Cultural/Political Questions

I haven't seen this addressed yet, and I'm curious about the cultural climate of NZ.
I live in the West of the US, in ranch country, and the people here tend to be very opinionated and open about their views, on everything from politics to childrearing. What's it like in NZ? Is it vastly different from one island to another? Everyone says that kiwis are laid-back - but in what way? Will I be ostrasized because, even for an American, I've got a big mouth? (LOL, not really, but you know what I mean) I tend to be very forthright in my speech and have offended Westerners, because I grew up in Boston, which really [i:463be0298f]is[/i:463be0298f] 3000 miles away culturally.

And what about the symphony? Art museums? Science museums? All the goodies, you know. :icon_wink:

We were thinking of moving because of the recent political scene in the US, and decided that, regardless of the outcome of the election (in November) that our family would be better off elsewhere. The environmental damage alone done to this country is appalling. NZ is still a fairly clean country - are there policies in place to keep it that way? There are other political reasons to move, mostly due to our religious beliefs. What's the official/unofficial climate in regard to separation of church and state? For you curious folk, we're Quakers, which means we are pacifists. (Very hard to live in a country at war, with the death penalty.)

I've been reading the posts about making a living in NZ, too. Are the technical/science jobs mostly in the bigger cities? I'll be coming over with a degree in Chemistry, but I think we'll be actually better off financially there than here. Any ideas about where to check the starting pay for various sectors?

Thanks for listening to the spout. We won't be moving until I finish my degree, in 3 years or so. I am on the pay-as-I-can college program, which means about one class a term. Slow, but I'll get there. There are internships available that I'll be looking into in a year or so. It's a good way to check out the country!

- Phantasm

"NZ is still a fairly clean country - are there policies in place to keep it that way?"

Nuclear anything is banned.

The North Island and South Island don't get along too well. Well, it's more Auckland of the North Island is really disliked by the south. It's like talking about New York City to Texans. City slickers with no real need for a 4x4, pampered, etc is the view of Aucklanders.

Racial diversity is more so in Auckland. It is after all the polynesian capital of the world. Don't see many islanders (poly) down south. Still a good amount of Asians (typically Chinese) though.
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Laid back - Slower pace. I've also seen a lot of Kiwi's without a lot of goals in their life. That's a drawback to it. I know of guys in the states without goals, and that's not normal. Where as in NZ it's not out of the ordinary.

Also the women in NZ tend to wear the pants in the marriage much more often than US women. This has been explained b/c the guys are so laid back.
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Arts - Wellington is the place for that stuff. However there is a good amount of stuff in Auckland too. I'm in Christchurch at the moment, and there is a pretty big arts center in the old University of Canterbury campus. Pretty much the whole thing (very historic/nice) is now an arts center. Those 3 are the 3 biggest cities in NZ (Auck - 1.4 mil, Wel 500K, CH 350K).
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Church and state - The government is pretty liberal. Free healthcare for residents and such. There is a strange political party associated with the Destiny Church though.

You shouldn't be bothered with your religous affiliation. Kiwi's don't mind.
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Average salary is about NZ $36K (25ish US). Pay is less, but living costs can be more or less depending on where you are (Auckland is the most expensive). Double check rent/mortgage it may look super cheap, but that's b/c it's in terms of weekly instead of monthly.

Phantasm

One good way to get a feel for the political aspect of NZ would be to subscribe to the Listener. It's a really interesting weekly magazine that's been in print for 60 years or so and covers a broad range of political and cultural articles as well as bits on sport, business, leisure and entertainment. You can get either 6 (NZ$69)or 12 (NZ$130) months subscritptions and have them sent to you, however there is a charge for overseas delivery. Have a look at their website www.listener.co.nz .

Kind regards

Kirks

Quote james.
"Also the women in NZ tend to wear the pants in the marriage much more often than US women. This has been explained b/c the guys are so laid back."


James, when I visited NZ, I was amazed at how liberated the women were, at times I was in awe of these women. Coming from England where women are free and I believe of equal status to men, I was still shocked by how strong minded the Kiwi lasses are, good on em ::): ::): The Kiwi's I met were not afraid to speak their minds, that goes for the Men as well.

Wow, I know a bunch of USA men who need to visit NZ. :icon_wink: Maybe they could learn a few things! :icon_biggrin: :icon_biggrin:
Liberated women who speak their minds openly.....sounds like the place for me! :smiley20: :041:

Coulliette