New Zealand 4 Month Impressions (from a Canadian)

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you for watching this video! I can't believe it's been 4 months already - and we have just 2 more months in the South Island until we move up North! Where should we go next?

[@rayjermyn4541]

Before you head north, try the Catlins area. The North is very different and not as pretty. Suggest New Plymouth, try Coromandel and Opito Bay.

[@nickandraychel]

We did two videos on the Catlins! They’re on our channel :) absolutely LOVED it there

[@MarkMcLT]

Winter is not the ideal time to experience the North Island imo, but I would say highlights are the Coromandel Peninsula (esp the eastern side), Tauranga/Mt Maunganui and the east coast of Northland. Also the west coast beaches of Auckland. If you're into trout fishing, the area around Turangi and Lake Taupo. And for skiing, Mt Ruapehu.

[@mith60d]

Head on over to the Coromandel Peninsula and take a ride on the Driving Creek Railway. You won't regret it...Hal

[@michaelnolan6951]

I am from Edinburgh originally but grew up in Christchurch and went to school, polytech and university there. I left in 2004 and have lived in the Northwest of England for nearly 20 years but NZ is still what I think of as "Home". I worked in hospitality and can confirm the basic friendliness and good nature of the people. I have never lived in the North Island but wish you well!

[@nickandraychel]

Yes sometimes a place is just “home” no matter how long you’ve been away. ❤️

[@thekiwinomad]

Great video. Although as a Kiwi its called kiwifruit not Kiwi. Saying you have eaten a Kiwi yet suggests that you have eaten someone from new Zealand or the endangered bird. Just an FYI

[@nickandraychel]

Haha yes I always forget to call it that here

[@Leo29568]

😄😄😄

[@atariplayer3686]

Thank you for showing beauties of Queenstown, New Zealand!

[@monicamestas7566]

I'm new to your channel and loving your style... also love the length of your videos. Usually, 20 min is tops for me; once in awhile, 30 min. So yours are perfect.

[@mikehabel2441]

Hey we just came back from two months in NZ , 5 weeks in the South Island. We loved it … thinking of making the move! You two are good fun and we are loving watching two from BC checking things out. A big thanks from Mike and Jen from Rossland. Feel free to drop by for a rip on Red mountain, we always have a floor for you … hell maybe even a bed!

[@als423]

I'm loving your guys videos, you both are so chill, very easy to watch ❤️

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you so much!!

[@greggiles7309]

Iook at Raglan Beach, Waitamo Caves road has a lot of features. Mount Te Aroha for a Summit view, n local Hot Pools.

[@TheOnlyTaps]

Fantastic watch as always 🫡👊🏿

[@nickandraychel]

you're the realest!

[@tonymunro5693]

You can't equate Queenstown as normal NZ,it's a tourist trap so prices are high for everything, it is without a doubt not normal/average NZ

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

make sure you come to Taupo in the North Island :) love how complimentary you are of our country, I lived in Vancouver for 9 years and LOVED it. I could never get over cars stopping in the middle of the road for me to cross though 🤣I just think of Vancouver and it makes me smile.

[@leeeverett8109]

I was in NZ and AUS NOV 2023 and 6:51 I rented a Toyota Rav4 (no self contain sticker) no one ever came to ask. hahaha

[@jpkiwi8744]

..Just out of Queenstown you have Cromwell.. lots of fruit and Veggie farms that sell direct..very cheap.

[@Capfka]

Interesting - just stumbled over this video. I'm an ex-pat Kiwi living in the UK. A Canadian friend once described NZ as having nothing that Canada hasn't got - but you can see it all in a day! Yes, an exaggeration, but having driven across large chunks of Canada, I understand the sentiment ... You may not believe this, but when I was a kid we used to stay in Queenstown every summer. On Sundays, the only shop open was a dairy which opened between 10 a.m.and 3 p.m. Very (in)convenient. But our reasons for being there were the same as those of many tourists now - we did the Routeburn Track (both ways) more than once and the Rees/Dart track and Greenstone/Caples track (at least twice). We also walked to Skippers and back once. We climbed Bob's Peak (now serviced by the gondola). We walked to Moke Lake. That kind of thing. I'ver subscribed and will go back and watch your previous videos now. Well presented and fun! The first I've heard of deep-fried kiwifruit. Was it really all that nice?

