Thank you for adding the "lollipop stick" ppl 😁 my 18 yr old nephew's first job was this. He loved waving and smiled at everyone because he knew it made a difference to the day of the travellers. Thank you for acknowledging what these ppl do❤❤❤

@dianamclean8962

11 ай бұрын

❤ Daphne is a truely delicious smell. It is so yummy

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

That is awesome! And a BIG thank you to your nephew for making traffic jams a happier place! ❤️

@chaisetehira320

4 ай бұрын

Kia ora you guys, I love watching your vids, love hearing your take on things NZ. This is my first time comment on here (although I’ve thumbed-up everything else I’ve watched lol). Anyhu, Road Workers: not that I’ve been to the UK or Europe, or the U.S. or anywhere before, but i think the NZ road workers themselves are a lot more cruisier(?) and more engaging because Kiwi’s in general aren’t being dickheads when it comes to road works. From what I understand, road users overseas in UK, Europe, U.S., Asia, etc can be real idiots and dickheads on the roads. I may be wrong, but in general.

@chaisetehira320

4 ай бұрын

And Brian, just a gentle dig here; were you lightly jokingly suggesting that ground crews working on the roads should have their diggers removed from the front line, and everyone uses shovels instead? I know it was just a joke, lol. But I’m a digger operator with my own ground and traffic crew. The digger is an essential member of the crew. Yes, I can imagine what it must look like to members of the public, when they see one man on a digger working, one man with a shovel in front of him, and 8 guys standing around smoking and just looking at them. I can think of a hundred different reasons why it would be like that, at the time they see their little snapshots. And operators are NOT the laziest ones out there, Brian - all you see is a snapshot. Anyway, just a gentle dig. I love your vids, love your content, yous have great personalities. Keep up the good work.

Belated Happy Birthday Brian. Re Lollypop men, I used to be a long haul courier between Whangarei and Auckland Airport, along this route were often road works, with this in mind I used to carry a large supply of Chub a Chubs and hand them out as I passed through. I used to also enjoy doing Christmas lolly scrambles at schools on route. It was worth getting smiles and brightened my day. Keep up the great work.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Oh, that is a gorgeous story Roger! Thank you so much for the birthday wishes and for sharing😀 Liz and Brian

I've spent the last 20 years living outside NZ, and the thing I missed most was the winter fragrance of Daphne!! I managed to find a plant at a nursery in Sydney when we lived there, and I bought plants for my friends, too. The first plant I bought when we moved home to Aotearoa was a Daphne. ❤❤❤

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Oh...the smell is divine isn't it? ❤️Thanks so much for sharing!

@dianemariehawkins998

7 ай бұрын

Always reminds me of home. Our house had Daphne’s tree. Very fragrant. Never smelt it better anywhere else.

As motorists, us Kiwis always wave our appreciation to the stop/go people so it's mutual. I never imagined it would be different anywhere else

only in nz....the best pies in the world!!!. nom nom

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Oh yes, Craig!! Absolutley!! 😄🥧

I was in hospital in Hawera in 1973. Not a good time, but an abiding memory was the smell of Daphne placed beside me in a vase by the nurse every day. One of my favorite smells to this day!

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Oh, what a lovely story! Thanks for sharing Andrew 😊

As a photographer moving from England to NZ the clarity of light was something I was very much looking forward to (and appreciate now).

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

So true, Jenn, and your photos are lovely (and I know cuz I've seen them 🥰! x)

@AThousandWords

11 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama Thank you x

I think it is a part of Kiwi fairness culture that people that choose to use services during public holiday are charged surcharge rather than everyone pay more over the year for the people lucky enough to get a table on a public holiday. Not really anything to do with not running a sustainable business, but more of the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Good point, thank you for being with us and for sharing your thoughts, we appreciate you very much! 😊

Yep, the surcharge is a bloody rip off! I agree with Brian. They know how many public holidays there are in a year and how many they'll be open for so budget for it, 1 - 5% right through the year should cover it without hurting anyone! I'd get up and walk out if I got told "There's a 15% surcharge because it's a public holiday."

