[KiwiHopeful]

There's an issue of style and substance over there ... she's obviously very bitter about her experience and it shows in her presentation. It's unfortunate because, frankly, there's little *factually* that I can disagree with.

I would say, though, that some of the anecdotes she relates are more extreme than I've witnessed. For example, I would agree that there is racism here in Chch. I haven't seen the 'in your face' examples of it Agness cites, but I have seen the ways in which people react to Asians, Maoris, and blacks when they think no one is watching.

For instance, I just came back from the grocery store, which is one of my favorite places to people watch. Some people react completely differently if say a black Muslim woman is blocking the aisle than an old white woman. A couple of weeks ago I saw an older gentleman go into one checkstand then leave it for another when he saw the cashier was Asian.

So, yeah, racism exists here. (Of course, that observation wants to make me say, 'Well, duh!')

But, if what she says is true (and I have no reason to doubt it), that is very troubling. I know how victimized and powerless things like that can make people feel. I've been a victim of minor crimes a couple of times, and it totally takes the wind out of your sails. If something like that happened to me here, I can imagine it totally putting me off the place. (I haven't been back to New York City since I was robbed there.)

In terms of working conditions, Duke, I doubt you'll find anything different here. I'm sure many Kiwis take pride in their work, but there are obvious signs everywhere that many *don't* take pride.