OK. Let's try to change direction on this site
and keep this civil.

I'm very interested in life as a Kiwi. Would
you Kiwis tell me about your country. Whatever
strikes your fancy or is important to YOU.
And, yes, that does include hunting and fishing.

And please, no posts from Qzzies and no debates
or quarrelsome posts. Just the good stuff, please!

Pictures welcome! Brag if you want.
I can understand it from what little I know already about your homeland!

As i'm sure you know we have not seasons/bag limits/TAGS for any big game animals and its $70 for a game bird licence.

There are huge tracks of public land that can be hunted for free.

Its not hard to get access to private to land.

Gun laws are not too bad for now.

What TOP said, and the fishing is some of the best in the world!

what a wonderfull place if I could not live here I would like to be there. very clean friendly even to us poor rednecks. lots of opertunity and not at war with or being blown up by anyone whats not to like

These are 20 reasons that one off our past hunters outlined that i think sum it up very well.
1. English spoken here
2.Unrivalled scenic beauty
3.Polite and courteous people(no Aussie's!)
4. Unbelievebly clean country(even public facities)
5. Good value($600US =$1000NZ)
^.Plentiful accomodations,reasonably priced
7.Well marked and maintained roads(we drive on the left)
8. Good food and water
9. No snakes,bears,wildcats,gators or other predators.
10. No beggars
11. great hunting and fishing
12. Credit cards excepted everywhere.
13. Four seasons
14. Low crime rate
15. Plentiful wineries and great wine
16.liqour store open on Sunday
17. All inclusive prices
18. Tips no expected
19. Only four million people
20. well 19 enough of a good thing.

Its not perfect down here but its pretty damn good and i know it.

A few photos.


This on the east coast of the north island.

The grass is always green on the other side of the fence,i want to move to the U.S

Thank you, gentlemen! It's what I expected to hear, Highlander, based on what I've seen in
magazines and tourist reports over many consistant years.


Top, you can't be serious? I've heard your great country explained as having everything
America has, but only in a smaller package.

I'd gladly swap you places for no other reason than the nice polite and friendly Kiwi people.
Americans can be rather like Aussies and difficult to deal with. More standoffish,
and aloof than Kiwis.

Most of my fellow Americans will call it independence, but I offen see more arrogance.
New Zealand reminds me more of what my country is supposed to be....ethical, moral yet still
tolerant!

As for the hunting and fishing, it does seem less complicated there!

Now, don't get me wrong. I love my country,
but much of our government and some of our
people do turn me off.

I guess I could borrow from the late Finn Aagaard and say that I am English by heritage,
American by birth, but if it were possible, I'd be Kiwi by choice!

Be grateful for what you have. I believe it is
the best the whole world has to offer at this time!

Regards,

Don

guys,
I will offer this...I was in NZ in April with my wife for three and a half weeks. We spent two weeks on the south island, the rest on the north.

The scenery is REMARKABLE and uncommonly beautiful.
It is worth going to see, if for nothing else just to see.

Try to get out and camp like we did. It is more than worth it.

I've been there 8 times in the last 7 years, I love it there.

My advice to Americans interested in moving to New Zealand,would be buy a house/farm here and fly out for 3-4 months a year.

Hunt/fish and then return to the U.S as you will lose a lot of your freedoms down here.

The only reason i stay here is the lack of hunting seasons and gun laws are not too bad for now.

If i had my choice,i would never have come to New Zealand.

More photos.

Top, Wouldya be one of them displaced Pomgolians?
Or do you have a good sense of humour?

I think it must be the tension, you getting ready to go to the land of Austruckinfalians next week.

I missed out being born in the motherland by a few months British national so i go back every chance i get.

I have no problem with Australians,i have lived there too.

My problem is i was born 120 years too late.

quote:

.

My problem is i was born 120 years too late.

Funny that; I was born 40yrs too soon.
As for Aussies they are ok, but I couldn't eat a whole one

quote:

Originally posted by TOP_PREDATOR:
I missed out being born in the motherland by a few months British national so i go back every chance i get.

I have no problem with Australians,i have lived there too.

My problem is i was born 120 years too late.

Must be a common problem. I often feel the same way about being born 100 years too late!

I believe it is just an overly active sense
of what "freedom" is, versus the definition
used nowadays!

