There are two things you should never do in life. Never mix your liquor, and never confuse a Kiwi with an Australian. It’s fair to say the two countries are similar, like cousins may be, but in no way does New Zealand come from Australian stock.
To start with, the geography of the two countries are very different. New Zealand is a small group of islands, primarily made up of two large ones, the North and the South, and is situated further south than Australia, giving it more distinct seasons with colder winters. Because of this the people have adapted differently to their land than the Australians have to theirs, and therefore have differences in culture. While Australia is primarily flat and arid, battling droughts and desert and high temperatures, the Kiwis have a fertile land with a mountainous landscape. This has inevitably led to a love for extreme mountain-related activities and an unusually high population of sheep.
New Zealand also has a high amount of volcanic activity, while Australia has none. In the North island of New Zealand you can find yourself bathing in the hot natural springs in Rotorua or rejuvenating your skin with thermal mud.
Because of the wild landscape and the people’s forthright nature New Zealand is a country of adventurers. Where Australians are extremely competitive and try their hand at every sport you’ve ever heard of, the Kiwis are more laid back, daring and playful. While their national sport of interest is rugby union, and maybe a bit of soccer, they’ve mostly traded in all the other general sports for the extreme outdoor activities and a love of the land.
The Kiwis are a friendly and welcoming people. They are laid back, good humoured and proud of their beautiful country. In the North the cities of Auckland and Wellington forge the country’s place in the world as the internal hubs of business, finance and politics, while in the South the tourist hotspots in and around Queenstown draw in the international crowds wanting to ski down the spectacular mountains, bungee jump off cliffs, hike up glaciers and take on white water rafting.
Hot Tip: If still, at the end of the day you can’t tell the difference between the Aussie and the Kiwi, pay attention to their accents. The vowels are put in reverse. For example, take the words “Red Fish”. An Australian will say “Red Fiish”, while a Kiwi will say “Rid Fesh”. It may take a while but you will eventually notice the difference!
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