If you liked this video, I recommend watching this video where I reflect on 7 years in New Zealand: th-cam.com/video/ZdqjfiyTnkc/w-d-xo.html P.S. What do you do to make Christmas special?
I am a Kiwi and I married an American girl in 1974. In 1975 we moved to Canada then in 88 we moved to the USA and 2007 retired and moved back to Canada. I am ashamed (sort of) to admit that in our first year in Canada I fell in love with a white Christmas in Montreal. The cold that I had never felt before. Down To -35c the snow crisp and crunchy. The icy sidewalks yuck. And the feeling that has never left me. Many friends tell me they are going to Florida for 6 months in the winter. I just turn up the heat and add an extra sweater. Love a white Christmas.
I feel this so hard. Its hard to describe unless you've experienced it. I think part of it is also all the Christmas paraphernalia is winter-themed. Even here in New Zealand, the beach santa is wearing a warm Christmas hat. Sending you warm vibes for the upcoming Christmas holidays! I hope you experience the greatest joy! 💜💜💜
At christmas time in New Zealand it doesn't get dark until after 9pm, yet we still put up Christmas lights despite it being past the bedtime of most little ones that get the most out of it.
In Maori folklore, the goddess of death, Hinenui-te-Po, released sandflies - called te namu, or little devils - into Milford Sound in an attempt to keep people away from such a beautiful place. She feared the landscape created by Tu-te-raki-whanoa was so glorious that people would want to live there forever.
Oh wow! I had no idea! I love how Maori tradition has so many stories to explain different parts of New Zealand. 💜💜💜 Any tips on how to fight the little buggers?
@@TheAudaciousPath ha ha, not really, often you see trampers (hikers) wearing mesh bags over their head to at least keep them off thier face. They arent too bad on a boat, they dont seem to get far from the shore
My googlings say they live primarily near water sources and plants. I didn't realise they can get all the way up to your face. I've seen them jump, but can they actually fly? 💜
That sounds about right, Maori placed many curses on this land and they are still in force. I have seen demons wandering the roads in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua at night and early mornings. Yep I photographed them too. Your culture is full of demonic carvings and things, only the white people don't know what's really going down in and with the Maori culture
Northern Hemisphere people can go to Waiouru or Ida Valley in Central otago in the middle of June, pick a strong Southerly storm, and have a another Christmas.
Hello from Hong Kong! me & my partner will spend our first Christmas & new year eve in New Zealand, glad that we found your video 2 weeks before setting off =] Great video! keep it up!
I wouldn't be so sure about the Pohutakawa tree. They grow all over the country, and they flower at different times. I have one in my backyard that blossoms in July. Coastal trees normally blossom in December.
Heya! So interesting follow up to this. I’m down on the South Island now, and turns out I was right in my facts. The tree you see down on the South Island are called the Southern Rata, a close sister to the Pohutukawa. Love these learning experiences!!!
Ive spent my entire life in NZ…. (Though I’ve probably had just as many Christmases in the UK/US/Canada as I have here…) and I actually learnt some new stuff in your video!!! The whole think about the major cities being deserted over Christmas was something I actually only discovered about 5 years ago, as before then I’d always been on the Coromadel or overseas….. it’s kinda cool having Auckland pretty much to yourself over this time!!
@@TheAudaciousPath Oh absolutely.... it's so weird experiencing an empty city.... I was going to ask you if you were American or Canadian... was leaning towards Canadian... but I think you might have answered that question when you said 'aye'........
It's lovely until it rains! Haha, the summer storms can be much more brutal than the winter storms which are more like a constant drizzle. That said. I'd still recommend it. Kiwi summer is lovely! 💜
I do like your video, well done. New subscriber today. The following is just my two cents worth about sandflies: From a Kiwi, no, sandflies are not everywhere. Only some places in specific weather (hot, humid ,still air, near running water where they breed). 99.9% of the time you will never see one. I think some people think they are everywhere, because, on those rare times they find you, that is the memory that sticks with you. And by the way, you can outrun a sandfly by just walking, they fly very slowly - the same reason you'll never get bitten on a windy day.
