LeshPhilling said:
What's the difference between the two islands? Is one more rural than the other? Is travelling b/w the two common (ie--quick ferry across or a whole day adventure to get from one to the other)? What's the one word used to describe the North island? South island?
New Zealand is a fully industrialised country with an active ferry link between the two islands (about a 3 hr trip) 4 times a day (I think). NZ also has a good domestic air flight service connecting the two (20 minutes?) as well as trains, buses etc etc
Sth Island is less densely populated and has many large sheep stations. Its an older continental-type landmass. Main cities are Christchurch and Dunedin
North Island is volcanic in origin and more diverse, it is more densely populated with a good range of towns and cities - Wellington (capital), Auckland (largest city), Hamilton, Tauranga,
I've read some things about conflicts b/w Maori, Pacific Islanders and Pakeha (whites, correct?). The things I've read said that it's relatively harmonious compared to other parts of the world, but I was curious to how deeply prejudices run. Do all three groups get along well?
What conflicts?
Most Maori(native) conflicts are with the Government and legal in nature (ie confined to the courtrooms and news media).
In reality NZ has a LOT of intermarriage between the groups listed and relations are generally good. There is a growing Asian population also and some prejudice is focussed against 'them'. But most NZers don't actually care as long as your a 'good keen bloke' and a 'good mate'
What's the crime rate like?
Average. Tourist are sometimes targeted by theives so be security concious.
Crimes of violence are rare (but not unknown)
What's the weather like? I was wondering if you could compare NZ (weather-wise) to somewhere in the US.
If it helps we are at a similar lattitude to the UK. The north is subtropical the rest temperate warm summers, cool winters
Only in a few alpine regions of the southisland (ie central otago etc) do you get havy ground level snow in winter)
Is the land really that beautiful? I mean really, I've never seen anything quite like it.
Yes
How are tourists treated? Any resentment towards people emigrating to NZ from elsewhere? Is it common for people to emigrate there?
Tourist are very well treated (Tourism is a major part of the economy) and very little (if any) resentment is shown imho - we like tourist.
Immigration is common and in fact the current rate of immigration is equal to the birthrate!
Generally new arrivals are welcomed (especially those of european background - who most do not even notice) although as I have said Asians have been targeted in recent years
Thinking ahead several years, what's it like living there? Large cities, industrial, urban areas? Mostly rural? High-speed Internet access? How's the job market there?
New Zealand has the worlds highest per capita internet access, and in most cases the internet (and phone) service is good. In the urban centers hi-speed broadband, optic and satelite connections are common.
The cities are well developed and Auckland is as good as any metropolis in the world (with its population of 1 million odd.)
The other cities have an excellent mix of urban and rural which is what I like about themn (you can go from hi-tech shopping mall or hirise office towers to a vineyard or farm in less than 1/2hour)
What do most people do (career-wise)? Farmers, agriculture or are there a lot of professional jobs available? I work in computers (system/network admin). Are there any computer companies there?
Farming is probably one of the smaller indutries in terms of actual employment with far more people involved in the service sector and a good number in manufacturing.
NZ is also a leader in Hi-tech computer systems with quite a few innovations coming out of Christchurch (Canterbury) in particular
see
http://www.computerindustry.co.nz/ for more
How's the economy? Socialized medecine must be nice. How are taxes?
Economy is okay - but being small is dependent on the rest of the world - Goods and Services tax 12.5% on all purchases income tax from 18% - 38%.
Hospital system good but some waiting lists for elective surgery.
Education - excellent although Teachers underpaid (ps I'm a trained teacher - though not working in schools atm )
What's the typical price for a 2 bedroom apartment? A house? Obviously this depends on a lot of different factors (location, size, etc.), but I just wanted an idea.
Where I live (small rural town average rent for a 2 bedroom house is about $120 (weekly) and prices range from about 50 - 100000
I'm not sure but prices in Auckland would be about 2 to 3 times greater
Finally (for those that have read this far), what's the best thing about NZ? What's the worst?
Best - its the greatest country in the world
Worst - its so far from everywhere else
) so yeah come visit and spend you money here
!
