it. There is no funding available to help with replacement either.I am forced to live in a caravan which is not designed for a disabled person so living is very difficult.Because ACC refuses to pay I am forced onto the supported living allowance, I receive $386.00 per week net to live on. by the time I pay for non funded medicines of $150.00 per week and pay for caravan rental of $200.00 per week there is nothing left over. I require home help, but cannot access this because I live in a caravan. New Zealand sucks and nobody cares about disabled people we are brushed under the carpet. I am not the only disabled person in NZ being treated like this either. I am ashamed of being a New Zealand resident and wish I could leave but my ongoing degenerative condition prevents me as I do not fit the medical criteria of any country for immigration.I want to renounce my NZ citizenship as this was forced upon me a birth without my consent. I would rather be stateless.
Wow, you brought years to my eyes with that last little comment.... "Just remember....etc" (Scot in New Zealand for many many years 😊) Everything you said is totally spot on.❤
I am an ex Engineer who believes in working hard for your station in life. I am now terminally Ill, and live with my Partner, who is also very unwell (and has to struggle on regardless as my care giver), just down the road from the folks running this you tube channel. Since falling Ill, we have had to sell everything we owned. Fortunately we still have a house that is paid for. The Government treats us the same as it does long term unemployment beneficiaries, and we have to live/exist on the same supported living allowance (which is pretty much the same as the unemployment benefit these lazy buggers (there are exceptions to this, and many good, educated people find themselves flushed down the Political toilet following redundancy or, as in my case, terminal Illness) claim from the State every week). We now live like hermits, forced into economic hardship due to the fact I had the cheek to fall terminally Ill in the eyes of the Government. Anybody looking to emigrate to this Country, you need to be very aware of what it is you are looking to undertake. Things are not all sugar coated here. You will need a qualified, confirmed job to come to, as unemployment is chronic. The Country is currently suffering under the weight of an economic recession, which even the Reserve Bank cannot get us out of at this moment in time. We have elected a fantastic new Government to try and get us out of the absolute ruin the previous Government left us in. Unfortunately it will take time to get this Country up and running again. There will always be the well off telling us how great life is here, and to be fair, life was good for us when I was working. Unfortunately, if you do fall Ill, have a work place accident or are declared redundant, you are in trouble. Please beware, be realistic in your attitude and application, and make sure you have money to fall back on if things don't go to plan. Be prepared to return from your Country of origin if need be. Think long and hard, and make informed, educated decisions. Like most Countries in the world, if you plan well, make good decisions and know your playing field before you step out onto it, you may well be okay. Just remember your financial safety net.
Rural Taranaki is great. Came here from overseas 13 years ago. I agree, you simply cannot compare it to other places in the world. It is so wildly different, but in a really refreshing way. Culture shock yes - there really is something to the "Taranaki Hardcore." What you mentioned about couples moving here is correct. Moving here will only intensify or call to the surface what already exists. This can be a good thing, as you will be forced to clear out what no longer works - and carry on. Builds resilience - Took 2 years to feel settled. No Aldi, no convenience foods (many things in grocery stores they simply do not have here like frozen concentrate juices, Hawaiian punch, etc) Great thing is no traffic and no crowds.
When you talked about the melting pot you forgot one of the main ingredients - Pacific Islanders. Glad you love my country and have explored. As a born and bred Kiwi I love exploring my own country even though I have extensively and even lived overseas.
Good episode. We had to adjust to the lack of Amazon Prime. I have learned to think ahead more so I have the time to wait for Amazon US delivery. I do try and see if things or near equivalents are available in NZ. Some items wont ship from Amazon which often means there is a distributor around (I am thinking of tools) so it is a clue that someone sells the item. As Americans we were shocked at the poor quality of the housing stock (lack of double glazed windows, insulation, etc), the price of rent for such poor quality, and the cost of housing to purchase. Our fault for not researching further, but it never occurred to us that this might be an issue. In the US food never really goes out of season, there is always stock even if it is imported at about the normal price (take grapes in NZ as a counter example). Also, the seasonality of regular items for sale, something normally purchased for the spring (for example) will sell out and no more will be available until next year. If we even think we only might need something we usually purchase knowing that if we wait too long it won't be available, the country just runs out of stock.
Glad you enjoyed the episode! Thank you for sharing your experience, it helps others incredibly 😃 PS: The upside to eating exceptionally good food grown seasonally is the excitement you feel when the season comes around!~ Today when I went into pac'n'save and nearly danced for joy because red capsicums were $1.50 🤣🤣🫑🫑 Hehe!!
In some respects the old style of life and shopping survives in NZ. Most of us are still able to grow, make, fix and adapt. It is cultural and harks back to our pioneer heritage. We tend to respect and admire adaptable tough people and are proud of being skilled and innovative. Having access to Amazon and any food all the time is not considered a problem by most.
Actually a blessing @@jorose7293. We never had it so we are content with our lot. I wouldn't expect to find out of season fruit etc. We have the ethic of make do. Swap it out for something else
Haere Mai Kia Ora 65 years old here Love your opinions.. On point!! Most people from Aotearoa don't talk about how much money everyone has It's not a big thing here..if you've got it..good if you're struggling it's nothing new and most just get on with the hand they've been dealt We don't crowd celebs if they happen to walk down the road.. Good god don't stop the sarcasm.. there's lots of it here.. it's finding the same group of people but I find language barriers create the misconception of sarcasm..people who come to live here from other parts of the world no doubt have there own type of sarcasm Just listen to Spanish speaking people..I say that as I've learnt the language and they have sarcasm down pat which I love to hear and Te Reo has evolved to where sarcasm is used here and there more fun!! We are such a diverse community/countey now However People should realize this country is very young as in Civilization wise. It's about the Maori culture history wise and the migration to this country I've travelled and worked overseas but this is the best little country on Earth as far as I'm concerned We have our problems but we all just get on with it Aroha nui ❤
You guys are very correct about not comparing NZ to other countries... Also if you have baby sitters or other people working for you and you come to NZ you will be unhappy. Most jobs now expect people to work much harder these days than ever before, when I 1st started in hotels there was loads of staff and limits on what your job was... Nowadays one person will do 4 different job titles and work loads. I am kiwi born and raised and watch This wonderful couple and their point of view is very close. Might be different if they was in a larger town and city, people that move to Auckland do spend 3 hrs per day driving to town and back home when they 30 to 40 minutes away from city as traffic is heavy if you work in the CBD. I love watching Liz and Brian. Please do remember that you can't run away from yourself. Love to all.
If you live on the North shore and that is normally a 30 to 40 min drive (when there is no traffic) you will be in the car for a hour to 2 hrs per way depending on where on the Shore and city you may work/live.... You may also find the traffic from Howick (East Auckland) and South Auckland also get gridlocks each morning and night per way.... NZ has a roading and Health System for 3 to 3.5 million people and we now have 5.2 million people and this explains WHY Nz Health is okay nut starting to fail and the roads are tight and narrow by other countries standards....
Reading about the NHS in Britain, it seems it's also under big pressure after huge immigration numbers in the millions of people are putting medical services to the limits with long delays to even get a GP appointment, forcing people to overload hospital emergency services. Similar overloads are now happening in Australia.
Our dearest friends, you guys are amazing!💖 Thank you for this fantastic vlog.👍 Having migrated once already, none of those 7 reasons would stop us from moving to New Zealand.👍 Oops-my husband just chimed in to say that "no Amazon delivery might be a deal-breaker!" 😛🤣🤣Of course, he's joking. We had a good laugh at that one. If only we were a little younger...😢🙉Lots of love to both of you💖💖
I thought number 4 was going to be the main reason. Getting in and having a go is really important. Very interesting and entertaining video. Thanks Liz and Brian.
Re your 7th reason not to move to NZ, I lived there 7 years, mostly in Gisborne and Hamilton. I arrived as a US- licensed psychologist, and left because of being choked by bureaucrats, even as I had actually been recruited from the US with high recommendations. The Healthcare system/DHBs were incredibly bureaucratized and turf-oriented (this was pre-Jacinda Ardern). I should have researched: in the US, a clinical psychologist has a doctorate and is expected to exercise the capacity to develop diagnoses, treatment plans, etc., working more or less independently, albeit collaboratively. In NZ, the only educational requirement is a masters degree; the 'tradeoff' is that one works under constant 'official oversight', and must have all treatment protocols approved by psychiatrists, DHB officials, and so on. The idea that status is disregarded may hold in the countryside; in more urban areas healthcare power and hegemony are really quite stratified. I would warn healthcare providers of any sort against making assumptions that employment roles, e.g., "clinical psychologist" mean what they mean elsewhere. Research this assumption! I was forced out in 2017, after being declared "incompetent (as to following directions, arguing for the right to my own clinical opinions). Otherwise, I'd probably still be there (the US is veering toward civil war).
I've found Kiwis to be more likeable through and through than anywhere ( other than a particular set of islands i'll not mention). It was wonderful to be involved in an activity which requires some difficult learning curve, and having two complete strangers come up and ask to borrow gear, then exhibit a mastery. Leaving solely due to having a delusory attachment, and having known several NZ expats, it still seems a warmer society than anywhere, for those who have been in so many places on continents and seas, encountering strange biases and cultures prizing abnormal psychological traits ( and, yes, the sarcastic memes of most cultures ARE true). It was difficult to match the requirements for immigration, and perhaps too easy to be blown into trackless southern ocean. There ARE certain places on earth where the rural or village people are equally wonderful. One does enjoy the differences occurring in intimate culture due to different languages rearranging meanings and nuance in the brain. I note that twice as many emigrated from NZ in 2024, than entered. A good friend, uneducated but a brilliant skier and coach, married a Kiwi and disappeared to South Island. i am , myself, not attracted to regions of earth lacking certain large mammalian carnivores, with which i spent time learning their communicative styles, feel that we humans become too filled with hubris, and it is this trait that makes us most unpretty, NZ appearing an exception.
