I put together a cheeky little list of my observations during my time down under seven years ago. But let’s face it, I was on an extended holiday and not experiencing it like a local. I’ve been living in New Zealand for nearly a year now, and even though it’s got a lot in common with Canada in terms of culture and climate, there are still a few things that make it… unique.
- I feel like I stepped back in time and into the Wild West. Even in Papamoa Beach, I’m never more than a quarter of a mile from a field of cows or sheep. During the fuel crisis I saw a horse being ridden down Domain Road and that sealed the deal.
- There’s no light pollution. Even in the thick of a residential area there are hardly any street lights and, let’s face it, Tauranga isn’t exactly a bustling city, so I can see the stars from my driveway.
- My first flatmate enlightened me to the difference between a Jafa and a Jaffa—one is a boorish term for Aucklanders and the other is an orange chocolate confectionary that the residents of Dunedin roll down the steepest residential street in the world for entertainment.
- It’s not hello. It’s Kia Ora.
- They find the darndest places to park. The most creative I’ve seen yet has been on a roundabout island in the middle of traffic.
- Speaking of being a menace behind the wheel, motor vehicle insurance is optional! The mechanic who sold me my Japanese hybrid estimated that only half of cars on the road are insured, but they all drive like they’ve got comprehensive coverage.
- Fuel is $3.49 a litre. Hybrids and EVs are very popular.
- Single glazed windows are not it. I don’t know why the building code hasn’t been brought into the twenty first century, but in the winter I keep my space heater running at all times, I make my breakfast wearing my winter coat, and when I show up at work blowing on my ice cold fingers my manager teases me about not being a real Canadian. I am a Canadian—the proud inventor of the igloo—I’m used to a well-insulated home!
- New Zealand is the last stop on the global supply chain, which means you’re buying local most of the time and hardly ever getting fruit or veg out of season.
- Everyone puts their yard to use. The first place I lived at had a chicken coop (hello, eggs are $12.99 a dozen). Now where I live I’ve got a lemon tree, and our neighbour grows mandarin oranges. She very kindly shares with us when she’s got too many!
- You can’t buy alcohol on a public holiday. That’s probably a good thing.
- Guy Fawkes Day is a thing. Expect fireworks on November 5.
- Kiwi may be the colloquial term for a New Zealander, but the fruit it’s actually famous for is a feijoa. What’s that? It’s got the texture of a guava or a lychee and the taste of a granny smythe apple.
- Chicago, the “Windy City”, has nothing on Wellington’s gusts.
- They take work-life balance seriously. You’ll find very few businesses open past 5:00 pm; Vernon Dudley would like it here because there’s no post on Sunday; and god forbid you need a mechanic over the holidays because they’ll only reopen four weeks into the New Year, and then close again for Waitangi Day almost immediately.
- Everyone is moving to Australia. Even the ex-Prime Minister moved to Australia after quitting office.
- Finally, I haven’t had a scam call or malware-riddled text message ONCE since changing my SIM card from a Canadian one and I don’t miss it.
This is by no means a definitive list. What did I miss?