7 Stereotypes Every New Zealander Hates

Rugby mad? Perhaps. Friendly and humourous? Absolutely. However, there are plenty of stereotypes about Kiwis that don’t hold their weight. Here are some of the common misconceptions that will make every New Zealander say: “Yeah, nah”.

Anything sheep-related

Yes, there are lots of sheep, but not as many as you think. In fact, that whole “New Zealand has more sheep than people” stereotype is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Let’s not even go into those “sheep-shagging” jokes – Kiwis might join in for a bit of banter, but they’ve probably heard every single gag there is.

New Zealand = Middle Earth

“New Zealand is part of Australia, right?”

Don’t say that to a New Zealander. Period. That’s like telling a Canadian that their country belongs to the US, confusing Ireland with Scotland, or thinking Denmark and Sweden are the same place. No one likes cultural ignorance, and this one will probably sting Kiwis a bit too hard.

“Oh, so you’re from Auckland?”

Because a huge chunk of the country’s population is concentrated in the largest city, getting asked about Auckland has become a common stereotype in its own right. Which isn’t too great for the people living in the provinces. Think about the latter group before asking this question, and remember, New Zealand is small, but it’s not that small.

“New Zealand? Where in the world is that?”

A stereotype that revolves around the fact that many maps neglect to even include New Zealand. In true Kiwi fashion, there’s even a website dedicated to this shameful omission. Think about it – how would you feel if someone couldn’t quite figure out where your country’s located? It might not seem like too big of a deal, but the question does get a bit tiring after a while.

100% pure

If you’ve seen a New Zealand tourism ad, chances are you have heard this phrase. Except, it’s not true. Of course, New Zealand is filled with beautiful greenery, picturesque coasts, and epic locations – but it’s not completely immune to pollution issues. Do compliment the country’s beauty, Kiwis love that, just bear in mind that the “100% pure” stereotype has long fizzled in many people’s eyes.

“Everything is so expensive”

Even the most onto-it traveller might be caught off-guard with local expenses. The thing about being so far away from the rest of the world is that it costs more to import things inland. New Zealanders are well and truly aware that food and consumer products are more expensive than in many other countries – and that it can be cheaper to fly to Australia than it is to spend a weekend in Queenstown. For the average Kiwi, it’s just daily life, not a novelty.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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