An American friend once told me the USA was the freest place in the world. Then she told me she carried a gun in her hand bag to protect herself. I realised then we had very different definitions of the word 'freedom'.

I'm a Kiwi, I live in Australia for the last 40 years. I have worked for Americans, been close friends with many Americans, and now I broadcast to radio stations in the USA. I think i know quite a lot about both the USA and New Zealand. I would endorse everything you have said in this video. Occasionally I've been stupid enough to try to get Americans to see that maybe other places (e.g. New Zealand) do some things better than the US. It's always been a mistake to try that. Americans, as a rule, have been so strongly indoctrinated that the USA is the greatest country in the world that they just cannot accept that anyone else could do anything better than them. I've had professional differences in my career trying to get my American boss to accept that the technology I'm using is about a decade ahead of what they're using in the USA. I have always admired the USA, but i am dismayed in the last few years at how ignorance has been accepted as an advantage in the USA. That Americans will accept the corruption and dishonesty of their politicians when they should be kicking them in the .. um .. shins - HARD.

Was watching an interview with an American professor talking about drug prices. After a while I noticed that rathér rather than call people " Patients" requiring a certain drug he called them "The consumer". I thought that summed up the American health care system perfectly.

On the health care system, we are happy to have to pay a little more tax than Americans do to give us peace of mind that if anything happens to us and we need medical care, we can simply walk out of the hospital with the same amount of money in the bank as the moment we walked in or were admitted. We think its totally crazy, insane, nuts that just because you have an accident you can end up losing your house, your lifestyle and sometimes end up being homeless. We believe the American health care system is totally and completely insane beyond belief.

There are several freedom indexes: Economical freedom: New Zealand rank 2 - United States rank 20 Human freedom: New Zealand rank 1 - United States rank 17 Press freedom: New Zealand rank 8 - United States rank 44

I have to say as a kiwi who was born sick and my medical needs are growing I really feel blessed that most of my care is paid for. I also have private medical insurance which at this point is $70 a week and I essentially break even with what I claim back. If I was born in America I would be dead because the medication I need would cost over $1000 American dollars a week. I belong to an international support group for one of my illnesses online and I've lost many American friends in the group simply because they couldn't afford the medication needed to stay alive. It's something I struggle to understand.

As a Kiwi living in Aus with a heap of American friends, this video makes me super happy. Thanks for sharing your perspective. It’s always refreshing to see an American willing to see things through a different lens. NZ isn’t perfect, but we are pretty proud of our little country when it comes to quality of life.

Hi ☺️ I'm Australian and I honestly hope this doesn't sound patronising, because I mean this earnestly, but hearing what you had to say on this video really really warmed my heart. It's common as an English speaker to consume lots of US media and to interact with Americans online - and on some levels I always feel they're slightly not getting "stuff" - YOU truly have managed to reprogram yourself from the US brainwashing and you are speaking my language. As in - when I speak to many Americans about healthcare or gun violence it's like they're so so blinkered it's like they just don't hear me and I've often been called a communist etc - which I'm not. Or they assume I have a political agenda - I don't. Sorry my comment is a little incoherent, I'm struggling to find the right words - but honestly I wish you could take what you have learnt and help other American people understand what you beautifully demonstrate you now understand so well. I really feel American people have been led to a place that scares me and I honestly wish America could culturally open up to some improvements that would make their country much better for people.

I moved to New Zealand 40 years ago from Canada and I agree that this is the best country (that I've seen anyway). The government cares about its citizens, the cops don't even carry guns, it's the 1st country to give women the vote, prostitution is legal, so is distilling alcohol, we never start wars (partly because we'd lose) and the weather is perfect.

I know New Zealand isn't perfect but America sounds absolutely dreadful I actually feel sorry for them.

As a Kiwi I always found it weird when being abroad with Brits, Canadians Aussies and all other manner of free people to hear Americans constantly say how free they are. All the other counties look at each other a say they know we're all free here right? I've never felt the need to tell others how free I am, I just am.

I’ve visited the US from NZ for more then twenty years and America has changed to my mind and not for the better. The health regime enslaves employees to the job because that’s what your system wants. For nation all about freedom America is very good at denying options and mobility to its citizens. You do good job, keep it up.

The Queen's representive in NZ , the Governor General, has an titular role and really only exercises their responsibilities on the advice of our Government. Hence NZ is self governing and we didn't need to "throw the British out" to achieve that. Found your comments on freedom very interesting. As a New Zealander looking in, the US seems one of the least free countries in the developed world.

You made me laugh when you were making reference to the Social Healthcare we have here. It is so true. A couple of years ago I fainted at a Train Station. I don't remember fainting just waking up 5 hours later in a bed at the Emergency Department at Auckland Hospital. Doctor came and talked with. They had all my details (don't how they got them) and said she wanted me to stay overnight to keep an eye on me. I ask for some food cause I was hungry as. Then went to sleep. Wokeup to breakfast being served. About half an hour later the day doctor came and checked me out. Handing me a prescription he then discharged me saying if i felt any further dizziness to call ambulance. I said thank you so much. Put my shoes on and left heading for Hospital Pharmacy. I was given two lots of meds. Now. Here's why i laughed.Until now, I had never thought about the cost of it all. I suppose not many, if any, actually would. It is reassuring to know if need to go to the doctors and more so the hospital. You've got absolutelynothing to worty about. You just go and get yourself better. Thanks for the video today. Helped me understand America's more. In a good way 👍 Enjoy your channel heaps 😊

Great video! I have been teaching for 23 years, and I am dreading the upcoming school year. We had a threat on one of our last days (during a pep rally), and only three of us got the alert and went into lock-down. I managed not to freak the kids out, and we got an all-clear, but then our principal did not alert the rest of the staff. My teammates and I went to every teacher on the field and made sure they knew to keep their eyes peeled for the kid who was off campus that threatened to show up and kill everyone. The SRO (the campus officer) said it was okay because the kid was at home. No more details after that. So, my confidence in leadership is at zero. I love my country, but want better for my son. I am considering starting the intensive process to get qualified to teach in NZ. I am afraid that I cannot devote enough time to do the paperwork since I teach an extra class to make ends meet, but I know we need to move by next summer. The stress is difficult, and we were told this year not to mention climate change in lessons since parents here thing it is controversial or fake. The curriculum is being limited, even when part of what I teach (per state guidelines) is critical thinking and evaluating sources. It is disheartening to say the least, and it is extremely stressful. Thanks so much for the video and for offering a fresh perspective.

