10 ways moving overseas has changed me ✈️ Americans living in New Zealand 🇳🇿 

In the 80s NZ had a strong advertising campaign called "Girls can do anything". It paved the way for a generation.

Thank you so much for doing this video. It's been so tough lately with all the negativity and hate around on social media so your video has reminded me that NZ is great place to live and that there are still people here who are positive and grateful.

Being a kiwi its so easy to take these things for granted so I really enjoyed that, a great reminder of how blessed we are! Also so wonderful to see your genuine love of NZ 💕

Yes. It appears that NZ is one of the few countries in the world where women in power isn't a drama. Also, it was Jacinda Ardern's government who kept nearly all her compatriots alive during the deadliest waves of the pandemic. The death toll stands at 53 - Almost unequalled in the world.

I’m originally from Scotland and we always had easy access to Europe with different languages and cultures so were open minded to different ways of life. Coming to NZ 30 years ago was exciting and we fitted in quickly because we accepted the cultural differences of a new country.

Thoroughly enjoyed this Tara. There's a saying here, " No job is worth dieing for" and we realise no matter where we live, we are expendable.

Thank you for sharing your experiences here in NZ. All kiwi ancestors moved here at some point. Love your positivity. I realize NZ isn't perfect. I love hearing great people moving here who choose to make NZ home, positively contribute to this country and gain a lot from it. We are all blessed in this case & make NZ a better place. Kind regards

Thank you so much for saying the most beautiful things about our people & our country. We are privileged having you & your whanau living here, I hope everybody has the chance to bump into you one day, one day we might cross paths so when we do I'm definitely gonna say hi.

What a great outlook you have. We are so lucky to live here in NZ, I totally agree with all that you have said in this video. I came here because I married a Kiwi, I'm English, I've lived here since marriage for 43 years, and I really do agree about the 10 points you chatted about. Well done Tara xxxxx

Good to be reminded about the good things we take for granted!

Thanks for reminding me how lucky we are to live here in NZ. I actually got a little emotional watching this.

You and your family are a great asset to NZ. I highly recommend anyone move to a different country (who is able to) even if just for a year or 2. It will change you, and you will see your own country in a new light, for good and bad.

Hi Tara, very wise observations. I'm from the UK and I too have changed so much for the better having lived most of my life here. My kiwi wife and I have had three daughters here, and we are now expecting our fifth grandchild in a few months time. I would happily return to the UK, but only ever for a short holiday. I consider myself very luckily to have lived most of my life in New Zealand, especially during this time of the covid-19 pandemic when we as a country have been saved from the thousands of deaths that other countries have endured during this pandemic by the careing attitude of our Jacinda Ardern lead government.

Excellent...☑️ The depth of feeling you put into this was amazing. Very well thought out and presented. I can see the topics you chose were very meaningful to you. It is also inspiring for those from this country, in that it makes us realise the way of life we actually live here. It's certainly true that until you have experienced contrast, you may not realise what you truly have. Thank you for this heartfelt contribution. 💖

Every Kiwi needs to watch your videos and realise what an amazing country we live, while it's not perfect, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

You have really identified 10 very true and important benefits of the wonder of travels. I love the last one "A new type of freedom" Good for you having the courage to make that huge step in getting your whole family on a plane!! I love you videos

What an awesome video. 😁👍🏼 I’ve found living in other countries makes you more kind of worldly. It gives you a different perspective on life. It’s awesome 😁I love the way you talk to us…not at us.👍🏼 Kiwis will give you the shirt off their back. So friendly and welcoming.

Love all your videos and the way you speak about nz. Keep the videos coming. Been a fan from day one

That last one about the freedom, Tara - I saw that. You've gone and done it now - you're a Kiwi. You *belong* here now no matter where you came from, or how deep and close your connection to it, or where you go for the rest of your life. There's that little piece of your heart that's always got a home here too. :-)

I love watching your videos but they make me sad too. I was born and lived in NZ for the first 21 years of my life. I left in '69 and have wanted to go home most of that time. I married an Australian and that meant I got to live here instead. I don't dislike Australia but funnily enough it has never felt completely home to me.

Aw, this was quite beautiful and moving watching you open up so honestly about your experiences, feelings and perspectives. Thank you for sharing ❤️

I really appreciate your insights on "becoming who you are" as a result of living in a different culture. As an Aussie who has lived off and on for 18 years in Japan, this really resonates with me. Thanks mate!

I'd love to hear your children's perspective to living in new Zealand and America... That would be an eye opener

Absolutely Love your Blogs, I love hearing honesty 👍

Your a beautiful person and it's nice to see someone from different shores appreciate what we have here, it really is a little nivarna, hope you stay a long time , I spent many decades abroad and its not till you come back that you really realize just how easy life is.

