5 things I didn't expect when I moved back to the USA from New Zealand

[@leah436]

I'm a Canadian who lived in a few different places when I was younger - Amsterdam, Budapest, South Korea - all for about a year. Every time I went back to Canada it always felt like home. I've been living in NZ now for 12 years and the last time I went back to Canada, I realized that NZ had become home. It took almost 10 years before I felt that. I still miss some things about Canada, but it almost feels like I'm the foreigner visiting Canada now. Very weird.

[@Kiwionwing]

I left NZ I 1984 back now Its nice but weird,

[@christophertemoni8248]

In Maori it's called Mana and Wairua in you ,the feeling you are accepted in this world, ❤❤❤

[@1998TDM]

@@christophertemoni8248 I've lived in NZ since the mid nineties. Somewhere about 2005 I flew back from a visit to the UK, my country of birth. As the plane banked over the Manukau harbour to land I had a unique and amazing feeling, I was almost home! Going through immigration the officer who checked my passport smiled and said "welcome home". I nearly burst into tears.

[@Jesterjones9073]

I have had the same experience. I was born in Zambia, grew up in South Africa from age 3 and moved to NZ at 15. I spent a year in Ireland when I was 30 and realised I was homesick for NZ. I have been back to SA once since then and it wasn’t home, NZ was. My early roots are in SA, but NZ is home for me.

[@frankjamesbonarrigo7162]

you live anywhere 10 years and that will happen

[@DarkXcb]

Back in the US I missed in new Zealand : 1. The great coffee 2. Free public hospitals 3. 6 weeks paid holidays a year and 10 paid sick days. 4. Free university study in final year. 5. No tipping and paid overtime 😎👍

[@PerryEmpson]

6 weeks AL? Where did you work mate?

[@DarkXcb]

@@PerryEmpson ​​⁠4 weeks paid annual leave and 10 days of paid public holidays. No federal mandated paid leave in the US.

[@alanb9337]

How long ago was that? 2. The stories from NZ Public Hospitals are increasingly concerning with nurse and doctor shortages. Tipping is increasingly common in NZ, especially in areas frequented by tourists.

[@kkiwi54]

​@@alanb9337it annoys me when NZers tip. With our minimum wage of $23.15 per hour there's no need for it, and we don't want to end up with a US style tipping culture

[@kathyhoutami]

​@@alanb9337you can tip if you'd like but not expected or demanded. Public hospital, yes there will always high demand for it but when you need them they're there for you.

[@raeward1605]

You will always be part Kiwi, especially to Kiwis. Hope to see you here again one day. Hope things go really well for you and your beautiful family, wherever you are!! 😊❤

[@The762nato]

When I take that first shower in the US I will have erased all that I was ever exposed to in NZ . I despise the lies the NZ Govt promotes !

[@christophertemoni8248]

I agree ❤❤❤

[@magesnz]

When I moved back to Canada in 2019 to take care of my dad , I honestly missed home , and when I came back in 2022 I was happy to be home

[@emlave7254]

Love hearing your perspective and seeing your growth, it’s obvious you love both USA and NZ and it’s beautiful to see that you’ve taken some of NZ internally back home with you.

[@peternewman7940]

I so agree!

[@teacherpru]

Hey @Kiwiamericans Tara. I've thoroughly enjoyed your channel. I'm a 7th generation Kiwi of Scottish/British descent. That grandmother of mine from all the way back then was awarded a chapter in the book Petticoat Pioneers, so I'm definitely a Kiwi. I spent a year in Siberia followed by 7 years in Mexico, so I too was away from home and familiar culture for 8 years. It's exciting, it's scary, it's hard, it's an education, it's character building being away, and then it's all of those things all over again when you return home. I just want to thank you for your observations over the time you spent in NZ, and also for continuing those with returning to the US. Occasionally I've wondered where in the heck you've been in NZ and who with because some of those observations made me go "Huh?" .. but then maybe my view has been altered by my travel. Some of your observations and advice regarding Kiwis made me laugh out loud because they are so true. We are nice and friendly and kind and helpful, but if you break some special rules it's like you've released the Gollum within us (don't park in the mobility park .. yes, that gave me a belly laugh - I've been that furious person who gave another Kiwi a serious telling off for that 'crime' - NB: kind and helpful). We do that because we're kind and believe in fair, we look out for those who have fewer options and need to be defended. Don't get me wrong, I definitely see our flaws, but it was really good to listen to an additional perspective. I wish you and your loved ones all the very best for 2025 and ever.

