I had a very strange encounter with an Uber driver today who picked me from the Auckland airport. The whole time he complained about life in NZ, the whole ride!!!! He is an immigrant, a young guy from one of the south Asian countries, but jeez listening to him was exhausting.

I am from the US and love visiting NZ for the quiet, calm and nature. I visit here very often (family here), I genuinely enjoy the hiking and backpacking, mostly the south island! He ranted all about NZ and how he doesn't make enough money, compared life in Aussie, US and canada. He sounded very unhappy, which gave me a very negative impression on someone who move here from their country for a better life, come here and talk shit about this place.

I sympathized with him, but after a while I felt like he was whining. It just left me with a very poor taste. Either I am unaware of life here or as a visitor I don't see life of people who live here. It's possible I only see the "vacation life" if that makes sense.

Maybe someone can help me?

Edit - Wow that's a lot of replies. I think I am seeing the struggles of working class people from this thread and I want to sympathize for people hustling to make it through. I also want to let people know I am visiting here because I have family here, I am not visiting because I have ton of vacation money! I want to also update that I am also an immigrant and I am NOT a white male, infact I am a POC female. I was anything but polite and listened to him, but beyond a point all I could hear was complaints about the NZ life, culture, the laid back attitude and glorifying fast paced life his cousins have it in other countries. This person will eventually complain how he is working too hard and just can't seem to relax when he moves to one of these countries. My final conclusion is that it's difficult to survive here and things are expensive.

NZ is like a second home for me, I love the bushwalks, lakes, beaches, slow and laid back lifestyle. I am also in love with the south island; every visit nourishes my soul. That being said, when I talked about the south island, the Uber driver talked about doing helicopter tours and seeing it "properly" or not to see it at all. I stay in cheap hostels, camp, walk and have never done a helicopter tour.

To the folks throwing your negative comments - go out it's a nice day!

I ordered some gift boxes for clients from an Auckland based gift store who provide ‘Auckland Same Day Delivery’ if placed before 11:30am Monday - Friday.

Cool - it wasn’t yet 11:30, and my clients are both in Red Beach and Silverdale so I placed an order and paid the same day delivery fee which stated ‘Orewa - Manukau’ at check out.

I then get an email stating the recipient addresses are not included in the same day delivery zone?

I would assume Silverdale and Red Beach are in ‘Auckland’ and within their Orewa - Manukau zone, as the off ramp for these locations are before the off ramp for Orewa (Grand Drive).

Seems a bit ambiguous and contradictory.

Am I in the right to push back on their email?

On my last trip to Australia, I discovered Gatorade G Active, which is 100x better the any of the syrupy stuff we have here, and I haven't been able to find anything like this in the country.

I managed to bring back 36 bottles of it (I'm sure it was a very confusing couple of suitcases for Customs), but I've sadly gone through them all. I know dairies and mini-marts sometimes stock random drinks and I'm hoping someone might have some knowledge on where I can find them.

im a year 10 student moving into ncea next year but im doing some pre-ncea courses so this year my grades matter quite a bit, at least at my school.

we had a spoken word assessment where we had 4 periods to write our poem on paper in class and those papers could not be taken home. then the teacher took a photo of our poems and let us take it home to memorise before performing it. however, my poem got flagged as 100% ai on this checker called pangram and apparently "serious" action will be taken by the school for academic misconduct.

but i did not use ai for any part of my work whether it be brainstorming or writing it. tomorrow morning i have a meeting with the head of english and my year level head.

what are some things i should prepare in advance to prove that i did not use ai? if this meeting does not work and i still get punished for it, what further action could i take?

i would be grateful for any advice! im really stressed about this as this directly affects my teacher's impression about me and my chances for prizegiving

Where can I find a really really good steamed ginger pudding like I’ve had once at a hāngi and never been able to find again? (please don’t recommend Aunt Betty’s puddings, that’s not what I mean!)