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for being with us and for taking the time to share! We appreciate you very much, have a lovely weekend! 😊

@EBF-oc3ke

10 ай бұрын

The owner has to pay the staff penal rates, and the staff don't get tips. I should operate at a loss for your convenience? Stay home.

@sylviawhautere4000

9 ай бұрын

Why is it only restaurants and cafes that charge this. I can go to any retail store and not pay an extra 15%. Sorry but I just so won’t go to a cafe that adds it.

@jamesking3874

6 ай бұрын

Australia has surcharges also

I bought your book and i am enjoying it so much! thank you for being so honest and real in your book! i find time in my busy schedule to make sure i have dedicated time to read it. you both are wonderful people and deserve alot more subscribers!

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

What a truly wonderful comment. Thank you so very much. that means the world to us ❤️ Thank you, liz x

Nice to hear that you like our road crews, we try to be happy some people even throw lollies to us as they drive past, as a foreman for Downer, l thought you might find it fun to know that Taranakis hyways are repaired (we dig them up and fill in the bad stuff) By one main crew eight of us on a good day we normally work a 60+ hour week we also have contractors helping out, l brought my family over from Essex 13 years ago for a more relaxed life style 🤔🤣🤣🤣. We are in Tikorangi, have you noticed how New Zealand has changed over the last 10 odd years Sunday was really a day of rest, nearly all the shops were closed as were all the out of town petrol stations we used to carry a 20ltr petrol can just in case, but even now by 8pm places like New plymouth are ghost towns

hey in Canada it's expected we tip 18% every time we go to a restaurant. You have only have to do that on stat holidays. Be thankful.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Good point Paul! Thanks for being with us and love to all our Canadian watchers! 🇨🇦

I don't know if you recall the comment made about the colour grading for "This is New Zealand" done by Humphries Laboratories in London in the making of documentary, that had to be re-done as it was too muted for the New Zealand countryside. This is obviously what you were describing with the New Zealand natural light. The light may be more to do with lack of dust and other pollution in the atmosphere as it is always clearer after the rain from a cold front has gone through. I have now also been in contact with the One Lye Cinema and hopefully should soon be able to allocate a date to screening the film in New Plymouth later this year.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Hurray! That's wonderful! Let us know when the screening is, and we will give a shoutout on the channel. Can't wait! 🎉

I had Daphne in my gardens in the States (California) at every doorway for winter bloom and jasmine for summer bloom. I LOVE Daphne. Macrocarpa must be the name for Monterey Cypress from California.

@craigchristensen6082

11 ай бұрын

Monterey Cypress is Cypressus Macrocarpa. Or just macro or macrocarpa in NZ.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Ahh, Sherree! I remember photos of your garden very well and it makes me happy to know you can still get that lovely smell here in NZ 🇳🇿❤️

I spent a week on a stop go board on the other side of the harbour in Dunedin, middle of winter freezing my arse off, but every time i stopped traffic I'd go and chat to the drivers. It was a boring job so any distraction was welcome. Hearing Brian mention Tesses boyfriend works in a "data" centre made me laugh, thats a word i get teased over because i pronounce it as dah-ta, not day-ta as you Brits do, he's clearly not changed his pronunciation, just as i haven't.😊

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing, my friend, I wish I had the video of that guy dancing in Dunedin...it was brilliant! 😀🍭

Happy belated birthday Brian. Hope you have a wonderful blessed year with your lovely family 🎉

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Have a wonderful week! 😀 Luv Bri

Great vid guys.. I didn't know about clarity until you mentioned it. Yes, definitely as a kiwi living in Brizzy. I had an overnight stop in Queenstown to my flight to Auckland. I sent pics to my Oz mate of the scenery of the hotel and the Remarkables. His reply was awesome cliffs..😂😂. In Brizzy, there's Mt Nebo, Mt Cotton , Mt Tamborine and the rest..😳😄😄 mate, they just hills if you're lucky.😂

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Hahaha! Thank you for your lovely comment! Sending much love to you and yours in Brizzy! 🇦🇺🥰

I enjoyed watching you guys tonight, im a kiwi but am over here in ausi. We have friendly stop and go people here too,but i notice not everyone waves to them,like we do back at home. Must be a kiwi thing aye😊