Excellent topic. A reminder that switching up my world, in large and in small ways, has always had a net positive outcome. So now ruminating on what I can do, this week and in the future, to do just that

Hey Tara, many thanks for your honest and informative videos. Something that hasn't changed is your warm and friendly personality. 😊 👍

Absolutely the BEST post Tara. Your growth is a beautiful story. Write a book.

This is a fantastic video. Thank you for your appreciation of this beautiful country. You and your whanau are always welcome , with open arms.🙂✌👍

Mother hood is the most important job in the world. To bring up our kiwi kids our future is so important . I would also say just from watching your videos you have slowed down a lot too. to n.z speed . When you see people come from over seas it takes time to slow down from the fast life over sea's to our layed back kiwi way. Thanks for the video always a joy Will...n.z

I'm grateful for your insights.

The last one you nearly cried, that felt genuine, and I truly loved it. Made me tear up alittle bit. You look relaxed and that's pleasing to see. Kiaora.

Great video and thanks for your observations. Certainly the “other cultures” point is key. You may have noted, as we live so far from anywhere, our OE (Overseas Experience) is a key part of growing up for many Kiwis. This means we meet other people, experience other cultures, try other foods etc etc. I feel that creates a more open minded populace. Something that perhaps doesn’t happen so much in the States, where the size of the country means that overseas travel is not so important.

We are so excited the government just announced they’ll start processing visas again in October. We’ve been waiting!!

I've watched most of your videos & have to say this was amongst your best! Congrats. You've definitely found your authenticity. It truly shines in this video with so much genuine emotion & conviction. You've lost any (maybe all) of the typical gimmicky-American-ess, that shows up in so many YT videos with Americans. No disrespect to Americans, just my honest observation. Great video.

Great in sights - thanks!

Wow. I'm a Kiwi who has recently discovered your channel, and tbh I've been binging on it a little. So interesting to see your perspective. I have the opposite experience of being a Kiwi living overseas and returning (long before Covid I might add). I think what many Kiwis lack is perspective. We see the beauty around us all day every day so we no longer see the beauty but only the (sometimes imagined) flaws. We see our issues with race and fail to see that we are so much further on than most countries in that regard. We see our issues with sexism and wage gaps and glass ceilings and it takes an expat American to dare suggest that we actually have it pretty good here in that regard. We worry about the level of violence here and ignore the fact that our kids don't do active shooter drills, go through metal detectors at the door to their schools or wear bullet proof backpacks. Not to say we can't do better, we always can of course, but an acknowledgement sometimes that so far we've done pretty well wouldn't be amiss. Your last comment about freedom was great. I have many a discussion with an American friend regarding gun ownership. As a hunter myself I have no issue with firearms however naturally my view is much more restrictive than his. The one question that gets him is when I ask "who has the greater freedom - you who has the freedom to carry guns for self protection or me who has the freedom to never feel that I need to?"

I loved this video. I learned so much from it.

I’m so jealous. My family and I were supposed to move to NZ in August but our visas got declined 8 hours before our flight due to my wife’s medicine for psoriatic arthritis. I’ll keep living vicariously through your videos but man I wish I was there.

Really enjoy your posts from an Aussie's point of view

Wow lovely knowing your happy living hear in Aotearoa NZ if you decide to move again to another country may you and fams hopefully experience similar or better things

Wharf jumping is actually our national sport

Thank you for sharing ☺️

Gosh I could feel your relief at not being so pushed. Yay 🙂

We are glad you came to NZ, I enjoy hearing your perspective. Now that we will be opening up soon, when will Christi be visiting NZ?

Born in London.Lived there for 28 years.Moved to Australia in 1990.Lived there for 24 years.Now living in Thailand for 8 years and haven't finished yet.lol Subscibed.

You have definitely changed with what you pointed out is right on with how it is here especially in regards to motherhood, freedom and materialistic.. boom.!!

Totally amazing had opportunity to live in many countries. USA, Australia, EUROPE, SEVERAL ASIAN countries , S Africa(have passport"s") But back in New Zealand for all what you say. We have 3 adult children in USA, SA, DE, would really love them here. Property is bloody expensive though

Thank you so much. I want to come to NZ.

I love New Zealand and you make me appreciate it so much more!!! Some kiwis don't realise what freedoms we have!! When my American friends eventually come over I'll be sure they get in touch with you!!

I find your channel really interesting and informative. I've learnt lots about the US and also quite a lot about how others find it coming into our culture.