I am an Aussie. I always find it strange when people get worried about wearing the same special occassion outfit more than once.

I think it's amazing that in New Zealand they have more of a community-centered culture as opposed to what we have here in the US, which is more individual-centered.

I used to work for a compay that was owned in the US, we had a visit from some of the top guys from America once, and they couldn't understand why the workers here in NZ worked to live instead of live to work, like they expected in the states.

Man, I was already stoked to try to make the move from the US to New Zealand, and every single point here resonated with me. EVERY ONE! Thank you so much for this, and hello from Wisconsin (Madison).

Geez that consumerism thing does sound stressful. These days if I find shorts or something I really like, I'll buy a couple of pairs - then the whole shorts situation is sorted for ages. Awesome.

Thank you for this and for all of your videos. As an American, I can totally confirm every point you make. American culture is devouring it's own people and it's not healthy for the body or mind. I'll be happy to be joining you in New Zealand in the next year. Or as soon as it's open to travel. I will be a proud Kiwi!

Definitely agree on the US screaming freedom but it sure doesn't look like it. When you're trapped in a job because of health care where's your freedom.

I think the only Americans immigrating to other countries are the ones that has been outside the US and seen what's its like, "to be on the other side of the fence". I really feel for the US citizens, who has not had the opportunity to travel and to know what the world has offer. The real freedom, healthcare, politics, employee welfare, safety, crime, the list goes on. Awesome vid Tara.

I am an old man, flew as a professional pilot (both military and civil) for 41 years, went to the USA many times and all over the world and now live in New Zealand . That was one of the best KZfaq clips I have ever seen, well done. Get more like minded Americans with their families over here. They are welcome and we need them.

Well done Tara, thoroughly enjoyed today's session. I watch a lot of what's happening in the USA at present and I'm truly shocked by the amount of violence and corruption going on in front of their very eyes. A good friend of mine did his law degree at UCLA a few years back now, he the experience he had there but was so glad to come home. He said there was so much stress on a daily for him, not only with school, but the constant violence happening around the city. I could never imagine having to see kids go through shooter training, that's definitely not freedom. Your family must feel so relaxed living here and I understand why.

Your thoughts are so heartfelt, it made me appreciative of being a New Zealander. So please know this, Welcome to NZ as I feel that your family will enrich us all 🇳🇿❤️

Having had two professional families from the US as neighbours, I've experienced a lot of what you were talking about. I adored them but their work/life balance actually stressed us out as we tried to help them. One woman was a specialist and lived in fear of litigation which would probably be a whole other video. I also watched another video last night on KZfaq highlighting the disparity in wages in the US, and the manipulation of working hours per week to keep basic workers below the 40 hour limit for providing permanent job benefits. I love Americans, but we can all benefit from seeing how things work elsewhere.

Great video! I am a Catalan, from Barcelona, but I lived in the US for five years in my youth (from the time I was 17 until I was 22). I love the States, and I consider them my second home. This being said, I fully agree with everything said in this video. In fact, it reminds me of what I used to tell my American friends when I lived there (but they found it difficult to believe me). Now, I have sent my oldest son to study in New Zealand, rather than the US, mainly because of a security issue.

What i really don't understand about the US is the relationship between religion and state. The US was originally founded by people wanting freedom to choose their religious beliefs but the constitution as I understand it separates government from church. However these days it seems that US political leaders can not get elected unless they at least portray themselves as religious and seemingly every speech has to mention god. It seems like the church or at least christianity and the state are very much bedfellows. I'm also of the understanding that politics and religion are not topics for casual conversation, I'm not sure how long I would last before upsetting people by giving my opinions.

Aww Aunty you could hear those emotions in reference to the value kiwi folks place on your time with family, work and the desire to achieve balance you can hear how greatly you have valued that change here from your time in your home country.

On guns, I worked, in Chile, with a Texan who told me that he was really upset and nervous without his gun on his belt, he apparently carries it full time, everywhere, even within his house. ""To defend myself and my family". I asked him what it was like to live in a country so dangerous that he had to carry a firearm all the time. The really scary thing, for me, was that he could not understand the question. I spend time in the USA most years, I love northern Washington in summer, and have a lot of friends there, but Texas? While there I found a lot of very good things, but the guns, I am extremely uncomfortable with that culture.

Hi I am an American and for the first time have been pondering making a move to another country. I agree with you so much about the perverse, misguided emphasis on "freedom" in America and the undervaluing of education and worship of selfishness and money. I think after 2016 it became apparent that there are whole swaths of America that are more interested in trying to create a White Christian ethno nationalist state than promoting a thriving, peaceful multicultural democracy. It has broken my heart. Anyway, I've been thinking of NZ because it just seems that culturally it's more...decent. Decency and respect and community are things that I value more and more.

I’m an American that’s lived here since 1997 with my kiwi husband, and the longer that I have lived here, and have raised my children here, I realise just how lucky i am to live in such a great place. I enjoy your videos so much! When I first moved to NZ is was an adjustment for me, and my family wasn’t over the moon about me moving so far away, but I can’t ever complain about the lifestyle that I’ve been lucky enough to experience here. Yes holiday time, family time and healthcare is valued more here, and I love that!, besides the fact that it is just so beautiful! Like you said, there is no place in the world that is perfect, but there are always things that different countries can learn from each other. ❤

A really interesting piece Tara - I have often wondered about "the greatest country in the world" claims, given health care, gun ownership & subsequent violence, low minimum wage, few paid holidays, & so on. Glad you've broken out of the mould. Sure, every country has its strengths & weaknesses, but Americans could learn a lot about how other countries work - won't happen, but it would be useful. I'm in Australia, & although Oz is pretty good, I think the Kiwis kick goals way above us - especially around racism. Thanks.