[@leah436]

Another Canadian here who has now lived in NZ for 10 years. I am still struck by the beauty here everyday - probably because I'm from the prairies in Canada and the landscape here is so different. I live in north Auckland and I love my view of the ocean and the semi-tropical lush feeling of this area (and further north) of the north island. I've seen a little of the south island and I do think it's lovely, but maybe because I'm so used to the Rockies, the mountainous areas aren't such a big deal to me. Hope you get to see the north island soon!

[@nickandraychel]

I love that ❤️

[@learningtofly226]

Awesome video, hope you guys have a fantastic time in NZ. Sure sounds like you are. I was lucky enough to spend lots of time in BC and I'd put that as one of the most amazing places around. Mountains, rivers, lakes and wildlife and not over populated ticked all the boxes for me. All the best and safe travels 👍

[@bradclifton5248]

Nth is. Many people have a lemon tree in Back yard.

[@MICHALMALACHOVSKY]

WOW WOW WOW !!!

[@realitycheck4156]

Just a few pointers for the ones watching from abroad. The weather is changeable due to wind direction and closeness to the sea and altitude etc. Winds from the south come off Antarctica/South Pole direction and from the north the tropics hence the change in temperature. Pedestrians do have right of way technically but its difficult with jaywalking and people who hang around pedestrian crossings while not intending to cross. Drivers are not mind readers. NZ has had a few natural disasters this last year or so which has affected fruit and vegetables supplies and prices are higher accordingly. It means shop smarter and buy the right products in the right season. I am sure this happens everywhere. For example you could buy a 2 kilogram pumpkin for say $2NZD in winter and maybe $17NZD in summer so a huge difference. Tomatoes $20kg in winter but as low as $2kg in summer. Queenstown has one of the highest costs of living in the country property and rent wise due to supply and demand and is a top tourist destination in NZ. There are better deals if you look around including restaurant schemes where you can get half price off food with certain conditions. Friendly locals can point travellers in the right direction lets say.

[@monkeyboynz]

Pedestrians only have the right of way at a pedestrian crossing.

[@lakelady57]

You are right about buying fruit and say lemons but as a Kiwi I would not consider buying a lemon as a lemon tree grows and will fruit in a very short time and we can grow fruit and veg all year - but this is becoming a thing of the past. Very sad. I lived in Canada for many years and just saw it as a very large NZ but the things I remember seeing were a harvest moon in Alberta, very spectacular, aurora borealis also in Alberta looking North, scattered showers - funny - but because the country is so vast on the Prairies you could see showers over there and over somewhere else at the same time. Enjoy your travels and I hope you have just fun and make memories.

[@nickandraychel]

Thanks so much for your comment - I find nz and Canada very comparable. Good point about the lemons!

[@bittersweet340]

Great stuff... and yes agree the weather has really flipped this season. If you moving south of Auckland then being central will help cover most of the island on both coasts. It's a pity though it's now coming into winter so it' might limit your freedom to move around and experience the island in warmer conditions, then on the other hand north is much warmer than the south in comparison.

[@nickandraychel]

Yessss with lows of 7/8° in the Bay of Plenty in June/July we are hoping we will still be able to do what we’re doing now - considering it’s colder than that here in Queenstown in March!

[@kiwihib]

But it rains a lot more in the North.

[@Jordan-du6fu]

Waiouru is cold and snowy though and Taumarunui is one of the foggiest towns in the world so some places in the north island aren't good in terms of weather.

[@user-yb9hi3us4p]

Queenstown is absolutely New Zealand. Or it was. I spent most summer holidays in Queenstown and the rest of Central Otago and I'll be retiring there. Best part of the world.

