Is life in NZ like this

[Badprop]

Hi guys

I have found this question on another site and as there are some of you in NZ and can maybe give some input here, I am going to copy the whole post here.  I have also put a link on that site to this one so we can read what each other say about this. 

My only point of reference when it comes to being an expat is my move to the US and a few vacation trips to Europe; however, I know of so many SAfricans that have moved to New Zealand. I saw this on another expat forum this morning and I was wondering whether any SA expats sometimes visit this forum and could give their input on this:

"My life of hell in New Zeland as a Brit expat can be summed up as follows:

NZ Pros

1. Beautiful countryside.
2. Lovely coastline.
3. ?

NZ Cons

1. Very poor education system.
2. Racism.
3. Very expensive.
4. Poor standard of housing.
5. You pay for EVERYTHING. No freebies what so ever.
6. Weather no better than the UK (NZ winters are warmer, but you freeze in the poor quality housing)
7. Sport is the most important thing to the majority of New Zealanders and dominates the news 24/7.
8. Poor quality and choice when food shopping.
9. Non existant Customer Service.
10. Very poor child welfare (1 in 5 NZ children live in poverty below that of a 3rd world country) Beating (not smacking) children acceptable.
11. Poorly paid jobs.
12. *** TV.
13. High level of domestic violence.
14. High level of violent and drug crime.
15. Poor driving standards. You can drive at 15 and car insurance is not a legal requirement.
16. Power prices i.e gas & electric high, BUT are increased during the winter so that the companies make more profit.
17. The highest mobile telephone charges in the world! OFFICIAL!
18. Did I mention the *** houses?

I could go on and on. As an American you will be horrified when you get here. Americans are detested by the average New Zealander. My wife and I have been astounded by the "anti American" comments that we have heard from our New Zealand friends.

Oh and if you think that us Brits have bad teeth........Oh boy are you in for some fun at the local New Zealand "Big smile competition" LOL

Think very hard before you come out here. Speak to as many folk as you can who have moved here BUT then returned HOME."

Is NZ really this bad?! 

http://www.sausa.org/index.php?showtopic=4614&hl=
Just to clear it up for you guys here, I have been on this site for a very long time and thereby know that the poster is asking in genuine interest.

Slaptjips if you read this, ignore the Brits sites this one is the best.  

[jafa77]

This is typical rubbish that you get from the Brits. Whinging poms must go HOME if they dont like it.

From a SA perspective, you will love NZ. No, its not perfect but compared to SA its paradise. I will add a few posts in a moment.

[nazmahomed]

There are a whole lot of reasons why the Brits would feel differently about NZ than us. They come from a land where lots of things are free and they earn more money etc....we have none of this. They take things for granted whereas we will be more inclined to appreciate whats on offer as we never had that here.....and having said that, there are also thousands of Brits in NZ who will never go back for anything in the world....different strokes for different folks

[jafa77]

yes, NZ has a housing insulation problem with old houses.

small country, small market, so compared to huge shops in UK things will seem more expensive.

yes, salaries are lower than UK.

weather is not as bad as UK. I lived in UK. I love cold though....

customer service? Compared to SA this is excellent. Compared to UK probably not so great.

TV....compared to SA its brilliant. Compared to UK probably not as good as BBC channels (remember small population, small market, not so much cash for programs)

Poor driving......a zillion times better than SA.

Violent crime......maybe slightly higher than UK (Maori gangs) but 70 murders a year compared to 25000 in SA.

Racism? get over it.

Sport is important here but same in SA.

I could go on. Ignore this post. Some aspects are true compared to UK but not to SA.

[Happy Expat]

This is typical rubbish that you get from the Brits. Whinging poms must go HOME if they dont like it.

From a SA perspective, you will love NZ. No, its not perfect but compared to SA its paradise. I will add a few posts in a moment.

I have to say Ditto on this comment

I lived in the UK for 4 years and had to leave (amoung other reasons) to get away from their constant whinging about everything. They are never happy

They would complain about NZ after having it so good in the UK, but because they are never happy, they just had to move for a "better life" and they still complain ??