New Plymouth (the Taranaki region) is rather isolated - takes a long time to get anywhere and you have to drive or take a plane. The railways that once ran passenger services to Wellington via Marton, and through to Auckland via Okahukura,, are closed or are only used for freight. See 'Can't get there from here - New Zealand passenger rail since 1920', an excellent book (2021) by André Brett.
I’ve been here 15 years too, having visited three times before moving here and being attached to a Kiwi. I think the weather is getting very scary and we no longer know where could be a temperate place in NZ to retire to. We are a few years off though. Even your area, The Naki, is getting worse weather.
Hi Liz and Brian, I love your fun videos about living in NZ. I visited twice in the early noughties and I loved exploring the country. My main regret (to this day) is not getting the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton, S Island. I loved Auckland, Wellington and many other places including Rotarua and the Waitomo glowworm caves etc. It was easy getting there as I lived near London at the time. Keep up the good 'work'.
Thank you, Don! Oh, you must do that trip when you return, it is truly magical. Have a lovely weekend and thank you again for your kind words of support 🥰 Liz and Brian
I have relatives who went to NZ in the 1840s as agricultural labourers. They must have liked it - they never came back, and there's tons of them there now. Just saying hi, to them all.
I have met plenty of young brits and europeans working as engineers, and they praise our country, with a few who actually decided to stay here. But the biggest thing, was the cultural shock that kiwis just accepted people coming into the country, and just living their lives... we don't care what your religion, race, gender, rather your attitude towards others and whether you're willing to work as hard as everyone else.
The biggie you didn't touch on is the UK pub culture. We don't have it here. I personally know of a couple of people that had been here a few years and bought propertty, sell up and move back to the UK because they missed going to the pub.
Maori history sites were wiped out, most buildings were made with wood and natural materials . The beach, lake river, bush and forrest were where Maori lived, there were no cows, horses or sheep to pasture. The land was transformed rapidly, Maori had to adapt to the loss and introduction of new ways and being told their way was wrong and couldnt live it. Initially Maori were left to do the reception and social services for those who werent part of the gentry. Many people think European built our country into what it is not realising Maori helped clear the land, built the roads and railway, fenced the pastures, worked the, orchards, fisheries slaughterhouses, wharves, built and painted homes, laid cables and pipes.
And....... New Zealand IS New Zealand primarily because of the British influence, right at the start and when the 'ten pound Poms' came over in droves in the 1960's - 70's. Now we are much more diverse, there being more Asians than Maori, and Maori having interbred with newcomers since they arrived. It is a unique country, all on it's own out in the great Pacific.
@jillgarlick2122 funny that, always thought before the treaty of Waitangi there were many cultures here along with the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they included French, Danes, Belgians, Dalmatians, Lebanese, Syrians, Germans, Austrians, Dutch, Italians, Croatians, Chinese,and Asian Indians back in the early 1800s.These were part of the body of men and women who with Maori prepared NZ for the influx of other European who would later come here seeking refuge after wars in their old countries. Many were sailors and traders. Sadly Chinese and Indians weren't treated as fairly as other cultures and had to pay humongous poll taxes to stay here. The Brits weren't the only ones who were in on the wording of the Treaty as I know a Belgan Priest had a lot of input in about Maori rights. It is important to go back over our history. NZ, didn't start at 1840 we go back centuries.
@@jillgarlick2122 Correction: NZ is NZ today because *Māori allowed foreigners to dwell in these lands* . Yes, the generosity of Māori is why non-Maori were able to come here. The alternative was for Māori to wipe out settlers altogether 🤷 Hope you've enjoyed your stay. You're welcome :)
@@_.Marz._ In 1840, at the end of the musket wars, Maori Chiefs were glad to cede sovereignty to the British because for one they didn't want to be wiped out by the French.
@@PeteThecurious100 Nope. That's all hearsay! Another lie twisted. Brits (masons) told many lies. All in the name of "land grabs". Land was literally the lifeline for Māori. Their food and their shelter. Why would 100K Māori give up their entire livelihood over to 2000 brits? Because MĀORI NEVER CEDED!...that's why! Māori were familiar with the the multi Chieftan system where each Chief would be responsible for his own respected lands, people and affairs. Similarly, the crown would be seen as a "Chief" and would be responsible for their own "tribe of people" or in this case, current and future Brit settlers. That was the original agreement between Māori and crown. The problem with Brits...they want full control regardless of which lands they invade. No surprises. 'He Whakaputanga" was a precursor agreement with the king which was signed 5years prior to the Treaty where even Busby agreed to partial Chief sovereignty...but Busby only wanted certain Chiefs to obtain sovereignty...not all Chiefs. Tell me...Why wasn't a central govt established after He Whakaputanga was established in 1835? Because Māori ALWAYS intended on governing themselves. Brits couldn't do anything because they were outnumbered. Once more settlers arrived, the crown turned on Māori and forfeited their original agreement with Māori....which was for Māori to govern themselves. So again....keep telling yourself that if that soothes ya' superiority-complex.
I like your expressions about fighting spirit and resilience. I really feel that I am down from time to time but I am strong and tough and that give me a reason to survive.
If I didn’t already know it’s real, I would think that’s a green screen behind you 😅😍 when I came back to NZ in 2019 on holidays after living in Aus for 5 years I was shocked how hardly any shops had Apple Pay, it reminded me how Nz is always behind the times lol but it’s a small price to pay for the slow life in my opinion. You only live once, if you can slow it down why not! Youse are so funny 😂 great vid as always guys, love youse 🫶🏽
It's so lovely, seeing the mountain peck in the back ground. Your real and explanatory subjects hit home. (True blues). I'm a Naki girl and flew north in 1971. My heart cries every time I watch your vids...it may be time to fly south again...c u there😊❤
Funny I just closed my amazon prime account not long ago. I know what you mean by next day delivery, though you can get it here for some things, depending on where you are., but the range of stuff is really reduced. I like to garden and had an allotment in London. I could get all sorts of seeds, including a blight resistant, and I mean resistant, tomato. You just can't easily get that in NZ, though our weather is slightly better for growing them than in London. You can't just hop on the train in most places in NZ either, as most towns don't have passenger trains going through them, unlike England and most of Europe (?). It's harder to get the range of wholemeal flour here, but I think what you can get is good enough. I'm not sure the harden up message is entirely true, but I think if you're moving country, you have to expect to have to start from scratch. There is a myth about Kiwis and the pioneering spirit. I think it's rubbish but that's my point of view, having grown up in NZ. I'm only one person and there are plenty of other views out there.
There are 5+ million people here in a land area similar to the UK which has a population of 10s of millions more! Of course it is easier to get things over there, especially as it is so close to all of Europe, but give me less 'things' and access to the unlimited freedom, beauty, climate here, especially where I am at the top of the Sth Island. I was born here, have never lived anywhere else and never will. My soul is embedded in this wonderful place.
I don't agree with the 'soft' comment. I think the settler toughness stuff is an outdated and mentally damaging ideology that needs to end. Toughness shouldn't be lionised. New Zealand has a really high suicide rate and I feel that's definitely a contributor. We've had John Kirwin talking about depression and I feel that's been a huge turning point for our nation. Nothing wrong with having emotions and not feeling strong all the time.
You brought up some great points in your video. After reading some of the comments I can see some people love being here and some can't wait to leave . I feel like that would be the same in any country depending on your age maybe and what you want out of life. Personally i can't imagine living anywhere else but so want to visit other older countries for the history and culture. We do have a history of our own but visiting the UK and Europe is my dream. I guess nowhere is perfect. 😊
Hi. All good points you make. However you drag it out far too long. Yeah we have similar issues that you do with Amazon Prime. Being In Australia we seem to have great experiences with Amazon these days. My grand dad was born in NZ but ended up in Western NSW then Sydney. Ive been to NZ twice and even walked the routebourn track. One thing you forgot is that NZ had no snakes. Greg Hutchison, Canberra
I agree. Just even trying to buy gold sparkly sandals for my daughters graduation is impossible in NZ (if you want to buy in NZ). I remember the UK - I wanted navy shoes and there were 20 choices in different styles all navy... I miss that and I am a Kiwi! 😢
Well said ! Came in 1970 from Jersey, no shredded wheat, no pull tags on cheese , no coke,lucasade or square icecreams..couldn't have rabbits as pets lol Big shock ! 3 minute ph calls home cost a week's wages then I've just become a citizen ! I love the freedom, not much class culture, can do attitude. I'll never ever go back , I miss my little island even now I shed tears for it, it's become a crowded mess , they say you can never go home again...
No Coke? I am a third generation kiwi and I so remember rum & coke being the IN drink back then. I was only a child when Fanta came out, loved it but as Fanta is made by CocaCola, I assure you they were here before 1970! My favourite ice cream when I was a teenager, 1960's ish was an ice cream slice, a square ice cream in between two yummy wafers.
