Completely untrue. I just don't find whiners appealing in the slightest. (that would be you, in case I have to point it out)

Have to say I've always had good enough jobs where I've never been poor, but I'm not one to fritter money away just because I have it. Even if you're sensible with money, London is still expensive.

I was walking barefoot as I'd had to take my heels off as they were rubbing. Satisfied? (probably not, you'll try to twist even that, my point was to illustrate that the streets of downtown Chicago are clean)

I know what you mean, it's sad sad people who choose to live with that much hate and bitterness in them.

Hi I have to wonder as to why people need to keep moving on unless they r running away from something or havnt found what they r looking for but then do they really know what they r looking for u only get one shot at life and have to go for it.Although I find nz a struggle financially the place far out weighs Uk and is such a beautiful chill out.

It is chilled isn't it? Very little stress in my life..apart from over zealous littlies!!!!! We all have struggles in life aye? The struggles in relation to NZ while not fiscal are worth bearing for the simple fact that I am here, enjoying life far more than I was in Northampton

I guess I was looking for stuff/something, took me a long time to find it but it was worth the wait. Never, ever felt so content.

Its funny but some posters get so bloody wound up and nasty when they hear of someone who dares to speak highly of NZ (even when they admit the place is full of issues and is way from perfect) and who is whole heartedly enjoying their new life.

Why mock people who are content? I wish they would find some happiness and stop moaning. One wonders do they any control over their lives?

In all fairness this is a discussion forum, and you can't really have a discussion where we all agree. Then, the forum may becomes bland and self-serving.

Also, it's worth remembering that folks come on here to let off steam and say the things which they may be unable to say at work, for example. That's healthy and should be encouraged, not attacked.

Living in NZ should not be an either or question. You don't have to feel that you need say positive things about the place, or if you don't then there must be something wrong with you, or that you should simply leave. That's confused thinking. Folks are free to air whatever they feel at a particular moment.

The fact that people come all the way across the world to NZ means that in the first instance they decided that they wanted something different to what they had. This in itself makes for someone who cares about where they live and what they do. That type of person will be the type who can analyse or be critical of some things. That's also okay.

There are loads of things I enjoy about NZ - especially the softness of the place compared to how it is in the UK now. After spending a few weeks back there this year, I can appreciate this. I can also appreciate that the shops and supermarkets are much more exciting back in the UK. I also feel that NZ may be rather bland in comparison with Europe. So maybe I may (or may not) decide to move on eventually. However, at the moment it is interesting and enjoyable reading what others feel. Keep writing!

I admit discussion is good, it's just not possible for everyone to agree on everything and think how boring the world would be if we did.

However one of the things that puts me off this forum at times is when criticism and opinion descend into personal insults. I come on here to learn about NZ and find it interesting to hear from all sides whether the person is happy there or not as long as it is constructive and considered. I think I've written before that I especially want to know about the negatives so I know what to expect!
We all need to let off steam every now and again and have a good rant. If this is the only place someone can do it then fair enough but that should not extend to attacking someone personally.

I think Katypie wrote a very well balanced post about NZ and her thoughts on the country which a certain someone took as an excuse to launch a personal attack. What was written did not read as just letting off steam.
If I'd come in for that abuse after only my second post I doubt I'd consider this place as somewhere worth coming back to :curse:

Sue

[ Keep writing![/QUOTE]



Sure, totally agree, I just wish the 'bitter ones' would just stop the nasty, acidic comments that serve no one any good....they infact trun people away from this forum.