[@peternewman7940]

A couple of words I thought of as a Kiwi. I use the Te Reo "whanau"(far-no) for family or extended family very naturally. We also used "morning interval" at high-school when you guys I think would call that "recess".

[@returningtoperfection]

Awesome to hear about your transformation and how you were refined. Life is simple and beautiful ❤️

[@robertdean1579]

I'm back in the USA about 6 months from living in Hamilton, NZ. I still really miss it.

[@johnstirling6597]

Jeeez, it must be bad if you are missing Hamilton!🤣🤣

[@lamalama9717]

Yeah. What did you like about the Tron?

[@mohairsam9705]

Hamilton popular place😊.😊...you would miss it

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

You miss Hamilton?? that's not a good advertisement for the USA 🤣🤣

[@micheledix2616]

Hamilton is a beautiful lovely town to live in

[@julianskinner3697]

Buying from Amazon is very close to supporting slavery.

[@modfus]

You're looking so happy and well Tara. It seems to have become so common for people to hate on the USA. Coming back after a period overseas can be a very good thing. The instant consumerism in the USA certainly makes things very convenient - it's all good as long as you keep a clear perspective about what you can afford and whether you really want something or are just being impulsive. A lot of people criticize the American consumer culture ...but it's really up to the individual how they manage all the temptations.

[@campbellmorrison8540]

Im a NZer and I have to admit I would love to have your access to Amazon etc, the shipping seems amazing to me. I do buy stuff from Aliexpress but the idea of getting stuff next day is very enticing. And yes you never really appreciate things until you don't have them, Kiwi's do seem to move overseas more than many other countries probably because we dont have a lot and we think we have even less, so some find it difficult to come back albeit they do miss some aspects but not so much as to give up what they have discovered. Personally I hate moving even to another house, Ive been in the same one for 45 years!

[@josephdouglas9685]

Totally agree, few things help a person appreciate some of the things they have is an extended time somewhere else.

[@SquatsAndThoughts]

The most obvious question, why did you decide to move back?

[@dragonite87]

A banquet to me means a meal between multiple people with a lot of food. Never heard of it meaning something non food related.

[@missjane1403]

Yeah, that was new to me too

[@dallasj22266]

Did I see an espresso machine in your kitchen? How good is that, now you can enjoy real coffee as well as all the other good stuff!!!

[@Kiwiamericans]

Yes I finally got one!!!!!!!

[@peterhakai4825]

Good on you Tara ,bless you and your family,have a merry Christmas.

[@Kiwiamericans]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@RipiaKim]

Those sound like real friendships.

[@annfrancoole34]

Was looking at a British documentary about the southern USA border. The reported was talking to a Sheriff in a small town in Arizona. He was saying how he loved the US and it's freedom, as he was waving a gun around. Sad that he though that was freedom where there is no mandated annual leave, maternity and paternity leave, sick leave etc.

[@mattieclan8957]

My true friendships are the ones where we are not in each other's pocket, we are not fuss about each other's idiosyncratic craziness and best of all, both feel comfortable and can pick up where we left off regardless how long ago we have not caught up. At the end of the day, it is about people caring for each other.

[@merryb2893]

I have worked in large NZ corporates in banking and retail, and there are a lot of people working very long hours and weekends. Burn out happens here too. I do believe we have a better work/life balance than the USA I general, but it would be a big generalisation to say we all have easy work hours.

[@cookiemonstakjs]

I was expecting tipping to be one on the list. Rumour has it, its got bad in the US, and as a Kiwi who had traveled in the US, I find tipping really annoying

[@christophertemoni8248]

Kia ora Tara, Thanx love your videos, Arohanui ❤❤❤

[@Tonzeff]

If you and your beautiful family ever get the urge to move back here, we'll be here waiting for you with open arms. ❤

[@Kiwiamericans]

Awe that is so kind!

[@mickyo7171]

As an American, and I know that I am not alone, we do not necessarily believe because we do something a certain way that that is the absolute correct way, some do, but most certainly not the majority.

[@tinkler4]

I trust myself when I go out shopping and get it. Gets me out of the house or I’ll just get lazy.

[@sweetaz5268]

kia ora Tara itz so awesume to see your doing so well arohanui from aotearoa

[@dragonite87]

The friendship thing, it really depends on the sort of friendship you had I guess.

