I am a rather less proud NZer tonight after reading some of the comments on this site, especially some from other NZers in the last couple of hours.



Why is it so difficult to see the point of this site IS to provide a flip side of the NZ experience? A valid part of the information gathering process for someone not from here? Even if it's not what a proud Kiwi wants to hear? If someone experienced it, that makes it valid. If we're not happy about them sharing stories that are less than complimentary, maybe we should be looking at ourselves and figuring out ways we can change how people coming to live here see us.



What's with the "racism is everywhere" (and the unwritten part that I assume should be read also, 'so that makes it ok') argument that keeps being offered?



Asian communities (supposedly) keep to themselves... so that makes it ok to yell 'chink' at them as they are out walking? What a freaking load of rubbish. [Frankly, I don't think Asian communities keep to themselves. But you have to be willing to engage too when someone who is out of their comfort zone makes an effort, and not so quick and harsh to judge. It can be hard and scary in a new country where you know nobody, so it's easy to be shy (or nervous about your language skills, for example). Why is it so hard to put oneself in those shoes and just imagine what it would be like? Or is it just easier to grumble and offer cliches?]



And telling people who are religious not to come... how is that anyone's business? Should I, born and bred, leave too because I'm not 'atheist'? But, uh, gee thanks for taking the time to voice the entire country's preferences on our behalf!



Those who started this forum really can sit back tonight as real live Kiwis take things into their own hands, show their true colours and prove a lot of what has been described as absolutely true. For me as a New Zealander, how embarassing. For those who have felt the sting of any kind of predjudice, I am sorry, and more than a little ashamed to see first hand some of the attitudes you describe in action.

Marc, the term is "secular" - like it or not there are plenty of Christians here. And yes, I am one of them.



Most of the racism I encountered growing up came from my Scottish immigrant parents and grandparents. For some reason if somebody non-white did something bad their race was mentioned as though it were a factor. My English parents-in-law do exactly the same thing.



Christchurch does, unfortunately have quite a reputation for racism. And it's fair to assume that it's alot more obvious to those who are on the receiving end of it.

Of course you don't have to leave just because you have an imaginery friend that guides you through life. But you shouldn't have any say in the running of the country, we don't want to end up like the USA with a monkey as a president that the rest of the world laughs at.



I don't want to live in a country where the people want to kill a woman for naming a teddy bear "Mohummad", do you? :



Chris, wait till the Muslims build up their numbers, like the UK, there will be a Mosque in every corner and women will be forced to cover themselves. (Not a bad idea, for some, I hear you say)

One of the jobs I've had since immigrating here three years ago was with a government agency. One of my work mates was an older male Kiwi and one of the most bigoted people I've ever met. He would regularly spout verbal tirades in the open work space, complete with obscenities, aimed at anyone who wasn't a born-and-bred Kiwi, but especially directed at Asians. I would cringe every time he started one of his little speeches and I'd try to find any excuse to leave the room. I actually brought his behaviour to the attention of my supervisor, but it was dismissed outright and apparently deemed as acceptable. There were others in this work place (including the supervisor) who held similar beliefs but were not as vocal in expressing them. It finally got so bad that I eventually left and found another job.



I've traveled all over the world and lived in four different countries, but I've never experienced such blatant racism and bigotry as I found here in NZ. The sad part is that it actually seems to be condoned on many levels. That being said, I suppose I've come to the conclusion that a verbal assault is not as bad as a kick in the groin or a bullet to the head, which is how bigotry is manifested in many other supposedly enlightened societies. I just hope it never gets that ugly here.

From the few posts I have read in this forum most problems seem to be Canterbury. I am white but have been raised in multicultural Auckland and find the culture of some bicultural and monoculture areas of NZ uncomfortable (and I am no liberal). I wouldn't live in Canterbury myself - Sydney sounds less apealling when I hear of racism there as do commments I hear about Hong Kong and the list goes on and on.



I would suggest if you don't like Canterbury try Auckland or better still why not check out Northland. Its a bit bicultural at the moment but becuase it is open it is well worth checking out for its potential especially around Kerikeri & Bay of Islands. The area is growing but is still affordable.

_________________
A native to NZ by birth. This is my home - why am I made to feel like an immigrant by earlier immigrants.