The only difference is that my American consitution was supposed to insure consistancy.
Yeah right? The grass might be greener, but you
don't want to come here. We are damn close to being a police state, just like nazi Germany.

The real sadness is that we shove our collective heads up our rectums and "pretend"
we are still free men! I've often wondered how we ever expect to export that which we no longer have?

Our second amendment to the constitution is a wasted effort. Most Americans, even gun loonies, don't have a clue as to what it is
or how it is to be used.

When we live in an age of conveniences it is a damn shame an airport like Queenstown dosen't have equipment to be other than a daylight airport. Other than that it wasn't a bad visit. The real estate is a bit pricey at least in the Wanaka area. The people were super great. Highlander still awaiting to hear from the taxidermist.

If I didn't live in Australia I would choose New Zealand as the next preference.

Pity about all the Kiwis there however.

Maybe we could swap Kalgoolie for NZ?

Isn't NZ the eighth state of Australia, anyway?

Only joking of course. Lovely country.

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:
If I didn't live in Australia I would choose New Zealand as the next preference.

Pity about all the Kiwis there however.

Maybe we could swap Kalgoolie for NZ?

Isn't NZ the eighth state of Australia, anyway?

Only joking of course. Lovely country.

quote:

Originally posted by Don Slater:
.... And please, no posts from Qzzies .....

I was just testing out your true beliefs of individual freedoms? And the expected lack of a sense of humour. Humour, which is common to both Australians and New Zealanders.

But I guess you failed your own test on personal freedoms for others.

BTW This forum is on "Australian and New Zealand Hunting".

quote:

Originally posted by Don Slater:
Must be a common problem. I often feel the same way about being born 100 years too late!

I believe it is just an overly active sense
of what "freedom" is, versus the definition
used nowadays!

The only difference is that my American consitution was supposed to insure consistancy. Yeah right? The grass might be greener, but you don't want to come here. We are damn close to being a police state, just like nazi Germany.

The real sadness is that we shove our collective heads up our rectums and "pretend"
we are still free men! I've often wondered how we ever expect to export that which we no longer have?

Our second amendment to the constitution is a wasted effort. Most Americans, even gun loonies, don't have a clue as to what it is
or how it is to be used.

Sounded like a political discussion to me and nothing to do with Australian and New Zealand hunting??? Or with no pictures or even comments on beautiful New Zealand.

Guess you need to place the troll graphic against your own name for that post, hey?

Guess Don Slater is the only one who is allowed to make the rules and then break the rules wherever he pleases.

***

"Don Slater" please can you tell us what your true interest is in this forum? Have you ever hunted in either country? If so please share your hunting experiences and photos. Or do you plan to?

Or even photos of the beautiful country of New Zealand.

Else all you will be known for is xenophic attacks and trolling.


PS The "Political" forum is further down the Main Index page.

As far as I know Nitro, Don knows where the political forum is I guess he just needs another audience?

But remember everyone, we are all welcome here. Even a Yank from Shelby Ohio who doesn't really like us

Sirs,

Let me start by saying that my love affair with
New Zealand started some twenty years ago.

After having criticized my own government severely, a fellow American suggested that I
could not find a better country in which to
live and raise my children.

I thought him wrong, and did several months of research. My research revealed that the place I would most like to live would be New Zealand.

I took out a subscription to a (the?) Auckland
newspaper and began correspndence with a local
constable about gun laws and reloading, etc.
A fine man, indeed and quite unlike the shaved
headed gestapo types found in my own country!

After several inquiries to the NZ embassy, I
received a very nice letter that tactfully
explained that NZ didn't really want Americans
except as tourists. Now this didn't offend me
in the least since I felt the same way.

Now this very diplomatic man did explain how I
could do an end around run by first moving to
Canada. Something about commonwealth citizenry,
etc?

No, Nitro, I have never been to NZ, so I have neither hunted or fished there. I hunt several
species of birds annually as well as white tailed deer. I hunt for the companionship of
my grown son, the exercise as I am old, and the
fresh air since I live in the city.

I do not consider myself a "great white hunter". Hunting is for my enjoyment and relaxation, not to take heads (ethically or not) or to prove my manhood to others. Neither
do I feel impotent if I take no game!

