A Migrant's Journey: Life in New Zealand During the 1980s

It was 1987 when I, a migrant from England, arrived in the Land of the Long White Cloud. The 1980s in New Zealand, as my experience reveals, was a period of distinct social and cultural characteristics that have left a lasting impression on my life.

Arrival and Initial Impressions

Upon my flight to Wellington, delayed by severe weather, I was redirected to Auckland. My first task was to make a telephone call from the airport. This required 16 10-cent coins, which I carefully counted out, using an A button and B button public phone. The person at the other end guided me through the process, patiently explaining which buttons to press. Although I could hear her, she could not hear me, due to the heavy accent and line issues. An emotional moment undoubtedly, yet omnipresent in those days.

A week later, the minor noise of a huge truck passing by set my lady to explain that it was actually a powerful earthquake—the first one I had experienced. The local culture of greeting and applauding on landing on a smaller aircraft demonstrated a sense of community and a welcoming spirit. The flaps on the wings seemed to be in constant use, a testament to the demanding conditions faced by pilots. These minor yet significant encounters in Wellington marked my assimilation into this wonderful country.

Living and Learning

New Zealand in the 1980s was a quiet, peaceful place, inhabited by Maori and Pakeha (as we are called), living side-by-side in harmony. The experience of hearing a Tui for the first time was profoundly poetic, encapsulating the essence of this unique country. This period was a time of discovery as I acclimatized to the local culture and lifestyle.

Flte Versus France

The early 1980s were marked by a significant concern for New Zealand. The country was waging a bitter life-or-death struggle against France, which was conducting nuclear testing in the South Pacific. This threat to the delicate sense of self of a small nation like New Zealand highlighted the political and environmental issues of the time.

The 1980s Revisited

My parents had emigrated during the 1970s and spoke nostalgically about their own experiences, comparing it to the 1950s in the UK. However, arriving in the 1980s, I felt I had found the ideal place to live. I believed that we had the best of everything and was up-to-date with the latest innovations. Reality, however, soon set in as my comparison with the UK in the early 1970s revealed a stark similarity. I discovered that the 1980s in New Zealand were much like the early 1970s in the UK.

Perspectives and Motivations

Diving deeper into the history of New Zealand and the 1980s, especially through resources such as those found on Google, provides a richer understanding. The article Overview – The 1980s/NZhistory New Zeeland history online offers a comprehensive account of the period. Despite the distance from New Zealand, the information provided by this online article gives valuable insight and perspective.

Living in New Zealand has been a wonderful experience, a time that has continued to enchant me. While we may not be at the forefront of technological innovations, the pace of life and the community spirit are truly something to be cherished. As someone who has stayed in New Zealand, I am grateful for the laid-back lifestyle and the sense of security offered by relatively low crime rates. The unique experiences of the 1980s have shaped my outlook and taught me the value of community and simplicity.