Americans Living in New Zealand. The Highs & Lows of The First 6 Months... 

So lovely to catch up with Maile, Brian & Zoe the dog in Dunedin, New Zealand. Thank you, guys! 😁 Don't forget to check out their YT channel, Zoomies Abroad (link in the description).

We had such a great time doing this video with you. We miss you guys!! Thanks so much for your great questions and for being you, who knows where we would be without your amazing support. Love you both!

I live about 2 to 3 blocks away in South Dunedin I'm a retired nurse, if I see you I'll speak to you and maybe I'll have a hug. You are all doing so well. By the way I'm a kiwi.

As a healthcare worker who is moving to NZ with my spouse in less than a month and who also struggled through Covid with a strained relationship but came out the other end stronger, this really hit home. Thanks so much for sharing.

That was awesome guys. Zoomies, stick with it you are the type of people nz needs, and you really are doing well. Congratulations on your big plunge into nz and all the culture shocks that have gone on with it.

Anyone who has a retired greyhound as a pet have to be good people Great to see that they are settling in to Dunedin life

Re hugging. We are Americans and huggers as well.......... once we get to know someone. We went on Holiday to New Zealand and were meet by our Son In Laws (Kiwi) parents. We were greeted with "You must be the Americans" and we all said our hellos and got on with it . After a week together with them and their hospitality etc when they dropped us off at the Ferry we automatically gave them both hugs. When my husband hugged the Dad, , his wife looked at my husband like "oh Boy" that is not what we do here and the Dad just gave a funny look like "Whoa, what just happened? Now after knowing them for 10 yrs we hug when we see each other BUT the first time was very uncomfortable for us all. :) BTW our SIL was not a hugger either BUT he is now and even initiates it with us. The world needs more hugs .............

I really enjoyed this session. Good to see, our new kiwi friends are moving along nicely. Keep goin. Ryan dont worry you'll make friends my bro. Welcome to Aotearoa.👍

The biggest difference between New Zealand and North America is a lot of the weekend activities don’t cost much, go to the beach, go tramping, go mountain biking etc. when I lived in a North American city those nature activities were rare so you did expensive activities like movies, concerts, pubs, galleries etc and it all sucks the money out of you. I’m happy in New Zealand just going for a walk

OMG this was great. I think people are still a bit weird about hugs with the old virus spreading all over. Generally I am huggy. Everyone who came into my house was hugged hello and good bye. I hope we are all soon back to that. Anyone who moves from around the world has my respect, that is brave. What an awesome couple.

I've only just watched this, thank you sooo much for doing this podcast! I work at the Whanganui DHB, in the medical, surgical and acute treatment an rehabilition ward. It's wonderful to see patients get better but it hurts my heart when you can see patients and families give up. It is difficult to leave all of that at the door. Much love to our essential workers 💕

Community clubs e.g. cycling, tramping, garden, menzshed, rotary /lions, book clubs etc can be quite a good way to meet like-minded people

If I see you when I move to Dunedin late June (from Australia), I'll give you a hug!

Thanks for posting Liz and Bri. Love getting all these perspectives from new Kiwis. So good to hear you are all enjoying your new life in NZ and not financially strained.

Thank you Brian and Maile for interviewing. I have been considering relocating from California to the Otago region. This really does help me. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Great interview, love that they were so real and talked about struggles we all go through 💙 I always give my mates a hug, I thought it was normal lol

What an awesome couple. NZ is lucky to have you. I know it's always a culture shock when you move to a new country. Just keep an open mind and you'll be right. Good luck to you both going forward ❤ 🙏 👍

This was such a great open conversation, and relatable! As a member to the Slack group it feels like we are sitting around the kitchen table with you all! 🫂❤

Thank you for this amazing video and for sharing your thoughts and experiences ❤️.

Two more fantastic people you've introduced us to. Great to see they've made it through the hardest part and everything will become easier as the settle in and become locals

This was great! Open, genuine conversation and for anyone looking to move country, this has some really good lessons. I moved from UK to Seattle and experienced a lot of the same culture shock, good/bad weeks. I was nodding a lot through this video. Really love this channel

I'm a kiwi born and raised and completely get what you are saying about change. The comfort of things being where they should be can't be under estimated. Continuous change and adaptation to your environment is exhausting. I get worn out when we have a restructure at work. So well done.

It just depends. Most dont hug recently due to covid19. In my cultures (NZ Maori & Samoan) we are constantly hugging family and friends.

Awesome vid folks from a subscriber to both channels. Keep safe, take care!