@@jillgarlick2122That depends on where in New Zealand you lived , I lived in Dunedin, and I remember , up until somewhere around the mid seventies, Coca Cola wasn't available, unless you went to the Dunedin Railways bus station, they brought small quantities of it down from Christchurch. Also there were no hamburgers or pizzas as a takeaway in the early seventies but all that changed by the late seventies ( I dont think there was a pizza shop in Dunedin until the early eighties). I remember being on holiday in the North island with my mother in 1972 , and I had my first ever Coke on board the short lived Silver Star luxury train, for some reason I didn't like it , but I got to like it a lot later on.
I love the comment about sarcasm. I too am sarcastic, sardonic, and nobody here gets it. Be careful if your humour is quirky. They will think you are serious.... every time. On-line subscriptions are not the same; what is on Netflix elsewhere is not what's on Netflix here. Also, don't waste money on VPN's to get the other menu, they don't work.
My family moved from NZ to Canada in 1987. NZ was very different from NZ today, so even more different from Canada. The culture shock was enormous. Blatant racism, religious adherence to class and status worship, calling people by their titles as opposed to their names, no general culture, no imagination or colour (comparatively), fake-niceness...the list goes on. I encountered workplace harassment based on my cultural differences, and arrogantly told that I was lying; "New Zealand is just like Canada." The culture shock has never gone away, and it's sad to see north American influences affecting NZ (to its detriment, in my opinion). There are some good things, like laws protecting victims of certain assaults, that NZ doesn't have. However, I still have my fingers crossed that I win the lottery so I can afford to come home again.
Thank you both for this truly unique and wonderful episodes, as a 5th generation kiwi of Celtic ancestry, everything you have said is true, 😊, many regards Warren. 😊❤😊
I live in NZ and all the houses are made if wood, or 99% of them. This means a lot of maintenance and upkeep of your actual house. You may spend most weekends at a hardware store on house and property maintenance
@bobmcbob4399 I know what you mean, I too feel like my roots are in England (I do love the history etc) I think I'll be living there before long, with my English husband ❤
There actually is a lot of different kind of history if you seek it out .The great sailing migrations of the Pacific ocean ,Māori sailed by the stars from South China sea , and to Micronesia, Polynesian islands to Aotearoa around 1500AD evidenced by archaelogical evidence, lingual evidence, oral traditions, whakapapa and tikanga . Te Papa the national museum in Wellington has all the info online and inside to go check it out. Captain Cook didnt arrive until 1769.
Proud kiwi here, lived in afew countries, wouldn't live anywhere else but nz. 3 things in nz that does my head in... nzders always putting nz down...drivers hate indicating and tail gate . And the British flag on ours....that's all ..lol😊
@@neville132bbk be thankful all you want dude ,as a proud nzder I want a flag that represents nz and not a British colony, time to grow up Nevz, strong independent nations don't have someone else's flag on there's, we are not Britain of the south seas....only a matter of time dude until we get a flag that represents nz and not Britain.. like most of the commonwealth have already done 🖕
I’m looking forward to not having Prime. I think it will make me plan what I’m actually buying. I’ve brought some total crap from Amazon over the years because it was so easy and quick to just return it. If it’s a 4 week turned around to return something then it’s better to get it right first time. Kiwi’s aren’t bother with money and power! Good! I haven’t got any, well I certainly won’t by the time we get there 😂
When the first British settlers came to NZ after six hard months on sailing ships they had to build a country with bugger-all at hand, with little chance of easily getting back to the Mother Country. Now that was "culture shock". It amazes me Brian's trade qualifications weren't recognised in NZ; that’s terrible. It surprises me some Brits arrive in New Zealand and miss centuries-old buildings etc, which are oozing history, back in Britain. Don't they realise that humans have been in NZ for a very short time, and they very quickly realised wooden buildings were the best after earthquakes quickly destroyed their brick/stone homes.
Working your way back up is very true & extremely true for pilots in the USA and maybe elsewhere. Going back many decades in the USA seniority was, is, King. A pilot may have had seniority #1, be a captain flying attractive routes such as California to Hawaii. But if the airline went bust as opposed to a merger, the captain would have to start again as a co-pilot flying tiny planes for another airline. In the new airline his seniority number might be 2792. In other words destined to be a co-pilot for years.
Got to say, you missed how freakin expensive everything is. Standard of living is poor compared to UK, everything is 3 - 4 times as much, so because of the distance... less choice, super expensive. So kitting out a house is horrendously expensive! I did a new kitchen via Ikea for 1500 pound in UK, similar size here $30k. Just be aware! Bring as much with you as you can and just get the plugs swapped out! Weird things like paint are ridiculously expensive. Oh and work on pronouncing Maori.😆
I’m surprised that you didnt mention our terrible weather. Many people overseas (other than Ozzie) seem to think that we have a Pacific Island climate. But no its as variable and can be just as miserable as UK! In Europe/USA etc Summer is Summer and Winter is Winter but not here.
Yes...like we said, it's not about discouraging people to give it a go, but (and we say this in the most gentle way possible) people need to be ready for the toll that moving to the other side of the world takes. It's huge. However, if you can prepare for the move feeling strong (or at least warned) you'll make it 🥰 Thank you for being here, and we hope this helps! Liz and Bri
Came to NZ in 1960. 18 yrs old, jumped ship and I hadn’t been here a month before I knew it was home. Been tough at times and was lonely to begin with, But hard and lonely times pass and having an extended family after being married for 60 years next year I can look back and feel satisfied that my life wasn’t wasted.
Great points. All spot on. As an immigrant, I thought I’d share my perspective and add a few extra points. While these may not be relevant to everyone, they are based on my personal experience. But the trade-off has definitely been worth it, and I have shared a few points on why I say that.
* Access to Healthcare: As an Asian, I find that “access” to healthcare is often ten times better in many Asian countries compared to New Zealand and even many other developed countries. Since there’s no GP system in most Asian countries, you can often get an appointment with a doctor or specialist the same day, and at a fraction of the cost. Channeling a specialist in the private sector hospital is not an expensive thing. That’s something I miss a lot after moving here. In New Zealand, you may have to wait up to two weeks to get a GP appointment, depending on where you live. Meeting a specialist doctor can take even longer.
* Pace of Life: If you’re someone looking for vibrant city life full of exciting things, New Zealand may not be the place for you. It is generally a slow-moving, laid-back country. Don’t come to New Zealand expecting fast-paced, high-end cities like New York, Los Angeles, or even Melbourne and Sydney.
Also, if you are a highly driven person looking for constant growth and opportunities, I would suggest thinking twice before moving here. New Zealand can provide a very good foundation to build your career, business, or other life goals, but the opportunities available in other countries may be far superior compared to those in New Zealand. This is a very subjective matter and depends on how ambitious you are and what goals you have in mind. Do your own research.
* Reliance on Public Transport: You should be comfortable having your own vehicle to get around most of the time. Public transport may not meet your expectations if you're coming from countries with well-established transport networks. New Zealand has a fairly good transport system in the main cities, but it is nowhere near as comprehensive as in places like Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, Germany, London, and etc.
BUT THE TRADE-OFF HAS DEFINITELY BEEN WORTH IT, AND HERE'S WHY.....
* Accessibility to Nature: New Zealand has an abundance of nature that you can easily access no matter where you live. NZ is probably the most ‘compact and diverse’ country on the planet, offering stunning beaches, green rolling hills, rainforests, volcanic plateaus, glaciers-fed rivers, rugged mountain ranges, ancient forests, geothermal activities, deserted lands and many more. (One of the main reasons why NZ was a perfect filming location for Middle-earth)
* New Zealand might not have the rich history formed as a result of ancient civilizations, but the land of NZ is extremely ancient and unique due to being separated from other landmasses for millions of years. The forests, birdlife, and natural landscapes are incredibly distinctive.
* Genuinely Good People:
* Live Life Your Own Way: You can live your life without worrying about what others think. People here generally care more about who you are as a person rather than what you have or do.
* Beautiful and Unique Culture - A really nice blend of Western and Maori culture.
* New Zealand offers opportunities to be more active, spend time outdoors and maintain a healthy lifestyle rather than being a couch potato.
* There is a strong community spirit,
and the list goes on.
What a superb comment!! Thank you SO much for not only watching but for being generous enough to share such a kind, insightful, and well thought out points.
Thank you, my friend, I can’t tell you how much that means to us! Have a wonderful weekend ahead! 🇳🇿❤Liz and Brian
@@ItsaDrama Have a lovely weekend! 😊
Actually maori are racist against Pakeha
Thank you for such an insightful comment. I’ve been watching as many videos of Liz and Bri as I can-they’re incredible! Their banter is both entertaining and informative, and it’s thanks to people like you who share firsthand experiences and selfless advice that make it easier to learn and feel connected. I’ve been reading many comments on their videos, and your perspective really resonates with me.
I’m planning to move to New Zealand for a lifestyle change. I desperately want a slower-paced, safe, and secure place for my two little girls to grow up in. Here in Delhi, it’s hard to feel truly stress-free with young children. The pollution, corruption, and relentless rat race make it challenging. I hope our savings will give us a good start in New Zealand for the initial transition, and I’m ready to work hard to create a peaceful life for my family.
If you are friendly, humble and hard working you will have a good life here
Thank you for joining us, Brenda! 😃
No, because of some filthy low brow will rip you off and society will make excuses for them
Subservient? A doormat ?
@@griswald7156 Pretty much.
