What's Christchurch's culture like?

Question

I hear people raving about how nice the locals are and how bigoted and intolerant they are. I am Canadian and going to teacher's college in NZ, but I'm half caucasian/half Indonesian. Do you think that if I do my studies in Christchurch that I will targetted?

Are people really negative there/complain a lot?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Hi there!
I live on a farm outside Chch, so my opinion is probably bias =]

Chch is FANTASTIC!! I have been overseas a bit (but not Canada, sorry) and I have found New Zealanders/ Christchurchers to be really super friendly and laid-back!
I have heard from many people it's like a "Little England" because of some of the beautiful buildings. It has got one of the best art galleries in NZ. It has a great city life with lots of restaurants, bars and clubs. It has a strip of great restaurants/ Bars right next the beautiful Avon river which is appropriately nicknamed "The Strip". It's quite a big city but it is also really close to beaches, the country side and so many nice parks. It really is quite a pretty city.....

At the end of the day if you're a nice friendly person then people will be nice and friendly back no matter what race or nationality!! Kiwi people are very welcoming!

But like Bec said, you are always going to have a few rough kids. But hey, thats the same as in every country!
Try to stick to the nicer areas-
Riccarton, Fendleton, Halswell, Linwood, Merivale, St Ablans, City Centre, Burnside, papanui and Chashmere sorta areas

Try to stay away from - Hornby, Hei Hei, Mairehua, Shirley and Aranui areas

Other helpful info:
Public transport is not the best, but its okayish... I would suggest buying a car while you are here. I know in the States/Canada you guys would nearly never buy a car over 15yrs but here in NZ it's very common to have an old car. And trust me they are cheap and run fine! Personally I think it would be worth it.

Learn to pronounce Maori words or else you will sound like a loser!! =]
Vowel sounds:
A - Ahh
E - Ehhh
I - EEE
O - Owh
U - ew

So Whakatane is pronounced 'FAH-KAH-TAH-NEH' not whak-a-tane
Ponamu= "POWH-NAH-MEW"

So i hope that helped! Good luck! I hope you really enjoy your time here! If ya have anymore questions just email me and I would be happy to help you out!

Answer 2

nothing like what you would expect in nz, no maoris or anything. its more like just a regular place, a few old buildings and some people with a nz accent. it reminds me a lot of places in australia.
if youre looking for the real deal of nz, go to the north island, absolutely spectacular with maori haka dancers at every second restaurant,snow capped volcanoes, hot thermo pools, the whole deal.

Source(s):

been to nz 8 times.

Answer 3

As far as I am concerned I think Christchurch is a fantastic place! It depends where you are living, but in general the people are nice, In the city, they are nice also, and that's rare for a city anywhere lol! doesn't matter where you are. But like anywhere you can get some jerks!

Answer 4

i think some one give you the wrong idea about ch ch .. it very similar to canada,, as i been there , but not as cold as canada

Answer 5

Doesn't have one