Duncan Haldane
Explorer
Tonguez said:
I think you mean Queenstown, not Queensland? Unless they changed the name in the last couple of months ;-)
Duncan
[OT] Advice/thoughts on New Zealand
- Thread starter LeshPhilling
- Start date
I think you mean Queenstown, not Queensland? Unless they changed the name in the last couple of months ;-)
Duncan
Duncan Haldane
Explorer
Tonguez said:
$120 for rent is per week, isn't it?
(in the US it's often discussed as an amount per month, so I wanted to reduce confusion).
Duncan
Cam Banks
Adventurer
I'm an ex-patriate New Zealander. Lived there from birth until I was 25, emigrated to the USA to get married. 
One piece of information I'll share with you regarding Auckland, where I'm originally from, is that the climate is very very similar to that in the Bay Area. They even have similar foliage. Don't expect it to get too hot or too cold there. The further south you go, the colder it gets, seasonally.
The North Island is referred to as "the North Island", the South Island is referred to as "the South Island". There is a great deal of provincial pride in New Zealand, whether you're from the Waikato, Canterbury, Northland, or wherever. I noticed that Aucklanders are regarded as a little snooty by the rest of the country, but it's mainly because Auckland is the biggest city (and has more people living in it than the entire South Island) and therefore the most cosmopolitan. Then again, it also has the highest crime rate, but in New Zealand that's still relative.
I hope you enjoy your trip. Planning is a lot of fun, also. Don't be afraid to spend a lot of time in one or two places - a whirlwind tourist spin might not be as satisfying. For a country as small as New Zealand, there is an awful lot to see and do.
Cheers,
Cam
PS: Whatever you do, never confuse us in any way, shape or form with Australians. Sure, we may sound alike, but that's like confusing United States residents with Canadians. Bound to cause a little trouble.
One piece of information I'll share with you regarding Auckland, where I'm originally from, is that the climate is very very similar to that in the Bay Area. They even have similar foliage. Don't expect it to get too hot or too cold there. The further south you go, the colder it gets, seasonally.
The North Island is referred to as "the North Island", the South Island is referred to as "the South Island". There is a great deal of provincial pride in New Zealand, whether you're from the Waikato, Canterbury, Northland, or wherever. I noticed that Aucklanders are regarded as a little snooty by the rest of the country, but it's mainly because Auckland is the biggest city (and has more people living in it than the entire South Island) and therefore the most cosmopolitan. Then again, it also has the highest crime rate, but in New Zealand that's still relative.
I hope you enjoy your trip. Planning is a lot of fun, also. Don't be afraid to spend a lot of time in one or two places - a whirlwind tourist spin might not be as satisfying. For a country as small as New Zealand, there is an awful lot to see and do.
Cheers,
Cam
PS: Whatever you do, never confuse us in any way, shape or form with Australians. Sure, we may sound alike, but that's like confusing United States residents with Canadians. Bound to cause a little trouble.
mirzabah
First Post
Heh! You know how there are "Don't shoot me I'm Canadian" T-Shirts? Well there isn't really an NZ/Aus equivalent, but the attitude's about the sameCam Banks said:
If you mistake an Australian for a Kiwi, you'll get a chuckle. If you mistake a New Zealander for an Australian, you'll get a look that could freeze a gorgon at a 100 paces.There's also this weird cultural appropriation thing that the Australian media does, which, as an Australian, I have to say is pretty sad. If a NZ actor/director/musician/artist/whatever so much as stops over in Australia on their way to fame and fortune in the US or in Europe, then they're suddenly full-blooded, dinky-di, true-blue, ridgy-didge Australians that just happen to have been born on the wrong side of the Tasman. It doesn't matter if they were completely ignored while they were here in Australia, once they're famous, wherever they're famous, they're ours.
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LeshPhilling
First Post
Thanks for answering all of my questions. The more I read, the more I like. I can't wait to visit next year.
This sounds like one of the best reasons, not one of the worst.
Tonguez said:
This sounds like one of the best reasons, not one of the worst.
Infinite Monkey@Work
First Post
I'm also a Kiwi, from Otago (South Island).
Interesting fact about NZ : I believe its the only country in the world with all the major climate types, from tropical to arctic, plus desert, rain forest, alpine etc.
The best thing about NZ in my opinion (especially having been to USA) is that everyone is friendly, unless you give them a reason not to be
My wife works in retail, and from her stories about american tourist customers, my most important advice would be to return the favour.
The worst thing is that we are so far away, which means that imported and luxury items tend to cost a more.
As others have said, NZ is fully developed, so getting a job in whatever industry you desire shouldn't be a problem. Most IT type jobs are in Auckland, although there are still plenty in the other major cities.
Interesting fact about NZ : I believe its the only country in the world with all the major climate types, from tropical to arctic, plus desert, rain forest, alpine etc.
The best thing about NZ in my opinion (especially having been to USA) is that everyone is friendly, unless you give them a reason not to be
My wife works in retail, and from her stories about american tourist customers, my most important advice would be to return the favour.
The worst thing is that we are so far away, which means that imported and luxury items tend to cost a more.
As others have said, NZ is fully developed, so getting a job in whatever industry you desire shouldn't be a problem. Most IT type jobs are in Auckland, although there are still plenty in the other major cities.
Infinite Monkey@Work
First Post
Oh, and while my numbers may be off, at one time I think there were about 90 million sheep to 3 million people. But sheep farming isn't as big as it used to be, so now we are probably only outnumbered 3 to 1
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