Hello Tara. Ive watch most of your posts and enjoyed them :) But there was one post where I was going to make a comment but got distracted so I will make it here. I am quite certain I heard you say "tomaaato" instead of "tomayto". 😂 I know....its so stupid, but I giggled. I'm glad you like living here. I work with a lot of American's being with a DHB, and they only leave to go back to the States for holidays. One said "oh I got sick of being in the States for so long I couldn't wait to come home". Good company :)

Haven’t seen one of your vids for a while, you appear to look healthier without being rude just wondered if you felt better for it. It may just be the it’s summer but probably the home cooking and not as much fast food? Just something I noticed. Nz is expensive which pees me off specially when you travel overseas. Also many kiwis have travelled, living at the bottom of world you need we go and see what’s out there in the big wide world which in turn opens you to new cultures and as you say makes you a better person. Thanks for putting a good vid together.

I love your channel and loved listening to your heart the wairua [spiritual] side can really be seen. Thank you from Tairawhiti East Coast

You are so right about Kiwi's not being materialistic when living at home. I'm a kiwi moved to Aussie love the country, but it's all about materials and replacing things that you don't need. I miss the contentment of home where people are more important than stuff we collect. You can easily become a hoarder here. Not that Australia isn't a good place to live it's made me grown in so many other ways. I always appreciate life more when I come home. Thank you for your video's and teachable moments.

Good video,you communicate very well indeed Professor 👍

Thank you mam, it made me remind me of how important my mother was for me. I bow at your feet with respect. I really miss my mother. I thank you very much, because I miss her tenderness and I miss her telling me off too lol.

tara how about a match making service to match up singles here in the states with new zealanders

Awesome video💯 I can see how relaxed you are since been and that’s great, US are great entrepreneurs and are very hard workers. If I was to go to the US It will definitely be a cultural shock. It is so fast and everyone on the go, I wouldn’t no what to do. Hope all is well in Wellington and the unnecessary protest calms down soon. Hoha Thanks for your videos, ka mau te wehi.

Amazing video! Thank you so much. This is how we feel after traveling the world for 4 1/2 years... But NZ is going to be our new home. Not going back to the USA.

Hi there! I love your videos!! Thank you so much for sharing your New Zealand adventures with us. I'm a career changer in my early 40s and I'm currently in school getting my second BS, this time in tech (software development). I think I heard you saying on another video that your husband is in tech. I'm not sure, but if he is working in tech in NZ I would LOVE to hear about his experience working in the technology field over there. I have plans to graduate here in the US, gain some experience and go to NZ permanently. It would be so nice if you could interview him about his profession. :) Again, thank you!

Tbh, and hi Tara, how are you... we are a nation of people who tend to stick together through the most hardest of time and trials. Some will spend large bit most of us live within our means. We simply can't afford new things and that doesn't bother us. We got kids to feed, house needs a vacuum or washing machine kids need clothes. We're better that way lol love the videos and your honesty. Chur my kiwi lol

WOW. May God bless and keep you and your family. I am BEYOND GRATEFUL AND THRILLED to say we are selling EVERYTHING and we are in process to immigrate!

I need to go back to Philadelphia for work...I've stayed in NZ because I was terrified of something happening to my family and being trapped overseas. I just really don't want to go back, and I'm seriously thinking of quitting and staying. The thing you said about people being in your face is true--you get sick of being marketed to, and hustled. The personal safety is a thing as well--in America it's normal to sort of keep a running ledger of people around you and potential threats.

dear Tara:Your money saving is fairy worthimplementing for all y'all kids's future educational purposes.Btw,do you also garden your own plants around areas you're living?Hoping the consumer edible healthy stuffs grown and planted there will get more cheaper probably we can spare more expenses in travelling to see the wonderful natural sceneries.

Love your comments has always 👍👍👍👍

Hi Tara, that's all true. Webinars? Yes, writing CV :-)

The way you explaining thing its speech less i liked your videos so much love from India keep going, 🎉🎉

Seeing women in leadership roles in your beautiful country is amazing.

I got on a train in Auckland and a woman got on after me. She was wearing labourers safety clothing and steelcapped boots so was from one of the building sites. She also was wearing full makeup and very long false eyelashes. A great example of our diverse workforce. Motherhood is now recognised as a "job" here now and not just the woman lazing around at home.

At one point I thought you were about to break into tears. Maybe our beautiful country and people have had a more profound effect on you than you realize. If that is the case......You are so welcome. Your journey to becoming a Kiwi is almost complete.

Hey it's your Kiwi fan again. I still can't believe as a kiwi, living here, how much your content appeals to me. You remind me to focus on what we have, more than what is missing. e.g. I have frustration around the gender pay gap, but forget to notice how good our Maternity leave is etc. Keep up your awesome work. And do please stay here, we would love to keep you!