Great summary. Ukrainian moved here 20 years ago, raise kids and enjoy all good stuff you mentioned. Tradeoff’s are so negligible in compare to joys of being here. But tshhh, don't advertise NZ too much. We don't need crowds here, especially at Oakura ;-)
Absolutely, !! So glad that the country has been as wonderful as it has been for us and shhhh...we don't say the 'O' word on this channel...🤣🤣🇺🇦🇳🇿 😍
Or the rest of New Zealand 🇳🇿
Thanks for your useful information!
Thank you for living in my country and my country is yours. I'm incredibly happy you are here. I wish Ukrainians were friends of mine but I know noone. Everything I wear from earrings to tshirts to flags are Ukraine. My heart goes out to you.
My south african friend came to live here from being a doctor in the USA. He lasted about 3 years. He and his oh-so-very-important wife absolutely hated it. He couldn't handle it that the little #%$@%#$# at the reception called him by his first name and did not address him as Dr so-and-so. They lived in the best street in the best neighborhood in our city and still just couldn't handle it that no one over here cared about their importance. Your point number 7 exactly. Personally l lived a long time in the UK and found this exactly the most amazing thing in NZ. We are all the same man!!! Let's lite the Braai(bbq)!!!
Yes, these doctors have a god complex. They think that they should be revered like a god. It's such a toxic attitude. And look what they did since 2019 to the world and the coof?
Sadly there’s a lot of South African people who are arrogant, & this gives the rest of the thankful, grateful South Africans a really bad reputation.
Im a born and bred kiwi and I love South Africans...please stay and welcome to NZ
@@sharonpretorius3613
I'm in SA and I wouldn't see him as any more or less important than anyone else, I would see someone who wants to be seen as being important as having a problem.
White Sth Africans have not had the best reputation in AoNZ. Harks back to the apartheid era. It seems that some from there (and other mainly Western countries), still haven't recognized that we're an egalitarian society. Our history is different and the Māori people and culture are a big part of who we are as a country. Some Sth Africans would probably find that hard to stomach. In which case they shld definitely find somewhere else to live.... for their sake and ours!
I am from South Africa. New Zealand is the best country in the whole world. I am very happy here and its worth the sacrifices. I am from pioneering people it is an advantage
Yes its true NZ are great x SA, 26 in NZ
Been in NZ for 9 years, as of this month... it has not always been easy, regarding the road to Residency... but looking back, it has certainly been worth it.
Thank you. Welcome to my home and welcome to making it yours.
@byrongordonbeukes3934 Immigration can destroy you. I'm Kiwi born and felt the pressure, believe me.
No western country is great anymore. New Zealand is great for the woke
Still love you your comments on New Zealand good and bad, I'm a born and bred New Zealander and have never left New Zealand 🇳🇿 and will die here.
Thank you, Bruce 🥰
You missed out on a lot
@@MarenW21 i don't think so, i have seen a lot of the world from watching video clips on UA-cam.
@@brucehowe194 there you go. Video and UA-cam. You'll never know how breathtaking the world is and the colours of cultures and traditions, widen your views...
@MarenW21 don't have to go overseas to experience all that at a great cost i can do all that in New Zealand.
As a Therapist working with n being sensitive to natural energy, I must say NZ draws you in, when you come to visit for first time. It's energy feels innocent n very young, despite the very bad things that happened here. It feels like home to many first comers. And if you are into spiritual awareness, NZ is one of the areas that is and will be more mentoring the earth towards spiritual growth as a leader. You feel it if you meditate or even walk in the nature here. Love n Light be with you.
Does that mean if I'm inclined towards spirituality and healing, NZ might be a great place for me to move to? I'm thinking of becoming a psychotherapist. I felt a "sacred" feeling when I was walking in South island forest many years ago. That was before I became spiritual.
Hello dear. NZ is a very spiritual place n its energy really draws you in, to stay. But we dont have education, trainings, or courses about spirituality, self-awareness, or personal spiritual growth. Not even much in Natural Medicine, Energy Medicine at university level or degrees. I n few others i know had our education n training in other countries before we moved here. But it is all about your timing. If you are ready, you can study normal psychology courses just to have ur degree, but you would be educated n trained by universe, telepatically, n led to your mission. Most importantly, you need to know your life's mission... may be in meditation you get answer? But if it is your mission you would be led to it no matter what, even when you feel forced n unwilling to what is on your path to connect to ur chosen path for your mission. Good luck@@ZhiyingHarp
You guys are just so nice! I feel like you could move anywhere and see the positives of it. I know people who've moved here and they still whinge about the things they miss from back home... I love that you embrace the new things and take them as they are.
Thank you for your kindness and your support, Anna ❤ It’s not so hard to be positive when you live in the best place in the world!❤we appreciate you, enormously. Thank you! Liz and Brian x
I moved here at the age of 16years old I went sheep shearing at about 18yrs old jobs were plentiful I am 83 yes old and and I'm still bouncing around I just love the place. Wouldn't swap it for love or money.
Chur. Awesome couple. Glad you decided to make New Zealand your home. Kia ora.
Thank you, Daryl, we appreciate your kind support! Chur! 😃
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In A suburb of Wellington ( Newtown) I am reliably informed that these days there are over 200 languages spoken on the main street, so you are right on with us being a melting pot. 👍
Wow! 200! That is impressive!! Thank you for joining us, have a fab weekend 🥰
My parents, with three children, emigrated in 1962 from the UK. We settled in New Plymouth and built a house. It was a culture shock for them, they were amazed at all the iron rooves for a start. However they thrived and lived well into their nineties and I am a proud NZer'/ London born 63 yr old.
Thank you for sharing, Penny! 😃
Moved here 7 years ago, almost penniless. The struggle was worth it. The people are diverse and mostly great. Hard work is recognised and rewarded.
I remember looking out of the airplane window on one of my flights back from a vacation. The plane banked to the side and I got a bit emotional as I watched the sun shine over the lush forestry. Proud to call NZ my home.
One thing I thought of was don't bring Blighty with you. The ones that do don't fit in. You guys are fine on that count
That's really the key to being a success in a new country. Leave your baggage behind. Try saying that to a peaceful faith immigrant though. hehe
If people come here expecting to have it all, they won't. You have to be prepared to DIY... a lot. You have to be ready to live without a lot of things... or make/grow them yourself. The isolation from the world by time zone, by culture, even the news ('World News' has become an afterthought on media websites).
Brian is so right: the tyranny of distance grinds. It grinds on locals, so it must be worse on those who have come here. This is why you have to be tough, or the FOMO will eat you. You have to change what you value, reprioritise.
This is really important: if you want to maintain dual citizenship, fight hard to keep it. Do it for your kids who have lost part of themselves when you moved. I know what it's like to have almost all my family in the UK and never getting to meet them, only hearing when they died. You have to be tough to face that too.
So very, very true. Thank you for sharing your experience with us all, it helps massively. Sending you much love my friend, thank you as always for your support 🥰 Liz and Bri
I've never known it's difficult for foreigners gaining NZ citizenship to be dual nationals.
Aotearoa New Zealand allows dual citizenship. But if for example you are a USAian or a Chinese who wishes to become a citizen of AoNZ then US and Chinese law requires you to renounce their citizenship.
Such an honest video, thank you for being candid, you both obviously love New Zealand, so it must have taken a lot to do this x
Best wishes from sunny Scotland xx
You hit that nail right on the head, my friend, and it means a lot to us that you recognised that. Thank you.
You are right, we hesitated making this video for such a long time, but in the end it is about being real (or at least sharing 'our' version of real). It's about 'being the help you needed'. If this video helps people get an understanding of what we (and others) struggled with when we moved to NZ, then hopefully, they won't have such a shock if they do the same.
Thank you again for your lovely support, it really does mean the world to us❤Love to Bonnie Scotland 🏴🥰
Liz and Brian xx
PS: Crikey...You don't know how long it took me to put an X on that thumbnail flag...seriously...I had to force myself to press publish...😆🇳🇿❤️
@@kirriegolf18 Sunny Scotland…
Over 40 year's ago when i lived in Wellington i had to order a couple of parts for my car one part was coming from Christchurch and the other part was coming from Japan the part from Japan in 2 day's and the part from Christchurch took a week and a half.
🤣 shouldn't laugh, Bruce but....🤣 Classic!
@@brucehowe194 you'll probably find it hasn't changed
❤
Moorie express bro.😂😂😂😂😂 Things haven't changed, other than taking longer.
Utopia is what you make it, Aotearoa New Zealand gives an opportunity to live your best life. No way perfect, but where is? The growth in embracing cultural diversity is a massive positive. Hey and we're Trump and snake free.
Thank you for sharing and for taking the time to say hi. Have a great weekend! 😃
Not commie free, sadly
I moved to New Zealand (Oamaru!) 14 years ago but though I’m American by nationality and birth, I moved here from China, where I was a long-term expat. A lot of the things you mention are definitely true about NZ (the cultural differences, the lack of history-though being in Oamaru makes it a bit less noticeable-and things like that) but the thing about Amazon Prime not being available never struck me as an issue since I never experienced that before moving here anyway. Who needs to have everything delivered next day anyway?
Thank you for sharing, we appreciate you being with us and taking the time to say hi. Big hello to all in beautiful Oamaru! Have a great weekend! 😃
Really informative video - thank you for sharing your honest thoughts!
As a former Kiwi who moved to the UK in 2019, and absolutely loves it here, allow me to add a few thoughts:
1) Related to #7 on your list is Tall Poppy Syndrome. NZ is an egalitarian society, which could be uncomfortable for those who are status-driven/conscious, as you pointed out - but it also means that the best and brightest are sometimes denigrated rather than celebrated. Plenty of my friends who left NZ have done so in order to spread their wings.
