Lessons learned: American living in New Zealand for 5 years

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it's good for kids to run around, climb trees, jump off stuff, if you get hurt it's a learning lesson!

Just because Americans work long hours doesn't mean they are being more productive. New Zealanders are some of the hardest working people I've met. They just know how to get a job done.

when I was a kid, I was watching an ad for a giant bubble blowing toy it cost $2.99 and I asked mum if she would buy it my mum laughed and said no its a waste of money, I used all the usual tactics such as my friends all have one and so on, anyway she went to the kitchen got some dishwashing liquid fashioned a wire into a loop with a handle and blew huge bubbles and better yet my friends bubble liquid ran out but I had a neverending supply she taught me a valuable lesson that day improvise.

I spent the first 7 years here in NZ working with kids, high school and junior school age, and found the discipline and communication so much better here that I had in the previous 6 years doing the same role in the UK.

A couple decades ago New Zealand had a saying, (number 8 wire fix). Fencing wire was called number 8 wire and kiwis back then used a piece of Number 8 wire to fix whatever came up at home, on the farm, at work or on the side of the road. You ask any old Kiwi about number 8 wire and you will get stories for days.

I'm a Kiwi living in Australia and I have to agree with you about thinking outside the box to solve problems. Working as a tradesman I find it frustrating that other tradesman's don't have that skill and I am constantly asked how to solve certain problems that occur. Just you bringing it up reminds me of growing up and helping my mum or dad fix things. I'd like to think that we kiwis share our skills and happy go life energy with new people as I do and find it quite nice. Thank you for your channel and your thoughts on how you see my beautiful country and people. It reminds me how I miss it so much. Keep up the good work😉

As a teenager/young adult in NZ we used to sit on upside down car bonnets (hoods) that were towed behind 4x4 vehicles either in farmers fields or along a beach at high speed, base jump of cliffs with a mates parachute, create huge mud slides down steep hills to land on a lake, tow inflated tractor inner tubes behind boats in lakes or estuaries... a load of fun. I think the only damage that was had was to our pride or ego if you messed something up.

I've been to the US a number of times, even spending 6 months there many years ago. On my last visit we were in a building and across the other side of a 8 lane highway, was a shopping mall. I needed to get something so I said to my American host, "Hold on mate, I'll be back in a minute" Then, the way was clear and I just walked across the first 4 lanes to the median strip. Waited til it was clear and crossed to the other side. It was only then I notice my host was yelling and screaming at me about NOT crossing the road. I got my items and came back the same way. I thought my mate was going to have a heart attack, he could hardly speak. He said, "You can't do that. What were you thinking?" I mean, it was at least half a mile to some lights where there were controlled crossings and I just said, "No worries mate. I had it under control". He gave me hell about "jay walking" and I could see his point but the traffic was light and there was no real risk. Still, he went on and on about risk and being fined or sued. Damn. Ha.

I work to live - not live to work. I don't feel that work defines me. My daughter and grand child are my legacy and when they talk about me, it won't be about how much I worked. It will be about how much time I spent with them and what we did together. There is a "fix it" kind of attitude to us Kiwis. We're like MacGyver. It's not that we don't buy new items when the old one is broken. We want to "give it a go" and try to fix it. So often people live in a fast food throw away society. Everything is "give me give me give me... now, now, now". Like people don't understand what "value" is or how to "value" other people. That's just not the Kiwi way. We appreciate things and people and are grateful for the things we have in our lives and the people we share our lives with.

You are becoming a habit with me and in these covid times (boo hoo) your light humour and open stance is very refreshing. Keep it up. I grew up in Whangarei and we lived in a street of government houses ….so a police house, a railways house, a couple of post office houses etc etc……Every house had a mum and a dad and every dad had a fully equipped tool shed, and dads were practical and made things for us…..a swing set, a hen house….wooden toys all made and painted buy dad’s hand. This was echoed everywhere….in every home. Houses had 1/5 acres sections and everyone has a vege garden……and we used to share things with one another. I remember watching US sitcoms on TV and it seemed sterile ……. People living in apartments and having a gardener….Keep up the great work. You are a gem. BB

Good vid Tara! It helps to remind kiwis how lucky we are! The DYI thing often comes from the need to repair something, and because you're living so far from a hardware store you need to be creative with what's at hand. Hence the talk about repair, modification or invention "with #8." #8 is a synonym which refers to wire of a common gauge or any simple product that has been used for years for almost any purpose.

I so loved this. You hit every thing that makes us Kiwis. Thankyou so much for loving us and your new country so much ❤🙏

I wish more Americans came to New Zealand and experienced the work life balance for an extended period. We are so similar but Americans are so driven whereas Kiwis are motivated by living life. So many Kiwis go to the states and become successful because of that experience and rubbing shoulders with driven people. It would be nice if Americans came to NZ to chill out for awhile and share their knowledge and drive at the same time.

I’ve just started watching your Channel n I love it I’m a Māori and you make me appreciate everything we have here x so thank you very much x

I'm just realizing now I always thought americans were lazy... they literally just have no time after work, I still cant fathom how much you reference working constantly over there and lack of breaks etc, the boxed meals and cheap fast food isnt because you cant be bothered cooking but because you dont have time to do a full meal, It makes me a little sad now that i understand

I love what you said about Kiwi ingenuity. It’s something I’ve tried to explain to friends, and how I love tools! Ha My Dad could and still can fix anything. As for parks and FUN, heck yes!! I remember a super steep slide, which thinking about it now, was a total H&S issue, due to its construction. 🤔 But still, it was around for a long time. I LOVED school camps - obstacle courses, flying foxes, river tubing, abseiling. I still love jumping from things & will try anything. It must be sad to have to worry about whether you’ll be sued. I’m so glad that your kids are getting to experience what I did growing up. I think NZ is a beautiful place to raise children. I imagine it may have been difficult for them to transition at first. However, your description of NZ makes me think you’re all enjoying your experience. I hope that you continue to do so & keep exploring down those gravel roads! Except at night when you’re alone, which as a teenager was not a good idea..to many horror movies! 😂 ha ha But climbing trees, building tree huts, sand boarding, swimming in rivers, exploring, endless outdoor fun… young, old, it’s definitely a Kiwi must. 🌿

If only the USA prioritised safety over fun when it came to guns. 🤔

We grew up being hurt. I remember telling my son to not touch the stove. I watched him tough it. Despite me dying when he touched it, he learnt

Thank you for your reviews and noting our life style. What i noticed from having lived in the Northern Hemisphere from growing up in NZ (Southern Hemisphere) was this work ethic, achievement ethos. Having thought about it and talking with others I think it almost goes back to caveman existence with the harsh winters and having to work hard in the summer to survive the winters. This has passed on through the years as a survival tool, whereas in the Southern Hemisphere our Winters are not as harsh and yes it gets cold but you can still grow vegetables (different for the season), fish and put another layer of clothes on but you can still exist in the day. Hence we don't see the necessity to be as aggressive about survival. It is changing now but also the need to have the best, I can play golf, go sailing, jet boating whatever and I don't need to be rich to do it. I may not have the fanciest tools or gear but I still did/do it. Just Kiwi thoughts on our differences in living.