I_Will_Freckle

the crazy left turning rule
taxis from auckland airport (should) charge a flat fare

Maz

And that MAF pick out the weirdest things to inspect. With us, it was bookshelves. Not the units themselves, mind, just the shelves that go in them.

Oh yeah, the fun with intersections, definitely! Do you call them junctions here, or intersections?

Something else - differences in terminology and phrases. Like "togs" for swimming gear, "jandals" etc.

irnbru14

Some random thoughs:
- When the clocks change for daylight saving
- Option available for mobile phones
- Options available for internet/home phone
- Where to get stuff! Some starter suggestions for supermarkets/stores/electrical, maybe even just a list of suitable company website for newbies to start from, you know such as Briscoes, Harvery Norman, Dick Smith, Warehouse etc
- Introduce Trade Me to people
- Car Buying/WOF etc etc
- Where to get those random things from home, so a list of places you can get UK sweeties, or is that taking away from settling into NZ culture?
- Some basic Maori!
- I do like the idea of a NZ to English phrasebook!!!

Maz

I think it's needed... my boss just got back from the US and had a terrible time one day trying to get hotel staff to understand what "togs" are. I'd be pretty useless to start us off on that, can only think of just a couple of examples, as I've been exposed to US English for too long. NZ English seems to be a mish-mash of UK and US English, the words and phrases that are different, that is.

irnbru14

Its technical terms at work that confuse me, lots of talking at cross purposes with Kiwis!! The other day I was talking about Joinery, refering to doors, skirting boards and the likes, whereas Joinery here is solely things like wooden tables, chairs, reception desks, furniture etc and I should have been talking about Carpentry!!

Maz

Ack! That is confusing! I've come across a bunch, too. Oh, and people like you to "flick" them an e-mail instead of "send".

And here "data" is pronounced with a long first 'a', like "DAR-tuh" instead of what I've always been used to, which is "DAY-tuh".

hazeandsteve

Must admit that the kiwi pronunciation of debut is something I don't think I'll ever pick up...."day-boo" as opposed to "day-byou".
As for basic Maori, my Maori mates aren't in the slightest concerned that I don't speak it, unlike the Alsaciennes I lived with in St Louis. (I can speak French, but they still hated everyone who wasn't local.)

zoej

I would have said EFPOS and how ther terminals work - it was a bit scary when we first got here on visit and wanted to use our visa card.
We ended up using cash the whole first visit!

happynz

This whole 'crossed' cheque rigamarole. Huh?

dreamfish

Who the main utility companies are and their free phone numbers for setting up new accounts.

Ed Hunter

Mmmmmmm. Where do I start.

1. Drop in wages from the UK. (I dropped 14,000 pounds per annum. I work
for the NZDF. ex RAF now RNZAF)
2. Cost of Medical Insurance.
3. Un-affordable housing. (Unless you fancy living next to 7 Moiri's or a six
fingered banjo player who sits on his porch with his possum gun)
4. 33% Taxation on overseas income. (My RAF Pension, UK taxed at source,
taxed again in NZ)
(a) To claim Tax exemption or not?
5. COF's, WOF's and RUC's
6. Turning left rule.
7. Overtaking on the inside lane ??
8. Kiwi obsession with Americana.
9. "Warehouse, where everyone gets Matalans left overs".(please sing to the advert tune)
10. Lollies, jandles, togs, Joe break and smoko.
11. Why I couldn't get a bottle of Tui from the "BOTTLE SHOP" at easter
12. Bugs and bighty things
13. Odd looking road kill's.
14. Shortland Street ?? WHY


I could go on for ages. Mind you there are great things to look forward to if you heading to NZ. Watch out for the weather guy pronouncing place names.

Rrrrrrotorrrrua. Cracks me up every time.

Anyhoo, better be off and continue living the dream.

dreamfish

All Brits working in IT should be warned that 'Router' is pronounced 'R-aow-ter' not 'Rooter'.

Dribble held two meetings with the General Manager and a room of around 60 people who sniggered quietly to themselves* for the duration when he was talking about a customer and their 'router'.

*incorrect pronunciation is translated into sexual innuendo

happynz

Um...I think you mean Maori, right? That may be useful to know.
Weird, huh?
Yeah, it's a scream. Almost as funny as some BBC news presenter slaughtering the pronunciation of Managua, Nicaragua.

Off you go...

Spudgun

Ah, Ed.

You made a few valid points there. Do I know you.

Ed Hunter

You should do. Were the same person. Go and take your medication and get back to the dishes.

Jog on.