Haha, I like what you said about "those memories stick with you". I can see that. That said, I have run across them quite often, but I think part of that is I am camping probably more than the average bear, and also in those conditions you mentioned. Stay well!!! 💜
Hey, 2nd vid i have seen, find it hard to believe u have been in Aotearoa 7 years? ... glad u have stayed with us, nau mai haere mai, inside&outside you are beautiful ... hope u have have found someone special to keep u warm ... kia ora koe
Heya! Which was the first video you saw? 💜💜💜 Hehe, why do you find it hard to believe??? Thanks for coming back, and commenting as well. It helps heaps! :-)
Heyagain ... May i call u Dani? we kiwi's tend to shorten stuff ... First vid was reality check moving to nz? 4monthsago? which is why i'm surprised you have been here so long. U ARE KIWI NOW !! ... Glad to sub&comment. I now c u have other vids which i will checkout ... b good
When you said "just north of Gisborne" I forgot you were talking pouhutakawa and thought you were about to tell the world about our camping and surfing spots. lol On that note, the campground at 6:33 looks like the Tatapouri campgrounds. lol Also just watching your video from 2 weeks ago and my dad married my step mother at that dorm/hall at the start of the walk near lake Okataina. Didn't expect to see two out-of-the-way places I recognize in both of these videos. lol
Haha, that's great! Ive heard some pohutukawa are south of those spots, but rarely. It is Tatapouri I believe! I was there around August. It was a lovely time of year to visit because no one was around!!! 💜 Oh wow! How random! Do they do camps there over the summer? Looked like a cozy spot. Okataina
@@TheAudaciousPath I thought so.. It's not a bad spot. Some people, mostly Gizzy locals, camp in the next two bays north of there, Turihaua and Pouawa, where between Labour weekend and Easter I think it is, they usually allow freedom camping there. You just show the council you have a chemical camping toilet and pay a small fee and you can camp anywhere the long grass between the highway and the beach is cut short. Everyone is usually packed in pretty close to each other and some even bring a lawnmower out and open up more space where they can. I hear the council is stopping it this year though, which hopefully won't be permanent. Dad lives by lake Rotoiti and works in Rotorua, and I think they had been shown that lodge and heard they could rent the place. I think it may have been used for summer camps at some point, but not sure if they still do. It's perfect for it, the native bush, the lakes nearby, and it's got bunk beds throughout a few of those buildings and a big kitchen with a walk-in fridge in the main hall. BTW, I watched your second video yesterday and subscribed immediately, because it reminded me a wee bit of a Beau Miles video, who I recently became a big fan of. Then today TH-cam recommended your most recent two videos to me so I watched them obviously, but that's all I've seen so far, so I'm going to go back and watch your first video and all the ones in between when I'm able to. Maybe it's because I'm weirdly drawn to "cultural exchange" content(I find myself watching a lot of Evan Edinger, Curls, Rare Soul Worldwide etc. lately), or maybe it's the inner Doug fan coming out, but I like your channel. LOL. Sorry for rambling on a bit. lol
The building looked in pretty good shape when I was there, so it must be used somehow! I ran into Beau Miles' channel a while back, and he is so .... artistic. So unique! My goal is to get caught up and ahead so that I have more head space to think of creative ways to tell my stories. I hope you enjoy the past videos... my style and goals have evolved a bit. Haha, it's all good! Happy Friday!!! 💜
Yah? I looked into it because I was sure that they flowered down south too, but all the several articles I read said only the North Island! How long do they stay with flowers?
In beach sand there fleas that my Dad told me were sea lice. They jump like flease and the swines bite. And, you do a very good job of presenting this stuff - stick with it. There are some dire You Tube channels on this subject. You also know what you are talking about. I guess that comes from living in Aotearoa as opposed to racing through in 2 weeks.
