...and we find out about these how??? Thats it - ADVERTISING!!!! Can you imagine how much advertising $ went into the "Ultimate Driving Machine" branding? Do you REALLY think each and every car BMW produced REALLY was the Ultimate Driving Machine....?

Or perhaps some of it was just hype eh?

I don't think we should even worry about competing against Germany, we're playing in different leagues. Not because Germany is the nexus of Europe and New Zealand is the last stop for people heading to the barren, frozen wastelands of the south poll either.

We are just different peoples. They are focused on increasing their dominance both economically and politically over the European Union, we are focused on trying to make NovoPay work. We're not thinking on the same level they are and consequently we are definitely not playing in the same level.

We could if we really wanted to though.

haha can't believe you are comparing Germany with New Zealand, that's a bit like comparing Paris to the Invercargil.

sorry that was Invercargil not THE invercargil

I agree with all of that stuff but you can gat all of that in a lot of countries. The important thing is a good standard of living, good housing, cheap produce, a good social life, culture and family and friends. None of which we had in NZ.

It does get a bit boring doesn't it. If you think this is bad, don't wander into the Oz forum.

Love it or leave it!

Only insofar as NZ pushes its image and products in the same way as many other countries, Germany started out as just an example.

Sorry you had a poor experience here, what sweeping generalisations apply to your new life/country/circumstances?

Um ... was there not protests through the streets of Europe complaining about austerity last week?

In regards friends. I wonder if a change of attitude may have helped. I mean, if all you do is complain about the country, you're not going to endear yourself to the locals. I mean that quite seriously. And/or perhaps the locals may have sensed you were unhappy. It's a hard thing to hide.

For example, you don't believe you had a good standard of living here in NZ. Would that not come out in any friendships you acquired? Is that going to make you someone who is good to be around to a local who believes they do have a good standard of living and who are happy and who actually quite likes living in NZ and likes the country?

Not the type of Brits I would want to hang out with I would end up slashing my wrists

And the nice positive thread goes downhill and depressing again

Nobody else finds it striking that the only thing that NZ seem to offer is landscapes?

Why you still in Auckland????? , you must be such a joy to hang around with

Keep trying

Ah, getting personal now. That's all you can do if people don't agree with you?