Good stuff. I’m a fan of Dan’s work; it’s interesting to learn about him in this other context. I would think this interview would be quite useful to the Americans trying to leave, as NZ is pretty high on the list of preferred destinations.
I've been following Dan on Substack for a while - it's interesting to learn a bit more about his journey and background :-) Really enjoyed this thank you!
I'd be curious to know how Dan approached the drastically different way First Nation people still exist in NZ society (culture/ politics / etc) compared to native Americans back in the states.
Hi Barbs! Great question. I wouldn't use the word 'still' here. Everyone exists! But you're absolutely right that the role each plays in their national culture is quite different. Aotearoa New Zealand has for some decades now has been going through a long, deep, complicated, and joyful national conversation about its history and culture. (One indicator there is the country's name, or two names, one in te reo Māori and the other in English. Both are common here, together and separately.) My kids learn Māori words and culture in school, and there's even a haka class. One goal here seems to be an honest airing airing of how settlement went down: there were wars and mass land theft, just as in America. But larger than that is the creation of a uniquely New Zealand identity, one that includes everyone here, and sees itself not just as some distant arm of England but a nation rooted in the South Pacific.
Maybe that's a benefit of the long tie to England: NZ still feels like it's growing into itself as an independent nation, and now the long overlooked Māori heritage offers a new and locally rooted path. In the US, by contrast, we broke from England early and then wrote the first draft of our identity directly against the Native Americans--correcting this requires what feels like a longer and deeper rewrite than here in NZ. I'm oversimplifying wildly here, and doubtless get the nuance wrong! But I've been privileged to listen and learn. I admire NZers of all stripes immensely for their love and careful attention to this project, even and especially when gets sticky. The story Vivian linked to below is one such moment--the bill we marched against has tankfully be defeated since.
Thanks so much for your question! I'm working up the guts & background knowledge to write more about this in my own newsletter--all of it in service of the question you ask in your newsletter's title! Big questions. No easy answer, for anyone. Ngā mihi, Dan
Good stuff. I’m a fan of Dan’s work; it’s interesting to learn about him in this other context. I would think this interview would be quite useful to the Americans trying to leave, as NZ is pretty high on the list of preferred destinations.
After talking with Dan, NZ is high on my list of places I should check out if I ever have to leave Portugal. I've never even visited. Have you been?
I haven’t! My daughter has a close friend there and will be visiting. I told her to scout it out and report back. It sounds wonderful.
Totally agree.
I've been following Dan on Substack for a while - it's interesting to learn a bit more about his journey and background :-) Really enjoyed this thank you!
My pleasure. I learned a lot about New Zealand from Dan. And from you, too. I'm excited for people to hear our conversation.
I'd be curious to know how Dan approached the drastically different way First Nation people still exist in NZ society (culture/ politics / etc) compared to native Americans back in the states.
Hey Barbs, I found this post he wrote on his substack that you might find interesting. https://www.american.nz/p/new-zealand-is-a-translation
Thanks!! I'll definitely check it out 🧡
Hi Barbs! Great question. I wouldn't use the word 'still' here. Everyone exists! But you're absolutely right that the role each plays in their national culture is quite different. Aotearoa New Zealand has for some decades now has been going through a long, deep, complicated, and joyful national conversation about its history and culture. (One indicator there is the country's name, or two names, one in te reo Māori and the other in English. Both are common here, together and separately.) My kids learn Māori words and culture in school, and there's even a haka class. One goal here seems to be an honest airing airing of how settlement went down: there were wars and mass land theft, just as in America. But larger than that is the creation of a uniquely New Zealand identity, one that includes everyone here, and sees itself not just as some distant arm of England but a nation rooted in the South Pacific.
Maybe that's a benefit of the long tie to England: NZ still feels like it's growing into itself as an independent nation, and now the long overlooked Māori heritage offers a new and locally rooted path. In the US, by contrast, we broke from England early and then wrote the first draft of our identity directly against the Native Americans--correcting this requires what feels like a longer and deeper rewrite than here in NZ. I'm oversimplifying wildly here, and doubtless get the nuance wrong! But I've been privileged to listen and learn. I admire NZers of all stripes immensely for their love and careful attention to this project, even and especially when gets sticky. The story Vivian linked to below is one such moment--the bill we marched against has tankfully be defeated since.
Thanks so much for your question! I'm working up the guts & background knowledge to write more about this in my own newsletter--all of it in service of the question you ask in your newsletter's title! Big questions. No easy answer, for anyone. Ngā mihi, Dan
Thanks for sharing this, Dan. Seriously. ❤️
Thanks for having me!
Great stuff! The reason they can let the kids climb trees is that NZ has free healthcare.
So you don't have to sue to get 50K to fix your kid's broken arm.
Im a kiwi in Florida and my kid asked if we have health insurance.
I told him our health insurance is him holding his eye in as we fly back to NZ.
I guess there is a whole article on the effect of free health care on free range parenting...
"Holding his eye in as we fly back to NZ." !!! Are you living in Florida or just visiting?