LoCarb

I suppose only 3.5 mil backpackers make NZ tick then.

"BTW Daren Grover who manages P.J. is British"

Well, NZ was mostly populated by the British, so I'm not surprised to find one or two, plus, that's where Kiwi's get their lovely personality from. It's all in the genes you know

BEVS

I actually do not understand this post in terms of who is helping and volunteering at the stranding.

FWIW Most Kiwis prefer to somehow or other ID with Scotland. Grover is English which most Kiwis prefer not to ID with for whatever reason.

In any case, the strandings up at Farewell will have volunteers from all around the world. It ain't a Kiwi thing.

Incidentally, Project Jonah was founded by Joan McIntyre in California 1972. The NZ chapter came into being in 1974. Steve Whitehouse was one of those founders here in NZ . You won't see that acknowledgement in any PJ manual because of the political infighting & politics these years. Just like the driving here, certain organisations will simply not share the same space together nicely for the good of the whales, allowing the best drivers to lead along the rocky road whilst being happy to bring up the rear group of volunteers. That makes me sad as quite some considerable expertise and knowledge that could be used is cut out of the picture & poor decision making, by those not so able, is then made. I have actually seen an expert in the field prevented from attending. I also know one organisation with people in NZ who were not and have not been alerted to attend. Makes no sense as at such a time we need all the experise we can get. This is no reflection on the medics or the volunteers. It is just how it currently is and has been for years and I everlastingly hope that will change somehow.

Anyway. Apologies to Genesis for taking the thread off topic. If needs be, I can split the thread and give myself a dunce hat and time in the naughty corner.

LoCarb

Don't split on my account.

I've finished my contribution.

BEVS

H'okay. Me too.
If you don't see me tomorrow ,it is because there is now a new stranding threat so we will head out at first light if this has happened. there is no need.

smudge1

When I first arrived in NZ I was shocked at the level of management inefficiency and bullying that went on in the workplace. I had never come across such things in my 30 plus years of working in UK. It seems that managers are made managers due to the length of time they have been with a company, regardless of competency, or if they are in with the 'in crowd' higher management. In my experience the women were actually worse than the men and it was always the useless, clueless ones who bullied the most. I left several jobs in those first few years because I couldn't bear working under those conditions. Some days I found myself wandering the streets in tears during my lunchtime. It certainly didn't help towards my settling in to NZ. Thankfully, I finally found a wonderful job within a university and have been very happy there for the past 7 years or so. Such a difference being surrounded by educated and intelligent people.

Genesis

Sorry to hear about your sad experience, I did the tears thing too, in my panda car, imagine it, a copper in full uniform, driving his panda car (on his own I add), blubbing his eyes out cos of the nasty, vindictive bastards I worked with, who drove me to the point of significant mental unhealth. Hateful, hateful people. And MY crime? I was not prepared to be corrupt. God, it is unbelievable, after Op Countryman in the 70s, the Brixton riots, the catalyst for birth of PACE in 1984 (a code of practice for transparent and accountable behaviour), that in the 90s you still had, in certain stations (in the Met anyway) a hot bed of out of control, corrupt, lying coppers who relied wholly on the 'Ways and means act' to achieve what they thought was stirling police work. Rant over. Should have gone to the papers or written a book/s like an ex inspector called Charle Owen did. Fantastic reads by the way.

smudge1

That is so awful. It really is just terrible what some so-called humans are capable of. I can empathise with you..there is nothing worse than that feeling of utter helplessness and hopelessness. I guess the only positive thing to come out of experiences like that is that we really do out stronger at the end of the day. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and all that. And it's never too late to write your book too you know! 👍

Bo-Jangles

It seems that having a lack of any trust, tolerance or empathy for others is a quality to aspire to in the NZ workplace and the old 'harden up' attitude certainly comes to the fore. Being a tough cookie is a highly regarded attribute generally in NZ and seems to go a long way in helping people to get promotion to more senior positions.

It's like a sport and people enjoy testing the metal and undermining the success, mental health and well-being of other people around them.

smudge1

Sad but true 😢

Genesis

Thank you. I am indeed a great believer that strength does come from adversity.

sr71

I'd disagree with that, I think many Kiwi's are equally frustrated with the driving standards.

According to that report, bullying seems to be most concentrated in councils, healthcare, government departments - which isn't surprising.

I haven't seen it in any companies or schools

Robbie2010

Kiwi's are only frustrated by the driving standards of foreign(Asian) tourists ... they were moaning about them on the radio again this evening.

sr71

Yeah, there seems to be that xenophobic element (and that ridiculous suggestion about setting tests for foreigners), but more than a few complain about lane discipline and people not being considerate.

bourbon-biscuit

6. Outside of the urban centers you wait a long time in the ditch for the ambulance and then it's a long wait to the hospital.

BEVS

.....but you might get to ride in a helicopter.