Comments on: Cracking Kiwi-land?

By: Billy C

Billy C — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:46:48 +0000

@Benzol A few years ago the Indian cricket team were fined and harassed for arriving on tour with Mumbai muck on their cricket boots and kit. The Indians thought it was a form of intimidation in support of the Kiwi team

I can just imagine the Chinese feeling the need to bring in their special mutis, knowing the Kiwi NHS sticks strictly to formulaic appropriate generic Western medicine. When I toured the Far East last year and left my daughter for a years teaching stint in the Thai bush, I took piles of medicine from SA, not knowing what level the Thai medical system works.

I wonder if anyone tries to smuggle Durian fruits – the most pungent nauseating smell of any fruit

By: Rod MacKenzie

Rod MacKenzie — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:04:33 +0000

Oops… correction, they have changed my radio talk on SAfm to 2 PM on Sunday 21st March with Karabo Kgoleng.

By: Rod MacKenzie

Rod MacKenzie — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:59:13 +0000

For any interested my next radio interview is on Radio SAfm Sunday 21st March 2.30 PM with Karabo Kgoleng, where we will be talking about my memoir, Cracking China. That will be one thirty AM in the morning here in New Zealand, good gravy.

By: Atlas Reader

Atlas Reader — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:48:02 +0000

If you’ve worked at a school for one full term after obtaining your permanent residence permit, the government gives you a one-off $3000 settling-in grant (per family) to offset the various debts you may have incurred with things like registration, degree certification, customs clearance fees etc. You must ask for it, or else you don’t get it. Your principal will advise you what to do.

By: Wineou

Wineou — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:57:34 +0000

Here’s wishing you a marvellous stay. I’m sure you’ll make the best of things, and keep us entertained along the way – you even seem to enjoy the dreadful Kiwi accent!

By: Lizanne Barnett

Lizanne Barnett — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:32:57 +0000

Happy to see you landed safely! Look forward to new adventures. Hou die blink kant boe.

By: Benzol

Benzol — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:03:57 +0000

Some years ago, I arrived in NZ from SA with…..my riding boots in my luggage. Imagine these -although washed clean- riding boots which had touched African soil and African horses, could bring down the NZ nation.

After waiting an hour or so, the NZ official handed us our boots, smelling like a hospital operation area. We were happy to have contributed to a clean NZ and with the opportunity to do some horse riding in tact.

Rod, try some horse riding in NZ. Wonderful areas both on North and South Island. Might have to loose some of the tyre around your middle )

By: Rod MacKenzie

Rod MacKenzie — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:30:00 +0000

Thanks Nadine and Janacek – good grief, Nadine, 750 dollars just to evaluate my degrees before I even start paying for the course? Holy moley. Have to put that one on the backburner.

By: milly vanilly

milly vanilly — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:23:56 +0000

Keep cracking it Rod!!
All the Best!!

By: Janacek

Janacek — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:33:10 +0000

As an expat Saffa and also an expat Kiwi I enjoy your musings about the idiosyncrasies of life and cultures different to yours. I’m very much looking forward to reading about your new life in New Zealand – I felt homesick just reading this blog. May it go well – good on yer, mate