I think there is a lot of racism in New Zealand. I'd have thought racism was a lot worse in Christchurch than Wellington. Reading an earlier post, I would have to accept that racism is a big problem throughout New Zealand.



I think the posts are accurate, I have many Asian friends. I am disgusted by some of the things I have heard people say when I am with my friends... and I have been often impressed by the reactions of my friends... where I was preparing to respond with violence, they responded with humour. I am also concerned about what might happen... especially hearing of racist attacks in Wellington, where we live.



I don't think a majority of New Zealanders are racist. But I think that we do not react strongly enough when we see situations occur that we are not happy about. We have become to timid and to detached, or perhaps we always were?



I also don't think that racism is something that no other country/culture has to deal with... I have noticed it everywhere. But that isn't an excuse for having it here, something needs to be done.

_________________
http://www.alphafoobar.com

I was delighted to have found this site as a result of it's mention on TV One last night.

As a born and bred Kiwi who was away for 15 years in the USA and Australia I can only reiterate almost every negative statements I've read on this forum. The experience of my returning has been anything but the realisation of a dream, it has been a nightmare.

Kiwi's overall I've found to be insular, petty, parochial, narrowminded, intolerant, dishonest, self-gratifying and greedy. Just watch "Fair Go", to verify how many shonky people are out there ready and willing to rip off the unsuspecting.

This was once a safe place to live. Not any more. Crime is rife, as is violence, abuse, and drug use. Employment figures are deliberately misquoted. Unemployment is far more widespread than is apparent. Those without jobs and needing a helping hand are put on sickness benefits to hide the true unemployment rate.

No wonder some of our newcomers are unable to find work. I cannot myself. Too old, too intelligent, too experienced and too expensive.

Attempting to reintegrate is a case of "it's who you know" not "what you know".

Newcomers haven't a hope.

I empathize too with those who are unhappy here, have spent their money to come to, as Helen Clark would say, "this great little country of ours", and are now stuck with having to gather sufficient dollars to make yet another move. What is so great about it? It is not scenery which makes a country great. It is the mentality of it's people.

Kiwi's you need to take a good long hard look at yourselves. It is not what you own that makes you "somebody", it's not the title you have in your job, it's not the car you drive, the suburb you live in, or the amount in your pay packet, it's how you conduct yourselves.

The honour and integrity you have.

Once I was proud to be a Kiwi too, now I am ashamed, disillusioned and disgusted with the changes that have taken place in such a few years.

It's no wonder Kiwis are leaving in droves.

As soon as I can afford to I will be joining them.

To suggest that any immigrant can "know" by visiting or research what is in store for them when they cease being a visitor and start living in permanently is like suggesting you can know someone before you live with them. You can't. It's only in the doing that you have a full understanding.

I'm a Kiwi, I was away for 15 years, visited once or twice a year and was horrified, on returning to live, to find that all the things said of the country and the rosy picture painted could not have been further from the truth.

In 15 years NZ has changed dramatically....for the worse.

"This was once a safe place to live. Not any more. Crime is rife, as is violence, abuse, and drug use."



Name one country that isn't?

NZ is still one of the safest countries in the world according to the stats (we are in the top 10)



Kiwis are leaving in droves to earn more money, how can we stop that? A larger country will always have more opportunities and prepared to pay for NZ skilled labour. It's a shame our Graduates are not bonded for a few years.

I have lived in Cchristchurch for 5 yrs now and I think that the farming backgrounds of the llocals mean they are more open, less likely to give a stuff what you think about what they think and more likely to give you their actual thoughts in stead of PC-ness wrapped up in politeness.



Get used to it. Its refereshing

Canterbrit - you find racism refreshing? Is that really what you are saying?

Does the fact that other countries have problems with violence, drugs and abuse somehow make it ok?

While living in the USA I did not feel a need to lock my doors, either during the day, while out, or while asleep.

You probably find that somewhat surprising but it's true. Can you say that of NZ?

I lived in a rural area just as I do here. Would I leave a door unlocked here? Never.

I even have to have a padlock and cahin of my front gate, as does my neighbour.



Kiwis are not only leaving for better wages, they are leaving for a better climate, better work conditions, better attitudes and a completely better way of life.

Do you think that bonding Graduates, forcing them to remain, would encourage them to put their all into any job? I doubt that very much.

To get the best from people you need them to be committed. You cannot force committment from anyone.

