How to make friends in Wellington

expat.com Your favourite team

8393POSTS

17 years ago

We have been talking about loneliness when you are abroad, let's now talk about how to make friends (locals or expatriates) when you're living in Wellington

Which are your best tips to meet people and to make friends in Wellington??

Thanks in advance for your participation

1 member reacted to this post

See also

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petitprince Member

2POSTS

16 years ago

I have been living in wellington over three years but I found its very hard to get close to local people. In my case, Im trying to find a nice flat with nice people. it might gonna help you to make connections with other people.

Julien Founder

53176POSTS

16 years ago

Hi,

The new Wellington expat network may help

Julien

Nick Lyus New member

4POSTS

16 years ago

Making friends in NZ can be hard. The key ways that worked for me were participating in sports team and also through work. The hard part is not meeting people but actually forming a friendship. You have to be proactive and pick up the phone and make things happen. Be patient as it can take time.

2 members reacted to this post

welsh_kiwi Member

2POSTS

16 years ago

I found Gumtree was a great way to meet friends, but now they've deleted the 'friends' section and so I am looking for other ways to meet new friends. It's hard meeting people in Wellington when you're not working properly, or temping, as you're always the 'newbie'!
I've made a lot of lovely acquaintances, but only a couple of true 'friends'.

ilemorris Member

2POSTS

16 years ago

Hi to all,

I am planning to move to NZ with my family by the end of this year and would also like to make some friends.

In case some of you might be interested, send me a PM...i'll be glad to reply to you.

Jean-Marc.
P.S: I'm 36 yrs old working in the IT sector and my OH works as a secondary French school teacher.

Mark miggles Member

1POSTS

16 years ago

im from Ireland, think i might have to go to one of the irish bars!!! bit difficult to mingle into NZ people here...

1 member reacted to this post

editkid New member

4POSTS

15 years ago

I forgot how much I missed "Europeans" until I met a few recently. Anyway, I agree with what Nick Lyus said. Kiwis are great people, but of course there can be a cultural gap which makes becoming real friends a bit harder.

kirstenw New member

6POSTS

15 years ago

Yeah i have been here just over two years and have a few friends but not very close ones, it is very difficult i think!! Especially Wellington, it seems far too 'clicky'!

1 member reacted to this post

Yud ViP

7031POSTS

15 years ago

#10

Welcome to the forum japanchris

For how long you have been abroad!

Regards

nzandbe Member

15POSTS

15 years ago

#11

i think a common interest is very helpful making friends no matter where you are -- how about taking a paper at university, a sailing class or joining a tramping club or volunteering at a festival or art gallery...

iamkim330 Member

24POSTS

13 years ago

#12

Hello there!
I will be moving to Wellington shortly. Are you guys still around?

1 member reacted to this post

jess&lu Member

1POSTS

13 years ago

#13

Hello Expats, English girl and Irish girl looking for friends to meet up with? Met through work in January but finding it hard to fit in - Welly is a little cliquey. Lu & Jess

1 member reacted to this post

nhandong Active member

76POSTS

13 years ago

#14

Hello everyone,

I'm Vietnamese and plan to go to New zeland in next year. I only stay in your country 1 yrs in working holiday program so that I can travel around your country. I wanna make friend with people here and know more information about this country.

Thanks so much

Kim Ngan

1 member reacted to this post

julesblake New member

1POSTS

13 years ago

#15

I've been here in Welly for a month or so, and I've tried to participate in Meetup events, especially Adventure Wellington. There are a lot of good Meetup groups, but I find that, while I can have conversations with people in these groups, the attempt at a friendship sort of dies after the activity dies. I just started working, so I'm hoping that will help.

escha New member

4POSTS

13 years ago

#16

yes I found meeting new zealanders was difficult as well especially sinds I work from home most people I met where also expats and now most of them left again as well, I tried finding artist groups but there just are not any, as a cat lover, artist etc you think there might be some groups but nothing.
I work from home as well so that does not help.
but I agree with these meetups in big groups its harder to fnd friends and have a good conversation to people really its much easier one on one or with a few people. then you might worry they are creepy if you meet them one on one and allot of people dont like this either so a tricky one.....

norhizam Member

12POSTS

13 years ago

#17

escha wrote:
yes I found meeting new zealanders was difficult as well especially sinds I work from home most people I met where also expats and now most of them left again as well, I tried finding artist groups but there just are not any, as a cat lover, artist etc you think there might be some groups but nothing.
I work from home as well so that does not help.
but I agree with these meetups in big groups its harder to fnd friends and have a good conversation to people really its much easier one on one or with a few people. then you might worry they are creepy if you meet them one on one and allot of people dont like this either so a tricky one.....

