How to Make Friends with New Zealanders?

If you are moving to New Zealand, making friends in your new home is an important part of getting settled. You’re probably thinking about choosing moving companies, finding a home and applying for jobs for UK citizens, but finding friends is also something very important. When you first arrive you might not know anyone, but making friends will help you to feel better and enjoy your new surroundings more.

Meeting people can also be a great way to find a place to live, get a job and learn about the culture of New Zealand. Getting to know the relaxed and friendly people of New Zealand will be one of the best things about living in this beautiful country. Having people to spend time with can ease some of the loneliness of adjusting to life in a new country.

So how do you make friends when you have moved to New Zealand? Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when you emigrate to New Zealand and want to meet new people:

Tips for Making Friends in New Zealand

• It’s totally acceptable to strike up a casual conversation with people you meet throughout the day, such as at the supermarket or bar. Kiwis are generally relaxed and friendly and will be happy to chat with you.
• Get involved in the hobbies and interests that you use to have at home, as this is an excellent way to meet new people. Search online for communities and clubs similar to those you used to be involved with at home.
• Why not consider volunteering in your community? It can be a great way to get to know people while also helping out a great cause.
• Most workplaces in New Zealand are very social and people will chat about their lives with their co-workers. If you have a job in New Zealand this can be a great place to start making contacts.
• Have a barbeque at your house and invite over your neighbours and people you have met –it can be a great way to get to know people and make a good first impression.
• Many workplaces will have sporting teams or will have social events on a regular basis. This can be a great way to make friends with your co-workers.
• Kiwis have a love for the great outdoors and if you share that passion you’ll meet a lot of great friends at hiking groups or within the kayaking, surfing and windsurfing scene.
• Another popular pastime in New Zealand is watching sports, especially rugby football. If you like to watch it too this can be a great way to bond with your new Kiwi friends.
• If you are moving to New Zealand with your kids this can also be a great way to make friends – invite over families of your child’s classmates so that the little ones can play and the adults can get to know each other.
• There are also lots of fun events usually available at the council recreation centre or the library, so check those out for more information.
• Make sure that you introduce yourself to your neighbours! You can invite them over for a cup of tea and a friendly chat and make friendships that will help you to settle into life in New Zealand.
• There are also plenty of newcomer networks in cities and towns in New Zealand. These informal groups usually offer a range of activities such as walking groups and coffee mornings which make it easy to meet new people.
• Consider taking a night class at an adult learning centre, so that you can learn more about a hobby or topic you are interested in while meeting people who share your interests.
• There are also plenty of websites and online communities that make it easy for you to meet new people in New Zealand – such as Meetup which allows you to join groups and create your own groups.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind that will help you to make friends with New Zealanders when you have made the move to the Land of the Long White Cloud. It won’t take long to get settled in your new community and build up a network of people to spend time with.