New Zealand has Shut Down!

Kiwis say that as Americans, we can't truly understand what happens after Christmas until we live through it. Well, we are in the middle of living through what we have heard about...after Christmas, New Zealand shuts down, everyone either goes on holiday, or just takes time off work. With most jobs in NZ, four weeks of vacation is an expected minimum. With most people in NZ, alot of that time is taken right after Christmas. We are still trying to figure things out, but here is a little glimpse into what NZ is like right now:

Shops and businesses can close down, shorten their hours, or just choose not to open on any given day, especially if it is a nice day.

The traffic that is usually so awful that we face going (south) into the city is not an issue right now, it's the motorway going north that has traffic jams. Everyone is headed north to the really nice beaches, to their baches (aka summer homes), and just to get away.

The church that we are at has gone from two services, four children's programs, youth events throughout the week, and around 400 people to one service and about 150 people.

Beaches have added extra carparks and the southern motorway is down to one lane due to works (construction) over the month of January. It is very common to see any kind of car pulling a boat and loaded down with outdoor equipment.

Commitments are optional, attendance doesn't matter, sunscreen is selling out, and shoes aren't a requirement, it's summer break and New Zealand has shut down!


Here is a picture that we took of the sign that hangs on the window of the Bakery in Greenhithe, where we live.