This subject just winds me up, so I'll just shut up now

[Nolan]

Badprop, your link is just wrong though - you linked to our site? Maybe you could just edit that to the correct one please?

I have also found that you can't compare notes with the Brits - one reason why I never visit the British Expats site anymore. They have a completely differeny frame of reference to us. A South African will tell you one thing about NZ and a Brit will immediately tell you hoq *** the same thing is. Methinksthat sometimes they need to shut up or go home if it is so good in the UK. Let's not make the same mistake when we finally get there.

[nazmahomed]

Whinging Poms....they really hate being called that, and yet thats exactly what they are

[Happy Expat]

Thankfully, I haven't met any SAn's that whinge when they are living here All just seem way to grateful to be out of SA

[jafa77]

The Brits I know and teach with are split into two camps: Those who miss "home" and talk badly about NZ, and those who have settled here, raising kids, love the outdoor lifestyle and call this home.

We must not make the same mistake.

I teach with some Saffers who annoy me with their constant talk of 'home'. NZ is my home, and what a wonderful home it is.

[Badprop]

Link has been corrected, sorry

[nazmahomed]

I really do believe that an attitude like that will take us all along way in living happy lives in NZ. No point pining over what could have been....its best to look at what we have and the happy days ahead...

[Rhodan]

From a SA perspective, you will love NZ. No, its not perfect but compared to SA its paradise.

Spot on ! 

I think that's all there is too say about that post. The poms will whinge and complain about everything, compared to the UK.

As Saffers, we have the best reasons in the world to leave SA.

[Nolan]

We have to promise ourselves that we will integrate and become Kiwis when we arrive and promise to never bitch or compare because we have come to NZ by choice and priveledge, so owe it to the Kiwis to do so.

[Badprop]

I would like to add my 2c worth here.

1. Very poor education system.  ? As apposed to...?
2. Racism.  What country doesn't have it?  And would NZ be number 2 on the list of peaceful countries if it was that bad?
3. Very expensive.  Granted 
4. Poor standard of housing. You get what you pay for and SA is moving there so it will improve 
5. You pay for EVERYTHING. No freebies what so ever.  Sheap sc....
6. Weather no better than the UK (NZ winters are warmer, but you freeze in the poor quality housing)  Rubbish 
7. Sport is the most important thing to the majority of New Zealanders and dominates the news 24/7.  DHUU what else is more important?
8. Poor quality and choice when food shopping.  Have you been to Fruit and Veg in Toti?
9. Non existant Customer Service. Have you been to Spur lately?
10. Very poor child welfare (1 in 5 NZ children live in poverty below that of a 3rd world country) Beating (not smacking) children acceptable.  Where the hell does she get her facts from?  En as my kleintjie stout is brand sy boud.
11. Poorly paid jobs.  There is endless opportunity to make a living.  The market is open for creativity.  Just read our posting on how we are going to make it rich!
12. *** TV.  That's why you have a pc and you don't have to put up with repeats
13. High level of domestic violence.  Have you seen the violence at the schools and hospitals this week. 
14. High level of violent and drug crime.  Umm 50 people a day in SA?  Get real.
15. Poor driving standards. You can drive at 15 and car insurance is not a legal requirement. The speed limit is 100km now how many accidents are you going to have on the slow coach.
16. Power prices i.e gas & electric high, BUT are increased during the winter so that the companies make more profit.  Happy what are the prices again?
17. The highest mobile telephone charges in the world! OFFICIAL! But local calls are FREE Free Free  read this again Free that means internet connections are FREEEEE
18. Did I mention the *** houses?Huh  And you where staying in a mansion in London correct.

[jafa77]

when I moved to UK from SA I found things very very expensive. I really dont find NZ that expensive, except for alcohol and smokes (I dont smoke).

You have good schools and bad schools, you decide where your kids go.