Insights into New Zealand
Unlike Peter Winter (North & South September 2012) I’ve never had the experience of returning to my homeland after 40 years away. I get homesick after a week. The only other scenery that makes me “homesick” like that is rural France – I must have some French genes hiding inside me.
I could not help wondering, when I saw the article, what impartial insights into New Zealand Peter Winter might have after living most of his life overseas. What could he teach us about ourselves, I wondered, after such a prolonged break from firsthand contact with his homeland?
One key thing Peter winter found refreshing, in contrast to his experience in the USA, was a New Zealand populace he described as “decent, practical, quiet, down-to-earth and well-regulated” and, in another breath, “as genuine, funny, loyal, fair, decent and self-deprecating “ as he remembered them in a country where “taking yourself seriously” is still considered offensive.
Now, he’s going to be popular in New Zealand for saying those sorts of nice things but I’ll assume he was genuine.
I could not help wondering, when I saw the article, what impartial insights into New Zealand Peter Winter might have after living most of his life overseas. What could he teach us about ourselves, I wondered, after such a prolonged break from firsthand contact with his homeland?
One key thing Peter winter found refreshing, in contrast to his experience in the USA, was a New Zealand populace he described as “decent, practical, quiet, down-to-earth and well-regulated” and, in another breath, “as genuine, funny, loyal, fair, decent and self-deprecating “ as he remembered them in a country where “taking yourself seriously” is still considered offensive.
Now, he’s going to be popular in New Zealand for saying those sorts of nice things but I’ll assume he was genuine.
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