New Zealand

[bluethrunthru]

There are a series of TV ad's on about New Zealand and promoting it as a fantastically inclusive and understanding country. Jacinda Ardern is on record as saying its about people and not about money in her country. They handled Covid very well indeed. In terms of harmony its the only place I can see where "white" settlers have gone there and adopted the indigenous culture to actually do things like the Haka before huge cultural and international events as well as more local things.
If you look across the rest of the world its all so fractious and nasty - why the difference?

 

[Wafty Cranker]

I could be way over simplifying this, but I think Rugby massively brings them together, it's also a different style and pace of life. I think it's a bit more chilled out over there.

One thing that I would say is that the European diet hasn't exactly helped the Maori people out and there are a lot more overweight maoris and islanders. I also believe they have much higher unemployment rates. For those people that like to to measure by equality of outcomes you''ll finds lots of measures where it's far from equal.

If it's an advert you're watching, you're probably not quite getting the full picture, but I see where you're coming from.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

There is a brilliant film called Once Were Warriors that maybe provides a truer reflection of life there than a promotional advert does. Give it a watch.

 

[bennyboy]

Have they ever had a Maori prime minister.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I'm not sure that in the early days the indigenous people were treated any better than in the US, Canada or Australia. Maybe in recent years they have been. Would be interesting to get the views of our NZ blues.

 

[Fred_Quimby]

As some may know we spend about 3 months a year over there. Great country. Generally people obey the law, very little speeding, quite laid back. Just love it over there. The indigenous people, Maori, have lived there longer although they were immigrants. The Treaty of Waitangi gives the Maori some right in law but even these are being reinterpreted into a ‘fairer’ language, too much ambiguity. Kiwis are a much friendlier nation than we are - think Manc but better. I think the unemployment rate, pre Covid, was about 5% so higher than here. They are still short of skilled ‘tradies’ so if you have a trade you will be welcomed. Inflation higher than over here and cost of living is a good bit higher.

 

[Bill Walker]

I love NZ.
Been there many times.
Its a lovely peaceful place to live. Freindly people.
But a bit lacking in opportunity, a lot of the younger Kiwi's end up in Australia.
We can live and work in each other's country.
It's freezing in winter though, my mate lives in Wellington and tries to escape the winter, similar climate to the Australian island state of Tasmania.... and bloody expensive.
Property is very dear.

I seriously thought about retirement there, but the cost of living put me off.

Jacinda, the PM, is very socialist so if you're right wing leaning you will probably hate her :)

 

[Ant]

Lived here for nearly 20 years now. Moved from the UK. As a Tradie (Sparkie) just so much work. It's odd that in a old magazine called North and South ( named after the 2 Islands) people were recommending there offspring to get trades rather than other professions... great people awesome weather even in winter its chilly but we need seasons in our life. Kiwis are hard working people. The comment re Once we were Warriors is a little simplistic. There are many areas all around the world very similar to this and I can assure you it's not all this prevelant a little dramatic movie. As for the PM Jacinda I have to say I didnt vote for her but an very proud to say I'm a Kiwi now and she reflects compassion on a big scale . She showed it during the aftermath of the horrific Mosque shootings in CHCH . The Maori were not indigenous. They travelled from the islands prior to the Europeans arriving. Egg chasing (Rugby) really does keep the country together. I have sat in many an AB rugby game with fans from the opposition side and never ever have I seen any trouble. You can drink beer sat in your seat. Would I move back to the UK. I dont ever think so. And I must add I lived in the US and CHina and japan in my few years before Aotearoa. It a pretty cool place.

 

[Southern]

Heard the people are ‘thin lipped’

 

[mccity]

Did you know Lord of The Rings was filmed in New Zealand?