Migrant Tales : Reader Speak (Part 3)
April 10 2014
Every time a relative, friend or an acquaintance is planning to move from your native country to New Zealand, one is plagued by hundreds of queries and a constant need for attention. Indian Weekender has a few solutions to those woes.
For people migrating to New Zealand, just send them the checklist of what not to do. Let them know not to get any ethnic food and spices and 'masalas', they are all easily available here. Definitely tell them to shed their shyness and be willing to ask, as people here are more than happy to help. The cultural amalgamation in NZ might give a few people, a culture shock, but let them know its 'Sweet As Bro...'
The place, the people, the food, the language...nothing is alien as long as you are willing to appreciate what New Zealand has to offer.
While there are a lot many positives that we would want to share, a few warnings are a must, and we decided it is better they come from the horses mouth. We have a mix of students, professionals, young families who have recently moved to New Zealand sharing how their expectations were met or thwarted by NZ's reality. So we let the readers have a say, read on to reminiscence your own experiences.
Here are some more stories from the readers:
New Zealand is largely a classless society where status and where you come from are not regarded as important. People here are on an equal footing, and you can expect to be judged a lot more by what you do and how well you do it. And it's pretty much the same way I expected it to be before I came here. People here have a very casual lifestyle and are very friendly. So far so good.
-Hasnain Saghir
Random strangers smile at you or better yet, start a conversation. Do not take it as an invitation that they like you. Everyone thanks the bus driver when they reach their destination. Kebab is not a sheesh kebab, it’s a shwarma. Taking a cab is a luxury! You’d rather walk! Prices for products change from shop to shop. “Wh” is pronounced as “Fuh”. For example: Whakatane is pronounced as Fuh-ka-tah-nay. ‘Bring a plate’ refers to bringing food to share, not just an empty plate. Kiwi slang: Togs – Swim wear, ta – thanks, suss – to sort out, jandals – slippers/flip flops, etc. Wearing socks and ‘jandals’ are cool! When people say ‘sweet as’, they are saying “it’s good”, and not talking about your bottom.
- Selina Nihalani
Looking forward to the rosy picture set as I packed my bags to leave for New Zealand. As you arrive you are awe struck with the beauty of the country and the ever friendly kiwis. However eventually life hits you with a bang, as your money depletes and the bills keep on increasing and you realize you cannot really depend on your parents to support you with money thanks to the always falling rupee rate. The herculean task of searching for a job grows slimmer as all the jobs look out for New Zealand work experience. Well how will I gain experience if no one is ready to give me a job? Even if you do get a job your visa permits you only 20 hours and as soon as you realize your salary is over the day it arrives in your account. However in time you do realize how to manage your finances and take life as it comes anyway no one ever said life is easy.
-Rochelle Diaz
Despite the outer beauty there is a dark side to New Zealand when you’re a student. Here are 10 things I did not know about this charming country. Lack of jobs. Illegal payment to employees (Not via IRD and not the minimum wage). Whether a degree from Auckland Uni or any college/institute no one really cares. Full medicals is a must. Buying a car is cheaper than public transport. There are more clothing brands in a 3rd world country but not here. Feminine pampering is way too expensive. Immigration NZ is as slow and ignorant as government organizations in India.New Zealand experience is only taken into account even if you have worked for three years in a reputed firm in India. The only booming careers here are teaching, nursing and farming.
- Fiona Dpenha
NZ the safest country in the world .... far from what I thought it would be, especially talking about life in Auckland CBD. The city is full of drug taking beggars who would not request but demand money out of you for help and when the help is not extended we start hearing racist comments. Dark lanes in the city are dangerous to cross from as you often see females being touched and troubled often scared to go out late in the evening. Anyhow NZ is not what I thought it would be especially when it come to safety for the coloured.
-Kapil Anand
Every time a relative, friend or an acquaintance is planning to move from your native country to New Zealand, one is plagued by hundreds of queries and a constant need for attention. Indian Weekender has a few solutions to those woes.
For people migrating to New Zealand, just send them the...
Every time a relative, friend or an acquaintance is planning to move from your native country to New Zealand, one is plagued by hundreds of queries and a constant need for attention. Indian Weekender has a few solutions to those woes.
For people migrating to New Zealand, just send them the checklist of what not to do. Let them know not to get any ethnic food and spices and 'masalas', they are all easily available here. Definitely tell them to shed their shyness and be willing to ask, as people here are more than happy to help. The cultural amalgamation in NZ might give a few people, a culture shock, but let them know its 'Sweet As Bro...'
The place, the people, the food, the language...nothing is alien as long as you are willing to appreciate what New Zealand has to offer.
While there are a lot many positives that we would want to share, a few warnings are a must, and we decided it is better they come from the horses mouth. We have a mix of students, professionals, young families who have recently moved to New Zealand sharing how their expectations were met or thwarted by NZ's reality. So we let the readers have a say, read on to reminiscence your own experiences.
Here are some more stories from the readers:
New Zealand is largely a classless society where status and where you come from are not regarded as important. People here are on an equal footing, and you can expect to be judged a lot more by what you do and how well you do it. And it's pretty much the same way I expected it to be before I came here. People here have a very casual lifestyle and are very friendly. So far so good.
-Hasnain Saghir
Random strangers smile at you or better yet, start a conversation. Do not take it as an invitation that they like you. Everyone thanks the bus driver when they reach their destination. Kebab is not a sheesh kebab, it’s a shwarma. Taking a cab is a luxury! You’d rather walk! Prices for products change from shop to shop. “Wh” is pronounced as “Fuh”. For example: Whakatane is pronounced as Fuh-ka-tah-nay. ‘Bring a plate’ refers to bringing food to share, not just an empty plate. Kiwi slang: Togs – Swim wear, ta – thanks, suss – to sort out, jandals – slippers/flip flops, etc. Wearing socks and ‘jandals’ are cool! When people say ‘sweet as’, they are saying “it’s good”, and not talking about your bottom.
- Selina Nihalani
Looking forward to the rosy picture set as I packed my bags to leave for New Zealand. As you arrive you are awe struck with the beauty of the country and the ever friendly kiwis. However eventually life hits you with a bang, as your money depletes and the bills keep on increasing and you realize you cannot really depend on your parents to support you with money thanks to the always falling rupee rate. The herculean task of searching for a job grows slimmer as all the jobs look out for New Zealand work experience. Well how will I gain experience if no one is ready to give me a job? Even if you do get a job your visa permits you only 20 hours and as soon as you realize your salary is over the day it arrives in your account. However in time you do realize how to manage your finances and take life as it comes anyway no one ever said life is easy.
-Rochelle Diaz
Despite the outer beauty there is a dark side to New Zealand when you’re a student. Here are 10 things I did not know about this charming country. Lack of jobs. Illegal payment to employees (Not via IRD and not the minimum wage). Whether a degree from Auckland Uni or any college/institute no one really cares. Full medicals is a must. Buying a car is cheaper than public transport. There are more clothing brands in a 3rd world country but not here. Feminine pampering is way too expensive. Immigration NZ is as slow and ignorant as government organizations in India.New Zealand experience is only taken into account even if you have worked for three years in a reputed firm in India. The only booming careers here are teaching, nursing and farming.
- Fiona Dpenha
NZ the safest country in the world .... far from what I thought it would be, especially talking about life in Auckland CBD. The city is full of drug taking beggars who would not request but demand money out of you for help and when the help is not extended we start hearing racist comments. Dark lanes in the city are dangerous to cross from as you often see females being touched and troubled often scared to go out late in the evening. Anyhow NZ is not what I thought it would be especially when it come to safety for the coloured.
-Kapil Anand
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