Gentlemen,

I know that this subject has been "hashed" out on other forums, especially the African Hunting Forum. I remember seeing something about this in the past on this forum. My brother and I are leaving for a hunt in New Zealand this next Friday and my brother called me this evening and asked if we should bring some extra money for tipping. We have been to Africa and it customary, if not expected to tip and tip well there. If I remember correctly, the consensus on this forum was that tips are not expected and If you choose to do so,large tips are not expected. Anyone who can shed some light on this would be most appreciated. We don't want to be thought of as "Ugly Americans".

Thanks,
HOOT

I know alot of Americans do tip their guides out here its not expected.A bottle of scotch from duty free maybe a good idea. What are you hunting?North or south island?

The PHs appreciate a nice gift. Ask them what they would like. That's what I do in Africa as well and the last time I took over a bottle of perfume for the PH's girlfriend.

There is no set formula.

Guys

tipping is seen as an ugly , american thing down here .Kiwis are very uncomfortable with the whole concept - our minimum wages are not so low that waiters etc need the tips to make a reasonable wage .
I would suggest that , as NitroX and T-P say , a bottle or two of duty-free booze , or some usefull item of hunting equipment as a gift would be a noble gesture on your part .

Certainly kiwis dont expect a tip - other than "dont eat the yellow snow" , or "dont back slow racehorses "- and I suspect that most of us would be embarrassed to be offered a tip for doing our job.

Just my thoughts , and I know I get in trouble for not tipping when I go to the US - its not a habit we have .....

Gidday Guys,

I wouldn't worry too much about tipping down here. As you don't want to be seen as being ugly Americans you are 90% of the way there. Just treat the Kiwis you come across exactly the way you would like to be treated by guests at home and you will come out with the respect you deserve.

I can say with all honesty that I have yet to meet an ugly American. In my job I come across Yanks all the time. They are probably the most respectful and polite people I have to deal with.

Don't buy into the cutural cringe that is forced onto so many people by those who are jealous of the USA. On an individual basis you guys have nothing to worry about.

Have a good time down here and what are you hunting? Just make sure your personal fitness is up to scratch and I'm sure you will have a ball.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

Thanks for all the great "tips"
My wife and I are putting together a couple of hunts on the South Island, and I was wondering the same thing. No fence Red Deer the first week followed by walk-in Tahr the second week. I'm sure the PH for both will more than earn their wages! I like the idea of a gift.

Hi,
The only tip to give a Kiwi is stand behind when I shoot.
I hope you have a great time in Godzone Country.
Weidmannsheil

Top_Predator,
We will be hunting with Shane Quinn, Alpine Hunting and we will hunt on both islands. Shane's headquarters is on the North Island where we will hunt Red Stag and maybe Fallow and Sitka deer. From there we go to the South Island and hunt Taur and Chamois.

To all those who replied to my post you have my sincere thanks. We are leaving this next Friday.

Thanks, whole bunches
HOOT

The weather is looking good for the next week or so.Good luck,post some photos when you get home

Maybe ask the guide if you could bring him in some equipment,Leupold scope,dies etc.The guide would reimburse you but would save on the taxes and import duty.Most people don't like to impose and ask,so I think the jesture would be nice.

Of course Aussie and Kiwi guides are really poor and sometimes a Yank with a fat wallet keeps their kids from starving.

They also work hard. Where an African PH has sometimes a staff of fifteen "blackamatics" working for a buck or two a day, most Aussie and Kiwi PHs have to do the lot. Set up camp, cook, skin, gut, cape, track, service vehicles, entertain, the lot. And without their hand out at the end of the hunt.

Which do you think is more deserving of a large US$ gift?

Hoot.
Whilst it is sadly true that there are people who hold stereotypical ideas about Americans, and for that matter other peoples,it has been my good fortune to meet many very pleasant fellows from the US of A.
When I was an undergraduate, many years ago, there were a group of Beaver students taking a years study at my university. They were splendid fellows. Theye were kind enough to invite my and my at that time girl friend, now my wife, to a Thanks Giving Dinner We were treated very well and a good time was had by all.
More recently the American Company my wife worked for invited us to stop over in La. whilst en route to Auckland.
We were treated the the most wonderful few days of kindness and consideration by our American hosts. American has much to be proud of not least it's people!
God Bless America

I get the impression that my phrase "ugly, american " is the cause of some of the comments made here . If you read it as it is written you will notice there is a comma between the two words , which changes the context of it totally from how many people have interpreted it .

At no time have I made any statement about citizens of the US of A , I observed that most NZ folk see tipping as an ugly thing that American folk do , but we dont .

If some people have misinterpreted my statement, then I apologise for your inability to read my words as they are written , but most of my associates see tipping as I have stated .

I dont find American people any more or less ugly than Australians , Poms or NZers , but since that isnt what I originally said it is of no consequence.

It is unfortunate that the thread has wandered off , as many do , but I stand by my words - NZers find tipping unpleasant and unnecessary here .

Muzza,
Hoot wrote that he did not want to be thought of as an ugly American, my comments were directed to him.

Shiney new rifles and firewater work for me.