Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Long Way From Britain
Most Kiwis (except perhaps the farmers) would probably wish it rained a little less and
they got paid a little more, but it sometimes takes a few years travelling on their 'Big OE'
(Overseas Experience - a traditional rite of passage) before they realise how good they've
got it. In a 2012 study of the quality of life in the world's major cities, Auckland was rated
third and Wellington 13th.
Despite all the change, key elements of the NZ identity are an unbroken thread, and for-
tune is still a matter of economics rather than class. If you are well served in a restaurant or
shop, it will be out of politeness or pride in the job, rather than servility.
People born in other countries make up 23% of NZ residents. Of these, the main regions of origin are the
UK and Ireland (29%), the Pacific Islands (15%), Northeast Asia (15%) and Australia (7%).
In country areas and on bushwalks don't be surprised if you're given a cheery greeting
from passers-by, especially in the South Island. In a legacy of the British past, politeness is
generally regarded as one of the highest virtues. A 'please' and 'thank you' will get you a
long way. The three great exceptions to this rule are: a) on the road, where genteel Dr Je-
kylls become raging Mr Hydes, especially if you have the misfortune of needing to change
lanes in Auckland; b) if you don't speak English very well; and c) if you are Australian.
The latter two traits are the product of insularity and a smallness of world view that tends
to disappear among Kiwis who have travelled (and luckily many do). The NZ/Australian
rivalry is taken much more seriously on this side of the Tasman Sea. Although it's very un-
likely that Kiwis will be rude outright, visiting Aussies must get pretty sick of the constant
ribbing, much of it surprisingly ill-humoured. It's a sad truth that while most Australians
would cheer on a NZ sports team if they were playing anyone other than their own, the op-
posite is true in NZ.
Ironically, the person responsible for the nuclear age was a New Zealander. In 1917 Ernest Rutherford was
the first to split the nucleus of an atom. His face appears on the $100 note.
