My Kiwi crash course . . . at Neighbourly
OPINION: Aotearoa is a unique country – our team of 5 million boasting a diverse array of cultures dotted through mountains, beaches and valleys.
Although I’ve discovered much of it while travelling and living in its cities, I’ve no doubt learnt most by managing the Neighbourly Member Experience team. Spending days communicating with members and scrolling through feeds, I’ve received a crash course on all things Kiwi.
Here are a few main takeaways from my time on Neighbourly.
CONFLICTING IDEAS ABOUT CATS
Cats, much like Vegemite, seem to inspire either great love or wild hatred. Where in other countries, the topic is simply a matter of preference: ‘‘cat or dog person?’’. Here, it’s closer to ‘‘cats: sadists and natural bornkillers’’ (in the words of Gareth Morgan) versus ‘‘Cats – best friends and life companions’’. I understand the hate cats may get – after all, they are a real threat to native birds (see point 3). However, I can’t help being amused by the fact we live in a country where the most outrageous animals are cats and possums (and not snakes and spiders).
DON’T MESS WITH MY COFFEE
I grew up in Europe, spending holidays in Italy where coffee is revered in its simplest form: a piping hot espresso gulped down before dashing to work. I thought
I was pretty versed in religious respect for coffee. Nonetheless, since arriving in Aotearoa I have witnessed more conversations about coffee than you can count.
What I’ve learnt: bad coffee is more destructive to relationships than Monopoly.
If a person tells you they’re not doing well, you can bet it’s because someone mucked up their flat white this morning.
A PROUD SPORTING NATION
New Zealanders are known around the world for their athletes – from the legendary All Blacks to Edmund Hillary’s climb of the Everest.
Realistically, it’s no surprise Kiwis are revered for their sportsmanship: they grow up with national parks as their backyard, and even enjoy sports trivia when opening a beer.
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Somehow, this competitive streak has carried onto Neighbourly, where members will happily challenge each other on their knowledge of sports and discuss the latest results.
MĀORI TAONGA PRIDE
New Zealand, perhaps more than any other country I’ve been lucky to live in, has amazing pride for its native animals and plants. I’ve enjoyed scrolling down the Neighbourly feeds, watching members exchanging tips on keeping birds hydrated during summer, filling their gardens with native species, and organising events to plant trees. Here, pı¯wakawaka and kōwhai are more than symbols on dollar bills and tourist hats, they’re an inherent part of every New Zealander’s life.