Vent all you like..have your cathartic release but why abuse and mock people??

aside from all the mocking -
my wife and i are moving on....for countless reasons. i'm pleased for the people who are happy here, but like the poster in 'flight of the conchords says: 'New Zealand; don't expect too much, you'll love it!'
Institutionalised racism is certainly here.
Journalism is limited and freedom of speech, at point of broadcast is really tight - believe it or not. I work as a journalist, and what we're allowed to discuss may be free, but we are encouraged to 'temper things down' and to instill Kiwi pride etc. I write for a national, so it's unbelievable that infant deaths/murders and the like, get intentionally overlooked so as not to bring the country into disripute. We'll run a story on a cute 13 year old working on a farm, but not discuss the 3 toddlers that were murdered in the previous fortnight - aside from the ones you may have heard about.
Murders and rapes also go unreported in the media, I believe for the same reasons.
When the world is protesting China's Human Rights Record, the Kiwi Government signs a free trade agreement and Helen Clarke, smiling declares that 'China just has a different way of approaching the media' When pressed to discuss their HR situation and handling of Tibetan protests. At least Bush (I can't believe I'm saying this) At least he is opening a d*ckhead and sort of says 'you may not like this, but it's being done for the country's own good' Kiwi policy is to sweep issues under the carpet - natural bed partners for China then!
Poison is everywhere - 1080, being used to kill off the possum (which is another aspect of misinformation) yes, 1080, is in the majority of public parks and walk ways - where children play - it indescriminately kills everything, not just possums - in order to protect Kiwi Birds and native plants - meanwhile other native birds are kulled to protect money making tropical gardens, housing imported plants!
the contradictions to the national identity, as being green, open and a transparent nation are just too many.
services are lousy, taxes are disproportionate, communications, internet etc is laughable, and yet they repeat like a mantra that New Zealand is a world leader.
Perhaps this has turned into a rant, and I apologise for that, but there is so much wrong here, which is ok, but the fact that it is lied about, covered up and not admitted is the worst element of any society - ignoring the reality to preserve mediocrity is no way to progress.
Like I said, a beautiful country to retire to, or to holiday in - but my tickets are booked, and i Only joined this forum to discourage people from investing time and money in a country that promises so much and delivers 75% -

Another excellent post. I can certainly attest to the bizarre need to cover up murder cases here in NZ. My husband has started working for the Dept of Corrections and his project is to manage the influx of criminals and basically assign them to beds as the prisons, particularly in Auckland are very over crowded. He is surprised at the high number of murderers and violent criminals and how many child offenders that there are, whom need to be segregated, but the issue is space. Its a very hush-hush issue and I find it surprising that the media takes such a HUGE interest in a bloody squid than highlight some of the more serious issues. I only watch BBC world on the television because as I've stated previously I will go nuts with the isolation. But when all is said and done, the majority of people that reside in NZ are in fairness people that got their news from tabloids, such as The Sun, so therefore are none too worried with the lack of good journalism. Which is fair enough for them, not to great for everyone else.

Thanks for posting.

I quite agree with what you say. I'm glad you've brought up the quality of the journalism because that speaks volumes to the tenor of the culture, the corruptability of the media, and the deception of a government that seems most concerned with image. Even people on this board who say they are happy with their lot in NZ will admit to the dreadful quality of the news. I don't think the poor quality of the journalism is something that should be shrugged off lightly, in fact, it calls into question a lot of what is *perceived* to be the quality of life here. Too often I've read the excuse that "not much happens here." It's a country with a high crime rate, extremely high child abuse rates, etc., etc., and myriad social problems (esp. considering its low population) and there's not much to investigate or report?!

Yeah but the beaches are empty!!!

Its daft to try to discourage people to come..let them make up their own minds. Tell them what you perceive to be the negatives..some are very true and apparent, other points you mention are in no way apparent whatsoever....media in a stranglehold? I have read loads of murders in the NZ press but I think I missed your article on the cute girl.

And pray tell me which bastion of righteousness does not have any number of the problems you mention?

NZ has shit loads of issues..just like most places if not all places. We have problems others don't.......we don't have problems others do. No one is fool enough to try to paint NZ as perfect..far from it. Its just another little place that offers a 'different' way of life that is not attainable for a large group of people in their country of origin.

NO ONE expects NZ to be perfect but to try to dissuade people from coming? Isn't that your own type of censorship??

Most of us are adults. Let us find out for ourselves. You wouldn't want us in a nanny state would you?

NZ failed you, it has failed many before you with respect to expectations and quality of life...I am sure it will fail many more in the future.