2) Access is certainly an issue, not just in terms of range of products and services, but also in terms of life satisfaction based on career and lifestyle choices. As a musician and music-lover, the multitude of concerts and festivals in the UK, as well as potential collaborators for musical projects, is simply unparalleled. And as an academic, the research in the UK is of a much higher standard, in large part due to the concentration of top academics in various fields in this part of the globe.
3) Point #2 really resonated with me, being a history buff - I am in awe of the plethora of ancient structures, monuments, and historical sites all over Britain. This sense of grandeur is missing when you live in NZ. The richness of cultural heritage runs deep in Britain - there is so much more to explore and experience here. It's a completely different scale of things.
4) This next factor won't be relevant for everyone, but speaking as someone whose ethnic ancestry is East Asian and South-East Asian, let's just say that my experience (and the experience of friends from ethnic/minority backgrounds) has been that the UK is far less racist (and more accepting toward non-whites and foreigners) than NZ.
That being said, NZ is indeed a great place for certain lifestyle options - for instance, to retire and start a family, if that's what you're looking for.
New Zealand does have ancient history but NZ govt have put over 100 embargoes on pre Maori historical sites to keep Maori happy, we have more gangs members than police, cost of living through the roof, if you come here just go straight to the south island, its the best part.
True it's facts about the gang numbers
Agree
@@redback38I think the first gangs were the Hails Angels.
The same govt who stole Māori lands and took out half the Māori population are trying to keep those exact same people (Māori) happy? How does that work? I think your bias is showing and you're using Māori as the excuse.
No surprises!
@@drthomason7043 that's right, followed by the mongrel mob
Lovely view of the maunga today liz
Ahhh...Yes! Gorgeous isn't it?! Glad you cold join us! 🥰
❤
Moved here 15 years ago and truly feel at home.
Super beautiful nature.
Super relaxed and safe.
Only drawback is the Kiwi reaction to a "strong accent." In the education system and schools, the kids, parents and colleagues can make a big deal of it.
But with shear WILLPOWER & PERSEVERANCE you can fit in eventually.
I saw teachers going back to the UK, USA, Asia and SA who were discouraged by the resistance from the locals.
But you'll eventually find a place where you fit in 💯 % and it will be much much better than what you had ' back at home '.
Please don't come here rents are up to $600 per week jobs are not secure food is sky high power utilities are sky high and everybody is broke you will be too if you come to nz
And nobody like Pom’s or South Africans and their culture
My parents came to NZ from UK. 70 years back. Came from Fleet St in London to the west coast of Manukau harbour back in the 1950s. What a culture shock. Loved there was no aristocracy, no snobbishness, they cooked on a wood stove. 5 kids, No electricity. But loved it, never went back.
I can't imagine the culture shock they experienced. What a story! Thank you for sharing, Mike, and for joining us 😊
You guys are awesome - thank you for the insight!
Thanks for watching, Darren! We appreciate you being with us!
point 1 - noted! point 2 - yes NZ is a newly 'civilised' (colonised) country! 3 - yes lots of our current communities (let alone the past 200 years) are a result of our 'pioneering' e.g. lots of community agencies had been established in the 70's and 80s. 4 - yes, our problems just follow us, hehehe. That's true of any 'greener on the other side' dreams eh. 5. Yes, we encourage to shop local in NZ. We are likely to be less materialistic than elsewhere in the world. Yes, people are here for the land. 6. Yes, lots of personal space!!!!! We love it if there is NO-ONE on a beach we visit 7. yup, we are real here and we keep each other honest .... mostly. Naumai haere mai, welcome to Aotearoa - Toitu Te Tiriti ... I would add - your No. 8, they might not like to come to NZ if they dont want to understand our founding document and our history .... regards from an immigrated pom from back in 1955
I traveled to New Zealand for a week to set up a business. Honestly, I fell in love with this country from day one. So much so that after finishing everything I needed to do, I extended my stay from a week to a month just to soak in the beauty of this amazing place. One thing I noticed right away was how kind and welcoming the indigenous people are, despite all the atrocities they faced from colonizers.
What really shocked me there was the lack of integrity among non-indigenous business owners who came to that land. It reminded me of what you said about the clash of civilizations-where ش "word" hold value in our culture-but over there, it’s hard to trust anyone, especially when it comes to business dealings with immigrants. So, I totally agree that we need to be strong and skeptical of promises; unfortunately, that's part of the cultural shock.
What ultimately stopped me from starting a company there, even though we were determined to do so, were the numerous laws that restrict investors' freedom and creativity in managing their businesses. First off, there has to be a local manager with full authority, which is simply not feasible in the world of commerce and trade. Plus, we can't bring skilled labor directly from abroad immediately; as we have companies and branches overseas with highly experienced engineers. We would have to wait at least a year before the company could bring them over, and that would definitely pose a significant obstacle in successfully managing our projects there.
Hi we have been in Newzealand 20 years one of the biggest things that is annoying is the lack of public transport you need to tell you views
I cannot understand *why* people come here and decide to be a living in NZ *INSTEAD* of embracing our culture and deciding to be a **kiwi** instead.
This is a problem with almost all immigrants everywhere.
What a refreshing approach and outlook you two have! From a New Zealander's viewpoint and from the heart... Welcome! We need more people like you in New Zealand.
Thank you, Peter. We appreciate your kindness and warm welcome! 🥰
C'mon guys! We are in Paradise!! Lol 😀
We certainly ARE!!! 🥰🥰🇳🇿
Taradise!😁😉
Well said and if I could add something else, to be able to live in NZ comfortable you need to get your time management skill up your sleeve, for example if I know I will need something (to use in 2 weeks time), I need to organise it min 2 weeks prior just incase I have to return it or it does not fit or any other problems to give you enough time frame. Planning is also an important part of living in NZ.
5th generation NZer here. I once asked a Dutch immigrant "why on earth would you want to come here?" He said " life in Holland is great if you like to live in a museum, but if you want to do something new, or create something for yourself, you have to leave and go somewhere freer".
You two are great! As a kiwi it's very interesting to hear what others have to say about my country. You look very happy...it must of been hard in the beginning for you. Fantastic content!❤
I feel humbled that it's 2024 and you still have positive things to say about us. From many NZ'ers pov our country is in the toilet. If you like it now, you'd have adored it 30 years ago, so thanks for your positivity.
That is what is happening to Canada right now. I'd love to be able to live in NZ but holy moly it is impossible to buy a property being a Canadian. Was there last in November and loved every moment there.
Thank you for spending time with us, Charlie, and for saying hello, we appreciate your kindness 😊
Im from Tonga 🇹🇴 and I loved Auckland fishing 🎣 life 😊
I moved here 42 years ago from the US and never looked back. For me the hardest thing was having elderly parents back in the States (I have no brothers or sisters) and having to try and meet their needs--many, many trips back and forth, and the job disruption that causes. They have now passed on, and I'm now retired, but for several years that was a huge issue. Also, you commented on the challenge of 10-12 hour time differences when calling friends and family back home, but didn't mention the expensive long-haul flights if you actually want to visit or take a holiday. Just speaking from experience here. Also, confirming your observation, my husband and I moved out here and some years later we divorced, and both ended up with Kiwi partners. A good video I just stumbled on by chance. I live just down the road a couple of hours from you in Whanganui.
I've found out from people from the UK, who miss the shopping options etc. And they dismiss the stuff available here. Well, you chose to move over to NZ, don't expect to see a Primark, or a Mark's and Spencers or a Aldi, etc. You can order online for that, you want your ITV or BBC shows, be prepared to pay for a VPN and or Sky TV to get access to it.
Also, expect to be up watching your favourite sports teams in the early hours of the morning, not at Breakfast time or the ideal times you were once used to.
Also, expect to have a Summer Christmas, instead of during the Winter back home, and wear sunscreen and protective clothes, hat, sunglasses, as due to the UV rays intensity here in NZ.
I have seen such comments on these type of channels like "you cant get decent cheese here", like it is a big deal that our cheese does not measure up to their standards, but when you are emigrating so far away, how can cheese be so important?
@@jillgarlick2122 Americans eat cheese out of a can so I'm sure some NZ cheese can match up to the best of them
@jillgarlick2122 actually we have award winning cheeses .
@@lloydbeattie9370 I don't disagree, just an example of emigrating then wanting everything to be like the UK. We have lovely cheese.
We moved to Christchurch in 2009, got settled in then went through all the trauma of the Chch Earthquakes. You definately need to be resilient to live here, especially on the South Island, where there are less people and plenty of Earthquakes. We absolutely love it here. Fully embraced what NZ has to offer. I even taught myself to speak Māori! The scenery is to die for and Kiwis are really good friendly people. Put the effort in and you will reap the benefits.
I lived a few years in Australia and I loved it once I adjusted to the culture as I had grown up in Canada. I visited New Zealand but it is quite different from Australia and I didn't think it was my cup of tea.
Curious to hear you expand more upon this, if you would, please?
