rin tin tin

classic tin roof but an extraordinary two story house!

typical kiwi suburbia 

fancy ridged tin roof 

tin art

This post is dedicated to my father. I will always remember the first time we ichatted and he immediately got excited by the tin roof he could spot in the background. I am no foreigner to tin roofs as our home in Idaho is stylishly adorned with a perfectly rusted, corrigated tin roof. However, kiwis take tin to a whole new level, bordering on obsession.

This is the first post in what will be an entire series of observations that define the essence of kiwi culture- practicality. This theory developed within the first few days of entering the country. At first we couldn't put a word to it but finally the light bulb went off- practical. New Zealand does not have the materialistic valued, excess filled, appearance oriented culture of America. I believe this is why people say visiting New Zealand is like taking a trip back to the American 1950's. If something is broken, they don't buy a new one- they fix it! A "good" car is not a luxury brand, its a car that will last for decades (Toyota wins the highest regard). Houses are rarely two stories because they don't need all that extra space- its just extra cleaning.
(We are not intending to glorify this lifestyle, as we are Americans at heart, but we do appreciate the simplicity and rationality behind it.)

The examples are endless and not all can be photographically documented but we will try our best.
Here are a few examples to drive the point home!

• there are no mansions (we've been all over the south island looking for our NZ dream home-coming up short still)
• most people compost
• the recycling system here is impressive (and complicated)
• they even recycle bottle caps
• washing machines default to cold to save energy
• most homes don't have a dryer- they air dry
• bike riders, no matter your age, have to wear a helmet
• bike riders wear neon vests to ensure you see them- even during the day.
• toilets have two flush buttons- one for #1 (uses half the water) and one for #2

more to come...