Need expert advice?
Feel like you need detailed guidance for further study options?
If Google has landed you in this article, then you must be planning your education in New Zealand and you will have already been admitted to one of New Zealand’s universities. So, a big shoutout to your efforts and heartiest congratulations. Moving to New Zealand for your education is indeed a big step, and you must prepare yourself for the journey you are about to start. Initially, you will face a culture shock, and being a newbie, you won’t be aware of what to do and what not to do in New Zealand.
Therefore, you should learn about some important do’s and don’ts in New Zealand to help you connect easily with the surroundings and atmosphere of the country. Refer to the following guide on do’s and don’ts for international students who are about to step foot into New Zealand:
The Do’s
- Move to secure accommodation in New Zealand. Check the background of the place and read reviews before finalizing your accommodation. It is always recommended to rent a place on the university premises as it will be both safe and affordable.
- Before moving to New Zealand, I became accustomed to driving vehicles on the left side of the road.
- Always talk with someone with eye contact and, instead of giving a smile or nod, say "Thank you." Moreover, not all people in New Zealand prefer to shake hands during a first meeting, so be careful and keep it short if you do.
- Show respect to the Maori culture, as the Maori are the natives of New Zealand. Some lands are even recognized as Maori lands, so pay respect to them while enjoying them. Also, learn some Maori phrases as your courtesy, like whanau, which means family, kai, which means food, etc.
- Be open to exploring the Maori cuisine in New Zealand. Furthermore, students can easily find a plethora of cuisines like Indian, Thai, American, European, etc. Moreover, as a newbie, do try out greenshell mussels.
- Sheep are found in abundance in New Zealand. Surprisingly, for every human in New Zealand, there are six sheep in the country. So, you can even pet a sheep if you love animals and live in a private place where pets are allowed.
The Don’ts
- One common way that shows disrespect to Maori culture is by sitting on tables. Yes, you heard it right. Don’t ever sit on tables. Maoris believe that sitting on something where food is served is an agile action and disrespectful to their culture.
- Don’t even try to compare New Zealanders with Australians because they are different and they don’t like to be compared with Australians. Australia and New Zealand are different nations that are separated by a sea.
- New Zealand has very strict policies for those who litter around their surroundings. So, don’t dump your waste on the roads or any corner instead of the dustbin. If you ever did this, you could invite a stringent backlash against yourself.
- Don’t stop your vehicle on the roadside, even when there is no traffic, just to take photos. In New Zealand, you can’t park your car anywhere, even for a few minutes. There are pull-off points at regular intervals on the routes where you can stop.
- In New Zealand, you can find good internet connections in the cities, but in the countryside, internet stability is very poor. Don’t forget to carry printed maps and some cash with you for emergencies.
- Don’t show off your valuable belongings in New Zealand, as newbies get robbed often. If you get robbed, please report it to the local police in your area immediately. When you park your vehicle, don’t leave anything valuable in it.
