It Was the Little Things That Got Us
Don't get me wrong, I need to say right up front that we love New Zealand and are proud to now be citizens of this great land.
However, there were a few things which took us by surprise at the beginning. Not the big things like learning to drive on the other side of the road. We knew about that in advance and were prepared for it. It was the little things. We shifted from California, USA to New Zealand about six years ago, and still laugh occasionally at the unexpected, as we shake our heads and say "only in New Zealand."
This top 10 list of adjustments to kiwi life is my 3rd assignment for Rocket moms. I hope you enjoy it in the light hearted vein in which it was written. Either way, please leave me a comment or two.
Photo by me, Rhonda Albom, Location: Lake Tekapo, NZ
(All photos here are copyrighted and protected.)
However, there were a few things which took us by surprise at the beginning. Not the big things like learning to drive on the other side of the road. We knew about that in advance and were prepared for it. It was the little things. We shifted from California, USA to New Zealand about six years ago, and still laugh occasionally at the unexpected, as we shake our heads and say "only in New Zealand."
This top 10 list of adjustments to kiwi life is my 3rd assignment for Rocket moms. I hope you enjoy it in the light hearted vein in which it was written. Either way, please leave me a comment or two.
Photo by me, Rhonda Albom, Location: Lake Tekapo, NZ
(All photos here are copyrighted and protected.)
1. Heat
We shifted from 37 degrees north (San Francisco) to 37 degrees south latitude (Auckland). The outside temperatures were similar but suddenly I found myself cold indoors. Despite being an island in the Southern Pacific ocean, it gets cold. Most homes here are still built with single pane glass and without central heat - our brand new, modern home actually had no heat source at all.Coming from a world of constant indoor temperature (air conditioning and heating), I had no clue how to keep warm. People continually told me "put your woolies on." What were they talking about. Apparently, it just refers to any warm layers. It was three years before I discovered that I can wear 3 pair of socks all day to keep my feet warm. It took us nearly 5 years to understand Kiwi's warm only the main living area of their home in the winter. Most Kiwi homes are built so the living room faces North, and the sun warms this room all day. As the sun dips down at the end of the day we close the curtains, light a fire and close off the doors to the main living area. This warms our kitchen, dining room and living room only. The bedrooms stay cold, so we sleep with hot water bottles.
The bathrooms - well I try not to use them in the middle of the night. We are down on the South Island now, actually closer to the South Pole than the equator, and I am fairly sure I could see my breath in the bathroom last night. We stoke the fire before bed and by morning it is usually in the low 50s(F) in our bedroom.
Like most Kiwi homes, we heat with wood burners. And whilst our home is modern, I loved this poster as it reminds me of how I felt those first few years, spending my time at home huddled around the fire.
Poverty Stricken Family Huddling Around a Wood Stove in Their Home Photographic Print
Click Here for Information or to Buy at AllPosters.com
How Do You Keep Warm In Winter?
Worldwide, lots of options. Sorry only Squidoo members can vote here.
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2. Laundry
One of our first major purchases (after the house, space heaters and a wood burning stove) was our washing machine. The sales clerk showed us a tiny washing machine for a family for four. I asked for something larger and she replied, "Oh that's right you Americans like everything big." So I ended up with the largest washing machine they had, which was still about half the size of the one I left in the states. And the clothes dryer - well what a waste of money. For starters, it's really tiny - holds about 1/2 of the small washer. But not to worry as everyone hangs their laundry, either outside on nice days or in the living room on rainy days (remember, it is the warmest room in the house).
It wasn't until we were here long enough to need new clothes that I discovered why the dryers are so un-used. Kiwi made clothing is not pre-shrunk, so nearly all labels read "do not tumble dry."
So I learned a new skill, hanging laundry outside.
It wasn't until we were here long enough to need new clothes that I discovered why the dryers are so un-used. Kiwi made clothing is not pre-shrunk, so nearly all labels read "do not tumble dry."
So I learned a new skill, hanging laundry outside.