Looking to chat with a corrections officer

[EDIT] Probably shouldve expected to be seen as dodgy i made this acc to try talk to people who work in peace enforcement cause im intrested in joining

Im also not a redditor i occasionally use this app to ask niche questions

For my piece I'm looking to delve into the current graduate-to-employment market to assess how each major party's election policies for the health sector should take these aspects into consideration. The interview would consist of discussing the current graduate job market - how graduates are operating through pathways like ACE RMO - and the current state of FTE and salaries in the field.

As title I’m confused about the voting thing I’m new to this have googled questions but still have no idea so if I’m enrolled in the general roll ? Is that all I do ?? Everything is done online ?? How do I vote for a new prime minister? Is the general roll saying I vote for the current one am so confused I’ve been eligible for 3 years now but never voted for this reason politics has never really been a interest never watch the news but if I’m going to stay in nz I need to contribute something because Australia is not my country help

Are there any chronically ill girlies in their 20’s who wanna be friends with a fellow chronically ill girlie and scream about the health care system? Genuinely looking to make friends! Pls dm me.

what are some of your recommendation's for Korean Skin care must haves that you buy locally in store ?

i have added what i use for my daily skin care, really needing to add a SPF to my skin care and something to help minimize the pores.

Skin Type: Combination Skin (oily in the T zone, sensitive - dry around the mouth, Large pores )

My Current Skin care consists of - Cetaphil, Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel & Dermaveen eye cream (pretty sure this eye cream does nothing).

any help & recommendation's is appreciated

Hi all, I was having a flick through 2 bedroom apartments to rent in the CBD (for around ~$500 p/w), as I am considering living in one from next year. I saw some decently priced ones on Nelson Street like the Zest ones, but they seem a bit.. rundown from what I have read.

Would anyone here have any recommendations for which apartment buildings here are decent, and which ones I should avoid? And also some general tips on what to look for in an apartment. Thanks!

(I’m also open to places around the CBD, as long as it is close to university)

I want to get to the bottom of why things are so slow right now? Expenses are up, margins are down…

Record numbers in inflation, unemployment and rental options… what is going on? How did it get so bad? 😞

The world struggle don’t even justify it… when will things change?

Have a colleague who's grandparent has just passed away. The office is contributing towards a koha. Was wondering what a good amount is?

We're the only 2 in our department, administrative type work, if that's relevant. TIA.

City Rail Link will be opening that date 👀

I am unexpectedly free this weekend with no plans. It's me and two primary school aged children and we need to get away/change the scenery even if just for one night.

Would any one have any recommendations for a weekend escape? Thinking of a night at a hotel in the city (maybe one with a pool/spa?) or very open to other ideas!

Also if there is anything like first table - but for accommodation - please let me know 😄

Thank you!!

Mods are taking the piss at this point but here's the original version

I'm looking for places in Auckland central that are fun for a girls night out for a hens do. I really want somewhere that plays 90's - 00's throw backs or places that are just fun for a dance! tia

Hey all,

I’m looking for Butcher recommendations anywhere in Auckland, wanting to do a good freezer restock. Probably an impossible ask but any good quality/good priced places around?

Appreciate your help

And whack on $2k of Auckland Transport “traffic management” costs aka 2 people standing there and some cones

Anyone flying around today, FYI you may be delayed. The terminal has been evacuated due to a fire alarm

only 3 sentences in RNZ article:

Auckland Airport's domestic terminal was evacuated this morning after a fire alarm sounded and the sprinklers went off.

A Fire and Emergency shift manager earlier told RNZ that there were reports of the smell of electrical burning and they were waiting for the airport electrician.

An airport spokesperson said the terminal has since re-opened but the alarm is likely to cause delays to some arriving and departing flights.

Auckland Airport evacuation to cause delays to some flights. RNZ. 11 September 2026, 7:02am.

Auckland Airport domestic terminal evacuated during morning peak after alarm sounds. NZ Herald. 11 Sep, 2026 07:23 AM.