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The original was posted on /r/newzealand by /u/johohjohoh on 2025-01-17 18:44:13+00:00.

I just traveled across the North and South island by bike for 3 months, here are some of my observations nobody asked for:

• Your country has the most beautiful and diverse nature of any country I’ve been to
• DOC is the best conservation institution maybe anywhere on the planet
• The DOC rules and regulations (which are needed) together with the amount of tourists can make places feel too polished sometimes and less like wilderness
• There’s still ‘unpolished’ places to be found. My favourite bits were Molesworth/Awatere, the Nevis Valley and the Omarama Saddle range
• Kiwis are in general some of the friendliest people I’ve met
• Kiwis turn into utter maniacs once they get into a car
• New Zealand cities and infrastructure resemble the US much more than they do Europe
• Kiwis don’t like when you tell them the above
• Your opinion about other NZ cities improves once you visit Greymouth, Invercargill or Palmerston North
• Public transport is terrible
• All the different birds and the love for them is incredible
• Except magpies tho, screw those fuckers
• Sandflies are satan’s spawn
• NZ fish and chips is at least just as good as the UK’s for half the price
• Pie culture is the best thing since sliced bread
• tf is up with cheese rolls
• The North Island is underrated amongst tourists. Lush forests, green hills and loved learning about all the Maori culture there
• NZ is bloody expensive
• Coming here is worth every cent

I’ve had an incredible time here. You can be truly proud of your country. Thank you heaps for having me!