Hi, I live in NZ. I have a degenerative spinal cord injury as a result of a workplace accident. I cannot get medical care for my condition because there is a lack of neurosurgeons. I cannot get appropriate medicines in NZ for my injury and the ones that are available are not funded.ACC refuse to cover me even though I won my court case, ACC are very good at finding loopholes to hide behind.I cannot get disabled modified social housing because I previously owned my own home, which I had to sell to battle ACC in court for 10 years. My wheelchair was stolen and cannot afford the $5000.00 to replace it. There is no funding available to help with replacement either.I am forced to live in a caravan which is not designed for a disabled person so living is very difficult.Because ACC refuses to pay I am forced onto the supported living allowance, I receive $386.00 per week net to live on. by the time I pay for non funded medicines of $150.00 per week and pay for caravan rental of $200.00 per week there is nothing left over. I require home help, but cannot access this because I live in a caravan. New Zealand sucks and nobody cares about disabled people we are brushed under the carpet. I am not the only disabled person in NZ being treated like this either. I am ashamed of being a New Zealand resident and wish I could leave but my ongoing degenerative condition prevents me as I do not fit the medical criteria of any country for immigration.I want to renounce my NZ citizenship as this was forced upon me a birth without my consent. I would rather be stateless.
So sad to hear this. I met someone else with a very similar story. They should set up an ACC tribunal to pay out everyone who has been robbed by them.
Are you a NZ citizen?
It says so near the end of his comment.@@suzannebrown4753
Wow, you brought years to my eyes with that last little comment.... "Just remember....etc"
(Scot in New Zealand for many many years 😊)
Everything you said is totally spot on.❤
I am an ex Engineer who believes in working hard for your station in life. I am now terminally Ill, and live with my Partner, who is also very unwell (and has to struggle on regardless as my care giver), just down the road from the folks running this you tube channel. Since falling Ill, we have had to sell everything we owned. Fortunately we still have a house that is paid for. The Government treats us the same as it does long term unemployment beneficiaries, and we have to live/exist on the same supported living allowance (which is pretty much the same as the unemployment benefit these lazy buggers (there are exceptions to this, and many good, educated people find themselves flushed down the Political toilet following redundancy or, as in my case, terminal Illness) claim from the State every week). We now live like hermits, forced into economic hardship due to the fact I had the cheek to fall terminally Ill in the eyes of the Government.
Anybody looking to emigrate to this Country, you need to be very aware of what it is you are looking to undertake. Things are not all sugar coated here. You will need a qualified, confirmed job to come to, as unemployment is chronic. The Country is currently suffering under the weight of an economic recession, which even the Reserve Bank cannot get us out of at this moment in time.
We have elected a fantastic new Government to try and get us out of the absolute ruin the previous Government left us in. Unfortunately it will take time to get this Country up and running again.
There will always be the well off telling us how great life is here, and to be fair, life was good for us when I was working.
Unfortunately, if you do fall Ill, have a work place accident or are declared redundant, you are in trouble.
Please beware, be realistic in your attitude and application, and make sure you have money to fall back on if things don't go to plan. Be prepared to return from your Country of origin if need be. Think long and hard, and make informed, educated decisions.
Like most Countries in the world, if you plan well, make good decisions and know your playing field before you step out onto it, you may well be okay. Just remember your financial safety net.
Rural Taranaki is great. Came here from overseas 13 years ago. I agree, you simply cannot compare it to other places in the world. It is so wildly different, but in a really refreshing way. Culture shock yes - there really is something to the "Taranaki Hardcore." What you mentioned about couples moving here is correct. Moving here will only intensify or call to the surface what already exists. This can be a good thing, as you will be forced to clear out what no longer works - and carry on. Builds resilience - Took 2 years to feel settled. No Aldi, no convenience foods (many things in grocery stores they simply do not have here like frozen concentrate juices, Hawaiian punch, etc) Great thing is no traffic and no crowds.
Thank you for sharing, Anna we appreciate you being with us and it is great to hear from a fellow Taranakian!. Have a great weekend! 😃
@@annatetiad.4991 check the vitafresh sachets at the supermarket. Mix 🍍 pineapple and raspberry or maybe 🍉 watermelon
When you talked about the melting pot you forgot one of the main ingredients - Pacific Islanders. Glad you love my country and have explored. As a born and bred Kiwi I love exploring my own country even though I have extensively and even lived overseas.
Good episode. We had to adjust to the lack of Amazon Prime. I have learned to think ahead more so I have the time to wait for Amazon US delivery. I do try and see if things or near equivalents are available in NZ. Some items wont ship from Amazon which often means there is a distributor around (I am thinking of tools) so it is a clue that someone sells the item. As Americans we were shocked at the poor quality of the housing stock (lack of double glazed windows, insulation, etc), the price of rent for such poor quality, and the cost of housing to purchase. Our fault for not researching further, but it never occurred to us that this might be an issue. In the US food never really goes out of season, there is always stock even if it is imported at about the normal price (take grapes in NZ as a counter example). Also, the seasonality of regular items for sale, something normally purchased for the spring (for example) will sell out and no more will be available until next year. If we even think we only might need something we usually purchase knowing that if we wait too long it won't be available, the country just runs out of stock.
Glad you enjoyed the episode! Thank you for sharing your experience, it helps others incredibly 😃
PS: The upside to eating exceptionally good food grown seasonally is the excitement you feel when the season comes around!~ Today when I went into pac'n'save and nearly danced for joy because red capsicums were $1.50 🤣🤣🫑🫑 Hehe!!
Hi fellow expat.
In some respects the old style of life and shopping survives in NZ. Most of us are still able to grow, make, fix and adapt. It is cultural and harks back to our pioneer heritage. We tend to respect and admire adaptable tough people and are proud of being skilled and innovative. Having access to Amazon and any food all the time is not considered a problem by most.
Actually a blessing @@jorose7293. We never had it so we are content with our lot. I wouldn't expect to find out of season fruit etc. We have the ethic of make do. Swap it out for something else
Haere Mai
Kia Ora
65 years old here
Love your opinions.. On point!!
Most people from Aotearoa don't talk about how much money everyone has
It's not a big thing here..if you've got it..good if you're struggling it's nothing new and most just get on with the hand they've been dealt
We don't crowd celebs if they happen to walk down the road..
Good god don't stop the sarcasm.. there's lots of it here.. it's finding the same group of people but I find language barriers create the misconception of sarcasm..people who come to live here from other parts of the world no doubt have there own type of sarcasm
Just listen to Spanish speaking people..I say that as I've learnt the language and they have sarcasm down pat which I love to hear and Te Reo has evolved to where sarcasm is used here and there more fun!!
We are such a diverse community/countey now
However People should realize this country is very young as in Civilization wise.
It's about the Maori culture history wise and the migration to this country
I've travelled and worked overseas but this is the best little country on Earth as far as I'm concerned
We have our problems but we all just get on with it
Aroha nui ❤
Thank you, Tina! We appreciate your kind comment, have a fantastic weekend! 😃
You guys are very correct about not comparing NZ to other countries...
Also if you have baby sitters or other people working for you and you come to NZ you will be unhappy.
Most jobs now expect people to work much harder these days than ever before, when I 1st started in hotels there was loads of staff and limits on what your job was...
Nowadays one person will do 4 different job titles and work loads.
I am kiwi born and raised and watch This wonderful couple and their point of view is very close. Might be different if they was in a larger town and city, people that move to Auckland do spend 3 hrs per day driving to town and back home when they 30 to 40 minutes away from city as traffic is heavy if you work in the CBD.
I love watching Liz and Brian.
Please do remember that you can't run away from yourself.
Love to all.
If you live on the North shore and that is normally a 30 to 40 min drive (when there is no traffic) you will be in the car for a hour to 2 hrs per way depending on where on the Shore and city you may work/live....
You may also find the traffic from Howick (East Auckland) and South Auckland also get gridlocks each morning and night per way....
NZ has a roading and Health System for 3 to 3.5 million people and we now have 5.2 million people and this explains WHY Nz Health is okay nut starting to fail and the roads are tight and narrow by other countries standards....
Reading about the NHS in Britain, it seems it's also under big pressure after huge immigration numbers in the millions of people are putting medical services to the limits with long delays to even get a GP appointment, forcing people to overload hospital emergency services. Similar overloads are now happening in Australia.
Thank you, Andrew, we appreciate you! 😃
Our dearest friends, you guys are amazing!💖 Thank you for this fantastic vlog.👍 Having migrated once already, none of those 7 reasons would stop us from moving to New Zealand.👍 Oops-my husband just chimed in to say that "no Amazon delivery might be a deal-breaker!" 😛🤣🤣Of course, he's joking. We had a good laugh at that one. If only we were a little younger...😢🙉Lots of love to both of you💖💖
I get Amazon deliveries so I don’t understand the point of your comment.
Exactly! Its not Canada, I want change. I want warmth, we have the same issues but different but I just want warmth to be out
I thought number 4 was going to be the main reason. Getting in and having a go is really important. Very interesting and entertaining video. Thanks Liz and Brian.
Thank you, Shelley ❤️
Re your 7th reason not to move to NZ, I lived there 7 years, mostly in Gisborne and Hamilton. I arrived as a US- licensed psychologist, and left because of being choked by bureaucrats, even as I had actually been recruited from the US with high recommendations. The Healthcare system/DHBs were incredibly bureaucratized and turf-oriented (this was pre-Jacinda Ardern). I should have researched: in the US, a clinical psychologist has a doctorate and is expected to exercise the capacity to develop diagnoses, treatment plans, etc., working more or less independently, albeit collaboratively. In NZ, the only educational requirement is a masters degree; the 'tradeoff' is that one works under constant 'official oversight', and must have all treatment protocols approved by psychiatrists, DHB officials, and so on. The idea that status is disregarded may hold in the countryside; in more urban areas healthcare power and hegemony are really quite stratified. I would warn healthcare providers of any sort against making assumptions that employment roles, e.g., "clinical psychologist" mean what they mean elsewhere. Research this assumption! I was forced out in 2017, after being declared "incompetent (as to following directions, arguing for the right to my own clinical opinions). Otherwise, I'd probably still be there (the US is veering toward civil war).