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for being with us Angelique! We appreciate your company and send much love to you and yours is Oz 🇦🇺🥰

We can not wait to visit NZ and experience this "5 Kiwi things"😜. You guys are just awsome. My gosh, you made us laughing so much every episode🤣. Lots of love 💖💖💖

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Lots of love to you too Renata and Savitz, you guys are wonderful xx

@johnhough7738

8 ай бұрын

If/when you do go ... get the Hades out of/away from Auckland! Or not, your call; but Spouse and I moved way down south to the land of Invers and I was very happy living in Winton. Spouse, being the quintessential "homesick Pom" wanted to come 'home'; so wanting a happy Spouse; we did. Humungous mistake? Yep! (She realises it now ... but I just can't face all the paperwork and angst, never again.) To any 'homesick Pom' thinking about it ... keep thinking. Keep dreaming. But don't EVER actually do it~

The bickering you to have is so hilarious 😂 I dunno, it feels homely somehow. Love your channel

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, to know that we make you feel comfortable is a huge compliment. Thank you! 🥰 Liz and Bri

In Spain it is quite normal to get a free chupito at a restaurant after a meal. It is usually a shot glass with brandy, herbias, ron miel, peach schnapps, or something similar. One place I frequent in Gran Canaria bring 3 bottles of liqueur to the table and you can have as much as you like.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Blimey, Tim...where IS this place??? "Bri! Get the tickets booked..." 🤩

@timrussell9869

11 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama Chez Luigi, Playa del Ingles. They do a great Chateau Briand....

I'm a Kiwi thats been living in Australia for 40 years, miss home and love watching your show.

The restaurant looked "turn of the century..." 2000? Oh you mean _last_ century. 😄

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Honestly...half the time I'm amazed when I even remember my own name...🤣

Matariki is not always going to be on Brian's birthday. It changes just like Easter.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Oh Nadean...don't tell him that...🤣

I used to be the guy that stopped traffic for our Drain laying crew, that's not toilet humour,this time 😉. It was such a great time, reacting with the motorists and foot traffic. On the other matter,they use the credit card surcharge here in Australia,and something you may not know,the main banks back home in NZ,are Australian owned,so it's all their fault. 😁

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Oh crikey, Andy...I'm not telling Bri that...Can you imagine what he'll come out with on the next podcast..😅 Thank you for being with us and for saying hi, always lovely to have you! 😊

Daphne is native to Asia, Europe and North Africa. They thrive in NZ. Their scent is _overpowering._

Another awesome view. Yep just used to living here. Glad you can see it as we do. Thanks again guys.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Our pleasure mark! Always lovely to hear from you 🥰 Have a great weekend!

I spent about 10 years based in Melbourne. One thing that became apparent pretty quickly was that although the 2 countries are close culturally & economically, food is radically different. In NZ, Raspberry Jam Slice, Jelly Pies, Bread Roll ups are relatively common but can't be found in Australia. Even pies are significantly different. Australian pies usually contain some kind of ground meat regardless of type (I assume to make the filling go further). The Australian Chain Pie face tried to setup in NZ but died fast & quiet. Not only were they competing against every petrol station, dairy & supermarket but what they were offering fell far short of what Kiwis expect in their pies.

@ItsaDrama

10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for being with us and for sharing, we appreciate you! Have a great weekend! 😊

@stephenking4170

5 ай бұрын

In the 1980s or 90s Ponsonby Pies came on the scene with decent chunks of meat in them. When they tried to sell them in Australia, the local pie producers protested at real chunky beef pies and they pressured government to define meat pies in such a way that the Ponsonby Pies failed to meet the Australian standard because they had too much meat.

@esamartin1052

4 ай бұрын

Ozzie 's A Lolz !!!!!!! 39:32 39:32

Just finished reading your book, really enjoyed it. Will leave a good review. xx.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Yay, thank you SO much! I really appreciate that and am so happy you enjoyed it ❤️ You can leave a review on Amazon by going to: thetravelbogdiaries.com/review Or if you prefer you can go to Goodreads (free to join if you're not a member) and leave a review here: www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/171739317 Thank you once again, you really don't know how much your kindness means to me, thank you ❤️ Liz x

Hi guys, man you two are a crack up. Happy belated birthday brother Brian. And yep, we love to laugh and try not to sweat the small stuff. Not worth it, and we got living to do, also I was doing stop go in wellington as well. Had an awesome crew and the boss was top notch. Fish n chips for lunch and a fizzy. Yeah, love my country guys, so much history we have here. Have a pleasant day Liz and bry. You're awesome. Love ya guys, catchup.

