Those of you who have been following the blog for a while know that after writing the country's last post, I normally include a wrap-up post with a random list of observations. I began compiling the list while on our great adventure in New Zealand, as I noticed things that were simply different - not necessarily better or worse - than what we are accustomed to at home in the US or Canada.
1. Price of gas USD8 and up per gallon!
2. Clean and large public toilets were open 24 hrs in every town.
3. A breeze to drive with people using turn signals consistently, obeying the rules of the road, and rarely driving aggressively.
4. Strong connection to the indigenous people and heritage throughout the country, with highway, museum signs, etc. generally in English and Māori. Never appeared as lip service, but rather an ingrained sense of "we're all in this together" and this is our history.
7. Packaged cookies and other snacks have a health star rating system - our vanilla cream cookies were only .5 star!
8. Roads in great condition, with nary a pothole that I can recall.
9. Lots of rest areas on state roads, and courtesy reminders to pull aside to let faster drivers pull ahead.
10. We didn't see any highways, at least in the North American sense with multiple lanes, only 2-lane roads. Some roads around Aoraki, however, were just a single lane.
11. Donation boxes in all parks and lookouts.
12. No billboards.
13. Huge number of French visitors; they seem to far surpass those from other countries.
14. Correspondingly, a significant number of French people working in the hospitality industry, which we hadn't experienced anywhere else.
15. No geographical markers on license plates.
16. Popular expression: "It's all good."
17. Woolworth's is a supermarket in NZ, not a 'five and dime store.'
18. No reciprocal use of a handicapped parking permit when coming from another country. Haven't encountered that restriction before.
19. Ketchup or catsup is called tomato sauce. No, I didn't look to see what 'tomato sauce' is called!
20. Very rarely presented with a bill in restaurants. Just expected to pay the amount quoted!
21. Two-dollar coin looks like two coins that are fused together.
22. Lots of Stock Effluent Disposal signs in rural areas!
23. One of the grocery stores had a key card that any teller could activate so tourists could benefit from the weekly sale items. Very helpful and so tourist friendly!
24. Looked like every town had a SPCA and/or hospice Op Shop, i.e., thrift shop. Normally they were located next to each other or within a close walk.
25. License plates only have numbers.
26. Surprised at how many small towns have botanical gardens AND very decent ones at that.
27. Only saw one highrise in the entire country; surprisingly, it was in Christchurch, which has a history of earthquakes.
28. Not uncommon for adults to go shoeless in stores, on streets, etc. That compared to North America, where we are so used to seeing signs saying, "No shoes, no shirt, no service."
29. Heated towel racks in almost every accommodation, regardless of its cost.
30. Only paper bags available for fruits and vegetables in grocery stores. Similarly, paper tags for loaves of bread.
31. Even most small towns had equestrian parks.
32. No tipping anywhere except one restaurant in Queenstown.
33. Most small towns had signs for swimming pools. I don't recall seeing signs for swimming pools in the same-sized towns in Canada or the US.
34. There was a palpable allegiance to those who served, and gave their lives for, the tiny nation. In even the smallest hamlet, there was a cenotaph marking the sacrifices made by those who had gone before.
35. As you know from my recent posts, there was a strong belief in commissioning public art in many towns. Perhaps that was why we saw little tagging or graffiti.
36. There are boundless opportunities to get out and enjoy nature, regardless of your fitness level. An abundance of parks, trails, and open spaces throughout the country, and each one we stopped at was in top-notch condition. And, if those activities are too tame, there were more adventure sports and activities than I'd seen anywhere!
36. If you're 'into' animals, New Zealand is an animal lovers' dream, as we discovered a host of animals endemic to that wonderful land. We'll never forget Henry the Tuatara, the little blue penguins, kiwis, and so many others we came to have a special place for in our hearts.
37. New Zealand is spectacularly beautiful - if you have an opportunity to go, do it. You'll never regret it!
Next post: Onto phenomenal Perth in Western Australia for our first time!
Posted on July 25th, 2026, from our home in the desperately dry Foothills west of Denver. We've had a touch of rain the last few days, but the state's Western Slope is still battling fierce fires. Five brave firefighters tragically lost their lives since June, helping Coloradans save their lives, pets, homes, and businesses. In such a sadly divided time and nation, we are indebted to those five who heeded the call for help from Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, Nebraska, and British Columbia, Canada - smoke and fires know no borders. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Hi Annie. Great summary of New Zealand. One of my favourite adventures.
ReplyDeleteThe forest fires are terrible this years. Here in Oakville the smoke alone has kept people inside.
Better this week.!!
So happy to hear that Canada is helping out even as they have their crews fully occupied in Canada.
Keep safe.
Bev from Oskville.
Glad that my NZ summary brought back some fun memories of one of your own favorite adventures. Sorry to hear, Bev, that the smoke has been so oppressive in Oakville, and that so many people have had to stay indoors during the normally beautiful summertime.
ReplyDeleteLikewise, very distressing to hear about the raging fires in the Madrid area and SW France, including Cap Ferret and Bordeaux. We're leaving in about six weeks for an extended driving trip through southern France, beginning in Cap Ferret and then east to Nice, before heading to Morocco, and the Canary Islands. I pray that no more lives are lost in any of the fire-ravaged areas. Take care of yourself, too!
I think it’s wonderful that American firefighters have come to help Canada and that Canadian ones help the US.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, Lynne. That's the way it's been historically. I hope the fires near you are not as serious as they were.
ReplyDeleteYour NZ summary is simply the best !! THANK YOU for sharing your incredible observations. You mentioned there were many French visitors and workers .. were they from France or other French speaking countries ? And your closing remark "smoke and fires know no borders" is SO True !! xo Lina xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for being such a fan favorite when it comes to these wrap up posts, Lina! I know they've always appealed to you, and that's partly why I continue to write them. Sorry that I didn't specify that the French workers we encountered in the restaurants, etc, were from France itself. Glad that you picked up on my closing remark about the fires - no one has yet commented on that political angle. XOXO
ReplyDelete