We had the incredible privilege of visiting New Zealand recently. We spent most our time in National Parks – so you’ll see posts on those parks (and perhaps a couple of other experiences) coming soon to a blog near you. That aside, I had a few reflections –
(1) New Zealand is among the most beautiful countries we’ve had the privilege to visit. The landscapes are incredible – both in their diversity and beauty. Once we set this aside, there were a few other things I noticed that stayed with me.
(2) The AirBnB experience in New Zealand felt closer to what the AirBnB founders intended. Owners seemed personally invested – a couple of them even came over to say hello. They’re far from the hotel-like experiences we see so often these days in the US.
(3) I appreciated that New Zealanders take a very pragmatic approach to road signs and road rules.
For example, despite most highways being single lane, they all had a speed limit of 100 km/h (roughly 65 miles/h).
You’d be lucky to see that speed limit on a 6 lane highway in the US.
I loved the 100 km/h speed limit because it felt reasonable. So, it felt like a limit that everyone tried to abide by.
Reasonable is a word I found myself associating with New Zealand’s rules.
(3) I loved the high crash area sign. It felt data-driven. Once again, reasonable.
(4) I was struck by how strong the influence of Māori culture is on New Zealand. It is unlike any country where settlers took over the lands of native people. It felt like they took a very thoughtful and, wait for it, reasonable approach.
(5) New Zealand’s heroes also have characteristically reasonable traits. I loved how Sir Edmund Hillary ensured he shared the credit for his climbing of Mount Everest with his sherpa, Tenzing Norgay.
He went on to care deeply about helping the local Sherpa communities – even after tragically losing his wife and daughter in a plane crash in Nepal.
(6) I loved a story about Sir Peter Jackson, another local hero. He was filming a scene where Frodo sees the Shire being burnt. That scene was originally going to involve just a burning building. However, while the scene was supposed to happen at 9pm, it got delayed to 4am and the firefighter crew who were on duty (in case something happened) were understandably tired.
So, Sir Peter Jackson just had them get dressed as orcs and shot the scene with them in it. Once again, a reasonable decision in the circumstances.
More to come on New Zealand in the coming weeks – suffice to say, I hope to have the good fortune to go back.
A Learning a Day 