Each to his/her own aye??

thanks for the support on what i thought may be considered a 'too negative' post. i have also found that it is very difficult to contradict or critcise a kiwi - I'm a very stereo-typical over polite englishman, who has come out of my shell - i'm not rude, abrasive or arrogant in complaints - but even the slightest issue with anything - in many areas, is met with 'defense' and upset anger, rather with an apology or attempts to rectify a situation - as if it's seen that blame is needed, not a fix - i hope that makes sense? "it's not my fault." instead of '"oh right, let's fix this" is very frustrating; i'm not into blame, just progress!
the issue with the media and the argument of this being a small inward looking country is a nonsense! whilst it's true that it's a small country with 'not much news' in terms of international affairs - the domestic issues are ignored and the international dealings are terribly veiled and secretive - the use of chinese sweatshops for air new zealand products to name just one issue that is sheened over - when boasting of the greatness of the country.
we can all be great when we subjogate other nations - sure there are more politically bullying countries in the world, but certainly those in the west have avenues for opposition and forums for debate - in new zealand there is little if any form of alternative media - i pressed a media company ceo on this issue and was told 'there is no room for satire or conflict in New Zealand'! Honestly, this was a big contributing factor to my decision in leaving.
other small and isolated countries, Iceland, for example, may have limited resources and such, but they still continue to look outward, internationally, for influence and growth and news. new zealand, in my opinion, continues to be happy recieving C grades, whilst lying to the parents that it's been getting A's, or when caught out, will blame anything but it's own behaviour.
how many countries in the world would continue to use the same finanace ministers when they made a huge error to the tune of 600 million dollars! (oops, she'll be right wouldn't wash anywhere else in the world)
Most of all I am angry at myself for not being more analytical before arriving here. Sure Kiwis read more magazines than most countries, but the magazines they read are 'womans world' 'ok' and all those photo celeb rags -
they have more deaths on the road per capita than almost any other country - but they won't invest in railway crossings or better markings - the drink driving records are amongst the highest in the world.
racism is institutional - 'just the way it is' said one guy when pressed, don't come here expecting a fair go if you're dark skinned. I am sorry to report, that is fact proven by all sorts of research from external and internal studies - check it out yourself online.
They also boast innovation - which is a nonsense - I was discussing commerce with several people, and one of the largest companies here in NZ, (the general manager) informed me that they weren't interested in pressing further, since that would lead to 'international competition) there was a general murmur of agreement.
On the day that some international records show 80 people murdered by Chinese police in Tibet, Zimabwee was in turmoil, a bomb exploded in Spain, another rape in Katia here in NZ (two 14 year olds charged, on an elderly lady)- the front page of the New Zealand Herald newspaper was of two smiling kiwis, who had landed a huge fish. - 'You must see there's something wrong with that?' I said to a Kiwi mate. "come on," he said "we don't want bad news all the time."
he's right, but SOME news would be useful, and if it were balanced out that would also reflect well on the nations intent on being informed and educated, rather than wanting to go fishing.
Sorry, again for ranting - but when the world complains about the American being wilfully ignorant they should check out NZ

This is exceedingly serious. Please supply further details. I intend to follow this up.

Genisis-
You're right of course, nowhere is utopian, but not all boast so readily of their perfections without addressing, publically, their failings, New Zealand is by far the guiltiest of all the Western countries I've visited for sticking it's head in the sand.
As for discouraging people? - Well, when the expense of immigration, moving and all that are considered, I would certainly do all I could to prevent people from buying a 'one way ticket' as mentioned in another thread - when the exchange rates, taxes and such mean it's very difficult to head to another country when it all turns out 'not as promised' I've spoken with many people, feeling stranded here - financially bound - if I can suggest people don't place their hand in the fire, and express my opinions then I will -
I'm lucky enough not to have invested too much here and can afford to get out.

Hokey pokey -
at the tropical gardens in whangarei - they got rid of all the pukekos (natives) to grow imported plants that they were gobbling up. Yes 'only pukekos' but still native and precious, no?

I thought you were a journalist ?