I've found Kiwis to be more likeable through and through than anywhere ( other than a particular set of islands i'll not mention).
It was wonderful to be involved in an activity which requires some difficult learning curve, and having two complete strangers come up and ask to borrow gear, then exhibit a mastery.
Leaving solely due to having a delusory attachment, and having known several NZ expats, it still seems a warmer society than anywhere, for those who have been in so many places on continents and seas, encountering strange biases and cultures prizing abnormal psychological traits ( and, yes, the sarcastic memes of most cultures ARE true).
It was difficult to match the requirements for immigration, and perhaps too easy to be blown into trackless southern ocean. There ARE certain places on earth where the rural or village people are equally wonderful. One does enjoy the differences occurring in intimate culture due to different languages rearranging meanings and nuance in the brain.
I note that twice as many emigrated from NZ in 2024, than entered.
A good friend, uneducated but a brilliant skier and coach, married a Kiwi and disappeared to South Island.
i am , myself, not attracted to regions of earth lacking certain large mammalian carnivores, with which i spent time learning their communicative styles, feel that we humans become too filled with hubris, and it is this trait that makes us most unpretty, NZ appearing an exception.
we came here from the UK over 50 years ago and never regretted it.
New Plymouth (the Taranaki region) is rather isolated - takes a long time to get anywhere and you have to drive or take a plane. The railways that once ran passenger services to Wellington via Marton, and through to Auckland via Okahukura,, are closed or are only used for freight. See 'Can't get there from here - New Zealand passenger rail since 1920', an excellent book (2021) by André Brett.
Very interesting,tyvm very true. First 2 years difficult. But love NZ been here 31 years.
OMG! I was getting worried about the picture you were painting here. I was thinking OMG these two have gone off us big time!! Lol 😀
Never, never, never! 🥰🇳🇿 Just trying to keep it real and helpful ❤️
@@ItsaDrama Haha I realize that. Lol 🌹
I’ve been here 15 years too, having visited three times before moving here and being attached to a Kiwi. I think the weather is getting very scary and we no longer know where could be a temperate place in NZ to retire to. We are a few years off though. Even your area, The Naki, is getting worse weather.
Thank you for sharing, Ursula, we appreciate you being with us and taking the time to comment. Thank you! Have a great weekend! 😃
Hi Liz and Brian, I love your fun videos about living in NZ. I visited twice in the early noughties and I loved exploring the country. My main regret (to this day) is not getting the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton, S Island. I loved Auckland, Wellington and many other places including Rotarua and the Waitomo glowworm caves etc. It was easy getting there as I lived near London at the time. Keep up the good 'work'.
Thank you, Don! Oh, you must do that trip when you return, it is truly magical. Have a lovely weekend and thank you again for your kind words of support 🥰 Liz and Brian
I have relatives who went to NZ in the 1840s as agricultural labourers. They must have liked it - they never came back, and there's tons of them there now. Just saying hi, to them all.
❤
I have met plenty of young brits and europeans working as engineers, and they praise our country, with a few who actually decided to stay here.
But the biggest thing, was the cultural shock that kiwis just accepted people coming into the country, and just living their lives... we don't care what your religion, race, gender, rather your attitude towards others and whether you're willing to work as hard as everyone else.
The biggie you didn't touch on is the UK pub culture. We don't have it here. I personally know of a couple of people that had been here a few years and bought propertty, sell up and move back to the UK because they missed going to the pub.
Maori history sites were wiped out, most buildings were made with wood and natural materials . The beach, lake river, bush and forrest were where Maori lived, there were no cows, horses or sheep to pasture. The land was transformed rapidly, Maori had to adapt to the loss and introduction of new ways and being told their way was wrong and couldnt live it. Initially Maori were left to do the reception and social services for those who werent part of the gentry. Many people think European built our country into what it is not realising Maori helped clear the land, built the roads and railway, fenced the pastures, worked the, orchards, fisheries slaughterhouses, wharves, built and painted homes, laid cables and pipes.
And....... New Zealand IS New Zealand primarily because of the British influence, right at the start and when the 'ten pound Poms' came over in droves in the 1960's - 70's. Now we are much more diverse, there being more Asians than Maori, and Maori having interbred with newcomers since they arrived. It is a unique country, all on it's own out in the great Pacific.
@jillgarlick2122 funny that, always thought before the treaty of Waitangi there were many cultures here along with the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they included French, Danes, Belgians, Dalmatians, Lebanese, Syrians, Germans, Austrians, Dutch, Italians, Croatians, Chinese,and Asian Indians back in the early 1800s.These were part of the body of men and women who with Maori prepared NZ for the influx of other European who would later come here seeking refuge after wars in their old countries. Many were sailors and traders. Sadly Chinese and Indians weren't treated as fairly as other cultures and had to pay humongous poll taxes to stay here. The Brits weren't the only ones who were in on the wording of the Treaty as I know a Belgan Priest had a lot of input in about Maori rights. It is important to go back over our history. NZ, didn't start at 1840 we go back centuries.
@@jillgarlick2122 Correction: NZ is NZ today because *Māori allowed foreigners to dwell in these lands* .
Yes, the generosity of Māori is why non-Maori were able to come here.
The alternative was for Māori to wipe out settlers altogether 🤷
Hope you've enjoyed your stay.
You're welcome :)
@@_.Marz._ In 1840, at the end of the musket wars, Maori Chiefs were glad to cede sovereignty to the British because for one they didn't want to be wiped out by the French.
@@PeteThecurious100 Nope. That's all hearsay! Another lie twisted.
Brits (masons) told many lies.
All in the name of "land grabs".
Land was literally the lifeline for Māori. Their food and their shelter.
Why would 100K Māori give up their entire livelihood over to 2000 brits?
Because MĀORI NEVER CEDED!...that's why!
Māori were familiar with the the multi Chieftan system where each Chief would be responsible for his own respected lands, people and affairs.
Similarly, the crown would be seen as a "Chief" and would be responsible for their own "tribe of people" or in this case, current and future Brit settlers.
That was the original agreement between Māori and crown.
The problem with Brits...they want full control regardless of which lands they invade. No surprises.
'He Whakaputanga" was a precursor agreement with the king which was signed 5years prior to the Treaty where even Busby agreed to partial Chief sovereignty...but Busby only wanted certain Chiefs to obtain sovereignty...not all Chiefs.
Tell me...Why wasn't a central govt established after He Whakaputanga was established in 1835? Because Māori ALWAYS intended on governing themselves. Brits couldn't do anything because they were outnumbered.
Once more settlers arrived, the crown turned on Māori and forfeited their original agreement with Māori....which was for Māori to govern themselves.
So again....keep telling yourself that if that soothes ya' superiority-complex.
And look at the view you have behind you and more 😊
I know!! Showing off his coat of snowy glory 🥰🗻🗻
I think the outstanding thing is there are only just under 5 million people according to the latest census. That’s what makes it livable .
I love your number 7. Respect is earned not given doesn't mater about staus and wealth or who you are.
I like your expressions about fighting spirit and resilience. I really feel that I am down from time to time but I am strong and tough and that give me a reason to survive.
Since arriving from the UK in 74 l never looked back ... kia ora ❤
❤️
If I didn’t already know it’s real, I would think that’s a green screen behind you 😅😍 when I came back to NZ in 2019 on holidays after living in Aus for 5 years I was shocked how hardly any shops had Apple Pay, it reminded me how Nz is always behind the times lol but it’s a small price to pay for the slow life in my opinion. You only live once, if you can slow it down why not! Youse are so funny 😂 great vid as always guys, love youse 🫶🏽
Actually nz is usually the first place in the world to trial new technologies for big companies like Apple & Samsung etc.
@@gissyb1 well in the little towns I was in there were next to none Apple Pay, only at McDonald’s
Thank you, Sunitra, we appreciate you and your lovely comment 🥰
It's so lovely, seeing the mountain peck in the back ground. Your real and explanatory subjects hit home. (True blues). I'm a Naki girl and flew north in 1971. My heart cries every time I watch your vids...it may be time to fly south again...c u there😊❤
Funny I just closed my amazon prime account not long ago. I know what you mean by next day delivery, though you can get it here for some things, depending on where you are., but the range of stuff is really reduced. I like to garden and had an allotment in London. I could get all sorts of seeds, including a blight resistant, and I mean resistant, tomato. You just can't easily get that in NZ, though our weather is slightly better for growing them than in London. You can't just hop on the train in most places in NZ either, as most towns don't have passenger trains going through them, unlike England and most of Europe (?). It's harder to get the range of wholemeal flour here, but I think what you can get is good enough. I'm not sure the harden up message is entirely true, but I think if you're moving country, you have to expect to have to start from scratch. There is a myth about Kiwis and the pioneering spirit. I think it's rubbish but that's my point of view, having grown up in NZ. I'm only one person and there are plenty of other views out there.
There are 5+ million people here in a land area similar to the UK which has a population of 10s of millions more! Of course it is easier to get things over there, especially as it is so close to all of Europe, but give me less 'things' and access to the unlimited freedom, beauty, climate here, especially where I am at the top of the Sth Island. I was born here, have never lived anywhere else and never will. My soul is embedded in this wonderful place.