I always thought sea lice were the tiny jelly fish that leave little nibbles all over you and get stuck in your clothes - but they live in the water, not sand...? Either way, ick!!! yayyyy! So glad you're enjoying this content. Indeed, I think 7 years has taught me a lot about New Zealand that I missed in the early years. I'm guessing you're kiwi by the use of Aotearoa? 💜
@@TheAudaciousPath Definitely Kiwi despite a lot of time living in the UK.My family seemed to make up its own names for things, like us kids calling those long legged delicate flying insects carrot flies because they semed to like living amongst Dad's rows of carrots rather than any of the other vegetables in our garden.
I don’t understand this thought that a white snowy Christmas is the norm in the Northern Hemisphere. Looking at a map, the majority of the area wouldn’t have snow! Even in the US, like LA, Southern California, Florida etc don’t have a white Christmas!
I see your logic. I guess what I was thinking is that most southern hemisphere countries don't get a snow at all whereas North Hemisphere countries do (albeit not all of it of course) but I see I completely forgot about Patagonia! 💜
Nope it doesn't help, putting up the Christmas decorations. If you are born in the Northern hemisphere, you won't ever get used to Christmas in the Summer. And on that note, I think I return to Canada, can't stand it here, 17 years are enough
Stores and other businesses don't choose to close on Christmas Day, they are required by law to close. Open your business and you will end up in court. The few exceptions are service stations and small grocery stores. Same rule applies on Good Friday. Strange thing is these are religious holidays. That's the only reason they are forced to close. Yet NZ seems to pride itself on being a non-religious, secular society. Whereas in the USA there are only a couple of states that require most businesses to close, yet the US as seen as being religiously observant. Ain't true.
Interesting.... I remember on Good Friday or around then trying to order a beer and they said same thing, they weren't allowed or there was some requirement to buy food also. My personal experience is New Zealand is way more religious than I originally thought. 💜
@@TheAudaciousPath Indeed. It's a very strange thing yet we take it for granted. Christmas Day and Good Friday have always been very dead, very silent days. In NZ we tend to turn necessity into virtue even though we criticise others for exhibiting the same sensibilities.
@@TheAudaciousPath For instance many Kiwis criticise the US for what they perceive as religion dominating their public discourse and politics, yet it's not the US that has a blanket suppression of business on religious holidays, it's we who do that.
If you liked this video, I recommend watching this video where I reflect on 7 years in New Zealand: th-cam.com/video/ZdqjfiyTnkc/w-d-xo.html
P.S. What do you do to make Christmas special?
I am a Kiwi and I married an American girl in 1974. In 1975 we moved to Canada then in 88 we moved to the USA and 2007 retired and moved back to Canada. I am ashamed (sort of) to admit that in our first year in Canada I fell in love with a white Christmas in Montreal. The cold that I had never felt before. Down To -35c the snow crisp and crunchy. The icy sidewalks yuck. And the feeling that has never left me. Many friends tell me they are going to Florida for 6 months in the winter. I just turn up the heat and add an extra sweater. Love a white Christmas.
I feel this so hard. Its hard to describe unless you've experienced it. I think part of it is also all the Christmas paraphernalia is winter-themed. Even here in New Zealand, the beach santa is wearing a warm Christmas hat.
Sending you warm vibes for the upcoming Christmas holidays! I hope you experience the greatest joy! 💜💜💜
we appreciate you sharing your beautiful experiences with us, such kind words, merry xmas!
Yayy! I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Merry Christmas to you tooo!!! 💜
Love your video. Very informative about NZ Christmas. Thank youuuu❤
Yayy! So glad you enjoyed! Its a lovely time of year here!!! 💜💜💜
At christmas time in New Zealand it doesn't get dark until after 9pm, yet we still put up Christmas lights despite it being past the bedtime of most little ones that get the most out of it.
