Do's and Don'ts in New Zealand?

Forums › Off topic › Do's and Don'ts in New Zealand?

jarledb

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#121019 21-Jun-2013 09:46

Less than two months until this norwegian will be moving to New Zealand: I have already gotten good advice here on the important things in life (Which mobile network to use, which ISP to use, good Hi-fi shops etc).

I reckon its time to ask about the do's and don'ts of New Zealand. And I hope you can help me.

What should I do and what should I absolutely not do?

From my Kiwi wife I have learnt that its dangerous to bundle you guys together with ozzies. Anything else I should avoid doing? And what should I absolutely do? Etiquette wise or otherwise?

Hope to get help from fellow migrants to New Zealand, as well as you true blood Kiwis.

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#840800 21-Jun-2013 09:49

Don't mistake the Pavolva for a Kiwi desert. We Aussies invented it. Also, Phar Lap was an Australian race horse, and we won the America's Cup long before the Kiwis ever did.

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#840803 21-Jun-2013 09:51

Don't believe what you hear about NZ being this haven of safety and you can go where you want, when you want, by yourself.

Just like anywhere else in the world, be smart. Don't go out by yourself at stupid hours in bad areas, or even good areas

A good strong handshake goes a long way. Get to know the All Blacks. Get to hate the Wallabies. Learn to be patient with the Black Caps and learn to dislike the All Whites and their knob of a coach.

What City are you moving to?

jarledb

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#840804 21-Jun-2013 09:52

SaltyNZ: Don't mistake the Pavolva for a Kiwi desert. We Aussies invented it. Also, Phar Lap was an Australian race horse, and we won the America's Cup long before the Kiwis ever did.

My wife thinks you got confused and is answering "what to do in Australia". ;)

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#840807 21-Jun-2013 09:54

Don't, please don't ask us about the sheep.

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#840808 21-Jun-2013 09:57

Always talk about underarm bowling when around Australians.

oh and being beaten at rugby by the Irish.

sittingduckz

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#840819 21-Jun-2013 10:01

jarledb:
SaltyNZ: Don't mistake the Pavolva for a Kiwi desert. We Aussies invented it. Also, Phar Lap was an Australian race horse, and we won the America's Cup long before the Kiwis ever did.

My wife thinks you got confused and is answering "what to do in Australia". ;)

Australians aren't too bright, and claim lots of NZ stuff :) (you can have Russell Crow)

I'm not a complete idiot, I still have some parts missing.

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#840820 21-Jun-2013 10:01

Do not wear shorts longer than half way to your knees, this is not weather dependent.

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jarledb

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#840826 21-Jun-2013 10:04

Kopkiwi: Don't believe what you hear about NZ being this haven of safety and you can go where you want, when you want, by yourself.

Being streetwise is always a good thing to do. I have grown up in and around a city the size of Auckland (Oslo), and it has its good and bad places. Stupidest thing you can do is get drunk and crawl around the bad areas..

Get to know the All Blacks. Get to hate the Wallabies. Learn to be patient with the Black Caps and learn to dislike the All Whites and their knob of a coach.

Here its soccer and winter sports that are the big gatherings.

What City are you moving to?

Will first stay in Napier for about a year, and then move on down to the Wellington area.

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#840827 21-Jun-2013 10:04

Tipping in the service industry is absolutely not expected :)

If you really want to then most people won't say no, but some may feel uncomfortable / embarrassed as it is not the norm.

jarledb

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#840828 21-Jun-2013 10:05

DarthKermit: Don't, please don't ask us about the sheep.

How many sheeps in NZ again? ;)

jarledb

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#840833 21-Jun-2013 10:11

Jemahl: Tipping in the service industry is absolutely not expected :)

If you really want to then most people won't say no, but some may feel uncomfortable / embarrassed as it is not the norm.

Thats a big american thing isn't it?

One thing that was very new to me in New Zealand was going to the counter to pay when you are out at a restaurant, the waiter comes to your table here.

They bring you a mobile terminal for paying, and you enter the total amount you want to pay (so you can include tip in your card payment).

Kopkiwi

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#840845 21-Jun-2013 10:20

jarledb:
Kopkiwi: Don't believe what you hear about NZ being this haven of safety and you can go where you want, when you want, by yourself.

Being streetwise is always a good thing to do. I have grown up in and around a city the size of Auckland (Oslo), and it has its good and bad places. Stupidest thing you can do is get drunk and crawl around the bad areas..

Get to know the All Blacks. Get to hate the Wallabies. Learn to be patient with the Black Caps and learn to dislike the All Whites and their knob of a coach.

Here its soccer and winter sports that are the big gatherings.

What City are you moving to?

Will first stay in Napier for about a year, and then move on down to the Wellington area.

Football. There is no such thing as soccer.

You do not have to jump on the All Whites bandwagon. They are rubbish and their coach is a joke.

Kopkiwi

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#840849 21-Jun-2013 10:21

jarledb:
Jemahl: Tipping in the service industry is absolutely not expected :)

If you really want to then most people won't say no, but some may feel uncomfortable / embarrassed as it is not the norm.

Thats a big american thing isn't it?

One thing that was very new to me in New Zealand was going to the counter to pay when you are out at a restaurant, the waiter comes to your table here.

They bring you a mobile terminal for paying, and you enter the total amount you want to pay (so you can include tip in your card payment).

Most places do that, just depends on where you are.

Food City, such as Wellington, most places will come to you for payment.

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#840852 21-Jun-2013 10:23

jarledb: Thats a big american thing isn't it?

Actually many countries have a tip % as a general rule. Not tipping is the exception.

One thing that was very new to me in New Zealand was going to the counter to pay when you are out at a restaurant, the waiter comes to your table here.

Yeh that sure is idiosyncratic here. Even in the fancier restaurants its generally accepted that you will pay up at the counter. Most will absolutely bring a bill to your table in the traditional folder style if you request it though.

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#840854 21-Jun-2013 10:23

Kiwi 'she'll be right' ingenuity is basically just a half-arsed job of something that should be done right.

Most Kiwi's don't really like negotiating (or maybe I'm just not subtle enough).

Kiwi's use the same swear words to describe someone good or bad.

Most tradesmen can be convinced to go far below a quote if you do a 'cashie' (aka off the books)

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