Kia ora world!

After 11 whole months at the end of the world here in New Zealand and one whole week left before I begin my Pacific Islands travel, I am in just the right state of mind and emotions to tap into how I feel based on reflecting on all I have done. This country and it’s working holiday has done so much my me and my growth as a traveler and let alone as a person. I haven’t left yet, but I am preparing myself for all of the things I will miss about New Zealand. And taking a minute to think and write it down, I have come up with five things that I will truly miss after I leave here.

5) Lingo & That Kiwi Accent

It might come as a surprise to many people, especially those who think New Zealand is too much like Australia is incredible wrong, that New Zealand has it’s own accent and lingo. Maybe it isn’t a suprise…whatever. Anyways, I arrived in New Zealand to begin my year and I just could not see myself saying “Yea nah” “Sweet as mate” “Chur!”. I thought it sounded goofy as shit! But around my 9th month here, it hit me like a bomb at the fact that I realized, I was truly sounding like a Kiwi. More like a New Yorker with a strong twist of Kiwi slang. Hard to beleive but I truly began to enjoy things Kiwis say. “Chur” “Choice” “Far out” “Legend” “All good/All good?” “eh?”. The list goes on.

And for that Kiwi accint. Yes, I wrote accint because the Kiwi E sounds more like an I. Yis it does. Let’s just say that I fell in love with the sweet Kiwi accent well before I arrived here. There is something pleasant and smooth about the accent that makes it easy to listen to. I mean I hate to bash Aussies, but I always found the Aussie accent sounding harsh and obnoxious. But then again, maybe it’s just the ones I’ve met. I will miss hearing the Kiwi accent after I leave and I could just see myself at full attention when I hear that rare Kiwi accent abroad.

4) New Zealand is so Peaceful*

Now I make this statement with an * because that is too direct of a statement for an entire country. New Zealand does have a homeless issue, gangs exist, crimes happen, etc. But in comparison to the world, let along my home country of USofA where everyone is divided, New Zealand seems like such a laid back place. I mean for a country at the end of the world in a world of technology, there just still seems to be this attitude like, we are too far down here to be too involved in the worlds bullshit. Sounds a bit ridiculous but from my experiences, people are content with being a world power but in a positive or even neutral manner. And New Zealands stance seems just as that. I mean it’s presence in the Pacific Islands is so positive providing resources and education to those in need.

I have spent an entire year here. Been just about everywhere and experience much of what this country has to offer and I have concluded both from human connections and connections to the land here, that this is a land and people of peace and harmony. A major part of this energy, will surely hang around with me and my travels forever!

3) Kindest People

Going along the lines with my last one, the people here are generally super kind. I have come across some deushy (However you spell that) people here in my travels for sure, especially those impatient dickheads on the road in the South Island (I know distances are super long but no reason to run a guy on a motorcycle off the road so you can have your mince pie at home). Damn anywho! Because of what I said about the Kiwi stance in viewing the world and way of life here, I feel like that naturally just allows people to be super chill, laid back, and kind.

I have met many Kiwis that are well traveled which can bring home a major appreciation for life at home. Countless times, have I heard how much Kiwis love home so much more after they come back. Life is simple, the air is clean, there is so much space, and the environment is care after. How could you not live at peace here.

2) It’s incredibly Beautiful

Speaking of the environment being cared for, it’s no wonder why Kiwis are so eco careful on using paper straws and doing away with plastic bags. The nature here is majestic and powerful in so many ways, how could you want to destroy that. New Zealand in one word for me, was abstract. Why? Because it’s a mashup of so many forms of beauty in one, that it doesn’t seem real. But it very much is, real.

I could go on with examples. Milford Sound, Northland and East Cape Bays, Taupo and Tongariro Crossing, Glacier lakes of Wakatipu, Wanaka, Hawea, and Tekapo. Coromandel to the Catlins. Volcanic tourism in Rotorua. Taranaki mountain to Roy’s Peak. Windy roads along the west coast to straight never-ending roads in Canterbury. Kaikoura coast to Hawkes Bay. No seriously, I could go on!

Now it may be a suprise that the beauty is not number one…well number one goes to….

1) Beautiful Maori culture, tradition, and spirituality

Sorry not sorry guys, the southernmost corner of Polynesia is blessed with the beautiful Maori people. Aotearoa (Maori for New Zealand, Land of the long white cloud) is a beautiful country and I feel that it is so important for any traveler, to fully embrace and try to understand the energy from the land here. The Maori have always had a special and spiritual connection to the land and especially the sea, and having traveled around the country seeing all I have seen, I can say without doubt, that I have felt a natural and spiritual connection with the land.

I am truly in love with the craftsmanship the Maori people put into their woodcarving and overall carving skills. From the fascades of meeting houses to the very bone hei matau (fishhook) I bought at the Auckland War memorial Museum to be blessed before I depart across the Pacific. The haka war chant is undoubtedly one of the most powerful things I have ever heard and felt. The art and meaning of Tiki and other figures carved around all across New Zealand. Maori music is beautiful in it’s own way as well as traditional tattooing.

Unlike Hawai’i near cultural destruction, Maori culture and language has been able to keep it’s grasp on itself to thrive as an ongoing culture. Many towns and cities across New Zealand have kept it’s Maori name. Maori tribes are still recognized. And despite English dominating the language here, Maori is still a spoken language by many Maori. I mean hell, I heard three young Maori speaking their native tongue next to me in the Maori court at the Auckland Musuem.

All I am saying is, culture is still present here. It may not be as obvious like landing off of the plane in Tuvalu. But it is here. I feel the most important thing about being here, is allowing yourself to connect with the culture and the energy here.

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I love New Zealand and the year I have spend here has made me appreciate many things on so many new levels that I will take will me forever in my travels. I have trully lived an incredible dream here, traveling the country on two wheels and seeing all the beauty it has to offer. Connecting with the many friendly Kiwis along my journey! And best off, embracing the culture in a very personal and spiritual way. New Zealand, I will miss you! But it’s not goodbye, because you are very much now, a major part of my life. <3