Washing Hanging on the Line Photographic Print
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3. Butter
I know I was just commenting how everything is small. Well there is an exception to that rule. Butter. It only comes in a 1/2 kg block (1.1 pounds). So, while I look around my kitchen, I notice the top of the paper towel holder sticking out because my kiwi paper towels are shorter, my pots and pan don't really fit on my burners or in my sink, the refrigerator is too tiny to comment on and the butter is four times larger than my American butter dish. And if that's not enough, my tiny fridge has a special butter conditioner. It is a warmer spot made to hold the giant New Zealand butter and allow it to be just a touch warmer than the rest of the refrigerator.
Fresh Butter Checkers Art Print
Clickner, Susan
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4. Off With the Fairies
And Other Kiwi Idioms
One thing I really like here is the idioms generally put a positive spin on everything. Especially the expressions used to describe children. However, when first here, I had no idea what people were talking about. Now, many idioms have been adapted so deeply into my speaking that I sometimes forget if they are Kiwi or American.
Here are some of my favourites and my best understanding of their meaning (any native Kiwi's reading this, please correct me if I am still missing the plot):
- Off with the Fairies* - daydreaming
- It's like a box of fluffy ducks - You are good. (If someone says "how are you" and
you reply its a box of fluffies)
- Happy as Larry* - very happy (I have no clue who Larry might be)
- I can't get my head around it - I don't quite understand
- Good as Gold - everything is in order (my banker says this all the time)
- Good on ya mate - good for you
- She'll be right - everything will turn out ok
* These might be of British origin, but they were new to me
Here are some of my favourites and my best understanding of their meaning (any native Kiwi's reading this, please correct me if I am still missing the plot):
- Off with the Fairies* - daydreaming
- It's like a box of fluffy ducks - You are good. (If someone says "how are you" and
you reply its a box of fluffies)
- Happy as Larry* - very happy (I have no clue who Larry might be)
- I can't get my head around it - I don't quite understand
- Good as Gold - everything is in order (my banker says this all the time)
- Good on ya mate - good for you
- She'll be right - everything will turn out ok
* These might be of British origin, but they were new to me
Fairies with Sunflower Art Print
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5. What is THAT Doing on my Hamburger?
I still can't get my head around this one - the kiwi burger. Hamburger on a bun with lettuce, tomato, mayo, beet root and a fried egg.
Sadly, no pickle.
Sadly, no pickle.
Beet Seed Packet Art Print
Click Here for Information or to Buy at AllPosters.com
6. Claw And Door
(Is it Really English?)
If you're from California you might be wondering what these two words have in common, which would warrant them a placement on my top 10 list. If you speak Kiwi English, you already know - they rhyme. Apparently they also rhyme in Australia, England and some parts of the United States.
Similarly, spelling is different as well. In my daughter's English book we found an instruction: Circle all words spelt incorrectly. Hmm, past tense with a 'T' rather than -ed. Sounded really funny at first - spelt, learnt, burnt. Then there is the added 'u' as in: colour, favourite, neighbour. And some words are just different like tyre.
And, my favourite: Many town and street names are in Maori. The Maori alphabet has only 13 letters. The vowels sounds are the same as they are in Spanish. One of the North Island ski fields is: Whakapapa. Keeping in mind that WH sounds like "F" it was a long time before I could say this name without a giggle.
Similarly, spelling is different as well. In my daughter's English book we found an instruction: Circle all words spelt incorrectly. Hmm, past tense with a 'T' rather than -ed. Sounded really funny at first - spelt, learnt, burnt. Then there is the added 'u' as in: colour, favourite, neighbour. And some words are just different like tyre.
And, my favourite: Many town and street names are in Maori. The Maori alphabet has only 13 letters. The vowels sounds are the same as they are in Spanish. One of the North Island ski fields is: Whakapapa. Keeping in mind that WH sounds like "F" it was a long time before I could say this name without a giggle.
