Thanks driver......

At the end of my second week working I'm starting to appreciate more and more of the kiwi etiquette.

Certainly the one that struck home most as a commuter is the fact that almost everyone yells "thanks driver" when they get off the bus. My Britishness still makes me slightly akward in this regard but where I can I exit to the front of the bus and mutter thanks as I get off - or wave in a cheery manner so the driver can see in his mirror.

Morning tea is also an important kiwi ritual. This is when groups of work colleagues seem to slope off to one of the many coffee emporiums to eat pastries, drink coffee or hot chocolate and have a good gossip about things. Not a cuppa in sight! It's rude not to participate in such adventures so even if your slap bang in the middle of something it's best to take the time to enjoy this social interaction.

I've remarked before about the attitude of people serving in shops here. Our local New World supermarket is staffed mainly by young people working part time who have been drilled in the art of good customer care. To be fair, they have at least mastered the ability to sound vaguely interested, something hairdressing assistants still haven't managed. I am still not quite sure how to handle the etiquette though when the supermarket packers are using about three times the amount of carrier bags for shopping (because they are trained not to mix types of food) but since I've only got 500m to walk home and I've only bought 10 items, it does seem a little excessive.

Well, I've survived week two of my work with the Ministry of Justice. I've been bogged down in handling enquiries from the media after our friendly political opposition put out an inaccurate press release which now every local rag in NZ wants to do their local story. I've become very familiar with the stats people who have been so helpful in meeting journalists demands. I've also become very familar with a journalist from Fair Go a consumer programme on TVNZ who is pursuing a complaint against the Ministry. Can't say more at this stage but I'm hopeful of a positive resolution soon!