Agree, both Aussie’s and Kiwis have this mentality where we work to live not live to work, and if we don’t has work-life balance and family and friends and health come first.

This was very good video. I am Australian and most of your comments apply to Aust. as well. I have been following your channel for a while now and you have opened my eyes to what it is really like in the US. I have never travelled there (only been to Europe and UK) and I only saw the US thru the eyes of TV and movies. I obviously applied my life experience filter to what I saw on the screen and life looked pretty good. But I have now been watching US entertainment content with a new perspective based on information I have learned from your channel and others and have become even more grateful I wasn't born there. I know all countries portray their best versions of themselves in their media and as outsiders we rarely see the "real" country unless we live there so it is important work you are doing to show others there are other options to the way things can be done. Keep it up, I hope your channel continues to grow.

Hi Kara, you are spot on. I lived for years in Australia, and everything you said also applies to my experience in Australia. I'll never forgot my oncologist telling me once I was out of my mind moving back to the states as a recent cancer survivor. Enjoy life Downunder!

I don't understand why America think healthcare for everyone is wrong, I just don't get it. If you are sick or hurt it's so reassuring that I can just go to the hospital and get help and it won't cost me a thing. I think Americans need to hold their government accountable more, you pay taxes and the government should look after it's people e.g. some form of healthcare or assistance if you really need it. I feel really sorry for Americans.

As a Kiwi who visited the US in the late 70's, we New Zealanders have changed an extreme amount since I was born,1948, from a very closed society, mainly British Patriarchal to a much more open society. I grew up in a mainly working class white society with very few Polynesians, Maori's, Samoan's around, there was some racial problems, that came to the fore later but we as a society have worked hard at inclusion for all. Those New Zealanders that have not travelled (not many, for we like to look) sometimes may seem insular ,but the most are just curious about the outside world, we question what and where our country is in the scheme of things, i.e, the anti-nuclear stance, the adoption of green policies, more weight to the Treaty of Waitangi (a Treaty with the native Maori peoples), social policies which were pioneered, votes for women, pensions, health care, etc, some by the socialist Labour Governments and continued by the National Party (Conservative), we may not give much respect to our politicians, they have to work hard for a second term in office, and were punished by having a change from a cosy two party system, government and opposition, to a Proportional representational system where, you have electoral seats, and proportional seats, off which the latter are by the numbers of votes that the smaller parties rely on to enter Parliament ( they have to gain 5% of the vote and are allocated seats on what that proportion is), in all a very different society from that of the U.S. and of the United Kingdom, yes the Queen is the nominal head of the Nation, but really it is just nominal, we seem pretty passive in nature, we don't complain loudly but we do bite when poked. I hope that this gives those that are willing to try something different, a better idea of who we are, comes to visit and likes it and stays, we need a good Mexican restaurant\ fast food chain.

Great video! It should be a PSA on all media here in the U.S.! You are very lucky to have been able to make the move to NZ. My son and I were fortunate to be able to visit NZ and Australia 6 years ago. We both fell in love with NZ. I'm nearing retirement and know there is not much chance of moving to NZ now without lots of cash! I have however told my two sons to consider a move to NZ or other country with a social democracy for the very reasons you named! Especially healthcare! Sadly I feel the situation here in the U.S. is deteriorating quickly on many fronts and the nationalism drive is starting to look too familiar to historical examples! I'm very happy for you and your family that you were able to make the move!

Very well explained Tara....I am an Aussie and we are very much the same as NZ...I have been many times to the USA. While I have always had a great time there as a tourist.. You can see that below the surface there ate many problems like you have noted. We were also shocked at how many homeless people are in the States....In 1982 our first visit we thought it was great we had travelled forward 20 years...but our next visit in the early 2000's the change was enormous...And don't get me started on The gun situation... We are very scared now after the Vegas shootings that we will probably NEVER go back..before this shooting it seemed to only be schools.. So we weren't that concerned... And the racial tension is horrendous .I certainly feel for black/brown people.. I thought the sixties sorted out the civil rights for them.,...after George Floyd the world was shocked.... Have you guys been to Australia yet.... Keep up the great channel cheers x

It's good to understand how brutal life in the US is for ordinary people. A bit like Alice in Through the Looking Glass: you have to run as fast as you can to just stay in one place. I've been a US expat (in Asia) pretty much since 1990. I might go back to visit, but I really don't understand how people can stand to live in the US. Keep up the good life!

Depending on the context, asking someone about what their job can be seen as an attempt to judge and socially stratify them, which is very un-Kiwi. And you kinda don't want to know anyway because it's awkward if it turns out their job means they're well off, because then Tall Poppy Syndrome kicks in and you have to start knocking them down a peg. Asking them also means they're obliged to ask you back, and you don't want that for the same reasons.

I was listening to you fairly relaxed until you mentioned sending kids to school with a _bullet proof backpack_ ! I'm Australian, I've travelled widely in Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Thailand and twice visited Saudi Arabia plus lesser amounts of time in several other Asian countries and once to South Africa. Never once have I met anyone who thought of having a bullet proof anything. That was a shock.

Thank you for this video. As an American, I am grateful that I am able to see people share messages like this to me and get perspective from people that have expatriated.

Thank you for making this video this is awesome. Healthcare has stressed me and my wife so much you can’t think and get paralyzed. As an American I see why Americans leave America!