@ItsaDrama

10 ай бұрын

You are flippin' awesome. What a lovely comment. Thank you so much, this really made our day!! 🥰🇳🇿 Liz and Brian

I'm a kiwi on holiday in Dominican Republic, and I was laughing my head of when company taxi I am in, we came to a stand still que,awaiting our signal to go, we are 6th on the que our drive notice the guy holding the stop sign nodding his head to his mate behind us to drive through suddenly the taxi drive noticed it and move straight in with more car following our taxi, makes things worst the traffic from the opposite drive, the traffic control just close his eyes and signals both side to drive on but the traffic cannot be moved because the road was blocked he just picked up his lollipop sign and walk away while horns are tooting to each vehicles, he just left the blockage road for drives to sort themselves out😂😂😂😅

@ItsaDrama

10 ай бұрын

What a great story, James! Thank you for sharing!! 😂

Hello Liz and Brian, a new subbie here. I am now hitched onto your podcasts and video, so helpful they are, and am loving them😍And happy belated birthday Brian, honestly you don't look a day older than 40 and that's the truth☺

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Welcome aboard and thank you so much for this lovely comment we are thrilled to have you with us (and gosh...what a compliment! Careful Bri, that might go to your head...🤩) Thank you again! Liz and Brian

😊 awesomeness video enjoying your happy 🙂😃vibes and beautiful comments about our country ❤️ thank you enjoy rest of your week Kia ora😍

@ItsaDrama

4 ай бұрын

Our pleasure! Thank you! ☺️

You guys are soo nice and your appreciative of little things makes others do the same thing n be thankful I guess

I have not come across a 15% surcharge for a number of years. I live in Wellington. Long weekends we tend to be out and about to eat, or visiting somewhere else, and not seen it for a few years now

We have a daphne growing outside our apartment in Sydney but I didn’t know what it’s call. So thank you ❤

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

You are welcome! 😊

We have just moved back to NZ after 33 years in the Uk and my wife tells that Daphne is a common plant in the UK and we had several in our garden - hope that helps

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you Brian! And welcome home! 🇳🇿🥰 We hope you are very happy to be back!

glad to see you took a public holiday off bri...lol...happy belated me old geezer!!

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Hahaha! He's never going to live that down hey Craig?? 🤣 Thank you for being with us!

@craigbourbonevans

11 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama nope...was so funny

Belated happy birthday, Brian.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much Robert! 😀

All your Kiwi followers are coming around for dinner next Saturday. Choice!

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

🎉 Sounds good to me! i'll get Bri to start digging the hangi pit 😄😆

The public holiday charge includes time & half + a day off for the staff.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info and for being with us Mattie! 😊

@mattieclan8957

11 ай бұрын

@ItsaDrama it's for all staff working that public holiday.

When in NZ expect the unexpected ie , beach in Coromandel has heated water in the sand ideal after a swim in the sea.

@ItsaDrama

11 күн бұрын

It's true! So cool. Thank you for being with us and for saying hi, Tom!

Yes that 15% surcharge is a complete rort. Any business should be able to factor things like penalty rates into their rates on a permanent basis and spread the cost out over time. Its not as if public holidays come out of the blue with no warning. I'm sure that restaurant and cafe owners would be quick to complain if their suppliers started imposing a surcharge on supplying goods on public holidays.