[@derekmills5394]

South Island - Dead flat plains and huge mountains - 'big' scenery North Island - Generally rolling hills so a lot of more close-up views - not to say there are not stunning things to see!

[@Andy_M986]

It always used to be "Stop for Pedestrians on crosswalks", but not generally anywhere else, it's all about courtesy,and if you want to show it.

[@icedem1]

Kia Ora Canadian 🇨🇦 Cousins. New subscriber here. Love your content on our Beautiful Aotearoa. Kia Kaha mo to haerenga. Stay strong on your journey and Mauri Ora!! (Stay well)

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you and welcome to our channel ❤️

[@nzcfamily3366]

Don't forget to check the local council pages see if they have community fruit orchards 😊

[@jared2232]

Canadian as well did a NZ WHV in 2015-2016. Beautiful place. Still think about it regularly all these years later. My only complaint was the pay if im being honest. Worked in the same profession I have in Canada and my yearly take home was half.. lol. All in all I think the two places are extremely similar in many ways.

[@nickandraychel]

That’s so interesting! Thanks for sharing. You’re right, very similar.

[@mith60d]

Thanks for all the great NZ videos. We have travelled to NZ twice over the last 6 years from our home here in Nelson BC. To say the least, we love NZ. We did meet a BC couple in Hokitika. They were of the opinion that NZ(at least the South Is.) was just BC with different trees. They were wrong of course, as you are finding out.

[@nickandraychel]

The South Island is very similar to BC, but of course there are lots of differences too :)

[@carolinemcnicol498]

The Dark Sky project for Milky way gazing at Tekapo , the Kawerau bridge 43metre bungey over the river near Arrowtown, Whale watch boat trip at Kaikoura is a must and visit Hamner Springs thermal pools in the South Island , the road past Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo with views of Southern Alps and Aoraki Mt Cook is stunning. North Island Mount Taranaki/ New Plymouth hike ,Hot Salt water pools Mount Maunganui and climb Mauao for a stunning view, The East coast from Opotiki to Gisborne December /Jan stunning Pohutakawa tree displays (red flowers) and turquoise ocean ,remote beaches, rural NZ ,Gisborne /Wainui beach surfing meccas. Taupo Huka Falls and Rotorua hot water thermal zone Waireki hot pools, Polynesian pools Rotorua and experience a Hangi /Maori Culture a few to choose from.

[@guesswho6925]

Welcome guys!

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you :)

[@jospsalm91]

Hey North Island kiwi here.. great video We are just back from 2 weeks Southland Te Anua Wanaka Tekapo Milford sound queenstown Dunedin etc was the best thing ever every view was spectacular The weather soooo different to East Coast N I ...Puffer Coats Beanies then hot next day but only saying 16 degrees and the wind phew... loved every change thoughvery exhilarating and now back to Bay of Plenty Beach ... so humid and warm in comparison...Try to live on Coast in North... Far north has beaches that are stunning East Coast best Ohope yes...😊

[@HunterofInvisibleGame]

North Island suggests the Volcanic Plateau, Rotorua, Auckland has Waiheke & Rangitoto Islands, Hokianga Harbour with Opononi &Tāne Mahuta, also called "God of the Forest", is a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest, Bay of Islands.

[@nickandraychel]

Can’t wait to go!

[@archie_bol8153]

Definitely need to go to Hastings

[@johanmeischke9189]

Yeah in NZ, as in aus and the UK cars have absolute right if way except for pd xings

[@ZootZoots-ks9wx]

Im in the North Island but love the South. I make small films. Nice to see you enjoying our country. It’s dope for the free spirit. 🤘

[@nickandraychel]

Very cool! ❤️

[@craigbrooks6469]

Drivers are required to stop at dedicated pedestrian crossings. Courtesy crossings are, eh, a courtesy for pedestrians and drivers. They're designed as a visual aid and intended to make roads safer. The emphasis, the New Zealand Transport Agency says, is for drivers to be courteous to pedestrians on these crossings.......so I feel your given bit of a false statement

[@jdb9388]

ouuuu nice Independent hoodie one of my favourite brands

[@hunter2442]

red onion price in my country is 1/4 the cost in New Zealand!

