First Impressions of Kiwis

In response to a request from a reader, what follows is my top five observations about New Zealanders (called Kiwis). Given that we haven't been here even a month yet, these are really just first impressions.

"Rainbow families of Dunedin" that Fran organized

1. Yes, they are really, really friendly and helpful
This may be a case of "you find what you expect," but I'm glad for it. One of many examples is the man we passed on the street who was hauling firewood- we asked him where he got it and he took the time to go into his house to find the phone number. Then we talked for 15 more minutes about community orchestra (don't ask). Everywhere we go, people are very welcoming.

Jeremy in his new Dunedin Archery Club shirt

2. Clothes are for comfort
Think of the opposite of L.A.'s glam and pressure. Comfort and practicality generally rule the wardrobe. Women don't wear much makeup if any, and high heels are a rare species. The only people I've met so far that seemed to bother much with their appearance is a fun mom who had dyed her short-cropped silver hair neon pink and wore a matching scarf, and a trans woman we met in the park who described herself as a "mad artist." That is, one's clothes can be a vehicle of self-expression, but no one is trying to uphold any absurd beauty standards. Nor are clothes for advertisement- people don't seem to flash labels or logo-printed shirts much.

A "super fan" at the Highlands Rugby game

3. College students are the same everywhere
The other night we went to a rugby game (here called football or "footie"- soccer is called soccer) and sat next to "The Zoo"-- the section for students from the University of Otago. Dressed in jumpsuits of blue and and orange (the latter is for the beer sponsor of the team), they reminded me very much of my first college football game, the "Fighting Illini." That is, screaming, drunk, and enjoying youth. We were even treated to a streaker!

"The Zoo"

4. American politics fascinate and appall them
Everyone, even children here, seem very knowledgable about what is going on in the U.S. and often have strong opinions about it. Said one woman to me, "When Obama was elected, we thought. 'Wow! Look what's possible in America!' Then, when Trump was elected, we thought, 'Wow! Look what's possible in America!'-- but with the opposite feeling. We were so surprised someone like that could get elected." Along the same lines, Kiwis I've talked to are puzzled and appalled by what seems like the lack of any gun controls in the U.S., which is viewed as a very violent place.

5. "Sport" is enjoyed and appreciated, but...
A ball-sport enthusiast we met yesterday spoke in awe of the sports culture of the U.S., in part because of how small and isolated New Zealand is (323 million vs. NZ's 4.7 million; about the same as Louisiana). For example, the biggest sports events are necessarily international ones, unlike in the U.S. where international competitions don't garner near the viewership or sponsorship of the Super Bowl and the World Series. Nor do sports dominate Universities' budgets or attention as in the U.S.. For example, for rugby, the U of Otago actually sponsors the local professional rugby team, the Highlanders, while students play in club teams in the city league.