Kiwis Sour on U.S., and it’s Getting Personal
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 06.22.06 | 1:43 PM ET
And a bit ugly. According to a story in the Christian Science Monitor, a recent poll found that while 54 percent of Kiwis had positive feelings about the U.S. in 2001, only 29 percent of them feel that way today. Perhaps more surprising is that Americans in New Zealand are getting an earful. One American teacher on the North Island got so tired of verbal abuse from his students, he filed a complaint with the country’s Human Rights Commission.
In another case, an American who oversaw the Anglican Church’s Wellington Cathedral left the country and vowed never to bring his family back, saying, according to the report, that “his children were taunted by classmates who said they hoped U.S. soldiers in Iraq would be killed.”
The story points to a number of contributing factors, including opposition to the Iraq war and a 20-year-old grievance over a treaty.
Observed the Monitor: “[T]he depths of dislike expressed in polling here, as well as accounts of personal hostility, is surprising from a people who have fought alongside the US in numerous wars, including Afghanistan, and share cultural values.”
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
johnny anderson 06.25.06 | 7:18 AM ET
read the article re New Zealand feelings towards americans - and yes the same feeling about americans is here in australia - no need for american politics to try and rule the world.
when amreicans kill themselves in america every day with no justice or ability to improve the quality of life in america why should the rest of the worlds citizens see america as good for anything- all we in australia see is american greed - so hopefully one day america will return to peace within - rather than trying to expand their empire and create havoc around the world and stop trying to distract their own problem at home on american shores - here is hoping
andrew 07.30.06 | 6:07 AM ET
This article is almost as extreme as calling New Zealand a Frodo economy. As usual, Americans in New Zealand, especially tourists, are treated well, mostly because they are the only people that tip in NZ. New Zealanders think it is a Lot Of Tripe Really.
Larry Davids 09.30.06 | 5:58 AM ET
To say New Zealand is genericly anti-american is a mistake. Yes, we disagree sharply on many issues like Iraq and the whole Nuclear Free debate, which no americans but all NZers know about. However it is only superficial, it is the same throughout the western world. If America ever really needed our help NZ, and most others for that matter, would be by your side. If your looking to travel just adopt a canadian accent until Bush is gone
Michelle Ruggio 10.25.06 | 2:35 AM ET
I just want Aussies and NZ’s to know that I and many like me have NEVER supported the war, or any war for that matter and believe our government is totally out of touch with the people and what they want. Lots of Americans don’t want war, or for our country to continue polluting the environment and would very much like to change the entire direction of this country…we just don’t have the ability because the elections are being stolen from us due to the electoral vote and the super-rich are in charge. I’m sorry for this, but all I can do is vote and pray for change. By the way, not all of us are fat, greedy pigs! :) Some of us are actually concerned about the entire planet and the people who share it with us..but the American media likes to call us ‘Liberals’! ;)
the holier than thou michelle 11.20.06 | 11:05 PM ET
I support America and our war on terror. Don’t forget, it wasn’t +3,000 wellington residents that were killed by muslim fanatics, it was in NYC. Iraq has been given the chance to become democratic. If they don’t want that we cannot force it on them. To sit back and endorce peace (Michelle and others) sounds great, but when the going gets tough you know America is the only hope you have. By the way, the US is still a capitalist country but there are plenty of other countries that are not. If you can compete or don’t want to here is my advice—move and do us a favor.
Michelle Ruggio 11.21.06 | 12:38 PM ET
Whoever wrote the comment dated 11/20/06 and calls themselves (or were you infering to ME?) ‘holier than thou’ doesn’t know much about what Christians really stand for…or did you forget about the dove holding the olive branch? I don’t have to move, I hope to be part of the solution to end this illegal war! I don’t believe that in this century that war is EVER necessary! I don’t believe in changing people’s religions for them either. There will always be fanatics in every religion…whoever you are, may God forgive you for supporting the killing of others..may God forgive the perpetrators of 9-11..I actually lean towards Buddism if you want to know the truth..and agree with the Great Spirit/Native American beliefs..we are all connected and we should never condone the killing of human beings. Who made America the world police anyway? Did the global community actually ever ASK us to police them? Whoever you are, you must be from a RED state anyway and probably never been outside your own pole barn! Too bad for you that the Democrats are in control of the House and Senate..they just might put a wrench in the war machine? Oh, but that probably won’t happen until all the oil companies make their billions first..at the expense of our great nation’s youth who haven’t even got a say in this mess that’s wreaking havoc with their constitutional and civil rights?!! I love the America I was raised to believe in..and I respect the global community…I have to believe that most people are peace loving and conscious about humanity..and telling me to ‘leave’ America is laughable from someone who can’t even sign their own name.
Adam Bray in Mui Ne, Vietnam 08.14.07 | 12:29 AM ET
Kiwis are lovely, generous people. I’ve never had a problem in my travels there. I think it’s more or a world-wide unpopularity of Americans due to the policies of our government.
Vicky K 09.21.08 | 8:04 PM ET
I was part of the Frodo Economy in 2004. We traveled throughout New Zealand with the Location Guide sold only in NZ bookstores. We never encountered anything but gracious hospitality. I have nothing but respect for your beautiful country & have told everyone I know how clean & pure it is. I was very surprised to see this article, actually. I will be back. Thank you, Kiwis.