Piperberg, Cheryl
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7. Baked Beans
At least these two words did seem to go together, but on toast? Feeding our children's new friends was quite the challenge. Some popular Kiwi lunches include:
- Baked beans on buttered toast with fried egg on top
- Tinned (canned) spaghetti on toast
- Peanut butter and butter
- Salt and pepper on toast (I don't actually think anyone but one 9 year old we met eats this, but that was her request)
- Maramite on toast (a Kiwi yeast spread similar to the Australian Vegimite)
Then to add to the food confusion is food language differences:
American: French Fries = Kiwi: Chips
American: Potato Chips = Kiwi: Chippies
American: Cookie = Kiwi: Biscuit
American: Biscuit = Similar, but not exactly the same as a Kiwi scone
American: Jello = Kiwi Jelly
American: Jelly = Kiwi Jam
And then there is Tea -
Morning Tea - snack between breakfast and lunch
Afternoon Tea - snack between lunch and dinner
Tea - dinner
If you just want a cup of tea - that's a "cuppa"
- Baked beans on buttered toast with fried egg on top
- Tinned (canned) spaghetti on toast
- Peanut butter and butter
- Salt and pepper on toast (I don't actually think anyone but one 9 year old we met eats this, but that was her request)
- Maramite on toast (a Kiwi yeast spread similar to the Australian Vegimite)
Then to add to the food confusion is food language differences:
American: French Fries = Kiwi: Chips
American: Potato Chips = Kiwi: Chippies
American: Cookie = Kiwi: Biscuit
American: Biscuit = Similar, but not exactly the same as a Kiwi scone
American: Jello = Kiwi Jelly
American: Jelly = Kiwi Jam
And then there is Tea -
Morning Tea - snack between breakfast and lunch
Afternoon Tea - snack between lunch and dinner
Tea - dinner
If you just want a cup of tea - that's a "cuppa"
Plate of Baked Beans on Toast Framed Art Print
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8. No Gown?
New Zealand has socialized medicine, which has its advantages and disadvantages but the big adjustment to the medical system was its oddities.First a few positive things:
- To date we have always had excellent medical care.
- You almost never wait more than 5 minutes for a doctor appointment.
- Should you go to hospital (you will wait) there is no charge.
- Children's Hospital Emergency room felt like hospital DisneyLand - all bright and cheerful with tons of distractions for the child.
- X-ray techs will tell you what they think.
A few Negatives:
- long hospital waits.
- long waits for non-life threatening or non-acute specialist referrals (I had to wait 3 months to see an orthopedic specialist for a back injury.)
- few hospitals - I had to travel 3.5 hours for an MRI for the same back injury.
The most amusing example of socialized medicine I have come across was my mammogram, so please don't take offense to the personal nature of this story. Like most American ex-pats living here we have private insurance, which I used for my first mammogram. I was ushered to a changing room, given a gown, had the x-ray, then allowed to wait 10 minutes whilst the radiologist looked it over and told me the results. The next year I was old enough to qualify for the free mammogram. So I went to the same location, was brought straight into the exam room, told to take off my shirt, stood topless for the entire procedure, then 2 weeks later they sent the results.
9. Jandals and Barefeet
I don't think you could find a Kiwi household that doesn't have at least one pair of jandals. Looking similar to the American flip flop, the jandal is a bit softer and more flexible and can be worn anywhere. Of course, so can bare feet, especially for children. This was one of my childrens' favourite things about New Zealand when we first arrived. They didn't have to wear shoes anywhere. There are bare feet at beaches, doctors offices, zoos (yuck), restaurants and grocery stores. Importantly, all kids have a pair of jandals, just in case they don't want to be barefoot. Even some schools allow children the option of bare feet to go with their required uniform, natural hair color and no jewelery policy. 
Flip Flop Heaven Art Print
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Barefoot Children
My kids love being barefoot. It took a while for me to be comfortable with them barefoot in places which sell food. I have even seen adults in the grocery barefoot. What's your view?
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10. Fart Tax
It wasn't really an adjustment issue, just one of the top news stories back when we arrived here. Enough to make you shake your head and wonder where you live and what is the government thinking. The proposed tax was to help reduce greenhouse effects caused by flatulence of NZ farmers' millions of sheep and cattle.No kidding, this was on the news for weeks and always called the fart tax. After many farmer protests, eventually New Zealand dropped the issue.
Here are some keychains I have for sale on Zazzle:
Guide To New Zealand
There are lots of travel books on New Zealand. We used three different ones when we first visited. We found this one to be our favourite. And as a bonus, it was the least expensive.
New Zealand (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 12/26/2009)
Still Want to Visit New Zealand
Non-Stop flights leave daily from San Francisco and Los Angeles
Warning, you may fall in love with it, and stay. We did.
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- Laniann Laniann Dec 16, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
- I enjoyed reading your lens - very interesting. It sounds like a big adjutiment.