As a Kiwi who has never lived in New Zealand as an adult you make me want to come home. Although there are many similarities between NZ and Australia, unfortunately in many areas Australia is becoming more and more Americanised. Of course it is in all the negative areas, rather than the positive. I really hope that your challenge to people to reflect and reconsider some of their values, looking at what is important for oneself, their family, friends and community is the beginning of a new wave of kindness and social responsibility! Enjoying your vlogs!!!!!

A Canadian, I taught in three US states (WV, CA, and PA) over 9 yrs and ran into this all the time. A lot of Americans believe this like they believe in gravity. And unfortunately tis conviction gives Americans a skewed view of reality. They have no idea how they stole California (H. D Thoreau wrote :On Civil Disobedience" while in jail for not paying his taxes because he didnt want to support this war. Paying for health care was not just annoying but more expensive that in Canada. You cant criticize the US (look at how often Kiwiamercans qualifies every remark). The greatest country in the world myth stops people from understanding or even visiting the rest of world allows people to not understand or want to understand the rest of the world. They so easiliy belive the rest of the world is jealous, or a potential enemy.

Great Insights! Freedom... I'd have to say that US citizens appear not only to overvalue freedom, many don't seem to be aware that they do not rank as number 1 in freedom indexes. Freedom house (and American organisation) scores the US at 83/100. New Zealand scores 99/100. Australia 97/100.

I am a NZer. I have lived and worked in Europe , Asia and Africa. Never in the Americas. I was profoundly turned off the "USA as a concept" back in 1985 and again in 1991. When I realized that the US was simply a hegemonist and had no respect for anyone elses democracy at all. NZ , a small, unthreatening country, with at least as democratic system as the US , voted to have a non nuclear policy. The rich and powerful in the US went apoplectic about this democratic decision and turned on us just like the school yard bully. The french nuclear tests in the Pacific were , and still are , regarded in NZ as profoundly immoral. Our non nuclear stance was perfectly reasonable and justfiable then as it is now. We got chucked out of ANZUS , just because we voted! WTF? From then on I have found that US propoganda around freedom means "Freedom to do ONLY what the rich and powerful in Washington will allow". The US hypocracy is at least as bad as that of the Russian or Chinese .... The US , as a hegemon, have no hestitation to bully counties that are democracies which hold zero threat to the US. Why? More recently we saw Trump in Europe exhibiting the same hegemonistic behavior ..... the look on Merkles face !! It was appalling behavior amongst those who know they are free and democratic and do not need or appeciate another bully next door. Only to find that their "ally" , the US was just as bullying as Russia. All this also ignores the idea the "freedom" in the US means freedom of the powerful to exploit the "commons" or "weaker more peaceful peoples" with zero consequences. There seems to be no guilt for the exploitation and repression of other people within the US itself. The clearing of the indians from the west , the slavery .... ..... and now the US wants to take the high moral high ground on China. WTF? When will there be a Treat of Waitangi for the First Nations and a Justice and Reconcilation Commission for black americans? The US ( and others got very rich by polluting the atmosphere ( the commons ) by far far more than their fair share ..... and are showing ZERO signs of taking responsibility for what is effectively theft from other people in the world. Then the US Supreme Court says that a Corporation have the same rights as natural persons. WTF? When was the last time a corporation went to jail? so the US now has a three level democracy top of course are Corporations , then "normal natural persons" , then , at the bottom millions of the disenfrachised by gerimandering and identification system manipulation that this wonderfull "Constitution" makes not attempt to stop. WTF? In summary ZERO respect for the whole US social experiment since the war ...... it has been a disaster for millions and shows no sign of stopping. We DO NOT want it repeated here.

I respect your point of view . The term “Team Player “ which originated in the USA really gets up my nose. I worked in a call centre in Sydney for about 18 months and everything revolves around team player , team goals , team spirit , team oriented. Team motivation!! You get the picture!! If that’s the case how come when somebody made a wrong decision it suddenly became an individual mistake. How come it wasn’t a team decision!! It makes me laugh at the stupidity of the one in all in concept. I spoke to an American about this and she said it all starts a few decades ago to motivate staff . Well I think it’s bullshit !! If it’s all about the team then the whole team should be admonished not the individual. If I don’t stop now I’ll explode !!

Blows my mind that taking your shoes to get repaired isn't common in the US. Wow.

Hey Tara, I really appreciate your honesty and integrity - it's not easy to criticize your own culture on social media. I'm a Kiwi living in London and I've found your posts really enlightening. I'm glad you love it there and are feeling you have found yourself a new home. In relation to your final point around the American veneration of freedom and the gap between concept and practice. I wanted to share with you a BBC article written last year exploring reasons why NZ is so progressive (most usefully in comparison to other "new world" nations like the US and fellow British dominions like Australia and Canada). I never knew we were viewed as far back as the Victorian era as a kind of social laboratory - an experiment in nation building. And although there is A LOT to be very proud of it's only right to acknowledge that said nation building for the British empire as an exercise meant colonisation for the Maori as a reality. Now I raise this issue not to be a downer or to be woke but because I believe it's in the resolving the effects of colonisation that NZ can in real time put its values into practice. Sure it's not easy but since when has NZ ever let a challenge stop it? We talk of our famous ingenuity in regards to fixing a problem, to finding a solution and not outsourcing it but believing in ourselves to have what it takes to think outside the box and get it sorted. That's a brilliant trait. But I really believe the best example is yet to come. Any Kiwi worth their salt will agree that the huge gaps in equality in our society between Maori (and pasifika) and non-Maori is unacceptable for us as a nation. That it offends our sense of what is fair and just. This is relevant because you'll read that it's equality that kiwis value more than freedom. "Equality was the most important political value and the most compelling goal to strive for and protect". I think there's a lot of truth in this - even over 100 years since that was written about us. It's about doing what is best for the common good, the community, the whanau if you like rather than glorified self interest. At the end of the day all kiwis know in their hearts if we can't get it right, who can? I think I saw it most movingly in the way the nation acted as one "energy" in response to the mosque killings. When people handed in guns and ammunition they did so because they placed the collective safety of all of us as kiwis, as a nation, above so-called freedom to own a gun. Owning a gun is a privilege. An even greater privilege is having safety for the entire society and so it came to pass that the country de-armed without incident like it was one being - harmonious and in step. The world saw a nation respond as a community in mourning and pain - the country became a community in spirit, in essence and I believe a huge part of this is directly due to the influence of Maori values being more fully integral to our idea of what it means to be a New Zealander. Sorry for waffling. I hope that made sense. X www.bbc.com/travel/article/20200518-why-is-new-zealand-so-progressive

This makes the US sound horrid. Next month I'm taking five weeks off work over the holidays and I am looking forward to it!