[@skylagaaia1683]

Queenstown is one of the best places in New Zealand, but moving to Queensland places you in one of the closest cities to Antarctica.. hence cool weather during the summer. North Island will give you your sun tanning weather… and a must to checkout the beaches, if you haven’t already done so… hope you really enjoy New Zealand.

[@kennethhammond4028]

only thing predicatable about the weather is its unpredictable.😅😅

[@robert3987]

NZ weather is very changeable in short times because it's smallish islands surrounded by oceans.

[@tommyau2006]

cool guys...................

[@ruahinesrider]

The minimum wage is common in NZ 🇳🇿 Queenstown is not vindictive of the rest of NZ 🇳🇿 & the Living wage is good for NZ 🇳🇿 but most people don't get it. Most people only get 50cents more than minium wage.Areas of the North Island are dangerous for foreign freedom campers especially not in self contained van people are fed up with people shitting in the bushes & that's why the self contained laws came in ruining it for us Kiwi's who camped by the rules & not scared to use a D.O.C long drop.

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

It was flipping freezing in Taupo this morning by the way, 2 degrees and it's March!?? what the heck... so rug up warm! seems like NZ is just freezing right now.

[@PacketOfCereal]

With your jobs are you working longer hours on those 4 days? I work 4 days on 3 off and do 10hr shifts here. Where you working in town that are offering the 4 days as well?

[@nickandraychel]

No we work (mostly) 8 hour days. Nick is a handyman and I’m a receptionist! We’re not comfortable disclosing exactly where we work online, we’ll post about it when we leave! but it took us a while to find jobs because we were picky with this. With every cover letter and application we both were very firm that this is the only schedule we’d be ok taking because of KZbin so we got a lot of nos but eventually we found jobs that agreed to give us the exact same schedules. I think transparency is key

[@PacketOfCereal]

@@nickandraychel nice one, yeah for me I would definitely only take another job if it was 4 days here. We live in Queenstown for lifestyle, not work haha. There has to be some benefit/s with that. Where were you planning to stay in North Island. Were you looking at Tauranga/Mt Maunganui? You said south of Auckland so I’m guessing that way? Mt Maunganui is tough for accomm as well so try get something sorted ahead of time if it’s possible.

[@bradclifton5248]

Sth Is and nth Is are not even close to the same climate.

[@robert3987]

The North Island geography is not as interesting but it's still full of great places.

[@D.Cooper420]

Come and see the real New Zealand. Psst...It's outside of the tourist spots. Given our current double dip recession a lot of kiwis cant afford to even go to queenstown so please try and spend with your dollar and give back to the economy by supporting locals (queenstown not included)

[@nickandraychel]

We said right from the beginning of video that we’re only in New Zealand a few days per week to work and the rest of our time is spent exploring!

[@nocturn791]

If you had driven in the US you would have noticed similarities with NZ traffic vs pedestrian conventions. Moreover, the US backs this up with strong jaywalking rules. Canada is the standout exception which puts everything into proper perspective.

[@nickandraychel]

It depends on the state, the laws vary a lot. Pedestrians have the right of way at unmarked crosswalks in states like Oregon South Dakota Virginia Washington, and some more. Though when my American friends came to visit us two months ago they were pretty shocked by the traffic here too as they were used to having the right of way, and they live in Arizona. I don’t remember noticing a difference when we spent 6 months travelling through the US, but it would be interesting to go back.

[@angelajoseph3066]

Did you have to buy travel insurance before you moved here? If so, do you mind explain the process?

[@nickandraychel]

Yes we always buy through Allianz!

