Bo-Jangles

This time from foreigners that have lived here long-term, rather than visitors.

1. PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS RUBBISH
2. THE MOBILE INTERNET SPEEDS ARE FAST AND RELIABLE
3. EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE
4. ADMINISTRATION IS EFFICIENT
5. THERE'S NO CENTRAL HEATING, AND INSULATION IS RARE
6. IT'S HARD TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH KIWIS
7. NEW ZEALANDERS HAVE AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX

What shocks foreigners about living in New Zealand long-term? | Stuff.co.nz

As usual the comments on stuff are pure gold

Lisa Maree

I was reasonably surprised the comments seemed to more or less agree with the noted short-comings of NZ instead of the hackles up, blind defence of all things kiwi 'eff off back to where you came from if you don't like it' brigade

Kotare

As a cup half full person, I would look at the the internet and administration comments, especially the latter that impacts on everything.
Public transport is always going to be cr*p given a country bigger than uk with a small population and very limited capital.
Pleased they didn't bring up the usual 'beautiful landscape' comments.
If you want 'eff off' comments go to Scotland and Wales (as an English visitor) and criticise - so why expect nz to be different??

BEVS

True. Restores some faith that not all are defensive all the time.

Where is the kamikaze driving in the list ?

Norman Conquest

Driving standards are really bad. It's just bad basic driving skills. The driving license is far too easy to get. The real problem is Kiwi lack of awareness, which is why Kiwi industrial accident rates are far higher than Australia and Britain. This almost weird Kiwi lack of awareness, coupled with poor skills, is a lethal mixture on the roads.

Stormer999

So you are saying different nationalities of people have different levels of awareness......

MrsFychan

I'm not sure it is nowadays but the problem is lots of people do not come off the restricted licence and drive on that. I know a kiwi who has been on her restricted for over 20years and still has no inclination to change it

Charismatic

To be fair you can do as you please as long as you are doing it under the speed limit. Talking and texting while driving are national pass times. In fact I think I read something the other day about a plan to legalize the use of cell phones while driving again?

We are actually enjoying the halcyon days of bad driving because technology is sufficiently advanced to distract people but not to blinker them. One day self driving cars will end all of this and you'll yearn for somebody to spice up your drive to work by unexpectedly change lanes without looking and/or indicating or drive onto a roundabout they can't possibly hope to exit. You grandchildren will look at you in amazement as you explain how pushing pedals and pulling levers at the right time was the only thing between you and an accident...and you did it all one handed while talking to your mortgage broker about refinancing and drinking coffee from a cardboard cup. What a time to be alive .

Norman Conquest

The Australian six-stage license system should be followed. I agree that people driving on a restricted license for years is a major problem. It was announced a few months ago that tens of thousands of people are doing it - a high percentage of the total driving public (don't have the exact stats) I think the Govt has tightened up on that.

Another problem, I suspect, is that few Kiwis have received proper driving lessons from an accredited instructor. That's due to the cost, no doubt. As a result, they are being taught by family members or friends and most likely picking up other's bad driving habits.

Of course, nobody thinks bad driving applies to them. I think, perhaps, everyone should do a repeat driving test every ten years, five even, and it should be automatic if they are caught driving badly or are clearly lacking in competence. The police are quick enough to withdraw the license of an old person, even for a minor accident, but the policy should apply across the board.

Norman Conquest

Coroners, Police and H&S experts have long been aware that lack of awareness is a key factor in Kiwi accidents. Foreigners, especially those who have travelled with Kiwis, are very aware of it. Kiwis are not the only ones in this category, but there's no point in making comparisons with other countries. However, if New Zealanders do not recognize this feature, no matter how unpalatable if may be to the ego, they will not extend their radar and there will be no improvement to their risk management skills.

Stormer999

Lack of awareness is a key factor in accidents of ALL nations of people, yes I fully understand being NEBOSH accredited. To try to suggest that NZ born people are more prone is just bloody stupid. One minute you are suggesting an inborn gene then next minute you are suggesting better training. Having trained motorcyclists to attain their Institute of Advanced Motorists test passes in NZ and the UK I can assure you that the nationality of the Associate matters not in their mindset or risk and danger awareness but any trend to presume would be fatal.

Norman Conquest

I have not suggested Kiwis are more prone and I have not mentioned inborn genes. I have not made comparisons with other nations. Treat yourself to a proper, unemotional reading of my words. Don't call me "stupid". That's not in the spirit of the debate and you don't know me. But then, I am forgetting, if Kiwis are upset by an opinion, they often get abusive or violent.

Stormer999

That is exactly what you have suggested in your first post. I am not Kiwi though I would be happy to be. I do dislike peeps that come on to a forum in NZ and immediately start Kiwi bashing. I moved to NZ to integrate and live in this country and hopefully be accepted as one. Driving standards are poor in NZ due to training and not because "The real problem is Kiwi lack of awareness," as you suggest, neither am I "abusive or violent" and neither do I try to paint with the same brush.

Norman Conquest

I am not just talking about driving. It's New Zealand studies that have highlighted the awareness factor. It's not a criticism, it's an observation which deserves some serious consideration as to verity. Of course, Kiwis are quick to claim they are something special compared to the rest of the world, but are very thin skinned about the slightest thing they regard as criticism. I am a New Zealander, by the way.

Norman Conquest

I have lived in New Zealand a long, long time - in four different and widely separated locations and I don't remember home heating and insulation being complained about much, until quite recently. Perhaps that's because the climate has changed and it is now a lot damper and colder than it used to be. On the other hand, I have the impression, as one who has a lot of public contact, that a lot of Kiwis don't handle the cold too well. Perhaps we can add poor blood circulation to the list prominent medical conditions here. Also, a lot of people do not dress for the conditions.