Living In New Zealand. 20 Useful Tips To Stop You Looking Like A Muppet

by Liz Deacle | New Zealand Travel

I have been living in New Zealand with my family for the past ten years, and only now am I finally learning what life here is really like.

The lingo, the customs, how much things really cost, the fact that you don’t moan about the weather.

I know. What can I say? I’m slow. And a Brit.

New Zealand, can be found hiding in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Keeping itself out of trouble. It is made up of two islands – The North and South both of which have a combined population of 4.8 million people and approximately 29 million sheep.

Approximately 11 hours by plane from southeast Asia, 12 hours from North and South America and 24 hours from Europe, New Zealand is a bloody long way from anywhere – except Australia and even they are 2, 500 miles away and pretend not to like us.

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To me, New Zealand is pretty perfect. Yes, like every country New Zealand it has its pros and cons, but on the whole, I think you’ll find it divine.

After you have learned a few do’s and don’ts.

I love the way the blues of the sea and of the sky are never the same colour. Waitata Bay, New Zealand.

Living in New Zealand. 20 Things You Musn’t Do If You Don’t Want To Look Like A Muppet.

It’s easy to think that because New Zealand is an English speaking country (hmm a little more on that later) you will simply turn up and carry on like normal. Wrong. There are certain things you need to know. Here’s a few of them:

When in New Zealand…

Don’t  Worry.

• Kiwi’s don’t say ‘no worries’ in almost every sentence for nothing. If you have a problem in New Zealand someone will help you, just ask. Kiwi’s (as they like to be known) are the friendliest bunch of people you will ever come across.

• If you really can’t find anybody to help you, send me a message, I’ll be there as quickly as I can.

 Don’t forget your sunscreen.

• I recently travelled the world with my husband and two kids for a year. We visited some extremely hot places in America, Asia and Europe, but not once did I burn as aggressively as I do under the New Zealand sun.

• I’m no scientist so forgive my pigeon explanations, but apparently, there are a few reasons for this scorching of the skin. The ozone layer is thinner in New Zealand so it lets more of the burning UV rays through.

• The position of the Earth in relation to the sun; countries in the southern hemisphere move closer to the sun than those in the Northen hemisphere.

• Pollution is lower in the Southern Hemisphere again, unable to act as a blocker to some of those burning UV rays.

• Anyway, just don’t forget your sunscreen.

If you are from Britain, don’t be offended if you get called Pom.

• I emigrated with my family to New Zealand from Britain ten years ago, and I’ll admit when I first heard this term I was slightly taken aback. But rest assured, it’s not meant as an insult. New Zealander’s are known as kiwi’s, Brits are known as poms. Simple. I’ve been called worse.

Don’t fret if you forget your shoes.

• You will not be given a second glance if you walk anywhere in New Zealand in bare feet.  Don’t ask me how they do it. Ten years on and I’m still unable to walk on gravel without crying.

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Don’t say you can’t tell the difference between a New Zealand accent and an Australian one.

• Just don’t.

Don’t ask for a latte coffee ask for a flat white.

• New Zealand claims to have invented this milky coffee drink. It’s like a latte but smaller and with a higher proportion of espresso coffee to milk and it is loovverrly.

Don’t ignore the local lingo in New Zealand; here is a speed lesson to help you out:

Ready for your speed lesson on what not to say?

Don’t say hiking; it’s tramping

• And you will do a lot of it in New Zealand.

Don’t say the forest; it’s the bush

• And there are no bears or snakes so it’s nice and safe.

Don’t say vest; it’s a singlet

• Don’t forget your sunscreen.

Don’t say Wellies; it’s Gumboots

• And apparently, they look better when worn with shorts.

Don’t say Flipflops; it’s Jandals

• Don’t wear them while driving. They can cause accidents. Best to go bare feet so you can feel the pedals, oh no… wait.  That’s illegal in New Zealand.

• Ok then,  just wear your gumboots.

Don’t say sweets; it’s lollies

• I always thought that a lolly was a lollypop but no, in New Zealand, the name lollies is applied to all sugary treats wrapped in cellophane.

Don’t say fries; it’s hot chips.

• You’ll pay around $2 for a scoop.

Don’t say crisps; it’s chips. (confusing for the British)

• But you can’t get a good cheese and onion flavour; so I’m always sad.

Don’t say corner shop; it’s the Dairy.

• Don’t mistake this for a shop full of cows and milking maids on stools. The dairy is a normal convenience store that sells groceries and plastic frisbees.

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 Don’t make sheep jokes.

• They’re a bit old and not funny. Just saying.

Don’t ask for salt and vinegar on your fish and chips.

• Well, you can ask for salt but don’t bother asking for vinegar – you won’t get it. And the server will look at you gone out. Which is very confusing seeing as it was the British who brought the fish ‘n’ chip idea over to New Zealand in the first place. You’d have thought they’d have remembered the Sarsons. Not so.

• Also, if you are not keen on chicken salt (I know, don’t ask) let the server know. Sometimes they will put it on without asking. Lots of it.

Want to see more of New Zealand? Check out our video that we made with our drone!

Don’t forget that in New Zealand we drive on the left.

• New Zealander’s are the most placid race on earth but once they get behind the wheel and they let rip. You won’t find the same courtesy as you would in America or the UK for example.

• Don’t expect that because you are standing at a zebra crossing the drivers will stop for you. They won’t. Not unless they have run out of petrol.

And finally…Don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

•  New Zealand is a long way from the rest of the world, so make sure that when you get here you enjoy it!

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So if you are thinking of living in New Zealand, or if you were wondering what life in this little country is like, then hopefully you are a bit wiser. Come to New Zealand, you will absolutely love it – I loved it so much, I never left!  Remember, if you liked this post, PLEASE share it with your friends – they like quality content!

This post was one of my answers on Quora.

20 Unspoken Truths About New Zealand That May Surprise You.

by Liz Deacle | New Zealand Travel

You are reading an honest New Zealand travel blog. Lucky for you, I like to keep it real and tell you how it is. If you are are in the throes of emigrating to New Zealand or even if you are in the early stages of thinking about moving to this beautiful country, then you are on the right page.

Before I start, if you are keen to know how much it costs to live in New Zealand, click here.

l I have 20 perfectly honest (maybe a bit too honest) truths to share with you about New Zealand. All of them positive, some of them a bit weird. New Zealand takes a bit of getting used to and like anywhere else in the world, it is by a no means a perfect country; living in New Zealand has its pros and cons, but believe me when I say: there are more positives than negatives!

Do You Want To Know The Best Time Of Year To Visit New Zealand?

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I love New Zealand.

My family and I have been living in New Zealand for the past ten years. It is now my home. But this wasn’t always the case and I wish someone had given me a few of these pointers before we arrived.  (more…)