[@dalewells9491]

Head to the coromandel peninsula and go fishing yeeeehhhha

[@brucehowe194]

Deep fried banana coated in maple syrup is very nice and sweet 😋 👌

[@lynetteburgess5188]

you need to visit a "normal" NZ town to be able to truely get a representation and comment on NZ as a country. you're already in Qtn so jump in the car an drive to either Dunedin (where i live) or Invercargill, then comment on NZ

[@nickandraychel]

As we said right at the beginning of video, we have travelled to new cities in the South Island for half the week every single week, and have so lucky to been to so many places! As mentioned in the video we’re hardly in Queenstown

[@user-yb9hi3us4p]

Groceries in NZ aren't expensive, people are just idiots. NZ is a long way from anywhere and had seasons. So eat what's in season and it won't be that bad. But if you want to eat avocado all year round, it's got to come from somewhere outside of NZ's growing season. Or better yet, go carnivore. Cheaper, easier, not seasonal, and so much healthier than you could ever imagine

[@jayjayson9613]

Wow, $23.15 NZ Dollar equals to $14.30 USD. Thats pretty bad, even if most employers pay more than the NZ minimum wage.

[@nickandraychel]

If you’re American lol

[@jayjayson9613]

@@nickandraychel yeah but you said it yourself, NZ has a higher cost of living so NZ minimum wage with those grocery prices, seems like it's hard for folks there as well. My point being that $23.15 sounds good but the higher cost of living means it doesn't go that far

[@optimumperformance]

@@jayjayson9613cost of living has only really got out of control since the scamdemic

[@OkinInc]

@@jayjayson9613bang on Jay. Our kids are now young adults and they could never rent any place by themselves and pay bills, groceries etc. in order to achieve that, they’d need a minimum of $30 an hour to even live off noodles and toast after paying rent and utilities. NZ is beautiful, love my country but I feel so bad about the next generation. My wife and I have had it hard but made it so to speak but our kids will have much more struggles as it seems to be the way these days. My parents bought their first house on my Dad’s salary alone. We lived comfortably, no flash car or going out but we were nurtured and looked after, all on Dad’s work. We need to go back to those times and then some. Life is for living, not for financial bondage which puts pressure on families in turn leading to destruction of the family unit.

[@paulrichardson5892]

nz close to antarctica

[@modfus]

Haha, I'm a Kiwi and I hate Kiwifruit 😁

[@nickandraychel]

Omg!

[@Davo-i1s]

Kiwifruit are actually from China and used to called Chinese Gooseberrys seeds were taken to NZ in 1904 and they started growing them there.

[@tonymunro5693]

$30 entree, not for this average kiwi

[@GianfrancoGonzalez-b5f]

4k for a computer? Jeez. Are you Nasa engineer?

[@nickandraychel]

Haha nope just a KZbinr 🫠

[@optimumperformance]

Coldest summer in 20 years here in Queenstown. Bring on global warming.

[@paulrichardson5892]

hot summer day in new zealand ??? . !! no such thing...

[@junebartlett7494]

KIWIFRUIT!!!!! Say it again. Its KIWIFRUIT! NOT NOT NOT kiwi.

[@KJS72072]

Little less chatting more showing the country

[@nickandraychel]

This is an impressions video it’s a talking head video. We do one once every few months. We have 200+ vlogs on our channel if vlogs are more your cup of tea.

[@matthewfergusson6700]

what is the actual reason for people not liking bare feet? and don't give me that bacteria yarn..... Its not my fault your feet like to live in prison.....

[@nickandraychel]

I’m not sure! We like it haha

[@PhilWilliam-hx6xh]

The comment I made was truthful and it’s truthful for many who have had a god awful experience here. Keep hiding the truth, keep selling a lie. Delete this as well.

[@nickandraychel]

We don’t delete comments lol KZbin blocked your comment and sent it for review.

[@yipmabaruya1148]

Like ##116, Good morning from Yipma Bariuya KZbin channel, Papua New Guinea. I enjoyed watching your contents, thanks for sharing. May God bless you

[@skylagaaia1683]

Queenstown is one of the best places in New Zealand, but moving to Queensland places you in one of the closest cities to Antarctica.. hence cool weather during the summer. North Island will give you your sun tanning weather… and a must to checkout the beaches, if you haven’t already done so… hope you really enjoy New Zealand.