I’m sitting outside Halfords waiting for a new exhaust so I’m watching but also looking around, I though at around 19 mins I saw Liz take a sip of a plant lol. I had to rewind it 😂

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Hahaha!! Actually, I have to confess...those daphne flowers were in a glass of gin...🤣

I don't know about New Zealand but the lollypop guys and gals get paid extremely well. I have heard of some people here in Australia getting paid over 100k and depending on their qualifications even more.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing! That makes a lot of sense! Maybe THAT'S why they are all so happy??? 🤔🤩🥳

@elizabethlee6047

11 ай бұрын

Minimum wage in NZ

Yeah, I'm a tradie, and if my mates and I knew there were road workers out in the wops where we're working, we would buy them some beers. I've never done it for people in the city though lol the pub is just down the road for them

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing! And a big shoutout to all our tradie watchers! You guys are awesome 🎉😊

Not all businesses charge a 15% surcharge for Public Holidays. My recollection is that there was a huge debate about the passing of the Holidays Act 2003 when there was a Labour Government and National were bitterly opposed to this new legislation that was going to require employers to pay staff an extra days pay on public holidays whether they worked or not! Supposedly this extra pay was going to drive many employers out of business, etc, etc. I'm not sure of all the details now but I'm sure that information would be available online. Anyway, many businesses were saying that they would have to charge extra to survive and I don't know where the 15% figure came from but when the law changed some businesses began putting the surcharge on, supposedly to cover their increased costs but really as a way of protesting as much as anything else. It was more like a political protest initially but some continue with it. Many survive without it which rather shoots down others argument for imposing it! The best response is to go somewhere else but as Liz says, that's not always easy to do. Good advice is if booking for a public holiday ask if there's a surcharge and don't book if there is! I think they are required by law to have a sign up, or to tell you before you order. I remember ridiculous things like going into a dairy to get an ice cream and being told it will be an extra 15% because of the public holiday and they had to cover the cost of their staff! I don't see much of that these days. It now seems to be mainly limited to the hospo industry. I seem to remember that some big retailers, like electronics stores, etc, tried to do it too although they quickly found out that wouldn't work! So it's got practically nothing to do with the staff costs. It was (is) a political protest! National, who were in opposition at the time, were going to abolish that law when they got into power but obviously didn't, probably because it was too popular to most workers! It's not necessary! If you can't afford it, don't open!

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this brilliantly informative comment! We appreciate you taking the time to do this, thank you! 😊

In 1965 when i was 19 my husband to be and I went to a party in Bath’s Roman pools! It was amazing and i feel so fortunate as i know this doesn’t happen these days.

I was working at a hotel in Taupo when they brought in the Holidays Act where staff had to be paid extra for working public holidays. Some hospitality owners went mad at having to pay their staff more for working those days, that's why the surcharge was added to the bill. I have walked away from a few places when I see the sign, having worked a few Christmases without getting extra for it. I noticed Starbucks in New Plymouth had a surcharge this year.

@patricewright8714

11 ай бұрын

My book is ordered and on the way, can't wait to read it.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Oh, Yay!! Thank you SO much! I appreciate your support very much 🥰🎉 Liz x

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing Patrice, that's so interesting to hear!

Totally ok with the surcharge if it is forwarded on to the staff. Happy Staff=Successful business.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for being with us and for sharing! 😊

Happy Birthday Brian... Hold your ground...🥰😂

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you!! 🥰

Yes I missed jasmine, daphne, bironia and winter sweet. Cabbage tree smells great too. Been to Sally Lun's (what a rip off) was it anywhere near your Greasy Spoon. Loved Bath.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

It's a shame as Sally Lunn's used to be great (massive buns and quite cheap) but sadly it turned into another tourist spot and as is always the case it was never the same (we were about 5 min walk from there!) 😊 Glad that you loved Bath...such a beautiful city!

@drthomason7043

11 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama I liked our version. They gave me a hamburger bun, compote, butter or clotted cream. I know the price was atrocious because I didn't bother to get a drink. Probably asked for a glass of tap water.

The surcharge came in after Labour brought in the holiday's act which meant that on public holiday's had to be paid at time and a half, before that all I got for working on a holiday was time off in lieu, so these businesses thought that by charging a surcharge they could push the blame on Labour. So that's why those that charge don't average it over a year.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for haring and for being with us! We appreciate you very much 😊

Your attitude sounds like my old employer when I worked from Monday’s to Fridays as well as Saturday Morning. 10 years ago the management decided that time and half on Saturdays was discontinued as a Saturday morning is just the same as Tuesday afternoon. Hence I have changed jobs now working Monday to Friday (no weekends) after being in the previous job for over 35 years!

