The Latest from Mobile Relocation (News from New Zealand!)

Preparing to host your first guests to New Zealand

Most of us have had the experience of telling someone that you’re moving to New Zealand and getting the reply, ‘I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand.’ It’s also a common experience to have friends and acquaintances use your residence in Aotearoa as an opportunity to finally make that trip. Sometimes, the first guest arrives not long after you do!

After two years of minimal global movement, it can be a bit of a shock to the system to have guests, particularly if you moved to NZ during that time and hadn’t yet hosted people in your new home.

So what might your first guest experience bring to the surface?

You’ve come a long way. Compared with visitors, you’re the local expert. Whether you’ve been here two months or two years, the things that once caused you to stumble or stress are probably now so ingrained that you might even forget to mention them.

Your pride will show. If your guests critique something about New Zealand - even if it’s something you also dislike - you might find yourself being slightly defensive. You might also find yourself proudly sharing your favourite parts of your life and home in a way that you don’t in your ordinary day-to-day life.

You’ll be more aware of how you’ve changed. You’ve probably picked up new words, maybe a bit of a new accent, or maybe a whole new language. Chances are that those changes will be more obvious next to someone from your former home. The same thing is true of habits, cultural assumptions, and mannerisms: you’ve probably picked up more of the local way of doing things than you realise.

You’ll get a new view on New Zealand. You may find that your guests notice things about your new home - food, cultural tendencies, language, way of life, and beyond - that are different to how you experienced New Zealand as a newcomer or returning Kiwi. Paying attention to your guests’ comments can be a way of unlocking another layer of joy in living in Aotearoa.

Reconnecting with old friends and distant family can create ups and downs. Be sure to check out our recent interview with more tips about how to cope.

The 30th Anniversary of NZ Great Walks

New Zealand is known for its striking beauty and rugged outdoor spirit. Thirty years ago, the Great Walk designation began to recognise the 10 most prized multi-day walks around beautiful Aoteaora New Zealand. They are particularly awe-inspiring and particularly popular.

While you can walk a portion of a Great Walk as a day hike, there are two ways to do a complete Great Walk.

You can experience the Great Walks on your own, staying at simple DOC huts or (where permitted) camping. Although hiking is free on any of the walks, bookings are required and fees apply for DOC huts and (where permitted) camping. The most popular walks and the most popular dates book out early. The DOC website gives more information, booking tips, gear lists, and a comparison of the walks.

If you miss out on a DOC booking or prefer a bit more luxury, there are quite a few private guide services that offer packages along the Great Walks (and other stunning walks and waterways in New Zealand). This may include a guide, may include a shuttle service, and always includes luggage transfer and accommodation in private lodges (or other private facilities) along the way.

Aotearoa is stunning, vast, and often remote with variable weather. It’s critical to be prepared when undertaking outdoor activities.

NZ's newest public holiday: Matariki

Many of us are still getting familiar with the holiday of Matariki because this is the first year that it’s a recognised public holiday. Matariki is the Maori New Year, named for the stars that are visible during Tangaroa, the moon of plenty. Each star holds significance relating to wellbeing and the environment. Because observance is tied to the Maori lunar year, the date on the European calendar varies each year. Source.

This year, Tangaroa lunar 21st to 24th June with the Matariki holiday on the 24th of June (Matariki from 2022 to 2052).

For those of you who remember the Macarena dance and want to learn a catchy te reo Maori tune, check out the Matariki Macarena.