Thursday, September 25, 2008

Kiwi Business Experience (1/3)

Note: This is a blog which will be posted on the Author-it Web-Blog in October 08 - I have added it to my site so you can enjoy it here as well ...




Now this is a post which probably only a “genuine” German could really understand...

We arrived in New Zealand after a long haul flight from Europe. Stepping out into the arrival area in the airport loaded down with with boxes and baggage - my son cuddling his favorite pet toy, my wife and I looked around for the HR manager who had agreed to pick us up at the airport.
It was a great feeling to know that somebody was waiting for us. As promised, the HR manager was standing there, very patiently because we needed to pass through the New Zealand MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the New Zealand Biosecurity Customs), waiting ages whilst they cleaned and disinfected our hiking shoes!

Finally, we made it and were greeted with a big hug from the HR manager. We had been bursting with curiosity about our new home land, and after all the emotional up and downs of the last few weeks, this was a great welcome and just what we needed.


Shortly afterwards we were presented with our official our “Author-it survival kit” – two boxes exclusively packed for us:


Box number 1: Groceries - basically enough food and supplies to get us through the first couple of days.

Box number 2: A copy of the local yellow pages, dDetails of various insurances required in New Zealand, street maps of the city, 'tips' for searching for a house etc. etc. etc.


This was absolutely brilliant for us and has definitely helped us to get organized.


But that’s not all, - the HR manager even lent us her private mobile phone! This had never happened to me before in Germany.

A couple of days later she saw how much running around we were doing and told us to borrow her car! She was flying to the south island for two weeks, so we may as well make use of her car she said. We were stunned by the level of generosity we've been shown, and we will be eternally grateful for the great support our family received during our challenging "settling-in" period...


Later I have realized that this is a just a part of Kiwi life. In New Zealand you'll find this not only in your private but in business world as well: From the very first day I have felt comfortable at Author-it, and welcomed without any pre-judgement or conditions.

I'm sorry if you think I'm being a little harsh on my country of origin, but in Germany an HR manager would simply never offer to lend his/her car to a new staff member. Or provide a welcome pack with groceries.


This is a really good example of Kiwi hospitality!
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