NZ and OZ: The same?

I am an Aussie with Kiwi parents, and I am sick and tired of the Aussie v Kiwi debate.

Sure I care which team wins the rugby, but I don’t care if your lamb is better than mine, when neither of us can afford to eat it in London anyway.

I don’t care for comments regarding your superior weather, when we are all sick of the snow here together.

I don’t give a toss about who has the best drinking day (Australia Day or Waitangi Day), I have fun at both.

Can’t Aussies and Kiwis suck it up, and admit we’re from pretty much the same country, and stick together when we are overseas?

We’re here for a good time, not a long time, so when you next say I’m confused about where I’m from, don’t be surprised if I toss you one!

Michelle Jones, via email

I am a new Zealander who is sick on being associated with Australians. I spend alot of time educating the world that we are very different and it is an insult for a New Zealander to be called an Australian.

I have met many good Australians in my 5 years over here and when I explain my general dislilke of Australians they agree. It is attitudes like yours that I descibe. They generally inform me that this is the attitude of the young and ignorant.

I dont care for the rugby, I live in England and follow the world game of Football. Have you ever purchased lamb in New Zealand? I can afford to eat it there and here. It could be about priorities, how much do you spend on alcohol?

If you are sick of the snow here then you didn't come prepared did you and perhaps with that attitude you should leave. This is not the attitude needed in the UK nor what TNT is promoting. Have you seen the Love Britain competition?

For you to lower Waitangi day to a drinking day is so wrong. Australia day may be only a drinking day however do some homework and you will learn that Waitangi day has alot of significance in New Zealand.

There used to be a friednly rivarly between these TWO nations however your prvious Prime Minister stated he was considering claiming New Zealand as another state for Australia which upset the general public, media and politicians in New Zealand developing strong animosity towards Australians.

I am here for a long time and in this world for a good time. Please do not ruin this for me by including me with Australians.

I definitely know where I am from however you appear to be a little confused.

Hi Julie,

I think you misunderstood (confused?) what I am saying: I consider myself to be both Aussie and Kiwi, and to be quite frank, don't think there is that big of a difference between the two countries. What I get tired of is being given stick from both nations, for not being enough of either! I realise there are differences, hence the tongue in cheek note, but it is exactly your attitude, that we are completely different nations and hence MUST BE insulted to be confused by other nations as to which one you are from that gets me down. Is it necessary? Are you so insecure? You say that you have met great Aussies, but the very next line, state that you have a general dislike of them! Humour, sport, the outdoors, family, the beach, barbeques, long weekends, races to name a few - attitudes are all the same. In the little things, maybe we are different, but enough to be insulted to be said to be from the other country? I don't think so, but it seems here we differ.

You seem to miss the point, rubgy was just what I follow so I mentioned it specifically. The actual sport is not really the issue I was putting forward; neither was the weather (snow has interrupted my work efforts and therefore my budget)! I actually visit NZ every year (excepting the two years I have been here), and both countries have lamb as a major export, hence the ironic reference to lamb! I think you will find too, that Kiwi's and Aussies celebrate their national days with drinking amongst oher things when overseas (as we are!) so not to neglect the real reasons for those days, but over 3000 expats get involved in partying on their respective days! Perhaps you have missed this over here? Its all in good fun!

In addition, NZ has always been a part of the Australian politcal agenda - NZ is Aussie's closest neighbour and its definitely the same in NZ. If you feel this is an insult to NZ, maybe you are missing the friendly relations between the two countries politically which is important for relations amongst Kiwi's and Aussies. My family were allowed to move freely between the two countries thanks to this (second boat to NZ from UK - I am not insulted to be called either? But honestly, my point is WHO CARES WHETHER YOU ARE FROM NZ OR AUSSIE)!

My letter was written show that NZ and Aussie are not that different, and that we should all be over here for a good time together being all from the same part of the world. It is exactly your 'small country syndrome' (Kiwi coined term actually) that continues to bring petty relations between the two countries all the way here to London! And which I am utterly sick of. Sure its great to be patriotic to your country, but you are here in England, so lets get into the life here and leave behind the differences. So continue to 'generally dislike' Aussies, but is it really necessary to belittle Australians with generalisations and be insulted to be called your closest neighbour - that is your perogative, not mine. So call me confused, but I am proud of it!

Shell (AUSSIE AND KIWI!)

PS: You in England specifically for a long time? I am willing to propose marriage - lucky you being English and Kiwi. ;)

PPS: Telling me to leave because I am sick of the snow? Really? You seem to think I dislike England. Not sure why? Lamb is expensive here, and the snow was disruptive. Saying that doesn't make me want to leave nor does it colour my view of this country. I have been here five times, this is my first visa. We aren't all lucky enough to have passports or ancestry. I am too Kiwi in heritage for that. ;) And apparently less presumptive than you. I've entered the Love Britain competition too by the way...

i understand I was trying to show you that many New Zealanders are capable of seeing the difference in the two nations. Its ok if you can't see it now but it does exist. It is good that you did in the end see how we have a differnce of opinion as it IS common for New Zealanders to be insulted to be called Australians - nothing to do with insecurities.