Where I work we are encouraged to have a good work/life balance. If you need time off (when my mum was dying) you aren’t made to feel guilty that you have caring responsibilities.

Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. Quite a few Americans don't realize that.

As a fellow Kiwi I say BRAVO!! As you say NZ is not perfect, however we do strive to make our country as FAIR as possible. FAIR should be the Operative Word when organising a Society. FAIR democracy, FAIR sharing of country's resources, FAIR healthcare system, FAIR taxation system, FAIR everything, Agree? Great to see you trying to INFORM your country men who could make America a much better place if it was FAIRER, Right?

sounds super stressful in the usa,

Aw your videos are so refreshing. I’m a born and raised kiwi and have lived in North Carolina for the last 7 years. You have articulated everything I’ve felt for the last 7 years. Trying to pinpoint the differences and explain them to my friends here in the USA. It’s never something you’ll fully understand until you live in it! Thanks so much for helping educate Americans on what else the world has to offer.

Good stuff! 👍👍 especially the last part.

Australian here (New Zealand's cocky older brothers) I never realised just what American consumerism was like until I traveled, not to the US, but in Asia and Europe. I'd often get mistaken as an American by American tourists (probably as I was reading books and travel guides in English) and there'd so often be that immediate attempt at friendly communications (this is totally one thing I do love about Americans even if it can get a little over whelming at times) but then.. they'll notice I'm using a 8 year old laptop or a 7 year old digital camera, I'm like "my old laptop/camera owes me nothing and does everything I need it to do, and if it gets stolen it's literally no great loss" and "I've used this camera for years, I know how to use it instinctively I don't need to relearn a new system so I rarely miss a shot" but then usually get the "but it doesn't do this, or that" (ie laptop doesn't wifi stream video to another one of the companies more modern products like their brand new MacBook Pro (that cost me more than my entire holiday) , or the camera only has 16 MP instead of the 25, 30, 50 megapixels their camera does (that, with new lenses, cost three times more than my entire holiday cost)

Really awesome video Tara, loved it 🙌🏾💛

I love that you are using your change in perspective as a topic. We can all do with taking a moment to reassess our own perspectives on life as we move through our life experiences. That's how we learn and grow to be better humans. And thank you for noticing our sense of freedom differences. Yes we are community based. My personal thought on that is, if we can work together to complete the big picture to look like a happy one when all the pieces of the puzzle are in their places, then we can feel safe in our environment knowing everything is being taken care of by someone in the community. This allows each of us to feel free, not just within the outer life around us, but also the inner life within our own minds. Where there is worry, there is a form of fear. Fear only brings feelings of limitation, restriction, entrapment, bitterness, separation..... In other words, not freedom. I'm so sorry that America is the way you have expressed. My concern is going forward, our young are being influenced more and more by the fads, the music, the movies, the crime etc., in America. Your channel is good in that you enjoy highlighting the differences from your own experiences, which hopefully will help people here, to realise that we are kiwis and we have our own way of doing things and we should never give that up to become like another.... We should all appreciate people for who they are, to teach us how to be better at being who we are. Hmmm 🤔, did I turn off on a side road somewhere back there, sorry 😌.

You are right on with the healthcare - and most of the other stuff too. The part about freedom is so true. Makes me so sad. We are getting so many things wrong these days and it seems to be getting worse instead of better. Sigh.

As a Kiwi who’s lived in the US for 20 years (in small towns and big cities) I would say Americans are very friendly but not inviting. They don’t easily let you in to their bubble and are very cautious of strangers. The healthcare thing is real because I would love to leave my job but can’t (I could but it would be a disadvantage to my current situation) because of the benefits I need for my family and vacation/holiday is a joke. Taking more than a week at a time is not normal at all. Unfortunately i also don’t see NZ as the same place I grew up in in the 80s-90s. Much more I could add but won’t write a novel.

"There are different ways of doing things they're all valuable...". The question is who benefits from the value. E.g. the military industrial complex or the big banks or the public. As an outsider - an Aussie - I think things like the healthcare system in the US are a huge problem - but the lie of freedom (the "corrections"-industrial complex) is the biggest issue. To me the US has one of the most pervasive and effective propaganda systems in the world -it is not totally state sponsored - it is (like a lot in the US) a public/private partnership. The US ideals "freedom" , neo-con capitalism, guns, hard work as the primary value, no real occupatinal health and safety are taught in schools (largely public) , pushed in the media (private) - the perfect private/public partnership - almost certainly the most effective priv/pub partnership. It's the most effective propaganda system in the world. People genuinely seem to believe the rubbish that is spouted. I don't think Soviet ("you pretend to pay me I pretend to work") or Chinese citizens ever really believed the workers paradise BS. But I think the people in the US'As prisons (highest rate per capita in the "land of the free" ) , the under employed people who are going to work sick in hyper competitive companies for little pay (or no actual pay in the case of some service jobs) etc etc **really believe** that US stle capitialism is a good thing. I suspect in many cases there's more than a bit of: "I want to be in the 1% that own 99% of the country. - if I can just work hard enough I'LL be the one screwing the employees and exploiting the customer base and it will all have been worth it. Get rich or die trying (literally in the poorer parts of the coiuntry)" And the thing that makes me really angry is the US tries actively to export that to countries like mine.

