Living in New Zealand for 5 Years: My Honest Rant and Experiences Today
There are always those who paint a picture of New Zealand as an idyllic paradise. Today, I’m here to offer a more realistic perspective and shed light on some of the less glamorous aspects of life in New Zealand ⚠️
1⃣️ Car Windows
In New Zealand, having your car windows smashed is almost a daily ritual, so common it’s almost comical—more frequent than going on dates! Don’t rely on surveillance cameras for help; they are primarily used to catch bus lane violators, with a hefty fine of 200 NZD. So, whether you’re heading out for a meal or shopping, make sure to leave nothing valuable in your car, or you might return to find your windows shattered.
2⃣️ Medical Costs
I have a friend who experienced the so-called VIP service at a New Zealand public hospital after falling ill. One night in the emergency room and two nights in the ICU, with the ER charged by the hour and the ICU by the minute, resulted in a staggering bill of 20,000 NZD. This left him completely stunned. In New Zealand, having insurance is not just a good idea—it’s a necessity, or a simple illness could leave you financially devastated.
3⃣️ Snail-Paced Bureaucracy
If you’re accustomed to the lightning-fast, one-click efficiency of China, be prepared for a rude awakening in New Zealand. Here, you first need to make an online appointment, then gather a mountain of documents. After finally securing the appointment, you begin a long wait for the mailman to slowly deliver the materials.
If all goes well, you can apply for the next step after a month. If the documents get lost in the mail, you just keep waiting, and another month can easily pass by.
4⃣️ Rampant “Zero-Dollar Shopping”
Thieves in New Zealand employ a variety of tactics. Some use children as cover to steal, others brazenly grab and run in broad daylight, and there are even those who smash car windows and rush into stores to rob. In an even more bizarre twist, after a bank transfer, they can call and claim it was a mistake, getting the money back. Many New Zealanders are too lenient, and this indulgence has emboldened thieves, making “zero-dollar shopping” a daily occurrence.
But, to be fair, no place is perfect; it all comes down to whether it suits you. Setting aside the rosy filters, what do you think of New Zealand?