I have been on a Waitangi day pub crawl and was disgusted with the amount of non New Zealanders on it. This of course was after spending some quality time in regards to actual reason for this day. You did refer to it as a drinking day.

I reccommend you spend time in London away from the New Zealanders and Australians if you can't handle the jandal kiddo. Exactly you are in England - spend time with english people not those from you home country as you can do that at your home country. You then mention to leave behind the differneces - so you can see there is differences. The rest of the world can see there is differences.

Be proud but understand the differnces and that most New Zealanders would not share your view. It IS an insult.

I am not English - you do get some funny ideas. However I do have respect.

Hi there,

Yep - there are differences, but with people like you, its mainly in attitude. I didn't say there wasn't differences, just that in the main, the nations are the same and should be proud of it, rather than focusing on the few differences and being 'insulted' by it. But you seem to be missing the point. Be insulted if you choose; I hope you are in the minority.

So much for being multicultural hey? Of course there are lots of non-Kiwi's on the pub crawl: its being held in LONDON. What did you expect? Did you not want to meet people from other nationalities? Are others not allowed to celebrate a Kiwi holiday? Exclusive rights and all? I would think you would want the majority of people to know its a NZ holiday - although there is drinking, perhaps it will get a few more people interested in why there is a holiday. You are after all, trying to 'educate others about being a Kiwi'.

Stop presuming - I work in an English office, for an African company. I have spent time all over England and in Ireland. My letter however, was about NZ and Australia, not how many English people I hang out with.

And stop generalising - MOST New Zealanders, GENERALLY DISLIKE. I speak for myself, and so should you. I think that the fact that I am proud to be both is respectful towards both countries.

Being Aussie or Kiwi does not have to be mutually exclusive - THAT, my friend, is the main point. Differences or not.

Sorry Julie - quick question, bit off the topic but you brought it up so might as well ask. How are you staying in England so long? What visa do you have? I know they have just changed all the rules, and am sussing out which ones I would be applicable to apply for. So am just interested as you said you aren't English? Thanks.

Haha

Your a Joker

Julie,

You've stated that Australians you've met generally agree with your dislike of Australians, does this mean they dislike themselves? Come on. You seem to have a problem with Michelle's ignorant attitude yet you think Australia Day is "only a drinking day". It has great significance to our history as it celebrates the arrival of the first fleet to our shores.

When St Patricks Day is celebrated each year do the Irish become "disgusted" with the rest of the world for celebrating it? No they don't. They embrace the fact that all over the world (both Christians and non-Christians) celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green and eating Irish foods. A few people also decide to have a pint or two of guiness to celebrate - does this make it a "drinking day"? I don't think so.

When people come overseas their tolerance towards other cultures and nationalities generally increases, however in your case it seems to have done the opposite.

Attitude...... Igonranting if you ask me!!

Julie Julie Julie, I was born in NZ before moving to Aussie at 21 and enjoyed 5 years there before trying London out.

My poor dear, how old are you and what do you really know about Australia? Both Countries are out of the same box of chocolates,

so you are wasting your breath trying justify some patriotic point your trying to prove.

For some crazy reason i have happened to stumble on your ignorant letter while drinking and having a laugh at the desperatly seeking section of TNT with my Aussie girlfriend, Aussie mate and his Kiwi girlfriend and we all agree your ridiculous!!

Other than a cultural difference I'm sure you would agree we're both EQUALLY competetive and enjoy the same sport, EQUALLY enjoy LAMB on the BBQ, EQUALLY interested in seeing the world and EQUALLY patriotic.... WHEN IT COUNTS!.

In conclusion you are an absolute BELLEND!

Dear Julie,

Thanks for livening up my Monday morning - I nearly sprayed coffee over the desk laughing at your letter.

I think you need to get over yourself. Big time.

Rob

PS And as for us aussies lowering Waitangi Day to a pissup? I think you'll find plenty of your compatriots doing the same on Saturday.

Julie.. I've been sitting back and reading replies to this thread.. Firstly.. Get over it mate.. Secondly.. Yeah ok I might arc up if someone calls me a Kiwi, or if my mate (who's Kiwi) gets called an Aussie may do the same.. But its a joke arc up.. Come now.. As far as I see it - we stick together over here or anywhere we go.. My kiwi/aussie mates all get together, and we ALL have fun TOGETHER!! Hell its like northern/southern english - they'll pay each other out and give each other shit - but its all in fun.. It's a shame that a few people don't want to be associated with some - we're all human and we all live in the same world - share some love mate - if I were you, I would be ashamed of being associated with aussies, I would be ashamed of being ashamed - quit with the cold ice queen image and breathe in some fresh air!

BTW you wanna say Aussie Day is full of drinking? Yeah it might be.. But how many kiwi's, poms, saffas ANYONE came to OUR celebration? FFS wake up to yourself mate - you're in LONDON - EVERYONE is going to celebrate EVERYONE'S national days or important days..