15% used to be a good tip before tipflation.

Macrocarpa, great fun on an open fire especially in a carpeted room.

Mrs here has got a great personality, and man, can she "chelp"..... I like her.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you Bob! Not sure what chelp means but if you are enjoying the show then that is all good! 🤩

😊oh I forgot have you noticed when it gets hot this tree drips resin 😊yess talk about 😊

They charge the same surcharge here in Australia for the same reason. Shocking but...

Loved the Monty Python reference. 😂

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Hehehe!! 🤣

I'm an English born naturalised Kiwi. Did 21 years in the RNZN, and been around in my almost eighty years. My English Spouse wanted to come 'home', so I lied through my teeth and agreed - wimp? No, I just wanted to make her happy. Big mistake. No, huge mistake, vast mistake, humungous mistake: sheer stupidity. But now we both know ... so to all 'homesick' Poms in NZ; don't do it! Go sit naked on a cactus for a month, it won't hurt anywhere near as much ... trust me.

@ItsaDrama

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for being with John. Sending you much love to Blighty and hope our vids make it a little easier for you ❤️

Traffic controllers waving and saying Gday is pretty common here in Australia as you pass through roadworks especially outside of the cities. Sometimes on hot days we have offered the guys a cold drink as we often travel with our caravan in remote areas.. These guys can be working hundreds of kms from anywhere in temps. reaching above 40c in rain, hail or dust and maybe only see one or 2 cars a day but they will still smile and wave to you. Crossing guards have been called loillipop men and lollipop ladies at least since our kids went to school and they are now in their 40s. Restaurants and other buisnesses apply a surcharge on Sundays and public holidays in Australia because they usually have to pay their staff 2.5 times their normal pay rate. and the basic wage in Australia are already one of the highest in the world. In some bigger industries they not only pay those penalty rates but also give them an extra day off on their annual leave. Like most people here I am prepared to pay the extra to compensate staff who have to work on their public holidays rather than being at home enjoying the day with their families. Maybe thats a strange or strange concept for someone coming from another part of the world but I guess Kiwis just like Aussies work to live not live to work - you can always go to Maccas. If Australia is a less attractive place to live than NZ why have 550,000 kiwis moved here - out of a population of only 5 million thats a pretty significant thumbs up ? Light clarity will be good in places that have less pollution and guess what Australia has 100 times more open space than NZ so believe me you will never see a night sky clearer than it is in the outback probably why space telescopes and tracking stations are built there.. Apparently the hole in the ozone layer over Australia was worsened by the chemicals released during the bushfires in 2019 and 2020 but it is slowly returning to normal, there is actually no hole in the ozone layer above NZ. Over the years we have done 4 road trips around the north and south islands of NZ we love the place and its people and would have no problem living there but being an Aussie I prefer where I am.

@ItsaDrama

10 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching and for taking the time to say hi, we really appreciate you! 😊

@UnicornCarrotPineapple

6 ай бұрын

Wow bro, you popped a casket typing that out ay? LOL... This right here, is what differentiate the two countries, the humour of New Zealanders are on another level, I've spent my whole 50 years in Australia, was born here too, but been back to Nz now and then, oh and I'm a Māori descent. The Aussies and their humour are dry as a bar of soap in a desert, Kiwis bring the best out of the Aussies and that's a fact. As for workers, most of the hard labourers are Kiwis Polynesian Māoris and Nz Māoris, most of the "sit on your arse" jobs are overrun by Indians. As for the lollipop men and women, I can see what Liz and Brian's talking about, the workers can "get down and boogie" like there's now tomorrow, as for the Aussies on the paddle, they wave(don't get me wrong) but there's no heart in it LOL. People move to Australia to take advantage of the opportunities that the Aussies take for granted lol sooooooo yeah. Cheerioh Bro.