Hi Tara - once your kids get ingrained into the kiwi way of doing things, if they're not already, then I'm picking that they wont be going back to the US of A real soon, and if so, definitely not to stay. But hey - I wish you and the whanau all the best.

Thanks

Five years of living in California a few years back and I can say Tara is so right. But also, we were treated like royalty by friendly Americans. We made many friends. But it was easy to drop into the world of consumerism, which thankfully was knocked out of us when we came home.

Tara, I always follow your vid and I love 💘 your comment about my country. You said it like it is. I want to say this, I wish you came here before you have kids so you can have a kiwi kids. You live here now, that mean you and your kids are American kiwi.

For an American to go to any foreign country will change them if they are changeable .... or open to change and learning new things .... but it upsets me to hear some say the US is better ... we are not any better ...

When I went to America 🇺🇸 I found it was so fast compared to what I’m use to living here in New Zealand 🇳🇿 I liked the shopping 🛍 and food but their is no place like home 🏠

#2 we have a female Governor General too :) lovely video. Kia ora 😍

well said

Wow what a smile and amazing eyes

I dont worry now about slipping and hitting my head on ice-snow

In regards to women in leadership roles in New Zealand and how it has affected you, Tara, what about the impact it has had on your girls?

The big change is that you are now considered equal and not less in worth and the life work balance haschanged. The difference between patriarchal and matriarchal and that's probably a valued part of Moari heritage and being integrated into a caring society.

Amazing

the footage at 1:42 looks like it is from Hamilton?

It is clear you and your family are better people for being in NZ, but I can clearly state that NZ is also a better place for having you and your family.

Great video! Great perspective! I wish more Americans could just see how it's all done outside of the U.S.! I really wish NZ was an option! I'm nearing retirement and know immigration to there is difficult at my age without big $$$.

You have touched on the topic of freedom, yes kiwis is a real place of freedom, I like how you touched on a woman president, motherly problem solving is different to us men, Men in power gets agitated and use war as a way to show power, but women tends to settle issues with communication. I do enjoy watching you vblog

Moving over seas you learn to use your own mind as their is no resuce horse coming. the rose petals glasses fall away faster and you see people for who they really are.

Different country we are more expensive than the USA but definitely safer

I'd like to know about older Kiwi people. Some days you're just too tired to hang laundry or go eat out (expensive) or you don't feel like cooking. Making sense? I've been wondering how they get along on their own. I think you've mentioned once that instant things cost more and many people do their own baked goods but there will come a time when you simply don't feel like wrecking the kitchen for a loaf of bread. Do you know any or have you seen how they get along?

Hi Tara… Your reference to freedom can be summed up as freedom to be you, free from cultural indoctrination.

Question: how does the price of medicine/drugs in NZ and the US compare to each other ? I know that since 2006 in the US it's illegal to import drugs/medicine(s). That allowed the US drug companies to jack up the price of drugs into the stratosphere.

I've heard America referred to as being: "The high temple of materialism." I don't believe that here in Aotearoa New Zealand this description could be justifiably applied.

Great video, one of your best! Great points, especially the last on time. So true! Sad news however, your branded as Kiwi American(s), so you moving overseas... not allowed.

Nice Tara, you're a smart and strong woman and there is no reason why you can't do whatever you may want to. It sounds that what I have been saying to you a number of times is making sense to you and still one of your biggest fans. Still waiting to see a reply to my email.

Funny you would mention different culture. It happens within NZ. It depends on which city you are in. I was born in Christchurch but spent most of my life in Auckland. Due to covid and redundancy I had to move back to Christchurch to live with family. Huge culture shock. I moved from a city that was always warm and welcoming (although traffic is shit there) but people accept you for who you are. My home city however I've found to be very closed off to what they deem outsiders. Very biased and I have found that it is very hard for older professional women to get jobs here and there are plenty going.

I see women in leadership roles because how I grew up when dad worked 3 shifts and when he does my mother acted as the leader at home. I grew up seeing that. I loved it as I do now, because I see it with equality, not with biasness. As a male it's a turn on when they take the lead sometimes. It gives the males a break putting on a show. We need to rest our laurels at times too. As a momma, me being her son, watching them putting us as children in our place, teaches us alot of loving, longing, virtuousness values.

I’m loving your videos and find them very insightful. You speak of how travel and living in another country has changed you. I wonder if the fact that many in the US do not travel might explain why they appear to be insular. As well as, what appears to be the widespread acceptance of conspiracy theories. They say travel broadens the mind and I think the evidence bears this out. I’m a UK National. I’ve travelled widely, Europe, Canada, Australia and I now live in New Zealand. Everything you say supports what I’ve observed.