As always, luv the contents of all your videos!!!!! Thank you to Brian and Zoe for their insght too - Awsum!!! Hard questions and Honest answers. We do have a lot of Respect for anyone that comes to New Zealand and Helps us out in the Health Care (Doctors, Nurses, Mental Health Professionals, etc) areas/professions!!!!! Big Cheers. Peace

Brian hugging is totally acceptable in NZ amongst friends and acquaintance's. You guys are awesome

I think the hugging thing depends on the individual and maybe your upbringing. Some kiwis are and some aren't. Love listening to your chat with Maile and Brian. Hope their life in Dunedin just keeps getting better. We need more people like them in NZ 🙂

Brilliant insights from a lovely couple - All the very best to you!!

Just home from work and lookey here, Its thursday. Nice to see ya.... to see ya nice.

Hugs are VERY normal, just another thing Covid has messed with! What a fun couple.

Hugs and kisses are very common in NZ especially when greeting someone, or at least with me and my friends and family. Maybe it's because I'm maori because even a hongi is normal to me but I always found kiwis to be affectionate. All the times I went to USA for a holiday to visit family I found that Americans were not very affectionate and looked at me weird after I met someone and gave them a hug, I stopped doing it because I guess that was not the usual thing to do. I also discovered that depending on what state you were in the reaction is very different, the southern states seemed a lot more friendlier, complete strangers in Louisiana and Texas were very kind and helpful while Americans in the bigger cities like NY tended to be more standoffish and snobbish even though they were friends with my sister which I found weird

You're top people- all of you. NZ is lucky to have you. And look out Bryan if I ever get to Dunedin 😄 Thanks for another great video xxx

Made in Gods Own Country N.Z. ... We love earwigging in on your convo's at times we pee ourselves wid laughter , we graduated got wings and crossed the Ditch to Straya and even though we have been here ova 40 years we still long for Gods Own Country ... Thnx for the laughs , the highs n the lows Life Sux But Suck It UP Butter Cups the Stronger U are the Lower U fall ... LOVE YOUR GENUINE POSITIVITY ❤❤

We have been trying to find work for two years since we traveled to NZ in 2019. Will be interviewing this week. We have watched every RU-vid video on the subject. Yours by far are our favorites. We're from California making the move with our three kids.

Good to catch up with this awesome couple. Was wondering how they were adjusting. Keep going guys. You are too real. You fit well.

Made a great comment and sent it to Zoomies channel. Cracker video. So happy for them ! Keep safe🥰

I haven’t been able to get back to Dunedin for 2 years now (from Colorado) to see my family. Enjoy seeing the positivity for Dunners. It’s not for everyone though which I understand because I’ve travelled a lot and lived in many places so have a reference but M & B have the right temperament and attitude for it. Now that I’m older though I could easily live back there. However, I have gotten used to the very sunny, dry, high dessert climate i now live in. Maile and Brian, if you haven’t tried it yet (I’m assuming it’s still there) the best Indian food ever is Indian Spice in Nth Dunedin by the botanical gardens. Last time I was there it was $10 curries on Monday nights. Only problem now is it sounds like it will cost you $20 to drive across town

Awesome guys hang in there ❤️

Life reflects back to you, whatever you are

Kiwi born and bred, big family, all huge huggers... it's normal for some...

08:50 looks like Brian is watching tennis 😅. Thanks for the great podcast!

Good for Maile and Brian. I hope Biran can find an IT company he can fit into. New Zealand needs help in the IT sector.

Great talk you guys. Culture shock is real, even when you love the new place, nz, America and England divided by a common language

Hahaha, my husband is a Bryan too and this week is our 3 year anniversary in NZ. And honestly, it has been tough making friends.

Yes, we hug here but not during the pandemic - and often the hug comes with a kiss on the cheek.

It’s so funny I was just saying to my kiwi hubby how few hugs I have gotten since living in Texas the last 7 years. 😳{I am American} I can’t wait to get back to NZ where I can get hugged again. 😂

Naumai haere mai ki Aotearoa Welcome to New Zealand...I love ❤ to hug...Kia kaha be strong...and kiaora mo to manaaki...thank you for a nurse caring for the people in Dunedin

I think the word is "Shrill" more than "harsh"😊💕.

Hugging is more mainstream than it used to be.