No, I am saying that you're more likely to hear stuff like "Asians don't do things this/that way... ", "Asians don't like dogs" "South Africans sound very harsh", "Brits whinge a lot", "Germans can't queue", "Asians can't drive"...



I'm sorry but I heard the same everywhere in Europe - "Scots are stingy", "French are rude", "Italians can't drive"



Let's be honest, I'm not the only person on this planet that, when sat behind an "idiot" in a car who has perhaps just narrowly missed involving me in an accident or just pulls out discourtesly, shouts "f***ng *add nationality here*" whether I'm on the M25 or the SH1....



Get a grip people.... let's not play the racist card to everyone that mentions another nationality... it's human nature.

IF YOU are looking for peace, go to Norway or New Zealand. These two small nations topped the first Global Peace Index, a world study which ranked Australia the 25th most peaceful nation, but rated the US a dismal 93rd, well below China and its fellow nuclear powers Britain and France.



Norway ranked first and New Zealand second because both use their small armed forces only in peacekeeping, enjoy respect for human rights, have few violent demonstrations, low crime rates and good relations with neighbouring nations. Australian and New Zealand integration was especially noted and Australia's internal indicators of peace were comparable with New Zealand's.



From http://www.smh.com.au/news/...180205338898.html

I don't want to generalise but I am going to.



Asians cannot drive.

Asians work hard.

Asians are nice people.

Asians need to learn English and integrate.

Asians cannot drive, but then neither can most women and elderly folk. Imagine if you were an elderly, asian, woman, WOW No Chance!



Kia Ora

Hi



This is my first post as I have joined up after seeing the tv1 news item about the site. I am a NZ'er and have lived overseas (Europe & Australia) because I found the country too cloying and claustrophobic, and have returned temporarily and will be happy to leave again, in a few years. I have lived outside the country for over 20yrs and have seen the changes, with the influx of immigration. What is happening now is probably similar to the influx of Italians and Greeks that moved to Australia in the 50's & 60's. During that time the new immigrants were treated with disdain & racial predijuce. I have friends who are Greek and they have told me some of what happened when their parents first arrived, and the difficulties they faced moving to a country that did not welcome them with open arms. But they persisted (had to, couldnt afford to go back home), made a life knowing it was still better than where they had come from. And now, 50 years on, Australia is proud of it's cultural diversity, and the influences from the new cultures is seen everywhere, (with restuarants, fashion etc) and has made the economy stronger and better.



I know NZ has racism under the surface (I am Pakeha but have seen and experienced racism here) or even just out in the open, but with time (and knowledge) that will change. I hope that helps anyone who is struggling with these issues at the moment to know that what you are going through is something that will abate (eventually). That may not be the greatest thing to hear, but it will get better...it has to! Or you can be like me and simply move again when you are able to.



I am enjoying this site, it is good to see the alternative point of view about this country. You know you are growing up when you can receive (healthy) critique.

_________________
In the Japanese language the word for Crisis is also the word for Opportunity.

Discusted:



You live in Northland...safe?...enuff said!

I think chch is probably the most racist city i have been to in New Zealand. I have seen and heard people being racist in chch, I think it is digusting. I currently live in Seoul. I have friends and co-workers who are subject to racism daily, I never expected to be subject to rasism here, but i have learned to except it. Their are establishments throughout the cities which specificly state 'No foreigners', people will mutter things to you in the street(Im unlucky that im one of the few who can understand these), but the westeners here get it alot better than other migrant workers from other areas of asia. So we can not just pretend this is a pure New Zealand thing (*cough* australia*cough*. I think alot of New Zealanders have never been part of a minority so have no idea what it feels like to be looked at or talked about.

I just hope New Zealand can quickly change, if people are open minded enough to travel and work in New Zealand and experience our culture then the least we can do is welcome them with an open mind.

On checking statistics for countries around the world regarding crime I came upon this site.

http://www.nationmaster.com...saults-per-capita

On checking assaults per capita, NZ is only one place behind the USA.

Am posting it here since it may be of interest and use to other forum users.

I'm wondering a little on this, do you have locations or names of any of these businesses? I lived in Christchurch for four years while doing my degree, and with many walks in and around the inner city, i don't recall ever noticing a sign like this (could totally be me being oblivious to the obvious here).



Curious since my major was law and a sign like that is just asking for a letter ^^