Priorities and Community

Like people from around the world, New Zealanders enjoy travelling. Some New Zealanders have had the opportunity to travel to the United States, similar to how my classmates and I have been fortunate enough to come to New Zealand to study its European literature and culture. One of these New Zealanders was a man who works for Air New Zealand. While I was waiting for the flight to Rotorua, the Air New Zealand worker and I struck up a conversation.

During our conversation, we discussed my stay in in New Zealand. After hearing how I would be in New Zealand for three weeks, he was a little surprised that we were only visiting Wellington, Rotorua, and Auckland. He claimed, “Three weeks is more than enough time to see all of New Zealand.” This comment surprised me as I do not believe that I would be able to thoroughly experience and enjoy New Zealand in its entirety in three weeks. I already wish that I could spend more time in each city to further explore the city and culture. For this reason, I found it interesting that a New Zealander could simplify his country so much that he thought that a foreigner would be able to accomplish everything important in just three weeks.

A country’s culture is extensive, which lends it to be interpreted in multiple different ways. As such, the perspectives of natives and foreigners on a country’s culture may greatly differ. These conflicting viewpoints may result from their unique backgrounds and priorities. As a student learning about New Zealand’s literature and culture, I have taken an interest in both Maori and Pakeha culture, as well as how these cultures have influenced each other over time. Additionally, I love to hike. Between hiking and learning about the differing subcultures of New Zealand, I could spend days on activities that the Air New Zealand worker might spend only a couple hours. Having grown up in New Zealand, the Air New Zealand worker might have minimized the importance of nationally significant landmarks. I know that I have downplayed the significance of some of the Washington, D.C. museums and memorials. Living so close and frequently visiting these icons for school field trips, I sometimes lost sight of their meaning and felt indifferent towards them. Only as they became less of a mandated school trip was I able to reaccept them for all their meaning.

In addition to talking about the time I am spending in New Zealand, we chatted about his experience travelling to the United States. While he was in Los Angeles, people were able to identify him as a tourist by the map he carried around and tried to take advantage of him being in a foreign location. Afterwards, he modified his behavior. Reflecting on his experience, the Air New Zealand worker claimed, “There is a learning curve to travelling to a new city or country.” This statement resonated with me. Every time that I travel some place new, I initially feel out of place until I become more accustomed to the layout, environment, and culture.

One difference between the United States and New Zealand is how people respond to tourists. In the states, a majority of American pedestrians tend to keep to themselves. Most of these individuals do not respond very well when a tourist stops them to ask them a question. Often, they brush off tourists or respond curtly. On the other hand, there are individuals who eagerly approach tourists, typically with some ulterior motive as experienced by the Air New Zealand worker. However, this is not the case in New Zealand. Whenever I approached a New Zealander with a question about where something is located or how something works, they have been more than willing to answer my question. This suggests a greater sense of community among New Zealanders when compared to Americans.

The ties between New Zealanders and their community probably originated when New Zealand was only inhabited by Maori. As Hawkesworth writes, the Maori have “little to be got by victory” (43). The Maori had ties to their land, but did not have individual ownership. Practically everything they had was shared with their tribe. When the Europeans arrived, they were reliant on the Maori. European settlers could not begin a new life in New Zealand separate from Maori. They often relied on trade with Maori. Because of this initial dependency on the Maori to create a new life in New Zealand, Pakeha may have recognized the importance of community and how helping out a neighbor now could provide beneficial later.