Have I mentioned how atrocious the sand flies are? worst season they've had since locals can remember. As bad as their bites itch (mostly around feet & ankles), we've determined we're glad they don't buzz like mosquitoes.
It's normal for schools to be separated boy/girl. All wear uniforms (some more disturbing than others--some have fleece &shorts, others striped jackets).
update: We've found normal, good-looking, attractive people on the South island.
Kiwis love meat pies, they're advertised everywhere, including gas stations. Mince pie almost seems like the American hot dog. in general, though, doesn't seem like New Zealand will ever be known for its food. I desperately miss Ben & Jerry's & Mexican food!
I-sites are marvelous, where you go to get any tourist info you need/directions/signing up for trips/etc., & they always have toilets, & are open on weekends & holidays!
On hot days, seems like virtually everyone will have an icecream cone, especially at the beach.
NZers are not partial to dogs in public places, like parks, beaches, etc, partly b/c they scare sheep or kiwis (the bird, not the people). sign in a park in Nelson: "Dogs hassling sheep will be destroyed." --city council of Nelson
Maori (the natives of New Zealand) traditionally have tattoos on their faces, so it's not totally unusual to see people w/ faces and necks tattooed.
NZers speak w/ lifted voice inflections at the end of a sentence, making declarative statements sound like questions. it's very interesting to listen to, just different.
My time in Nelson was the longest period I've spent w/o seeing sheep!
Kiwis hate to stand in line, so most times will have machines to take a number, then take a seat, like at the i-site or bank or post office. if seats aren't available (or even the no. system), then people simply wander around or give so much personal space to one another that you don't know if they're in a line (queue) or not. Beware of thinking it's your turn & accidentally cutting in front of someone--they won't hesitate to defend their position!
Only native mammal of NZ--3 kinds of bats, 1 of which is extinct, so don't come to NZ for the wildlife, though you will occasionally see herds of deer in pens (it's weird when you're used to seeing such hefty animals as cattle, & instead you see slender deer), & the sand flies are voracious! You're legally allowed to shoot anything that's not a native of NZ, which means any mammal.
