New Zealand is about the same socially as much of Australia. I worked with a number of "Kiwi's" while in Brisbane (Kiwi is what Australians call anyone from NZ. Although you might here that title a lot, don't use it unless you are on friendly terms with the person you are addressing. It's like calling an Aussie bloke and "Ocker", or an American a "Dumb Yank"), and they are all good mates. Americans are considered a bit of a novelty still down there, but it is getting better than it was. Learn to drink beer any time of day, be interested in Rugby and Cricket, and use a lot of American slang. If you can stand it, try and develop a taste for Marmite (as close as you can get to vegemite these days, thanks to our stupid import laws).

If you have a chance and you think you are into it, sea kayaking around the north end of the islands is really fantastic. Also, if you can chance to get any sort of hunting in, the red stag there are almost the size of elk, and it is quite an experience.

Fishing down there is going to be excellent.