Not real diamonds LOL. The painted ones ...

So as I understand it, if a pedestrian is standing at the crossing waiting to cross the road and a driver has not yet reached the diamond in the road then the driver needs to stop.

If the driver has already gone past the diamond, and a pedestrian arrives at the crossing, then the pedestrian needs to wait for the car to pass before stepping out into the road.

But here in NZ it seems to be different. Pedestrians just walk and because its a pedestrian crossing they expect cars to stop, no matter where the car is. They will walk thinking that they have right of way.

IMO cars are not expected to stop for pedestrians who are walking to/approaching a crossing either, but it sure seems to look like its expected driving behavior to always stop. Whats the real meaning of these diamonds here in NZ, it seems they serve no purpose.

What are your thoughts?

PS: I never got my license in NZ, I just transferred it here so never actually "took the test" here. Therefore my assumptions are based on how I was taught to drive.