What does it mean to be a New Zealander?

**pyrocam** · 14th February 2008, 07:30

30 years ago being a New Zealander might of meant gumboots, no. 8 wire, good ol' kiwi ingenuity, and climbing mountains, building boats, splitting atoms etc.

At the last census 56% of all newborn children had some form of non-European ancestry in them, as opposed to 25%* 30 years ago

Do you think this has changed what a New Zealander is? We are such a diverse country now, quite frankly I cant define it myself. Not to mention 86%* of us live in a urban environment, no.8 wire and garage inventions are less a part of our culture than it was in the past.

What do you think?

It's relevant to put in your age if you care to, the older generation of NZ lived in a predominately bi-cultural country and the youth live in a multicultural environment. Both opinions are valuable.

*+-3%, I'm quoting the numbers from a discussion last night from memory

**Krayy** · 14th February 2008, 07:51

Oh where to start....

Firstly the #8 wire mentality came from the implementors being too far from what we would call civilization to depend on anything other than their own ingenuity. Nowadays, they jump into their 4x4 and head down to the local Mitre 10 and pick up a tool or item that is so badly constructed that it will do the appropriate job 3 times, then you'll need a new one.

I was born in a small town where we knew probably half the population and people would stop on the street for a chat. Lately the town in question (Wairoa) is more associated with gang shootings, stabbings and the locals running the gangs off every now and then. The last time we visited, I knew 5 people and the main street was almost dead with some young yobbos pissing against the lighthouse. How times change.

30 years ago, Glenfield was a sleepy suburb where all the kids walked or rode around at night unaccompanied and the only trouble you would get is when you tried to jump your BMX off the skateboard ramp in the dark. Ouch. But we did have a teacher who was suspected of inappropriate behavior with a girl student, so that hasn't changed (eh, Mr B?).

Oh, and Glenfield mall only had 5 shops in it and was easy to get around in. Not like now, I got crushed and lost at the same time when I went there last.

**Pwalo** · 14th February 2008, 07:57

It means we live in a small country at the bottom of the world.

We have to go a long way to see any other human being so I guess we can be a bit insular, and do an awful lot of navel gazing.

I suspect being a New Zealander will mean something different to all 4 million of us. Does this question also apply to our immigrant population, or just us inbred locals?

**pyrocam** · 14th February 2008, 08:21

Originally Posted by Pwalo

I suspect being a New Zealander will mean something different to all 4 million of us. Does this question also apply to our immigrant population, or just us inbred locals?

Anyone, weather you consider yourself a New Zealander, if you have lived here 80 years and consider yourself scottish through and through, or even if you dont live here, sometimes external perspectives can be enlightening.

another question is, if you are an immigrant, when do you define yourself as a New Zealander, after 2 years? after you love our watties sauce, if your a weetbix kid?

thanks for the positive responses so far guys

**Animal** · 15th February 2008, 00:59

To me, as an import from South Africa, being a New Zealander is an immense honour and privilege. Getting into NZ was difficult and expensive, and a bureaucratic minefield, but I was determined to make NZ my home. I came in on the back of my skills and qualifications, not as a refugee or some sort of charity case, and have adapted well to NZ's culture and conventions (when in Rome... ). I'm currently working across the ditch, and I cannot wait to get back to NZ. During periods of homesickness, it's not South Africa I'm longing for. To all you Kiwis who never seem to stop bitching about your country, shut the fuck up. You have no idea how lucky you really are. You have a fantastic country, learn to appreciate it.

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th February 2008, 07:53

Originally Posted by CADanimal

To me, as an import from South Africa, being a New Zealander is an immense honour and privilege. Getting into NZ was difficult and expensive, and a bureaucratic minefield, but I was determined to make NZ my home. I came in on the back of my skills and qualifications, not as a refugee or some sort of charity case, and have adapted well to NZ's culture and conventions (when in Rome... ). I'm currently working across the ditch, and I cannot wait to get back to NZ. During periods of homesickness, it's not South Africa I'm longing for. To all you Kiwis who never seem to stop bitching about your country, shut the fuck up. You have no idea how lucky you really are. You have a fantastic country, learn to appreciate it.

This is the bit that I applaud in every Zimbo or Safa I've met. As for the 'other' immigrants...too fkn many of them refuse to assimilate and that, more than anything, has screwed up the society we once had.

**James Deuce** · 15th February 2008, 07:57

It means having to listen to ignoramuses who've never traveled expound at length on how terrible and racist NZ Society is, how the population is too small to support a modern economy, and how all change is bad. If you're a man you have absolutely no human rights whatsoever, you are not qualified to comment on any issue related to raising children, and you must do all the housework and cooking because going to work for 12-14 hours a day is a piece of piss.