Hi escha...hows your daily life now? does you able to get new friends? im going to move in few months...hopefully you can share a bit of tips.

vietnamese tutor sam Member

1POSTS

13 years ago

#18

I'm coming. Anyone there?. Nice to meet you all !!!

norhizam Member

12POSTS

13 years ago

#19

vietnamese tutor sam wrote:
I'm coming. Anyone there?. Nice to meet you all !!!

nice to meet u2

zulficcj Active member

28POSTS

13 years ago

#20

nice to see you here..Myself coming to HCMC in JUN.. luking fr some one to guide me around ... wil try to catch up.. txs

suzan Guest

0POSTS

12 years ago

#21

If you want to meet the locals and form friendships my advice is:

1. Join a tramping club
2. Join a rowing club
3. Volunteer your services in a hostel, museum, cinema, work on a diary farm (go to Palmerston North, beaches..Tauranga, Nelson.
4. Hang out at Vic
5. Join the aero club
6. Join a choir
7. Go to night classes and do a cool course
9. Hang out in Mana beach, Plimmerton, Seaton, Island Bay
10.Move up to the Kapiti Coast
11.LOOK ON TRADE ME for accomadation, sales etc

trademe.co.nz

Good luck.

1 member reacted to this post

zulficcj Active member

28POSTS

12 years ago

#22

welcome to nz

hughwill Member

2POSTS

12 years ago

#23

Yes seriously difficult. I have been in Wellington for years and its not easy. Have to take every opportunity to socialise and persevere!

Mercirqi Member

14POSTS

12 years ago

#24

Hi everyone,

I have lived in NZ since 1995, coming from the UK, but often working overseas on short term contracts. If you are under 30 and still in the pubs and clubs scene, then meeting Kiwi's is no different from other countries. Once you have grown out of this past time or you are living more rural, then meeting with the natives can be much harder.

Kiwi's generally socialize in the home and only venture out on special occasions. The best way of meeting the older Kiwi, is through work social events or inviting work colleagues for a BBQ/dinner etc. Another option is to join a club in one of your interest groups and again invite people to your home or to a picnic area for lunch/Dinner/BBQ. The larger the group, the better the chance you'll find someone you want to spend more time with.

Kiwi's are generally more open to social invites than other nationalities and will often try to help outsiders integrate into their group. I often get a G'day form people walking along the same street.....but obviously rarer in the large cities, but you'll be surprised the conversations I have had with complete strangers.

NZ is obviously suited to the outdoors man and I have met several friends in NZ back country huts whilst on Hunting or tramping/hiking trips. All it takes is to offer some choice food or smuggled alcohol to your hut companions, to make friends for life!

I spent this Xmas socializing with my neighbour's, by offering some of the fish I had caught, which got me an automatic invite to Xmas dinner, where I met another couple who invited me for another social event which unfortunately I have missed due to being back in Jakarta for another month of work, but I hope my suggestions are of use to you all.

Richard

MoMokApitigal New member

5POSTS

12 years ago

#25

Hi there, I too come from SA & Ive found doing tramping or joining a tramping club, fishin or walking, virtually any sport one is going to meet like minded people. Kiwis are slow to befriend one bUT I needs to be patient with oneself and this way the Kiwis will slowly open up to you in their time? plse feel free to email me on magique@xtra.co.nz. Cheers, Mo

1 member reacted to this post

QuagMol Member

2POSTS

12 years ago

#26

Hi, we've been here since Sept 2012 and we're finding it difficult also. Has anyone joined any meetup groups? For example, meetup.com/Wellywalks & meetup.com/WellingtonTrampingGroup/ but there's a few other's on there depending on what you like doing.

HelenaS123 Member

1POSTS

12 years ago

#27

I was living in Auckland where people are extremely open and tell you their whole life story when you meet them. Then I moved to Wellington thinking it would be the same. Wrong. Wellington people are very aloof and stick to their old friends who they've know for years. Its like Seinfield - once they have three friends there is no room for any more. Unlike Aucklander's who always have room for one more friend. I think its largely because the weather is quite bad in Wellington. In Auckland and Christchurch people invite you to BBQs a lot but in Wellington the weather just isn't suitable a lot of the time.

I joined salsa and ceroc but you don't get to talk to people as much because you're dancing. I do recommend joining a pub quiz team. Pub quizzes are popular in Wellington so look out for a team to join or just form 4-6 friends. Most pubs do them on Tues, Weds or Thurs nights so you can easily belong to two or three different teams if you really want to get out of the house every night. If you're under 30, join Wellington Young Professionals (a drinks and mingling event). Do volunteer work to meet nice people. Join a language class or a photography/ sewing/ cooking/ painting class - they're fairly cheap.