Hehe, I love the lights! Franklin Street near downtown is the best! but I can see how illogical it is! 💜💜💜
In Maori folklore, the goddess of death, Hinenui-te-Po, released sandflies - called te namu, or little devils - into Milford Sound in an attempt to keep people away from such a beautiful place. She feared the landscape created by Tu-te-raki-whanoa was so glorious that people would want to live there forever.
Oh wow! I had no idea! I love how Maori tradition has so many stories to explain different parts of New Zealand. 💜💜💜
Any tips on how to fight the little buggers?
@@TheAudaciousPath ha ha, not really, often you see trampers (hikers) wearing mesh bags over their head to at least keep them off thier face. They arent too bad on a boat, they dont seem to get far from the shore
My googlings say they live primarily near water sources and plants. I didn't realise they can get all the way up to your face. I've seen them jump, but can they actually fly? 💜
That sounds about right, Maori placed many curses on this land and they are still in force. I have seen demons wandering the roads in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua at night and early mornings. Yep I photographed them too. Your culture is full of demonic carvings and things, only the white people don't know what's really going down in and with the Maori culture
Omg, what a beautiful story ❤
Northern Hemisphere people can go to Waiouru or Ida Valley in Central otago in the middle of June, pick a strong Southerly storm, and have a another Christmas.
YUP! Even just Wellington in June can be biting cold! The difference between a southerly and a northerly is stark! 💜
Hello from Hong Kong! me & my partner will spend our first Christmas & new year eve in New Zealand, glad that we found your video 2 weeks before setting off =] Great video! keep it up!
Yayyy! I hope you enjoy it! It's definitely a special time of year here! Will you spend it on the North or South Island? 💜
@@TheAudaciousPath South Island mainly 😅
@@wongcalvin5691 awesome! That’s the place to go if you’re only here for a short time. Enjoy! 💜
I wouldn't be so sure about the Pohutakawa tree.
They grow all over the country, and they flower at different times. I have one in my backyard that blossoms in July.
Coastal trees normally blossom in December.
Heya! Someone else commented the same. Weird that my research kept saying only the North Island! I wonder if this has changed as the world warms? 💜
Heya! So interesting follow up to this. I’m down on the South Island now, and turns out I was right in my facts. The tree you see down on the South Island are called the Southern Rata, a close sister to the Pohutukawa. Love these learning experiences!!!
@@TheAudaciousPathnorthern rata are common in the south island, and southern rata are common in the north island, both are called pohutakawa.
@@mitchstevenson8600 Hrm, the tree book I read differentiates the three.
@@TheAudaciousPathI also note that the video you show at 45 seconds is not a northern rata.
Happy New Year to you and Pivo
Awww thanks! Right back at you! I hope this year will be a good one for us all! 💜💜💜
Ive spent my entire life in NZ…. (Though I’ve probably had just as many Christmases in the UK/US/Canada as I have here…) and I actually learnt some new stuff in your video!!!
The whole think about the major cities being deserted over Christmas was something I actually only discovered about 5 years ago, as before then I’d always been on the Coromadel or overseas….. it’s kinda cool having Auckland pretty much to yourself over this time!!
Wow! That's amazing! Indeed, the ghost cities are pretty interesting. It's the only time of year this happens, aye? 💜
@@TheAudaciousPath Oh absolutely.... it's so weird experiencing an empty city.... I was going to ask you if you were American or Canadian... was leaning towards Canadian... but I think you might have answered that question when you said 'aye'........
@@TheCJtheCregg haha, American, but I’ve spent more than half my life overseas. 💜
@@TheAudaciousPath hahah ok, my guess was wrong!
Haha, Ive lived overseas too long!!!!
Very wonderful
Yay! glad you enjoyed!!! Thinking of being here or already here? 💜
I would love to visit NZ for Christmas i about hate the cold so the weather there would be perfect for me!