Wait, THAT’S why we’re still part of the commonwealth? I guess that makes sense after what I’ve heard about Brexit. After the flag thing a few years ago, I just assumed that the reason we didn’t leave the commonwealth is because it’d be a giant PITA. As for our respective countries’ ideas of freedom, look no further than the Laura Ingrahams who called us a dictatorship for having strict measures, even though we ended up with months-long stretches, even here in Auckland, where we could go about our lives without having to worry about that crappy virus at all.

Life’s decisions, shouldn’t be made out of fear… feel for the people and the families in America , who have been affected by school violence, and shooting. Growing up in NZ, I’d never dreamed that one day, kids would walk through metal detectors to enter school, and when you said ‘Bullet Proof Bag’….I’m done..😮

People who refuse vaccination because it impinges on their freedom are putting themselves and others at risk. e.g. when two people work together and both are vaccinated, they have 250x the immunity that they would have if neither are vaccinated, whereas if only one person out of the two is vaxed, they would have only 10x the immunity.

Thank you for saying nz healthcare is good. It is and you are right still need more work in this field. Especially with elderly care

Tara, I have to agree with the healthcare, as I ended up being taken to hospital yesterday in an ambulance, had a relatively minor operation last night and was discharged this today, and my only cost was getting picked up this morning. It's also good to see you coming around more to the perspectives that we value in New Zealand. As for freedoms, this is changing negatively all around the world at the moment but I guess this is all relative to where you are.

How refreshing! An American putting America into perspective. I lived there for 6 years in the '70's and had a ball ... and also an education (travel is a great tutor). In retrospect? The indoctrination of youth through to adulthood is frightening, making freedom a relative concept. I needed a tooth removing and took out shares in the dentist, although he was very good. The narrowness of perspective of the regular citizen (I was 2 years in CT and 3 years in NY and a year in SF) ... is like tunnel vision. And although I was living in NY and working in Little Italy at the height of the mafia's power, it was all very exciting for a young fella! I went back to NY for a two week holiday several years ago and it has changed ... all for the worse. I'll live with my happy memories, but I'll never return.

One of the most interesting observations, from a non-American about Americans, I've read, came from author Tim Winton in his novel 'Breathe': Eva (the American character) tells Bruce (an Australian character) what it was like growing up in Salt Lake City, Mormons and American ambition. "But the way Eva told it, her countrymen were restless, nomadic, clogging freeways and airports in their fevered search for action. She said they were driven by ambition in a way that no Australian could possibly understand. . . She made her own people sound vicious. Yet God was in everything - all the talk, all the music, even on their money. Ambition, she said. Aspiration and mortal anxiety."

Great video. I thought you could have done a 6th lie about equality too. That whole thing about anyone in the US having the opportunity to become rich and powerful. That for me is one of the biggest lies America tells it's citizens. More than any other Western country in the world that is the least true. Also, like you were saying, I don't know why Capitalism has to equal criminality and inhumanity. I am sure that was not what this economic model was supposed to be about.

Hi Tara, Thanks for your video. I have been to the US a few times, but only for holidays and my experience of being there is solely as a holiday visitor. I thought this commentary from you was very interesting. The part where you mention that you feel as though the American economy is not designed to encourage small business, but rather large multinational companies, gave me a better insight. As a Proud NZer, I think part of the reason why small business is encouraged here is because to some extent, we see ourselves as 'ideas people/creatives'. Therefore, if you're living in a Society where working within the System is more heavily encouraged, then a lot of that ability to nurture new business ideas and encourage self creativity would seem as though it is suppressed. This difference is Thinking is also alluded to in one of your other videos, where Chantelle and Yourself are doing a compare/contrast about the differences between North American and NZ Education systems. You both mentioned that children expressing their own thoughts and ideas and actively being encouraged to question things and interact with their Teachers was quite a pronounced contrast, to learning back in the US, from your experience.

I remember a talk show here in America recomended that people without health insurance get a job at Starbucks because they gave full health insurance for half time work. I was appalled, but at least they offered it. Some companies don't.

As signatories of the charter of human rights, Australia and New Zealand believe that our governments must guard our basic human rights i.e.safety, housing, education, health, work, culture and religion. That is freedom. Freedom to be safe, happy, access to good all of life education, economic security through work, to live in peace and health, to practice your culture and religion without fear. Those are the values that underpin our sense of freedom.

As always, I love this video. You nailed it. This is exactly what living in the US is like and how our perceptions are skewed. I think the US has even gone as far as to make us nervous about traveling anywhere. And not just since COVID. There was always a sense that as an American overseas we are not going to be safe from mugging, pick pocketing, scams, being drugged, being kidnapped or even murdered. Somehow the media has made so many people I know feel like we are targets and we can’t leave our country safely. It’s sad. America has many great things but our fear monger based approach is not a good one. I’d love to find out more about how easy or hard it is to get jobs in NZ, make the move, and make enough money to afford to actually live in NZ. The cost of moving your stuff. Did you sell everything or leave it in storage? How hard is it to find work? How about starting a business? Could you open up a little shop easily or is it filled with a ton on government regulations? I’d love to hear more about how to actually pull off a move there

Wow. Your perspective is amazing because of your comparisons between both countries. Very positive and honest. Cool as.

It is not just NZ, Europe has similar values. Sometimes watching US i makes me feel like if they froze with their mind at time of Bostone Tea Party and forgot that there was progres also outside the USA. And it was someway quicker...

Kia Ora, great clip. I think you are spot on in your assessments. I could write an essay. Instead IMO as a Pakeha (non-Maori) Kiwi I think it is the influence of Maori and Pacifica to be welcoming and work for the greater good of all that stands NZ apart even from our close "cousins" in Aus.