I am fairly new at this internet thing, so it was not my intention to take away any of your freedoms, but an attempt to discuss life with
Kiwis within their country. If it is poor form
to select those with whom you would like to
converse, and exclude others, please accept my appology.

I did pick NZ as my choice of country because of its' mountain splendor, as well as the very
friendly people. I ignored OZ since I see it as quite the opposite! I don't like flat, ugly
desert land, and dislike loud, boisterous and
arrogant people! I see OZ and NZ as two sides
of a coin....exactly opposite!

Now, I'll be the first to admit I don't understand the dynamic between NZ and OZ. To
the rest of us you don't seem to like each other much?

Yanks appear to have a built-in gene for taking
sides on issues., therefore, I must admit an
automatic bias for Kiwis and against Ozzies.

Perhaps I misunderstand the Ozzie attitude of,
"You must prove yourself before we accept you"?
To a yank that is an unfriendly challenge. Kinda like a dare to engage in some form of battle. Knock my dick into the dirt first?

You come across to me as an arrogant bully, Nitro. So, using my yank way of thinking, I'd be glad to to engage in some form of hand-to-hand combat with you Nitro, if I were 30 years younger! I used to be fairly good in the boxing
ring and at hand-to-hand combat. The choice would have been yours, of course.

So I wasn't trying to stiffle your freedoms, Nitro, I was merely trying to exclude you, and those like you from a private conversation! If
this is incorrect on the internet, I really do appollogize! I figured only an arrogant troll would butt in a conversation that did not concern him or his own country. Incorrect?

Perhaps you are right. If this MUST remain a joint NZ and OZ forum, I not only don't belong here, I don't want to be here. I do know that good people can be found anywhere if one takes the time to look.

But my present mindset is that I cannot appreciate OZ, and have no desire to know her people. True freedom dictates that you may speak whenever you wish. That is true. However, freedom also dictates that no one is
obligated to listen!

I can see I don't fit in here. So I'll take the advice and exit gracefully. It's a shame though,
that the only ugliness found in New Zealand
comes from Australia!

Don, obviously you haven't seen a pic of 'Hillun'.

Excuse me for replying where not asked.

It has been dissapointing to read the forums lately with all the agro going on.
New zealand is a beautiful place to me and Don, not all of OZ is flat dessert nor are we all to be tar'd with the same brush.

Some of us aussies actually couldnt give a shite about where a person comes from, or how far we can push the line.

BTW Don, no-one really 'understands' the dynamic between OZ and NZ (or NZ and OZ, depends on how you look at it). We have been taking the piss out of each other for so long, it's sort of an internation sport. But for the most part, it's all in good fun. The key to surviving, (in either country) is the capacity to laugh at yourself.
If a person cannot do that, they may have trouble coping in either place.

In OZ, from personal experience, people are accepted for who they are, not what they are. The same holds true for NZ, in my admittedly limited experience.
You are right though, NZ has a much higher percentage of steep terrain!

I might regret saying this, but most of the Aussies I've met have been Bonza Guys.
There was this odd one, about 25 years ago, but he was one of them supercillious bastards who thought he had been chosen by god to improve the lot of his own ego.

I first realised what fun Assies can be when talking to one whilst in Pomgolia.
I asked him where he was from, he said Australia.
Oh I've heard of that said I. It's that little island to the north of New Zealand isn't it?
He burst out laughing and I explained I was married to a Kiwi Sheila. We got on great after that.
Finally if I couldn't live in NZ then Aus would be my next choice.

Thank you for the replies, gentlemen. And I
do mean gentlemen! As I have posted, good people can be found anywhere, if one will take the time to actually look.

You are right. I imagine there is more to
Australia than desert! But to be quite honest,
I have seen no more than depicted in the good,
no... make that great, Aussie based movie, THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER! And the sequel, RETURN TO
SNOWY RIVER. I own copies of both!

The Aussie horsemanship was awsome!

I do have an open mind, and am usually a good judge of character. Sambar9.3 (Dave) seems like
a good bloke, as do several other Aussies I've encountered here.

It is my sincere intention to put away the ole paintbrush and take a closer look at both OZ and Ozzies! I'm an ornery ole SOB and not the
easiest guy to know either. I'll try harder
with the amiable blokes and try to pretty much ignore the others!