Yes, the public transport is absent unless you are in a big city.
@@jillgarlick2122 no argument from me about the reason for there not being as much stuff available. I also was born and raised in NZ.
@@johenderson3742 even with the largest city. It's a bit better, but still car centric, IMO. I'd rather live in London, and I don't like London
I don't agree with the 'soft' comment. I think the settler toughness stuff is an outdated and mentally damaging ideology that needs to end. Toughness shouldn't be lionised. New Zealand has a really high suicide rate and I feel that's definitely a contributor. We've had John Kirwin talking about depression and I feel that's been a huge turning point for our nation. Nothing wrong with having emotions and not feeling strong all the time.
You brought up some great points in your video. After reading some of the comments I can see some people love being here and some can't wait to leave . I feel like that would be the same in any country depending on your age maybe and what you want out of life. Personally i can't imagine living anywhere else but so want to visit other older countries for the history and culture.
We do have a history of our own but visiting the UK and Europe is my dream. I guess nowhere is perfect. 😊
It comes pretty close though hey, Susan??! Thank you as always for your lovely support ❤️
Hi. All good points you make. However you drag it out far too long. Yeah we have similar issues that you do with Amazon Prime. Being In Australia we seem to have great experiences with Amazon these days. My grand dad was born in NZ but ended up in Western NSW then Sydney. Ive been to NZ twice and even walked the routebourn track. One thing you forgot is that NZ had no snakes. Greg Hutchison, Canberra
I agree. Just even trying to buy gold sparkly sandals for my daughters graduation is impossible in NZ (if you want to buy in NZ). I remember the UK - I wanted navy shoes and there were 20 choices in different styles all navy... I miss that and I am a Kiwi! 😢
Remember you are not considered a Kiwi until you have been here for at least a good 10 years or more and take that from the time you get your
Loving your effervescent personalities! Brenda from NZ!
Well said !
Came in 1970 from Jersey, no shredded wheat, no pull tags on cheese , no coke,lucasade or square icecreams..couldn't have rabbits as pets lol
Big shock !
3 minute ph calls home cost a week's wages then
I've just become a citizen !
I love the freedom, not much class culture, can do attitude.
I'll never ever go back , I miss my little island even now I shed tears for it, it's become a crowded mess , they say you can never go home again...
No Coke? I am a third generation kiwi and I so remember rum & coke being the IN drink back then. I was only a child when Fanta came out, loved it but as Fanta is made by CocaCola, I assure you they were here before 1970! My favourite ice cream when I was a teenager, 1960's ish was an ice cream slice, a square ice cream in between two yummy wafers.
Thank you, Amanda, we appreciate your comment and congrats on becoming a citizen! 😃
@@jillgarlick2122That depends on where in New Zealand you lived , I lived in Dunedin, and I remember , up until somewhere around the mid seventies, Coca Cola wasn't available, unless you went to the Dunedin Railways bus station, they brought small quantities of it down from Christchurch. Also there were no hamburgers or pizzas as a takeaway in the early seventies but all that changed by the late seventies ( I dont think there was a pizza shop in Dunedin until the early eighties). I remember being on holiday in the North island with my mother in 1972 , and I had my first ever Coke on board the short lived Silver Star luxury train, for some reason I didn't like it , but I got to like it a lot later on.
Great podcast. Thankyou for sharing these 7 things.
I love the comment about sarcasm. I too am sarcastic, sardonic, and nobody here gets it. Be careful if your humour is quirky. They will think you are serious.... every time. On-line subscriptions are not the same; what is on Netflix elsewhere is not what's on Netflix here. Also, don't waste money on VPN's to get the other menu, they don't work.
I moved to new zealand after a lifelong of thinking it was my true home. It blows here. Im depressed embarrassed by it
My family moved from NZ to Canada in 1987. NZ was very different from NZ today, so even more different from Canada. The culture shock was enormous. Blatant racism, religious adherence to class and status worship, calling people by their titles as opposed to their names, no general culture, no imagination or colour (comparatively), fake-niceness...the list goes on. I encountered workplace harassment based on my cultural differences, and arrogantly told that I was lying; "New Zealand is just like Canada." The culture shock has never gone away, and it's sad to see north American influences affecting NZ (to its detriment, in my opinion). There are some good things, like laws protecting victims of certain assaults, that NZ doesn't have. However, I still have my fingers crossed that I win the lottery so I can afford to come home again.
Thank you both for this truly unique and wonderful episodes, as a 5th generation kiwi of Celtic ancestry, everything you have said is true, 😊, many regards Warren. 😊❤😊
Great vid guys ❤
Thank you my friend 😘
I live in NZ and all the houses are made if wood, or 99% of them. This means a lot of maintenance and upkeep of your actual house. You may spend most weekends at a hardware store on house and property maintenance
Not in my Town, a lot of Brick ones here. As is Everywhere in NZ , a good mix of Housing
I was born in nz to English parents and I really don't think I fit in here I also think over the years nz society has changed and not for the better
Same here in UK. Native/born in NZ, now London for 24 years. People that rule both countries are no good at all. Much to our detriment.
@@bobmcbob4399 I agree with you on that
Well if you don't like it move to the UK or even America or wherever you like there's good and bad in all countries 😅😂
@bobmcbob4399 I know what you mean, I too feel like my roots are in England (I do love the history etc) I think I'll be living there before long, with my English husband ❤
@@karynhitchman2498 I will eventually move to England as I have cousins and family there
We are very far from everywhere, but we have more time to Meditate, Soul search, grow innerly...
Great episode! Thank you
You are welcome! Thank you for being with us! 😃
There actually is a lot of different kind of history if you seek it out .The great sailing migrations of the Pacific ocean ,Māori sailed by the stars from South China sea , and to Micronesia, Polynesian islands to Aotearoa around 1500AD evidenced by archaelogical evidence, lingual evidence, oral traditions, whakapapa and tikanga . Te Papa the national museum in Wellington has all the info online and inside to go check it out. Captain Cook didnt arrive until 1769.
Proud kiwi here, lived in afew countries, wouldn't live anywhere else but nz. 3 things in nz that does my head in... nzders always putting nz down...drivers hate indicating and tail gate . And the British flag on ours....that's all ..lol😊
As a 5th generation NZer..since 1859..proud of and thankful for our British heritage.
@@neville132bbk be thankful all you want dude ,as a proud nzder I want a flag that represents nz and not a British colony, time to grow up Nevz, strong independent nations don't have someone else's flag on there's, we are not Britain of the south seas....only a matter of time dude until we get a flag that represents nz and not Britain.. like most of the commonwealth have already done 🖕
I’m looking forward to not having Prime. I think it will make me plan what I’m actually buying. I’ve brought some total crap from Amazon over the years because it was so easy and quick to just return it. If it’s a 4 week turned around to return something then it’s better to get it right first time.
Kiwi’s aren’t bother with money and power! Good! I haven’t got any, well I certainly won’t by the time we get there 😂
🤣🤣 Love you guys!!
When the first British settlers came to NZ after six hard months on sailing ships they had to build a country with bugger-all at hand, with little chance of easily getting back to the Mother Country. Now that was "culture shock".
It amazes me Brian's trade qualifications weren't recognised in NZ; that’s terrible.
It surprises me some Brits arrive in New Zealand and miss centuries-old buildings etc, which are oozing history, back in Britain. Don't they realise that humans have been in NZ for a very short time, and they very quickly realised wooden buildings were the best after earthquakes quickly destroyed their brick/stone homes.
Nonsense,the maori build this land, the British are fucking Invaders.
Working your way back up is very true & extremely true for pilots in the USA and maybe elsewhere. Going back many decades in the USA seniority was, is, King. A pilot may have had seniority #1, be a captain flying attractive routes such as California to Hawaii. But if the airline went bust as opposed to a merger, the captain would have to start again as a co-pilot flying tiny planes for another airline. In the new airline his seniority number might be 2792. In other words destined to be a co-pilot for years.
There is a massive difference between the North Island and the South Island!……….These people haven’t explored NZ!
Got to say, you missed how freakin expensive everything is. Standard of living is poor compared to UK, everything is 3 - 4 times as much, so because of the distance... less choice, super expensive. So kitting out a house is horrendously expensive! I did a new kitchen via Ikea for 1500 pound in UK, similar size here $30k. Just be aware! Bring as much with you as you can and just get the plugs swapped out! Weird things like paint are ridiculously expensive. Oh and work on pronouncing Maori.😆
Thank you for sharing, and taking the time to comment. Have a great weekend! 😃
NZ is a long way from everywhere else such as Europe. A massive trade off for me is that your close to Australia and pacific islands.
I remember cycling around the towns surrounding Mt Egmont, and camping along the way - was a nice trip.
I’m surprised that you didnt mention our terrible weather. Many people overseas (other than Ozzie) seem to think that we have a Pacific Island climate. But no its as variable and can be just as miserable as UK! In Europe/USA etc Summer is Summer and Winter is Winter but not here.
Give you a chance to make a fresh start though.
Yes...like we said, it's not about discouraging people to give it a go, but (and we say this in the most gentle way possible) people need to be ready for the toll that moving to the other side of the world takes. It's huge. However, if you can prepare for the move feeling strong (or at least warned) you'll make it 🥰 Thank you for being here, and we hope this helps! Liz and Bri
Get on with it!!!!!!!!!!!