As other people have said, join sports teams. Its the quickest way to belong to a friend group.

1 member reacted to this post

Raul_882002 Member

3POSTS

12 years ago

#28

Hello all. This is Jx, from Singapore. This is going to be my first time living abroad, alone hence I am going to be lost.
Would anyone be free in early June to guide me around?

Jx

stumpy Laos Expert

18028POSTS

12 years ago

#29

Raul_882002 wrote:
Hello all. This is Jx, from Singapore. This is going to be my first time living abroad, alone hence I am going to be lost.
Would anyone be free in early June to guide me around?

Jx

Welcome to Expat.com.
Are you going to NZ to work, or as a tourist. Do you have a work visa and a job. If you do then you should look to your workmates for initial contact.

Raul_882002 Member

3POSTS

12 years ago

#30

Hi stumpy, I am on a working holiday visa but I do not have a job yet.

I am open to any job recommendations, if you have any.

Which region of Wellington are you based at?

Jx

stumpy Laos Expert

18028POSTS

12 years ago

#31

Raul_882002 wrote:
Hi stumpy, I am on a working holiday visa but I do not have a job yet.

I am open to any job recommendations, if you have any.

Which region of Wellington are you based at?

Jx

I am not based in NZ. I suggest you do a Google search for say fruit picking or farm jobs and see what comes up. It is getting towards winter in NZ so there is very little of any type of work around then.

Gumtree is a website that often advertises work. Just be aware that accommodation in the cities is not cheap.

OJX Member

1POSTS

11 years ago

#32

HI there! Im from Sg too. I hardly know anyone from SG who's living in Wellington.. not a place where many S'poreans will thought of coming. I can take you around in Wellington of that's where you like to see.

Ockey04 Member

1POSTS

11 years ago

#33

Hi Ive just mo ed to welly so don't really know anyone yet so if anyone wants to catch up let me know

1 member reacted to this post

MoMokApitigal New member

5POSTS

11 years ago

#34

hi. u could try internations? but it's not exclusively Irish it's meeting international expats. All ages. hope that helps you.

parth6192 Member

1POSTS

11 years ago

#35

Hi,

I arrived yesterday and this is my first time here in Wellington NZ. If you want to be my friend please ping me here or contact me on parthvashishth@gmail.com this is my fb too

neddrick98 Member

11POSTS

11 years ago

#36

I don't think there's any cultural reason for not making friends - it's really just a fact of life that making friends takes a long time. We just forget because we always seem to have had, and have, friends, but think about where you made them: school, friends of friends, parents of your kids friends, work etc.

It just takes a long time to make friends in general, but the best way is as many people have said - be proactive, join clubs, and say 'yes' when invited out. To be honest, I need to follow my own advice a bit more, but after a year of living here, my social life is finally starting to come together a bit more. Just be patient.

pb1 Member

1POSTS

11 years ago

#37

Hey there! Just moved to Wellington and looking to meet new people, make friends and discover Wellington too!

If anyone is keen to catch up/ know of any events etc do let me know

elvis2015 Member

1POSTS

11 years ago

#38

Hey I hope you,re doing well

beenhad Active member

29POSTS

10 years ago

#39

We have been in NZ for just over 3 years and live in 1 of the smaller towns and have tried various groups such as the bowling,bridge,local men's club etc but we always find after the locals have found all about us ie where we are from etc they quickly lose interest in you and go back into their own little groups when talking so now we don't bother with anything local and tend to drive for a couple of hours to Christchurch where people seem more open. Could be the local yokel syndrome!

hohoho2010 New member

4POSTS

10 years ago

#40

When I first moved here I felt very isolated even tho we had friends here. I got involved with volunteer wellington which was great. I met heaps of great people. I have also been going to meet ups esp in the area of social enterprise have been meeting loads of new passionate people thru this as well with similar interests. Having kids being active in your community getting involved you'll meet people. Saying hello to folks on the street. Met 2 great friends just by chatting to them while stopped at pedestrian crossing. I have helped organise community festivals, market days, gotten involved in timebanking, sustainable activities. Anything!! It's not hard. But it is if u sit in feeling sorry for yourself, I would fall apart if I'd sat around thinking of home etc etc. I don't have time to be lonely anymore. I have made a choice to be here it certainly beats home and I love it.and I also work but setting time aside and helping out is great being involved and creating a sense of community and belonging.