Wow! I am amazed how accurate the information about life in NZ has been on this thread.

Moved here a year ago and wish I had this gouge before doing so. It might not have changed my decision to join the RNZAF, but it sure would have reduced my culture shock!

Some other points for yanks looking to make the jump:

• Despite ridiculous taxes, you won’t get a tax return check. Minimal exemptions for businesses, but not the average citizen. In fact, most people don’t file.
• Petty crime rate is alarming. Police force is a joke. Beware of the speed traps though.
• I have been briefed not to expect medical treatment for non-critical injuries sustained on FRI and SAT nights. ER is overrun, and the docs won’t make it to you.
• Minimal respect for the military from the government and average citizen. “We have an Air Force?” or “We got rid of the Air Force in 2001” are the two most common responses I hear during the, “What brings you to NZ?” conversation.
• Beautiful country when the weather isn’t sh*t. Subtropical ain’t tropical. Summer isn’t bad, winter is depressing (North Island perspective).
• No central heating or AC. No screens on the windows. Expect rooms without stand alone heaters to be frigid on winter mornings, and a hot mosquito ridden house during summer nights (I simply don’t get this).
• Good surf when the westerlies aren’t howling. Lots of sweet point breaks. Popular breaks get crowded, but tons of isolated spots out there.
• A lot of Pakeha’s (pale face kiwis) can’t pronounce the visual reporting points (Maori names), so yanks might as well hang it up. Give it a shot, but expect to hear “say again”, then use radial and DME.
• Outside of wet suits and avocados, everything else is more expensive than in the states. Boxer briefs cost $17 U. S. a pair (yes I said for one) at the warehouse (wal mart equivalent).
• Communication industry is dominated by monopolies. Cell phone and internet prices are ridiculous. A handful of companies are keeping NZ in the dark.
• The CAA (company against aviation) makes the FAA look cooperative, well managed, and efficient. You have to see it to believe it. I miss the FAA.
• User pay airspace system. Non-federal towers. You are there for the controllers, not vice versa. A military call sign gets you nadda.

The flying here is truly awesome. From all of the stories I’ve heard and read it seems a lot like Alaskan bush flying. Went on a low level nav training det to the south island a couple of weeks ago. Central Otago was unbelievable! For the most part, CAVU to the moon, with snow capped mountains. Hard to explain how sweet 250 FT AGL flying in the Southern Alps can be.

And oh yeah, I won’t comment on the level of female huskiness in this country but I will say the fire and forget kiwi accent in U. S. bars phenomenon isn’t reciprocal. Another lesson in my “NZ ain’t Oz” education.