🛣️I agree the Traffic Control people certainly🚙 take your mind🛵 off the small annoyance of having to stop! 🛑

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

They do, Christopher!! 🚗🍭

The lollipop thing came about with the earthquakes. They needed to try their best to stop angry people.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for being with us Stephen 😊

@shauntempley9757

11 ай бұрын

Not just that. Too many drivers were running over work crews, and driving off. It was a daily occurrence growing up. Lollopops are used, so if any vehicle does not obey, crews can get out of the way, and the licence plate can be taken down and called in to the police.

I always wave to the road workers

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

😊

I love you guys....just going to add, i live i nz and canada.....there are two things in common with road workers.....theyre completely stoned haha (not all) but they are funny

@ItsaDrama

9 ай бұрын

😂 Thank you for sharing, Glennie! We appreciate you being with us 😁

@glenniekiwi

9 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama keep it up you guys and love your content. Oh I lived in the UK and Bath was one of my favorite places to go but I'm a history buff, so a Roman city was right up my alley hehe. All the best. G.

15% to18% extra is what we Americans pay as tips in restaurants. We were vacationing in Hawaii and some tourists from China were not ok with automatically added tips. They fought loud and hard with the police being called. So people are asking: why not just include the tip in the price of the food? Well that doesn't work as the company or boss keeps it. Even my hair dresser gets a big $40 tip. My dog groomer gets a $10 tip. And everyone in a hotel gets a tip too, $2 or $3 per suitcase or bag. The maid service leaves an envelope for their tips on the bed. It adds maybe 10 to 20% cost to your vacation. You just have to budget for tips!

🇳🇿😎😁❤️ All the best

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

And to you too Russell! 🥰

Not only in MZ the same happens in Australia. There is a surcharge on Sundays and holidays.

@janettewill3054

11 ай бұрын

I know in Australia the wages for hospitality staff are set at time and a half or double time on Sundays and holidays. So if it’s the same in NZ 15% loading is not too bad. Oh and I love Daphne and macrocarpa too reminds me of my childhood in Lower Hutt. Incidentally, I love your podcasts, they are so good. 😊

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for being with us and for sharing, Janet! We appreciate you very much 😀

Liz and Brian have you experienced the fragrance of Gardenia, i thought that is what you had in your hand until you said it was Daphne. I have Frangipani here in the garden,also has nectar of the Gods fragrance

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Yes, Roy, I love the smell of Gardenia too! And Frangipani is my mums favourite flower 🌸

Just keep agreeing Brian…..😂

🎉🎉🎉

happy birthday Brian. if it was me at that restaurant I'd tell them no worries, won't be coming back ..just to let you know...there are plenty of restaurants that don't suck people in and charge this rubbish...

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you! 😊

I agree with your comments about the road repair workers. I have never seen a grumpy looking lollipop stick person yet. Even in the most awful weather. They deserve a pay rise 🙂 We always had daphne plants in our garden when i was growing up. My mum and i both loved the perfume of them. Same with freesias. Have read your book Liz and absolutely loved it. Amazon won't let me put a review as apparently i need to buy more from them to qualify. 😢 Will have to start shopping more😅

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Oh, thank you Susan, that means the world to me 🥰 Honestly...Amazon drive me bonkers at times...if you are a member of "Goodreads" (free to join) you can find my book there and leave a review, Susan, that would be wonderful! (I have included the link!) www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/171739317 Thank you again my lovely friend, your support means the world to me! ❤️ PS: And yes! Definitely a pay rise needed!

Macrocarpa must be about the only introduced flora or fauna that doesn’t destroy and compete with the local plants and animals.

I think your flower is more commonly know as honeysuckle, from China I think

@ItsaDrama

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! 😀

Australia does the same

Daphnes are native to Eurasia and North Africa.