Thank you for pointing out the problems in the USA I was watching CNN through the day and the last school shooting a teacher said there had been a school shooting every three days,the media does not report them unless they are large shootings it must be stressful to be a teacher or a student.

Freedom is definitely defined differently outside the US. I don't see how you are free if you have to own a firearm to feel safe. Having grown up in a country in Civil War i have seen what type of "freedom" firearms deliver. Living in fear is not freedom. Having to go through metal detectors every day is not freedom. We have state sponsored health care in my country, its not perfect but its free. Which is a freedom for each citizen. Our stores don't have the insane variety that US stores have, but we also don't have to deal with the consumerism which bankrupts so many. Thank you for honesty. Hopefully your message reaches those that need to hear it. Stay Free

A hug from an antipodean (Italy). I can confirm everything related to healthcare and work/life balance

Very well said. BUT In your discussion on healthcare, you fail to point out that if 'the system' pays if you are sick then 'the system' is incentivised to ensure you keep well. Hence free mamograms for example and free dental and medical visits for youngsters. Once you ARE sick, regular checks to ensure you are doing as well as you can e.g. eyesight and feet checks for diabetics.

I think it's brave you posting this topic today and I think it's really commendable and I appreciate you. It is beyond my imaginings to think that our children in NZ would ever need active shooting training, kevlar bag packs and walk through metal detectors at school. That's not freedom, that's like living in a violent, facist 3rd world country. The USA level of consumerism isn't freedom, it's what keeps debt collection agencies in business and makes them slaves to interest rates on loans and credit cards. Trying to keep up with the Joneses and stressing out about what OTHER people think of them. They'd be better off thinking, "What do I think of myself, how do I see my own value?". Do you know what creates debt??? FEAR. America is a nation of fearful people. To be fair they do make for a big target so I can understand them wanting to establish a strong military presence. But at the tune of $721.5 billion dollars a year for the Dept of Defense budget??? Some of that money shared out would lessen the cost of health care and education for her citizens. Allow them to think about taking all the time off they're entitled to and enjoy a better quality of life. At the end of the day your children won't thank you for working 80 hours a week (and how you're too tired to spend time with them). They'll thank you for coming to their school play, catching a game that they're playing in. And reminisce with you about that day you spent with them out at the lake/harbour when "you caught a fish THIS BIG". Those memories... that's what freedom looks like.

I am an American who has never been to NZ or Australia. I visited Canada nearly 30 years ago and Britain and later Europe a few years later. I can tell you a few things: Every nation has its slums, panhandlers, graffiti, violent crime, and such. I've even seen examples of it myself. What makes the USA unique is our being open and honest about our problems. Despite how supposedly "they do it better elsewhere", in reality you can find out things about any country by reading literature meant for their own people, where you learn not only manners and customs, but what problems they face and how they deal with them. A novel I read about Iceland, for example, described a closed orphanage from the 1970's and a government investigation into what happened there after it closed. A real-life autobiography of a North Korean woman described how that nation was really like when she grew up. I go by actual practice, not by theory.

Wow, the last point you made is really scary. I'm a kiwi and we probably take a lot of stuff forgranted here. My cousin lives in Texas and she did tell me how unsafe it was there, but I never really thought about it until you said this. A real eye-opener!

I don’t understand the idolising of the American flag. I don’t see it happening anywhere else. Can you explain?

One point I often wonder about is the culture of mandatory 'success' (whatever that means) in the US. As far as I can tell, it appears to be a crime to be poor or assailed by some kind of ill-fortune in America. Only Losers (making L-shape on forehead with fingers) are poor or down on their luck and should be blamed for their poverty, their illness or their poor mental health. It seems to me there are precisely *no* safety nets for US citizens in which a caring government supports its weaker members until they can become strong again: if you lose your job or your house or your mind, that's invariably on you and you deserve to pay the penalty! TV shows like poor old Judge Judy seem to bear this out. If a single mother can't afford her rent, JJ crisply advises her to get another job (ie. sixteen-hour working days!!!). If a schizophrenic person is homeless and ill that's a shame, but there is no infrastructure to find him and/or care for him. I would hate to live in a country where a simple accident or unforeseen disaster could ruin me without any hope of help from my government!

This is long-winded and probably laden with poor punctuation so, sorry if you read the whole thing.😂 I'm American and I'm in love with New Zealand and the Kiwi way of life. Everything you said in this video is exactly why my family (my three kids, husband and I) are planning to move to New Zealand. We currently live in Tennessee. Wait...I meant, Tenn-uh-SAAAAAAYYY. Its... not a good place at all to grow as a person and raise a family. I'm hoping my husband can get a skilled migrant visa as he's a machinist. We're struggling and there aren't opportunities here. Especially for younger people (and people 80 and up get treated bad). And insurance is unacceptable. Completely unacceptable. I got government insurance when I had my first child and at the time my husband was making $14/hr. With my second child, they wouldn't take her and canceled my other daughter's insurance because my husband was making $15. They actually canceled over a dollar raise. I also refuse to send my kids to school here. I just genuinely want a better life for my kids and for my husband to get the pay he should (and not work himself to death for it). I hate how fashion dominates life here too. I've been judged for saying I wear black to weddings. Black is all I wear and the old, "black is for funerals" infuriates me. I just let them know that if I can't wear black I'm wearing a neon green tux. I mean, if Americans and Canadians are backwards enough to believe black is for funerals then they're backwards enough to believe women can't wear a suit.😂 It isn't black so it's good though. I also remember getting picked on in school for wearing the same clothes more than once a week. Uniforms weren't a thing and even though I was glad we didn't have to wear them, the dress code was just stupid. I got in trouble on the first day of high school for wearing a skirt over my jeans. The reasoning was because it was "inappropriately short". It...it was literally over my jeans so it was covering my...areas...twice. 😂 The third day they threatened to suspend me for my little bitty nose piercing even though they couldn't care less that my ear lobes were stretched and my weird teenaged self walked around with pens in them... The hatred of piercings and tattoos is something I've also always thought was ridiculous about America. Looks shouldn't matter unless they are exposing themselves or have offensive tattoos. If piercings could get caught in something on the job, that's a different story of course. The look of piercings shouldn't be an issue though. Unless they're infected...or rejecting and in those cases they should be taken out and treated immediately. 😬 The color and style of hair is an issue in America too. Even with certain bills in place, POC are treated like crap for protective hairstyles. I've even heard of jobs having issues with wigs. That's disgusting that these things are issues. Unnatural hair color is a problem too although that's not racist where as telling someone they can't have a protective hairstyle is. My green hair isn't protecting anything other than my inability to accept I have a stripe of gray in my hair at 30...😂 I'm also ready to get away from a culture controlled by religion. I've heard Kiwis are more accepting on that end too. Although we're planning to move to Christchurch 😅 I've heard they don't care if you're religious or not. We don't mind religious people, we just don't want to raise our kids around southern baptists honestly as they're quite toxic and my husband and I both experienced religious trama as kids (then again as adults). I've heard so many great things and feel like New Zealand is an amazing place for my family and I. We're just getting started on the planning though. I've been looking at your site which brought me here and I like the services you offer so we'll be looking into that. 😊 I'll check out your other vids too. 🥝💚🖤