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- sparklenz sparklenz Oct 28, 2009 @ 1:22 am
- Great lens! Being born and bred in Aotearoa I love hearing how new Kiwis find NZ. It took me a few years to work out that we are a funny little country in the eyes of the world and that EnZed might take some getting used to for folks moving in from elsewhere. Bare feet seems so normal in summer it didn't occur to me other countries wouldn't bare their feet too! We definitely do use English pretty differently. Sometimes, if I listen hard enough, I can almost hear our quirky 'fush and chup' accent. But mostly it sounds like home to me :-)
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- aidenw aidenw Oct 22, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
- I was wondering if you would mention my favorite thing about New Zealand, and there it was at number 9: bare feet! I love going barefoot (I even have a lens about it) and learned that many people walk around barefoot in NZ which sounds like paradise to me. Like another lens master said, maybe I'll live there in my next life :) BTW, I don't see anything wrong with going barefoot in places that sell food as long as they don't touch food with their feet :) Have a wonderful day.
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- Sharon Sharon Sep 8, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
- As a US expat in Wanaka, I totally related to your experiences. If you want a great burger (hold the egg and the beetroot) and authentic Kansas City-style BBQ, pop on down to Wanaka to visit our restaurant, Uncle Mike's BBQ. NZ's first American BBQ joint!
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- jacky jacky Sep 1, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
- my biggest adjustment is the difficulty in making friends here. everyone is friendly but no one seems to want to be more than polite, maybe i am just unlucky
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- prosperity66 prosperity66 Aug 29, 2009 @ 3:55 am
- I've always had a dream: the one of living in New Zealand and after having read your lens, I now am sure I want to live in this country. Maybe in my next life... I also noticed Europeans have a lot of things, customs and habits in common with New Zealanders and that entices me to say yes, I'm ready to live there - even the English I learned at school is the same as theirs (while I often get confused between the American English I read on the net, lol).
Thanks for such a great lens and for making this dream almost... real :)
5 stars from me and a favorite!
Dom.
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- Millertime Millertime Aug 21, 2009 @ 10:05 pm
- I love this lens. Really interesting and it gave me a few chuckles along the way. It makes me really want to visit NZ now. Great job! 5 stars.
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- hermandan hermandan Aug 17, 2009 @ 10:38 am
- Haha...very informative. I've always wanted to move to New Zealand...I recently wrote a lens about it here. It probably wouldn't be too helpful for you, but maybe someone else would like to follow in your footsteps. :) I know I'd like to one day...good on ya mate.
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- Emily Emily Aug 2, 2009 @ 12:31 am
- Really enjoyed your sharing! I hadn't come across any of those before. Nice to know what to expect when I go to New Zealand. At least I won't look so perplexed. Thanks!
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- sandyspider sandyspider Jun 30, 2009 @ 11:46 pm
- I would love to visit New Zealand. Very interesting lens.
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- KarateKatGraphics KarateKatGraphics Jun 27, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
- So interesting and funny! 5*
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- Heather426 Heather426 Jun 26, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
- Love it! I've been an ex pat before and the odd customs in new places are always charming to me....
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- Pukeko Pukeko Jun 26, 2009 @ 5:02 pm | in reply to EverythingMouse
- Thanks for the idea, I added a few photos and am thinking about which others I have which are related to this lens. Appreciate the feedback!
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- bdkz bdkz Jun 26, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
- The kiwi burger sounds great!
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- EverythingMouse EverythingMouse Jun 26, 2009 @ 9:06 am
- The saying sound a lot like ones in Great Britain. So does the weather! Perhaps that is why I live in the US now! A wonderful lens - it would be great to see some pictures too.
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- JanTUB JanTUB Jun 26, 2009 @ 4:41 am
- I'm sitting here giggling away at what are Aussie sayings too. Jandals are thongs here, Vegemite and Marmite are not anything alike in taste, and as for the WH pronunciation, HeeHee. We moved from Sydney to Brisbane and they speak a different language there too, and it's in the same country! Wonderful and funny. Love the F*** tax! 5* and a fave.
A bit about Me
Lensmaster Pukeko has been a member since May 17 2009, has rated 797 lenses, favorited 728, and has created 113 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Best of Make Me Laugh - Top 10 Funniest Zazzle Designs of 2009". See all my lenses
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by Pukeko
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