15 TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO NEW ZEALAND | what to know before going to new zealand from an american 

I work in a small cafe in a small town and an American couple would visit every morning. One morning after ordering their usual coffees they realised they had forgotten or misplaced their wallets and felt embarrassed after a long line had formed behind them. I said "Sweet as , I'll make them and just pay tomorrow". The next morning they were so apologetic and thankful that they tried to pay me far more. They couldn't believe that I would trust them so easily. To me it wasn't a big deal but I was absolutely humbled by the their reactions.

Oh Morgan - loved this! Exceptions to every rule etc., but you pretty much hit the nail on the head with every point! Especially the people part about "modest by comparison." You've a special talent with production and presentation, and these vids and just getting better and better!

Roads: we each pay a high amount through our taxes overall for roading in NZ but because we also have a lot of road each (small population) the dollars invested in each kilometre of reading is lower. The road all-cause mortality in NZ is about eight people per million (varies year to year) while in the US it is about 12. While road conditions will just be a small part of that, the overall bucket of money in NZ is divided in a very evidence-based way to lower the magnitude of the crash rate particularly that caused by speed. The division of roading capital in the US appears to be more political with greater speed permitted by better roading being the major killer. The irony is that better roads do not necessarily save lives. Minimum wage and tipping: NZ was the first country in the world to implement a minimum wage in 1894 (Industrial conciliation and arbitration Act). The thinking behind it was that employers should not be subsidised by the life blood of their workers. If you cannot pay your workers enough to live on then you shouldn’t be in business. Currently I think NZ’s min wage is about the highest in the OECD but still not really enough. Personally, I find staff in restaurant tipping cultures intrusive. Domestic heating: NZ is nuclear-free. We knew about Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Pacific island countries with massive birth defects, strange deformed creatures in the Pacific etc. and knew the French, British and Americans were all lying to us about nuclear safety. We refused to let them into our ports if their ships were nuclear powered. The US refused to confirm or deny so we do not let their ships in. (This has softened a little with time. They retaliated by putting high tariffs on our products. We do not do that to them. We know that we could have cheap warm homes with nuclear power and that modern nuclear power can be safer but most of us believe we are better off without it. (Of course we use it in small ways in our hospitals.) While you commented on the heating method, I don’t think you complained about it. I was pleasantly surprised. Well done. Most migrants complain without looking for explanation or trying to understand. When I travel I find history will give explanations for most things. Although, sadly, few people are warmed by ideals.

I’m visiting New Zealand for the first time next month so thanks for the tips! 💖

Good information , spot on . Our daughter lives in NZ and we try to visit annually except for the last couple of years due to Covid-19 but will be visiting this coming November till February. We love it there . Hope everything keep going good for you and partner.

Love your video and reference to double Sag. Lol. Made sense to me. Thanks for all the tips. As a Jupiter on Asc in Sag, I'm a Malaysian living in the pot-holed Midwest for many years and will be traveling to NZ for the first time. I used to live in the UK and spent most of my 5 years there walking on the right side of the pavement and only became conscious of it towards the end of my 5 years.

NZ designs roads for a mix of cheap and workable. Because the whole country is slowly moving, its not really possible to just pour expensive concrete because it wont stay there for very long before it cracks and starts sliding in different directions. So chipseal is used which usually lasts about 5-10 years. Most of the roads a tourist would want to use are sealed and perfectly fine but they can find gravel roads if they want to explore some less popular places.

I think tramping is a more common word than trekking in NZ. And I'm pretty sure that word will conjure different images outside of NZ. So, hiking = trekking = tramping. They all mean the same thing in NZ, but tramping is probably used the most.

Hahaha, sticky tak, kitty litter men wearing speedos and potholes the size of the grand canyon just some of the funniest things iv ever heard you had me laughter a comedian in disguise you absolutely made my day, and just say if I were planning to come to nz you made it all that more easier cool video...lol take care morgan mch lov from whakatane🙋❤️

I love your videos!! Keep up the good work! ❤❤❤

The "pond" is the Atlantic. Specifically, USA to UK. We are in the Pacific.