Excellent video. When I was much younger I was at a bar where I met an American woman. We were in a group. She was totally against the welfare state. I was totally for the welfare state. She said if people want to improve their lives they should work for it. I agreed that it is very good to work hard and strive in life, but I pointed out to her that the welfare state such as we have in New Zealand is there to help those poor people who cannot help themselves, or fall on hard times. I explained to her that we as a society have a moral obligation to help others who may be in a difficult situation and also to help animals and the planet as well.

Australian here. My wife and I watch Law & Order quite a bit and three episodes we saw recently (though they may have been years old) had storylines in which the root cause of the crime, be it murder, embezzlement, etc. was that someone couldn't pay their medical bills. Yes, I know it's a TV drama but the plots have to be believable and they must get their ideas from somewhere. An Australian police drama would never have such a storyline because it simply can't happen here. Work - you may want to watch kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r85ynshy1JisnJs.html

Interesting thoughts about freedom! We have often discussed the american idea about being so free, but I really can't see americans as free considering basic things like health care, education and raising a family. Being from Sweden, my entire education from first grade until a finished master of laws was free. The last couple of years at the university, I (along with all other students) had a student grant and the option of borrowing money for living costs with lower interest and better condititions than any other loan. That way, I could have started studying with no money in my pocket, and my only limit is my brains and my ambitions. That's educational freedom for me! Health care is free except from a small fee for visits. The first costs of medication is payed by yourself, but if/when the cost increases, it is step by step more covered by the government. Also: if I can't work because of health issues, the basics of my income loss is also covered. This is not connected to my employer, it's just connected to me working and paying my taxes to be covered. This safety net gives us a lot of freedom to choose the setup of our lives. With two kids, I have had the opportunity to take lots of time off from work to be with them. With our first kid, I had 8 months off work (spending 2 of them travelling New Zealand...) and with the second I also had 8 months of (spending 2 of them in Gran Canaria). Daycare for them costs about 230 USD/month so that both parents can work. (traditionally most important for women, as they are most likely to stay home without pay otherwise) When (you know it happens...) the kids are sick, we can always be away from work to take care of them, and much of the income loss is paid for. All of this creates enormous amounts of freedom for us to plan and live the life that we want. In that perspective, I really can't understand how I could be more free in the US...

Hi kiwiAmericans wow I’ve traveled to your country twice both times skiing for 5 weeks & I have to say I loved it.I get what your saying that it’s a bit fucked up but the people are great very friendly & hospitable. Where ever I have traveled it’s the people that make it a great experience. But you are right about NZ this place has a vibe a kind of magic about it & I agree that it’s to do with the Māori culture effluence. Thank you for your insightful words. I’m a kiwi 2nd generation born from UK ancestry & I love this country & it’s people which you are now a part of.

This is so often how I feel about my friends and relatives in the US. As a Canadian it's worse 'cause it's so close. Cheers from Vancouver.

It's difficult define freedom as it's an ingrained part of life here. I don't think of us as free or not free, just alive and thriving. I agree however with the point that it's part of freedom to collectively care for those around us, I suppose there's a freedom in being able to step away from something that has a toxic hold on you, e.g. a job you hate but stay at for the "benefits"

Very well said but even though you spoke respectfully and tried to educate, as you do, I have a feeling that you are going to get dragged through the mud by your kin and get labelled, along with other expats who have said the same, as unpatriotic Americans trash talking your country. It comes with the territory. That kind of indoctrination, much to our amusement here in Africa, runs deep in American society. The question you will inevitably be asked is this: "If it is so great over there why are they rushing to come over here?" I wish you had explained that in advance as well.

A small biz in the U.S. has to compete for qualified employees, the large companies can offer healthcare plans and also retirement plans (which are also more important in the U.S. because other countries are more generous with publicly funded retirement - what is called Social Security in the U.S.). A person might be willing to work for a startup even if they cannot quite pay the big salary right now, - and in all rich countries other than the U.S. having healthcare is a no brainer. The employees of big biz have it and self employed or staff of small companies have it as well. It levels the playing field in recruitment a bit. A person that has a chroncially ill family member often cannot afford to work for a small company (or to start their own company). Same with student loans. College graduates must pay them down, so those jobs must have higher wages to make that possible. So the costs for companies are higher ....

In Australia we tend to wear clothes out...value reusing old stuff...there is a thriving neighbourhood swap system in most areas I have lived...and although we certainly buy new stuff ..there is not so much pressure to have the very latest all the time...its a good thing