It's lovely until it rains! Haha, the summer storms can be much more brutal than the winter storms which are more like a constant drizzle. That said. I'd still recommend it. Kiwi summer is lovely! 💜
That's a pretty tree
It’s amazing when they line the coast! 💜💜💜
I do like your video, well done. New subscriber today. The following is just my two cents worth about sandflies: From a Kiwi, no, sandflies are not everywhere. Only some places in specific weather (hot, humid ,still air, near running water where they breed). 99.9% of the time you will never see one. I think some people think they are everywhere, because, on those rare times they find you, that is the memory that sticks with you. And by the way, you can outrun a sandfly by just walking, they fly very slowly - the same reason you'll never get bitten on a windy day.
Haha, I like what you said about "those memories stick with you". I can see that. That said, I have run across them quite often, but I think part of that is I am camping probably more than the average bear, and also in those conditions you mentioned.
Stay well!!! 💜
Hey, 2nd vid i have seen, find it hard to believe u have been in Aotearoa 7 years? ... glad u have stayed with us, nau mai haere mai, inside&outside you are beautiful ... hope u have have found someone special to keep u warm ... kia ora koe
Heya! Which was the first video you saw? 💜💜💜
Hehe, why do you find it hard to believe???
Thanks for coming back, and commenting as well. It helps heaps! :-)
Heyagain ... May i call u Dani? we kiwi's tend to shorten stuff ... First vid was reality check moving to nz? 4monthsago? which is why i'm surprised you have been here so long. U ARE KIWI NOW !! ... Glad to sub&comment. I now c u have other vids which i will checkout ... b good
@@graemeblackledge2076heya! Sure, I don’t mind a nickname. I see your confusion about the other video! But yah, just hit 7 years end of August. 💜
So pretty 🤩🤩😍😍
Such rich colors, aye! 💜💜💜💜
When you said "just north of Gisborne" I forgot you were talking pouhutakawa and thought you were about to tell the world about our camping and surfing spots. lol
On that note, the campground at 6:33 looks like the Tatapouri campgrounds. lol
Also just watching your video from 2 weeks ago and my dad married my step mother at that dorm/hall at the start of the walk near lake Okataina. Didn't expect to see two out-of-the-way places I recognize in both of these videos. lol
Haha, that's great! Ive heard some pohutukawa are south of those spots, but rarely.
It is Tatapouri I believe! I was there around August. It was a lovely time of year to visit because no one was around!!! 💜
Oh wow! How random! Do they do camps there over the summer? Looked like a cozy spot. Okataina
@@TheAudaciousPath I thought so.. It's not a bad spot.
Some people, mostly Gizzy locals, camp in the next two bays north of there, Turihaua and Pouawa, where between Labour weekend and Easter I think it is, they usually allow freedom camping there. You just show the council you have a chemical camping toilet and pay a small fee and you can camp anywhere the long grass between the highway and the beach is cut short. Everyone is usually packed in pretty close to each other and some even bring a lawnmower out and open up more space where they can. I hear the council is stopping it this year though, which hopefully won't be permanent.
Dad lives by lake Rotoiti and works in Rotorua, and I think they had been shown that lodge and heard they could rent the place. I think it may have been used for summer camps at some point, but not sure if they still do. It's perfect for it, the native bush, the lakes nearby, and it's got bunk beds throughout a few of those buildings and a big kitchen with a walk-in fridge in the main hall.
BTW, I watched your second video yesterday and subscribed immediately, because it reminded me a wee bit of a Beau Miles video, who I recently became a big fan of. Then today TH-cam recommended your most recent two videos to me so I watched them obviously, but that's all I've seen so far, so I'm going to go back and watch your first video and all the ones in between when I'm able to.
Maybe it's because I'm weirdly drawn to "cultural exchange" content(I find myself watching a lot of Evan Edinger, Curls, Rare Soul Worldwide etc. lately), or maybe it's the inner Doug fan coming out, but I like your channel.
LOL. Sorry for rambling on a bit. lol
The building looked in pretty good shape when I was there, so it must be used somehow!
