As Kiwi as a Buzzy Bee

If you sniff around the multitude of social media posts and groups, discussing how a move to New Zealand might work, you will find an unlimited number of guides on how to speak “Kiwi”, why we consider fish and chips (pronounced “fush and chups”), the national dish and a complete history on the trans-Tasman feud over a baked good, made with egg whites (and yes the Pavlova is ours). While these are entertaining and probably useful when you attend your first New Zealand social gathering, they really only scratch at the surface as to what a new life in this country might entail.

Becoming a “Kiwi” is less about understanding the difference between what we might call footwear and others underwear, and more about understanding how your own social cues, norms and traditions might differ to how we do things here. It is about appreciating that a new life in New Zealand is something you work gradually towards, learning as you go, making mistakes along the way and finally coming to a comfortable understanding with.

I have always believed that to make the move successfully you have to fully appreciate all sides of the migration cube, that it isn’t always pleasant and that adjusting to a new life here comes with challenges - not always unique to New Zealand, but important to understand and be aware of. In the end it will work out, but it will work out better, if you know what you are in for.

The Good, The Bad, The Kiwi

New Zealand has changed over the years and during the two decades I have been involved in helping people make the move, I have seen this country adapt, morph and grow in many different ways. I was thinking about this on my drive to work this morning, and I summed it up (at least in my own head) as a sort of “maturing” of sorts. We are a young country in the grand scheme of things and we are also susceptible to influences from much bigger cultures. Over the last few years, those influences (politically, culturally and socially) have meant that we are struggling in some ways to find our own feet. New Zealand today, is vastly different to how it might have appeared twenty years ago. This isn’t a bad thing at all, just different. The reality however is that while there are so many positive things about New Zealand, particularly for those making the move from countries where the complications are far greater, there are plenty of things that you need to be aware of.

She’ll Be Right

Kiwi’s do have a pretty relaxed attitude to tackling issues, something we share with our cousins across the pond.

Despite being a small country, we punch well above our weight and not just on the sports field. We are well known for our prowess in rugby, sailing and a host of other sports that we all actively enjoy. However we are also breaking barriers in tech, space exploration and various forms of scientific research. For a country with five million people we do a lot and its perhaps a case of the the size of the fight in the dog, rather than the size of the dog.

Those achievements are spurred on by what we refer to as a “Number 8 Wire” mentality, which is a sort of can-do attitude, where we like to try and tackle most problems in the simplest way we can. That of course creates an economy full of potential and opportunity, where those willing to work, can do some pretty amazing things.

We still have a very welcoming approach (for the most part) to newcomers…and my clients regularly comment on how approachable, friendly and inquisitive locals are when they first bump in to a new Kiwi. That of course makes settling in a lot easier to achieve.

We appreciate a fair deal and expect a high degree of transparency from our political leaders. Despite politics becoming a lot more contentious over the last decade, Kiwis are very mobile when it comes to who they support and our democratic system, enables the population to enact political change every three years if required. We expect our politicians to be honest, upfront and to deliver on their promises, and while its never a perfect system, compared to many other countries, we seem to get pretty close.

However we don’t always get things right and there are pockets in the country where some migrants may not feel as welcome as they should be. I blame this on a lack of knowledge for some locals, who simply don’t appreciate how important migrants are to our society and economy.

As a small economy we are also more susceptible to economic highs and lows and it is much harder to insulate ourselves from the impacts of major global economic events. We are feeling that currently with a cost of living situation that is hitting some families particularly hard, although counterbalanced by a relatively generous social welfare system.

Our geographic location can make you feel (as a migrant) that you haven’t moved to middle-earth but in fact the end of the earth. Being that far away from family and friends can be difficult when you have made the move here, and of course it becomes more expensive to make those trips to reunite with loved ones.

For every positive there is a negative and of course what some migrants consider a negative others would simply see as a worthwhile sacrifice - and I guess that is the key point to this article. Migrating isn’t about finding perfection, its about finding something new and ‘new’ doesn’t always equal perfect. I have written about this many times, but its a point worth making again - when you move to New Zealand (or anywhere) you have to appreciate that there will be things that challenge you and things that you didn’t expect and might not like. Knowing that before you arrive can often be the difference between staying or leaving.

Finding Your Feet

So, now that you know New Zealand isn’t perfect (okay its not that far off) and you are packed and ready to head over here, how are you going to tackle this process of integrating in to your new home. Well a good place to start, beyond just getting to grips with what a “jandal” is, is to be open-minded to what lies ahead.

I have seen a fair few migrants land here, with the view that they are about to show us Kiwi’s how its done. I can assure you that while we are a very welcoming country, you wont get far in trying to convince us that you are right and we are wrong. It might sound like an exaggeration but believe me when I say, that plenty of new arrivals, seem to believe that the best way to integrate is to just stay the same. When you come from a country or city where you have to fight your way through life and try and use that approach here, it will make your adjustment a nightmare.

Jandals or Thongs

Getting used to how things are named or how we say things, is just a small part of a much bigger process to settle in.

Get to grips with the fact that we are a pretty humble bunch and even when we do well, we don’t like to crow about it (in fact we probably don’t crow enough). That can be challenging for some, who are more used to having to self-promote, which in our terms can come across as arrogance.

We also move at a speed that isn’t necessarily to everyone’s liking. I often find applicants from countries in Asia, struggle to adjust to our pace of doing things, often becoming frustrated when potential employers dont respond within 30 minutes. If they respond it might be days between emails, until of course they desperately need you in the role and then things can’t move fast enough.

Overall, New Zealanders are incredibly tolerant and adjust well to new people crossing our borders, however those new entrants can do a few simple things to help that transition along. Instead of seeking out fellow migrants from your home country (to find the familiar), which is a very natural response to a move like this, spend some time integrating into your new surroundings. No one expects you to give up your culture, but equally you have to adopt some of the culture, traditions and behaviours that your new country offers. Kiwi’s love a good “yarn” (story) and we love to hear about people’s experiences in their home country - there is much to be learned by both parties, but that can’t happen if you surround yourself with people who come from where you do.

Also be prepared for the financial implications of your move, because if there is one thing (apart from the Visa process) that creates significant stress and can unbalance even the most well-prepared move, its money. Before you come over, get a clear idea of what your earning potential is, what your costs will be (be realistic) and then add a contingency. New Zealand can seem expensive when you are coming from somewhere with a weaker currency, but you need to calculate your costs based not only on the exchange rate but also on your earning power.

Lastly, don’t expect your journey or your new life to be handed to you on a silver-platter. I doubt many migrants have this perspective, but there are a few that I meet, who don’t appreciate that this new life is something you have to work towards. Put in the effort and it will come back to you in more ways than you realise.

One Step At A Time

Settling in, takes time and even if you can tell the difference between jandals and thongs, have become accustomed to eating “fush and chups” out of wrapped newspaper, and you know what it means when someone says to you “yeah nah” - you are still a fair ways off, becoming fully settled.

Approach the problem one step at a time, starting with learning and absorbing as much as you can about your new surroundings. Ask questions (Kiwi’s will happily explain the history of the Pavlova to you - often quite passionately) and don’t be afraid to make some mistakes along the way. Above all else, understand that it is a complex and often frustrating challenge, but one that can be overcome with time, curiosity and an open mind.

As one of our most beloved Kiwi celebrities once said, “It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen” - the same can be said for becoming a Kiwi - and your first piece of homework is to find out who said that - if you find the answer, drop me a line.

Until next week!