[@Cbella82]

Yay I see you finally got that coffee machine ❤

[@mariafox7933]

this spot on. my fam in chch cant believe the buildup to halloween and the magic that is christmas here that doesnt happen in nz. the lights, the bells and whistles.

[@Rxcki_Introvert]

Does the meat taste different in america better or worse or equal

[@boomertuxx]

It’s probably cheaper in the US

[@allisonanderson5224]

Nobody can afford to buy meat in New Zealand anymore 😮

[@brigitasehgal2937]

I'm cooking NZ lamb in the USA for cheaper than in NZ.

[@lamalama9717]

1) I found the degree of choice in the US exhausting. Going to a restaurant and asking for bacon and eggs, when there are 8 different options for each element of the food. I guess Americans like all those choices? 2) Somebody explained the US having flags everywhere is because the great diversity means it's something valued as a sign of unity everyone can agree on. Kiwis find flags a bit embarrassing. As Jerry Seinfeld said "Love your flag...England at night". Likewise the national anthem being God Defend NZ, because nobody else can be bothered to do it lol

[@juliaforsyth8332]

I think the flag thing is overdone. We don't need to prove we're loyal to our country.

[@lestertoelauhohua2684]

America seems so close to getting involved in wars in the middle east, Easton Europe and east Asia. You should have just stayed here and kept your family safe. Don’t underestimate the global confrontations that are happening before our eyes. Hope you see it for what it is and come home to NZ. God Bless. I’m so grateful for your interest in Aotearoa

[@teacherpru]

I guess home is home. I'm a kiwi, lived in Mexico for 7 years, plenty of people were horrified when I announced I was returning home "You're returning to The Ring of Fire, you're going to die!"

[@bigverybadtom]

We Americans don't want to be the world's police, but nobody else will do the job.

[@truesailorcomet]

Coming back from study abroad in Japan and trying to stop bowing, lolXD also realizing how much beauty standards are bsXD and appreciating being able to be my goofy bubbly high energy self without judgment in the usa(someone asked my friends in Japan if i was a weeaboo, which is a hard no, i grew up in an animated family full of theater geeks, i like anime alright, but i don't want to become an anime school girl thinking that is what is normal in japan with terrible exaggerated japanese, i am more of a jim carrey type if anything, not trying to be disrespectful to cultures here, and i seriously toned it down out of respect, but apparently that wasn't enough):) and my voice is naturally loud due to theater training😂

[@emilyalice1]

No trump in NZ. Bliss.

[@swiftuiforever]

But you had Mussolini’s sister couple of years back.

[@ranellnikora48]

We have David Seymour so we have no room to gloat

[@emilyalice1]

@@ranellnikora48 Comparing Seymour to Trump shows your desperation.

[@msdella4253]

Thank you for your informative video. Q: do you find the country to be more conservative or liberal? Thank you ❤

[@francesscott8982]

Liberal

[@Mikeyorself]

Raining in Welly today.

[@dux_bellorum]

We aren't even the top 15 of freest countries. We're 17th and New Zealand is 2nd...and depending on current events we might drop further. Also no such thing as bad weather nust bad clothes...

[@bigverybadtom]

Based on what? I have an old book "How to Lie With Statistics", which tells you how things can be made to sound different from what they really are.

[@livelaughandlove299]

So why you moved back to the US?

[@leah.ludovici]

Exactly

[@martinbynion1589]

Family reasons. 🙂

[@TheLegendaryDad]

Talking about freedom is good. I found it very hard to talk about human rights that are above government laws to kiwi coworkers.

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

haha I lived in Canada for 9.5 years, I came home to NZ because of family and I died inside coming back here... .I'm still here 7 years later (my career has gone surprisingly really well since back here, far better than it did in Canada and it's gong too well to leave again right now) but I'm still dying inside being back in NZ!!! Maybe I need to go on some overseas holidays to appreciate here more... I haven't been overseas since coming back and I think that's a huge part of the problem... But I think I'm borderline dead at the moment 🤣

[@gissyb1]

Thara called grief... not nz

[@teacherpru]

When I was leaving Mexico a good friend told me that around the 3-month mark of being back home I would most likely have a total sobby meltdown, and that would mean I was back home. If not, then it was no longer my home, or not yet my home again. I was unhappy, unsettled, culture shocked being back here. Wise experienced woman that she is, sure enough the meltdown happened. But you also need to acknowledge that your experiences away from NZ have changed you forever, you're not the same person who went away, and your friends and family are not the same people you left. Maybe you need to take your career advances from returning here back to Canada if that is where your soul is. DO IT!