I ran into Beau Miles' channel a while back, and he is so .... artistic. So unique! My goal is to get caught up and ahead so that I have more head space to think of creative ways to tell my stories. I hope you enjoy the past videos... my style and goals have evolved a bit.
Haha, it's all good! Happy Friday!!! 💜
We have pohutukawa in Dunedin. They flower slightly later than up north.@@TheAudaciousPath
Yah? I looked into it because I was sure that they flowered down south too, but all the several articles I read said only the North Island! How long do they stay with flowers?
At present I am here
Love newzealand
How long are you staying for? I hope you like it here!!!!💜
@@TheAudaciousPath yes
In beach sand there fleas that my Dad told me were sea lice. They jump like flease and the swines bite. And, you do a very good job of presenting this stuff - stick with it. There are some dire You Tube channels on this subject. You also know what you are talking about. I guess that comes from living in Aotearoa as opposed to racing through in 2 weeks.
I always thought sea lice were the tiny jelly fish that leave little nibbles all over you and get stuck in your clothes - but they live in the water, not sand...? Either way, ick!!!
yayyyy! So glad you're enjoying this content. Indeed, I think 7 years has taught me a lot about New Zealand that I missed in the early years. I'm guessing you're kiwi by the use of Aotearoa? 💜
@@TheAudaciousPath Definitely Kiwi despite a lot of time living in the UK.My family seemed to make up its own names for things, like us kids calling those long legged delicate flying insects carrot flies because they semed to like living amongst Dad's rows of carrots rather than any of the other vegetables in our garden.
Hahahaa, I love that! 💜💜💜
I don’t understand this thought that a white snowy Christmas is the norm in the Northern Hemisphere. Looking at a map, the majority of the area wouldn’t have snow! Even in the US, like LA, Southern California, Florida etc don’t have a white Christmas!
I see your logic. I guess what I was thinking is that most southern hemisphere countries don't get a snow at all whereas North Hemisphere countries do (albeit not all of it of course) but I see I completely forgot about Patagonia! 💜
Nope it doesn't help, putting up the Christmas decorations. If you are born in the Northern hemisphere, you won't ever get used to Christmas in the Summer. And on that note, I think I return to Canada, can't stand it here, 17 years are enough
Awww, sorry to hear that. It definitely helped me and others I know, but everyone is different and have different needs. Best wishes with your move. 💜
Stores and other businesses don't choose to close on Christmas Day, they are required by law to close. Open your business and you will end up in court. The few exceptions are service stations and small grocery stores. Same rule applies on Good Friday.
Strange thing is these are religious holidays. That's the only reason they are forced to close. Yet NZ seems to pride itself on being a non-religious, secular society. Whereas in the USA there are only a couple of states that require most businesses to close, yet the US as seen as being religiously observant. Ain't true.
Interesting.... I remember on Good Friday or around then trying to order a beer and they said same thing, they weren't allowed or there was some requirement to buy food also.
My personal experience is New Zealand is way more religious than I originally thought. 💜
@@TheAudaciousPath Indeed. It's a very strange thing yet we take it for granted. Christmas Day and Good Friday have always been very dead, very silent days.
In NZ we tend to turn necessity into virtue even though we criticise others for exhibiting the same sensibilities.
Can you explain what you mean by that last sentence? I have a feel for it, but curious to hear more. 💜
@@TheAudaciousPath For instance many Kiwis criticise the US for what they perceive as religion dominating their public discourse and politics, yet it's not the US that has a blanket suppression of business on religious holidays, it's we who do that.
Ah, I see what you mean. That said, where I'm from, you can buy alcohol on Sundays and in some counties, its completely "dry" - no alcohol allowed. 💜
geez if you cant organise your life around the supermarkets closing for 1 day a year you may be suffering from 1st world problems...
Haha, I feel that! It's not so much not being able to. It's more not knowing to if it's not something you're used to needing to do!!! 💜
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