A UK girl’s made the big move to New Zealand and is slowly figuring out all the little things we do that seem a little odd to outsiders.
Loz landed in Canterbury in the South Island and already spotted a bunch of Kiwi quirks.
“Things I wish someone had told me before moving to New Zealand,” she wrote on TikTok.
One of the first things Loz noted was our fashion - and the lack of care for it.
“No one cares what you wear! PJs to the shop or gym? Totally normal. Socks with sandals? Yep, mainly socks and Birks [Birkenstocks],” she said.
She was also seemingly impressed by the tempting and super handy hour or two of free power some companies offer - a true staple for many student flats.
Money got her confused though.
Loz wrote: “Currently $1 is 44p. The smallest coin is 10c, so the change you get is rounded either up or down.”
We wouldn’t know any different, right? That’s just standard. But the fact you don’t get exact change is mind-boggling to foreigners.
“You won’t get change if you pay for something that is 98c. It’s rounded up to $1.”
Our traffic lights also threw her for a loop. “Traffic lights will go straight from red to green (without going orange in between),” she said.
Sorry… what? She’s used to red, orange, red, green? That’s wild.
Another unusual observation was our coffee temperature…
“The coffee here is undoubtedly better than in the UK, however it is served at a drinkable temperature so can go cold quite quick,” Loz explained.
“If you want UK temperature then you’l have to ask for it extra hot.”
I’ll now be overthinking my next brew, wondering how it compares.
She also noticed how many signs at parks, businesses and tourist sites have signs in te reo Maori.
“New Zealanders are proud of their heritage and signs are written in both Māori and English”.
There’s plenty more she’ll find out - wait until she sees us all walking around with no shoes on in the summer - I can’t wait for her take on that one!