[@warrenjohnknight.9831]

I was talking to a check out lady, at my local woolworths recently, she said that a American family purchased over 900 dollars, they were on holiday here in Taupo, mind you our dollars are 56 cents to the American dollar, when are you moving back mate. 😢😢😊😊😊😊.

[@billwilson1320]

Confusing thoughts. It's where you feel home is. I bet if you were to trip back to NZ you would say "this is home".

[@Kiwiamericans]

Yeah that is probably true - I will have to test that out

[@billwilson1320]

@@Kiwiamericans Two of our four kids ended up living overseas (like your eldest) for 10+ years. We visited but we weren't wanting to stay, even though we could (UK). The thing is, once they started nesting they wanted to raise their kids in NZ and returned home. Now all our grandkids are here with us in NZ 👍

[@joxp6971]

I live in Australia across the ditch.Have our kiwi mates forgiven us yet for the underarm fiasco.

[@diden3527]

@@joxp6971 never, I was living in Hobart at the time, and in the pub ( The Valern ) watching the game. Me aussie mates were so embarrassed, I never had to buy another beer that night.

[@francesscott8982]

😂😂😂i think we over it now.

[@nakedarse2507]

No !

[@teacherpru]

;oD

[@brianw7502]

I could be mistaken, but you seem more stressed out now.

[@Kiwiamericans]

Mistaken

[@davidwilliams-rr7bb]

Once people say stay to the end I don't stay untill the end

[@jenifferschmitz8618]

7 days vacation stuff that

[@Restrictedeightteen]

Is there anything you miss about NZ?

[@gissyb1]

She misses Most things

[@anivawilson4337]

Leave her fang alone. Its what makes her distinguished. Lol. Now when your ready. You come back home to Aotearoa.

[@jules58au]

Most people in NZ as well as Australians would seriously wonder why you would return to the USA. You and your family had true and honest freedom in NZ. It had a culture that doesn't rely on propaganda or toxicity to mask the undeniable madness that we see daily from your country. You were safe, your kids would have been educated with care and free from harm. Not to mention a culture that values every aspect of living in peace. I think you have sadly missed the point.

[@rwags6848]

As a Kiwi, I agree with all but the last line. Home is still home. To be clear, I’d never even consider another visit to the US, as I have [anti-Drumph] views that could end up adversely affecting my health (or life) over there. Given their polarisation of the political environment, I couldn’t enjoy a holiday where I had to step-on-egg-shells all the time. However, It takes something like Drumph to really appreciate what we have here. Let’s hope that we and decent Americans like Tara, have a civilised world to live in, in 2025+

[@swiftuiforever]

@@rwags6848but you’re ok with Mussolini’s sister running your country.

[@bigverybadtom]

The reality is that slums, crime, violence, bigotry and hate exist in New Zealand and Australia too. We Americans are simply guilty of being open and honest about ours.

[@gissyb1]

Its so hard to find decent fresh food in usa... even the veges are tasteless and GMO. I get sick everytime i travel to usa . Dr said its the chemicals in the food

[@Kiwiamericans]

hmmm bad news for me...

[@michaeltaaffe5531]

Please pack the word "like".

[@skylagaaia1683]

Great to see you looking well, and enjoying being home. I must ask, with Amazon and all being accessible, are you able to save the way you were down under… great to see you back online.. Ka ki te..Kia Ora!

[@FerretKibble]

Honeymoon stage of moving to another country? ;)

[@Restrictedeightteen]

Oh you moved back??

[@madpete6438]

You guys must have considered moving your loved ones down under instead of going back.

[@enzeda]

Still lost, but that's ok, you will find IT eventually.

[@joycechenette5184]

Like ,like, like …

[@shazza160]

For gods sakes get to dentist and have your fang tooth levelled. Surely your dental insurance will cover this.

[@billyryland]

14:12 Get some manners. Treat this amazing generous soul, with the same respect you would like me to treat you. I SUPPOSE YOUR SUPERFICIAL OUTLOOK IS FLAWLESS, DOUBT IT VERY MUCH. BOOFHEAD.