We hug lots in the polynesian cultures

If Maile and Brian want to meet up for a coffee (or Bourbon lol) My partner and I go to a different cafe each weekend and call it our Cafescapades. Mmmmm coffee. I understand it can be difficult to meet new people and make new friends, and even harder to become true/good friends... But to be fair and honest my ulterior motive is want to meet puppy dog... lol (We have a Jack Russell) As for hugging on average I would say no, but depends on the person how well you know them but in general not really, But adding a caveat the Maori and Island culture is more open to the hugs. My partner not so much to hugging in general, me I am more meh if you want one doesn't bother me either which way... Making new friends as I said can be difficult, hobbies are a great way to meet people (that you don't work with) sure there is a club that meets your hobby needs, from hiking, general walks, to woodworking, to model engineering etc... I hear through the grape vine Brian is a bourbon Drinker ... ahhh a man from my own heart... I have one or two bourbons in my bar. (yes I have a bar)

Thank you for this. My wife (also a nurse) and I are relocating with our three kids (and two dogs) from the US to Dunedin in November/December so this perspective is appreciated. Is there a network you’d recommend us joining that might help us get settled/integrated a bit faster?

Hugs are normal between friends or people with friendly natures ;) u know when to do it.

I live in San Franciscans we have bees and house flies in summer. Occasionally spiders but they’re small. I’m also a nurse and I’ve decided that rather than go and work I’m waiting to retire and go. I can imagine the difficulties in my job (post op recovery) would be very different. Liz and Brian-I love your videos! Do you ever talk to someone who is in that over 55 but not 66 range? There are really confusing messages-considering applying to University, actually as it’s cheaper than ours, and maybe that’s a way I can get there before 66?

😂🤣 ur voice is sharp, and I can't do something about it😂🤣, KIWI fruit might be a cure😂

This is a very interesting conversation. My first cousin with her family lives in NZ. My partner and I have thought about moving to NZ. I'm doc in mental health care and she is a leading big data person. Actually I'm retired, and she has an international business. It seems that buying a home might be hard as they are listed and purchased differently. I'm multicultural so integration into the community isn't a strain instead I would find it fun. In the states I attended around 8 schools and lived in over 14 different states. So I like meeting people, no night clubs, a paced life with people are invested in community. Differences and sharing make life interesting. This is educational and fun. Thanks!

Brian could branch out into a Callin App channel so he can connect directly with people.

Feeling tired when you do something new in part has to do with your brain building new synapses. That's why humans get tired when they learn because our brains are literally building physical tissues dir new pathways. We also need more sleep as the integration happens as we sleep. That's why children sleep more adults as their brains are building new synapses at an accelerated speed because everything is new to them!

Your dead right everyone tends to do it I had the same problem in the UK converting pounds into NZ dollars which at the time was 3-1 in the pounds favour

"Let's hang out with Brian with a hat on".. 😂🤣😂

I enjoyed this, it's always interesting to me to see how new immigrants settle in to NZ. I've lived in China, Taiwan and Japan, and while my general acceptance of "I'm in a new country" got easier, it was as described here - all the little things that were tough, such as how do get a phone number, what ID do I need? How do I pay it, how do I top it up? Which bank should I use, where are the ATMs, how do I pay for things? How the heck do I read and use this phone app that's in another language? - how do I order takeaways? All these little things that back home in NZ were just automatic. And now, when I go back to NZ again soon, all these little things will still be subtly different since it's been 5 years since I dealt with them in NZ - oh, and almost no-one is interested in the stories of your life overseas...

Hi Liz. May I ask how Maile got a job in NZ as I'm also nurse wanting to migrate to NZ from the UK? Thanks a lot!

I am an expatriate now living in Canada. I can attest that even moving from an English speaking country there are culture shhocks etc. Even writing a cheque (remember them) here is different. With respect to the hugging I agree with what Maile and Brian said. As a Kiwi we really didn't hug each other and hear in Edmonton, AB Canada where I live, friends, family hug all the time and it took a bit of getting used to.

As a fly on the wall hearing how people from foreign lands come to NZ and struggle then settle is awesome. To the side BS is better than Sh*t. Welcome

Is it worth going to the beach in Dunedin?

At what point will the two Brians ditch their wives and have a 'Bromance' trip through NZ?

Moving country is a shock. A complete turn around emotionally. It's like a divorce. It's a stressful shock to the system and you have to get used to the new normal after everything you're used to is up ended. You spend two years adjusting, then setteling down. If you make it seven years, and you're still here, you're a kiwi. For the first few years you long to go back home, see a plane and wish you were on it. Is takes time to adjust. Some don't.

Just seen this video. I would reiterate what Matt the co worker said, don’t expect too much of yourself too soon. Give yourselves 12 months at least to get your bearings. People are friendly down there, after all it is student city so they are use too diversity. Just make the effort to say hello. Or go fishing, as fishermen will always talk to each other particularly if they caught something. Look for opportunities in the community to get involved. But mostly be kind to each other as nothing is worth losing that love and care for each other. You will get through this Kia kaha Kia toa kia manawanui. From the Wairarapa.