Thank you all!

Don

The key to surviving, (in either country) is the capacity to laugh at yourself.
If a person cannot do that, they may have trouble coping in either place.

In OZ, from personal experience, people are accepted for who they are, not what they are. The same holds true for NZ, in my admittedly limited experience.


I can easily live with that, Dave. Pretty much the same for me. too. It's a good standard to
use.
Cheers,

Don

quote:

Originally posted by shehuntz:
Excuse me for replying where not asked.

It has been dissapointing to read the forums lately with all the agro going on.
New zealand is a beautiful place to me and Don, not all of OZ is flat dessert nor are we all to be tar'd with the same brush.

Some of us aussies actually couldnt give a shite about where a person comes from, or how far we can push the line.

Yes, you are correct. And I have determined to
get rid of that damned tar brush! I do realize
that I am WRONG when I use it!
Makes me no better than some I say are arrogant.

My apologies to those I have wrongly tarred! Yeah, and I mean you too, Bakes!

By the way, that's very nice taxidermy work, Shehuntz!

Don

Its good to see your last post mellowed a bit.

While Im flattered by your love for NZ, I am the first to admit that NZ has its down sides too.

I think you are writing Aussies off too quickly without ever being there.

When travelling overseas, NZ'ers and Ausi's will gravitate together, as they share the same sense of humour, beliefs, attitudes etc. We are a lot closer than you think. NZ has its share of opinionated and judgemental people too. Australia is a buetifull country, it is different from NZ, but so are most other countries in there own way. In some ways Ausi is more tolerant of differences than NZ, and in other ways less tolerant.

This is (as far as I am aware anyway) an open forum, and anybody is entitled to post. If you are going to attack people, they have every right to defend themselves.

I dont often post on other forums, as I am happy just to browse, search, read and learn. Thats my choice on an open forum such as the accurate reloading forums. There is no requirement to post (although sometimes there seems to be a requirement to ramble when you do post).

It is also your right to place a post (as long as it is at least partly on topic and not downright abusive).

I agree with some of the other posts, you seem to be a bit off topic in this forum. Im sure there are other forums that are a little more appropriate for the topics you seem interested in.

I would like to add that I agree 100% with what Smudge has posted here.

I love visiting New Zealand

quote:

1. English spoken here
2.Unrivalled scenic beauty
3.Polite and courteous people(no Aussie's!)
4. Unbelievebly clean country(even public facities)
5. Good value($600US =$1000NZ)
^.Plentiful accomodations,reasonably priced
7.Well marked and maintained roads(we drive on the left)
8. Good food and water
9. No snakes,bears,wildcats,gators or other predators.
10. No beggars
11. great hunting and fishing
12. Credit cards excepted everywhere.
13. Four seasons
14. Low crime rate
15. Plentiful wineries and great wine
16.liqour store open on Sunday
17. All inclusive prices
18. Tips no expected
19. Only four million people
20. well 19 enough of a good thing.

Its not perfect down here but its pretty damn good and i know it.

Hey Highlander!

These kind of things makes me want to come over!

Please give my best to Sue

You are coming over Ron, you just have to wait until next May.

GT,

How's things? Looking forward to our hunt together!

I can't wait! The photo's posted here a awesome! I will be taking lots of phoho's! How many rolls of film do you think I'll need besides the 2G in my digial. 30 - 40 rolls?

Since this thread is about beautiful New Zealand, how about some pictures? My friends and I took these last week:

This is on my doorstep most days - although sometimes it gets shy and hides....then it rains...



Great pics there Rich - you obviously managed to see a bit of the South Island in your travels .

Pity all the beautiful scenery is hidden by those bloody hills .

Ron, are you going to hunt or take pictures?

Hey Ed!

I'm going to do both, hell, on a 15 days African Safari I average 1,600 photo's!

I thought I would post some pictures to give a idea of what kind of environments hunting can take place in on a trip - this is in Fiordland National Park in the South Island - main species in this area - red deer



Heres a typical public backcountry hut



A bush river - good stalking along the sides



Mature beech forest with waist high ground fern - can be hard going



"Silly Spiker" in the fern - meat for the table



More open beech forest at higher alititudes



And finally the open 'tops'