On driving, worth mentioning that a 4-way stop is not a thing here. And you can't turn left on a red light in the way you can turn right in most US states.

Wonderfully correct summation , so rare. 😀

Hi another really great video 👌

In nz, we don't rate ourselves highly. We rated everyone the same whether you are high class or downstairs. So don't come to my country thinking you all that because we don't care. Alot foreigners work here known their friends for years and have no ideas that they are doctors.

great basic first vid. my first to research NZ. My great aunt had a peak named after her in Antarctica. Id like to travel there. but wasnt sure how to get there in stages, and maybe live nearby. its almost straight down from NZ. so we'll see. very curious about the weather. not excited about the roads and bridges. but the people sound to be my kind of people. thanks so much for this intro.

Roundabouts everything on your right you have to give way too

Thank you for acknowledging the Maori words, culture and people

I have been to New Z'ed and have two savings accounts in ANZ Bank. The interest rate is better than the USA. When I retire, I plan to move to New Z'ed and enjoy the peace and quiet.

I have seen American visitors forget to switch the power switch on when they want to charge something or they will leave the power switch on once they finish using the power not realizing that in the U.S the switch is down for off but down is still on here in New Zealand lol

Another way to enjoy New Zealand in my personal opinion is get your motorcycle endorsement, its the best way to explore the country and there are plenty of scenic routes to do so

Your american dollar is worth $1.56 over there. So save money and you will almost double your money.. 400 usd is like $650 pound. So not bad exchange rates.

Damn, was hoping you were going to mention NZeTA and the IVL fee. Didn't know anything about it, nor did my kiwi friend I'm going to visit and found out about it when my brother said something about a travel visa (that US citizens don't need btw) and I wanted to double check.

I bank with PSIS cooperative bank, its a ex credit union, so they actually pay you a bonus if you want Banking options. When you visit the North Island Mount Te Aroha has easy access and a view. I regret not learning to Surf at Raglan Beach, you can cue in an Elvis surfing song video clip. Its nearly Spring.

Hi Morgan! Love all of your videos. My sister and I are planning to work in New Zealand next year. We wanted to know if you have any tips about health care like how medicine is different from the U.S.

I live in North America, but did spend three years with my boyfriend in Scotland. Lordy, I HATE roundabouts.

I had a Canadian girlfriend here in NZ in the late 90s and we drove north from Auckland and we came to the city of Wang Gerry. Also known as Whangarei.

Omg a real humble, pleasant and informed American who enjoys a world outside their border's.

Can you try American fast foods in NZ and tell us how it compares to what they have in the US?

Most houses in the southeast USA have heat pumps.

your so pretty and vids are great God Bless yall :)

Sadly I agree we're so bad in the States that most don't know anything about any other countries.

As an elder Kiwi the best thing about NZ is our growing diversity. Diverse culture adds to our gorgeous homeland. Cuisine, opinions and embracing. We all become KIWi!!!!

Belgium was never a colony of Britain. Parts of the country historically belonged to France and the Netherlands (which is why they are bilingual). Belgium previously had its own colonies in Africa.

If you live in Taranaki. Wha is not Fuh, it's Wha.

Your not gonna like this, but “whanganui” is pronounce with a “wha” not “fuh”

Kia Ora Morgan Marie... First and foremost... Your pronunciation of Te Reo Maori place names is EXCELLENT 💜💙💜 I am a native speaker, and you did well... Kia kaha tonu koe, Tino rawe ke to whakahua... ka pai koe...🌿 Translation: Be Strong and confident, your pronunciation is lovely... Good on you 🌿

really sounds like you live in the north island ,get out and about

That's funny not even in Western Australia Perth know how to use round abouts they think you give way to right and they stop at a round about hello think about it annoying and dont indicate off they stop on a merging lane really so Americans ain't so stupid yes we have them here too I'm from New Zealand so i know what round abouts are used for cheers

I actually really appreciate that America is going to defend Taiwan from Communist China.

You are so beautiful!

everything was good till you butchered my hometown Wanganui, its more said like -won-ga-nui

Used to want to visit. The totalitarian government policies during covid nixed all desire. No landscape is lovely enough to lure me there.