I always enjoy you videos but I felt a bit funny about asking how much someone earns. I understand the reason for the question but it still felt a bit wrong. First time I have not finished watching a video. Having said that keep up the good work you guys are doing a great job.

Dogs are icebreakers when it comes to making friendships If you are inconvenienced by not having an item in your home strive for it. You don't need to have things to impress NZers. All you need is a table to eat off, a bed to sleep on, cooking appliance, frig, shower, toilet. Maile did you do the CAP course b4 practing as a nurse. Indian, Chinese, South African, Filipino Nurses have to as an orientation to our system I'm suffering from lockdown still, I've become addicted to Utube. Hugging is usually done between friends, try a Hongi that will surprise you,

No we Kiwi's don't hug as much as Americans do. If you haven't seen extended family members for a while you'd give them a hug but that's about it.

100% agreed. Here in the US the entitlement is out of control. I am planning to join the New Zealand work force in 2024.

You get paid in US dollars? That has to help

This could be just a cultural thing, or perhaps a phrase that;s lost in translation somewhat, but what the heck is leftover pizza??

The Life of Brian lol Welcome home @Brian EVERTON EVERTON EVERTON :P

I think the culture has a dent in it thanks to the pandemic. Unfortunately they came during a bad time for hugs, kisses etc....

Kiwis have a relationship with Americans way back to WW2 Elora Roosevelt visited August 1943 .....67k Americans were based in N.Z. here to recuperate, from the front an to save N Z. From the Japanese ... Sadly 18k of them, many father's of N.Z,ers paid with their lives at gaudal canal ... 1000s who survived relocated to U.S. ...with their n.z. mum's.. Your welcome in N.Z. always will be ...

You spent most of the interview, complementing each other. I feel it was poorly edited, and a lost opportunity to get a real insight into a couple newly arrived in NZ. The interviewer spent most of the time talking, rather than letting the subjects talk. And yes, I am a kiwi.

I ejoyed this, indigenous maori

NZ's an expensive place at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

What I don't understand is how a lot of American's are hell bent on rediculing Donald Trump even though he's been the best President they've ever had, Whats up with that ? 😢

Isn't the parliament burning?

I was born in Wellington . Left 5 years ago . Not the same county I grew up in . Much worse now . Viva Mexico.

Notice that the Maori culture isn't mentioned in your videos you have to realize the racism they face in NZ their own country

Unalienable Rights Unalienble Rights are the Inherent, Sovereign, Natural Rights that existed before the creation of the State, and which, being antecendent to and above the State, can never be taken away, diminished, altered, or liened upon by the State, subject only to the Due Process of the Common Law. Nor can any Unalienable Right be fundamentally removed, whether mistakenly by contract through non-disclosure, which is fraud and unenforceable in Law, or knowingly by renunciation, which is contrary to Natural Law. The Original, Permanent, Unalienable Rights of every Man or Woman, include: The Right to Life, Freedom, Health, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Right to Contract, or Not to Contract, which is Unlimited. The Right to Earn a Living by being Compensated with Wages, a Salary, or any Trade Goods, in Fair Exchange for one's Work The Right to Travel in the Ordinary Course of one's Life and Business. The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality, free from Unwarranted Invasion. The Right to Control, and Hold one's Property, Lawfully without Trespass. The Right to Self-Defence when threatened with Harm, Loss, or Deceit. The Right to Due Process of Law, with Notice and Opportunity to Defend. The Right to be Presumed Innocent, suffering No Detention or Arrest, No Search or Seizure, without Reasonable Cause. The Right to Remain Silent when accused, to avoid Self-Discrimination. The Right to Equality in the Eyes of the Law, and to Equal Representation. The Right to Trial by Jury, being an Impartial Panel of One's Peers. The Right to Apeal in Law against Conviction or Sentence, or both. The Right to Expose Knowledge necessary to one's Rights and Freedoms. The Right to Peaceful Association, Assembly, Expression and Protest. The Right to Practice a Religion, and to have Beliefs, of one's Choosing The Right to Love, and to Consensual Marriage, with Children, as a Family. The Right to Security, from Abuse, Persecution, Tyranny, and War. The Right to Refuse, to Kill, under command, by Reason of Conscience. The Right to Live, in Peace, and be left alone when Law Abiding. Surely, the most Critical Failure of the People, is their failure to ensure the Teaching and Common Knowledge of their Unalienable Rights. If you do not know your Rights, you effectively have none. By the Path of Ignorance, whether by Apathy or Deception. The People arrive in a State of Exploitation, Oppression and Tyranny.

So they aren't Trump supporters. Always have to go to that. sad. Trump supporting Americans are the best. They believe in individual rights and freedom.

Yeah. Wrong time wrong place. NZ is done