You guys look incredibly young

about the ozone layer, you guys are always outside, doesn't it worry? xoxoxoxoxoxxox

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Hi Elaine, we wear sunscreen all year round and are usually under the umbrella so all good! 😎😄

@elaineremains

11 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama sunscreen huh? wot if ye miss a spot? lolol

The quality of the light changes from country to country because the angle at which the sunlight hits the Earth changes from place to place on the planet. Even though I've lived in Canada for 36 years, to me the light here seems just _wrong._ And when I see photos from NZ, even though they're not labeled, I know exactly what country they were taken in. As for the hole over the Antarctica (and therefore NZ), I read back in the 80s that it was from the CFCs produced by N. America (but let's include China as well); The article I read said they float around the Earth because of its rotation and sluggishly end up over the coldest areas where there are more ice crystals. The ozone to chlorine chemical happens on the surface of ice crystals, and there are more of them over Antarctica because there is more land at the south pole (none at the north). So there's a big hole stuck there and NZers get burned because of it.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing and a big hug to all in Canada 🇨🇦🥰

@r.1599

11 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama Canada thanks you for the hug and asks that Gisborne region sends up its excess water. 😊🧑‍🚒🔥👩‍🌾

Australia surcharges as well

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for being with us Michelle! 🥰

Did you know those lollipop people often get blisters on the bottom of thier feet from the heat off the tarmac

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing Elizabeth 😊

I always wave out to lolli pop people , I worked with Traffic control people for years , they had a job to do and I appreciated what they were doing ,,,keeping our work site safe so we could do our work

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for being with us and for sharing, James! 😊

A belated comment or two on waving! First a quote regarding the Kiwi Soldiers attitude to waving in WW2 (from the NZ History) Friendliness versus formality An often-repeated story about General Bernard Freyberg, commander of New Zealand troops during the Second World War, underlines how Kiwis preferred friendliness to formality. A British general accompanying Freyberg through the New Zealand lines in the desert remarked ‘Not much saluting, is there.’ Freyberg replied, ‘Ah yes, but if you wave they’ll wave back.’3 And second - an official Govt clip on waving to traffic controllers - kzread.info/dash/bejne/f51ksbapcdTHmps.html a good little watch - Enjoy Mr G,

I think it’s fair that there is a surcharge on public holidays. The employees are giving up their public holiday to serve you.

Bank holidays in UK.....bit of a laugh, most banks have closed their branches. Even ATM's are closing 😯😥

😊hey 😊 if you want them thier on this holiday 😊 JAKX I love kiwi did u vote for Maggie 😊I hope so 😊

Stay home and give the staff the holiday you are having

The stat holiday surcharges are rude.

15% surcharge, get over it!! At least there is no tipping!

How many kids do you have?

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

We have two, Chris 😊

@Chris-il7mi

11 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama nice 😀

Geezus christ poor Brian

"time and a half" ... sounds more like 'usual plus fifty percent'~?

@johnhough7738

8 ай бұрын

Seventy bucks for a bottle of wine? Hell ... Chateau Cardboard used to be just as good for a fraction the price. Wine with meals is merely extraneous to us now, an unnecessary "enhancement"; just another social habit that we can live without ... and so we do (Spouse was never into it anyway).

You probably worked out things are expensive in NZ, I havnt got a problem with a restaurant charging extra for opening on a Holiday, the staff probably want the day off like everybody else, so the owner would get his or her family to work or offer heaps of bribery to staff to work... not all businesses will charge extra.... just saying

Sometimes on a hot day I hand the Lollipop guy a slice of water melon of an orange. It goes down a treat. But I'll tell you a funny road worker story. About 20 years ago we had a maori woman foreman on the road working gang. They had a brand new orange and black road worker man sign. After work I borrowed the sign and painted a skirt, tits and a pony tail on the sign and returned it before dawn. You should have seen the smile on the woman's face. She was tickled pink. The sign was hot in more than one way. It was nicked within a week at work, so I made her another one.

@ItsaDrama

5 ай бұрын

Hahaha! Brilliant!! I'd love to have seen peoples faces as they drove past!! 🤣 I might just have to read this comment out on the next podcast if you don't mind!! hehehe!

@stephenking4170

5 ай бұрын

@@ItsaDrama go for it. Somewhere Have a photo of the lady with her sign but it would take ages to find it among my tens of thousands of photographic prints. It happened in Waipoua Forest on the state highway.

only in nz one of those stop go men was murdered because he stopped a car

My wife said it was ok to comment 🤔😂😂😂😂

Bri doesn't look a day over 54.

@ItsaDrama

11 ай бұрын

Aww, he'll love that compliment...thank you! 🥰