Apart from that it's all good.

**Usarka** · 15th February 2008, 07:59

Originally Posted by CADanimal

To all you Kiwis who never seem to stop bitching about your country, shut the fuck up. You have no idea how lucky you really are. You have a fantastic country, learn to appreciate it.

Another arrogant safa let into the country......

I'm sure there are people from worse off places who could say safaland is a wondertful place. So why did you leave? Because you saw there could be something better.....

**BIHB@0610** · 15th February 2008, 08:09

To me, being a New Zealander means to being one of a very priviledged few. This country of ours is the most beautiful in the world. The people are friendly, the community rallies around when real tragedy strikes. The foresight of previous governments means we are blessed with nuclear free status, relatively effective environmental legislation, open participatory democracy (love it or hate it) and a promising future. Sure, life is more complicated, people have less time, and young people have a few more problems - but that's the same everywhere in the western world.

More than anything, I think being a New Zealander today means being more aware of our place on the international stage - think global, act local. We are part of a wider community - and that community is integrating with ours (via immigration). One of the government's policy platforms is "National Identity" - really, really important to protect that while at the same time providing for the changes in society that result from immigration. I'm so glad that's not my job! Bet it pays well though .......

**James Deuce** · 15th February 2008, 08:11

Originally Posted by Planna

To me, being a New Zealander means to being one of a very priviledged few. This country of ours is the most beautiful in the world. The people are friendly, the community rallies around when real tragedy strikes. The foresight of previous governments means we are blessed with nuclear free status, relatively effective environmental legislation, open participatory democracy (love it or hate it) and a promising future. Sure, life is more complicated, people have less time, and young people have a few more problems - but that's the same everywhere in the western world.

More than anything, I think being a New Zealander today means being more aware of our place on the international stage - think global, act local. We are part of a wider community - and that community is integrating with ours (via immigration). One of the government's policy platforms is "National Identity" - really, really important to protect that while at the same time providing for the changes in society that result from immigration. I'm so glad that's not my job! Bet it pays well though .......

Fuck! They programmed you well, didn't they?

**Steam** · 15th February 2008, 08:19

The question of "What it means to be a kiwi" is irrellevant.
We work at jobs, we care for our loved ones, we eat, sleep, and go to work again.
This so-called "kiwi way" is nothing more than a hobby that a lot of us do. Reinforced by patriotic or 'kiwi' advertising (think Trumpet ads, or the old Barry Crump toyota ads) designed to appeal to those hobbyists and remind the rest of us what we are 'supposed to be'.
There is nothing in our supposedly 'unique national identity' that isn't shared by a bunch of other cultures around the world.
NZ is a nice place, sure, but there's nothing special about it. We're just one more Australian state.

**BIHB@0610** · 15th February 2008, 09:34

Originally Posted by Jim2

Fuck! They programmed you well, didn't they?

Um - yep

**Pwalo** · 15th February 2008, 09:48

Originally Posted by Planna

To me, being a New Zealander means to being one of a very priviledged few. This country of ours is the most beautiful in the world. The people are friendly, the community rallies around when real tragedy strikes. The foresight of previous governments means we are blessed with nuclear free status, relatively effective environmental legislation, open participatory democracy (love it or hate it) and a promising future. Sure, life is more complicated, people have less time, and young people have a few more problems - but that's the same everywhere in the western world.

More than anything, I think being a New Zealander today means being more aware of our place on the international stage - think global, act local. We are part of a wider community - and that community is integrating with ours (via immigration). One of the government's policy platforms is "National Identity" - really, really important to protect that while at the same time providing for the changes in society that result from immigration. I'm so glad that's not my job! Bet it pays well though .......

That's sounds like a party political broadcast. Are you sure you don't work for a Social Policy Agency?

Enzed's not a bad place, but I hope we don't remain the PC social engineering laboratory we seem to be at times.

At the end of the day being a New Zealander means I live in NZ. I love it, it's my home, but that's all it is.

**sidecar bob** · 15th February 2008, 09:58

[QUOTE=Pwalo;1428037]That's sounds like a party political broadcast. Are you sure you don't work for a Social Policy Agency?

It sounds to me, more like someone that is happy with their lot & smart enough to realise the good going on around them, rather than constantly blagging on about how crap their life is.

**Pwalo** · 15th February 2008, 12:10

[QUOTE=sidecar bob;1428052]

Originally Posted by Pwalo

That's sounds like a party political broadcast. Are you sure you don't work for a Social Policy Agency?

It sounds to me, more like someone that is happy with their lot & smart enough to realise the good going on around them, rather than constantly blagging on about how crap their life is.

Read my post. I love living in New Zealand. Have you had a bad day?