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Show them where you're from.
Nothing informs the world of wearer’s modest Kiwi patriotism better than a printed T-Shirt with words or images cleverly rearranged into the shape of New Zealand. Ironic, then, that 99% of these are worn exclusively in this country only.
While happy to laugh at the USA for their blind jingoism and flag waving, Kiwis still feel a need to express a (albeit deeply self-conscious) sense of identity – as part of the wider colonial symptomatic need for ‘Positive Identity Reinforement‘. However, lacking both the personality and goods to back it up, we are unable to simply shout it in people’s faces (the chosen method of our Australian cousins).
Inconspicous, easy-to-blend-in, highlighting an acceptable sense of modern fashion, but, importantly, not so much that you might look ‘like a bloody queer’, the printed t-shirt is the perfect vehicle for the understatement of Kiwi nationalism.
It is likely too, that this is part of the wider campaign of ‘Putting New Zealand on the Map‘. Literally. By forcing recognition upon the world of the correct shape of our fair and forgotten isles – which is so frequently dropped off the bottom right hand corner of world maps, or, at best, rendered as an unrecognisable pair of blobs somewhere off the coast of Chile.
(5 votes, average: 3.40 out of 5)
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And the label says, “Made in (insert worst fear here)”.
damn good advice and sharing,I will buy one this nice shirt for me .thanks
Got to agree, the nz t-shirt is famous. most kiwi’s even if they dont wear one prob have one. What i don;’t like is the two mash-ups mainstream brands form overseas try and do. billabong luvs nz tees? piss off stupid psudo 2.8 and half surf slash nz map prints
Brothers, Sisters, Whanau……”Peace on our Little Earth” – Check out my new design releases ‘Pizza Offering’ and that’s No Bull !
“Your views are bazaar as its called multiculturalism. Maybe that’s why (in your opinion) so many kiwis in Auckland are racist as they have seen the degrading of its society due to a huge amount of different cultures living in the same city.”
Well you might think I’m talking oddness, but perhaps if you spent more time away from Auckland it might becoame crystal clear. You might also realise what utter crud this idea Auckland is multicultural is and how suburban, racist and insular its attitudes are.
You bringing up that survey is a case in point. The fact you JAFA’s are making a song and dance and making that song with the midget in his leather jacket further underlines it and indicates the denial complex. I mean in what other city would this even be given a second thought?. It’s like you’re pretending you’re a world city.
Exactly who was polled and how was that survey conducted? Exactly how was that poll taken? because it’s a bit hard to believe Sydney or Melbourne come after Auckland.
I didnt actually see the song but heard about it, you don’t seem to have a sense of humor which it seems to most that song was based on a piss take.
Im sure the link to the poll will explain any further questions you may have.
most kiwis outside AK hate auckland until they move here & change there mind. Close to the beach, parks, pubs. Whats to complain about.
Actually I believed it was pretty good until I moved there.
Then I saw the bogans, East Auckland snobs, rude ignorant territorial people, gridlock/poor rail transport, boredom, lack of variety, muggy climate, racism, crappy houses, crappy city centre, wanky tacky pubs… well I’m now ranting and you probably get the picture.
I think the opposite, that most Aucklanders (who aren’t true kiwis) think Auckland is the best until (or unless) they spend time somewhere else, either in NZ or abroad, & change their mind.
The Beaches are really good in Auckland though, I must admit.
Although they’re even better in Sydney (like everything else LOL).
Im a well traveled Auckland boy from East Auckland originally but now living more central & a true kiwi. Funny as what you have said is like saying a sydneysider isn’t a true Australian or an American living in New York isn’t American.
Interesting you mentioned racism as Australia been rated one of the most racist countries in the world.
I dont mind bogans, prefer them than australians, very easy to be negative about a place. I prefer to look at whereever I am in a positive way. It helps you appreciate whichever city you may live in.
Sorry if you had a bad experience in AK but it has been rated the No.1 city in the Southern Hemisphere for 2 years in a row for access to beaches, parks & standard of living.
“Funny as what you have said is like saying a sydneysider isn’t a true Australian or an American living in New York isn’t American.”
Which is pretty much what any true Aussie or ordinary American would tell you.
Jafa’s ain’t true kiwis. North of the Bombay hills the culture and values suddenly change to something completely unkiwi. I’m not saying it’s worse or bad, it just isn’t like the rest of NZ or like what’s been recognised as kiwi.
“Interesting you mentioned racism as Australia been rated one of the most racist countries in the world.”
I’m not sure where you got this rating from. Although IMO Australia on the whole is noticably more racist than NZ.
But Auckland is definately a racist city. More racist than the North Island south of the Bombay hills, even Hawkes bay. And far more racist than the Wellington region. Probably as racist as Christchurch but in a different way.
“I dont mind bogans, prefer them than australians”
To be fair, those bogans pretty much are imitating Australian bogans. Driving Holdens, watching Rugby league, even dressing like them.
“ery easy to be negative about a place. I prefer to look at whereever I am in a positive way. It helps you appreciate whichever city you may live in.”
Look I’m actually a pretty positive person.
I’m sorry but I found the negatives in Auckland outweighed the positives (which I won’t deny existed). It’s a small suburban city with the sorts of problems much larger and more cosmopolitan cities cope with.
“it has been rated the No.1 city in the Southern Hemisphere for 2 years in a row”
By whom?
Probably by some load of BS. Most people in the world don’t even care about access to beaches. Compared to the rest of NZ, Auckland is badly served for parks and community planning.
Which is pretty much what any true Aussie or ordinary American would tell you.
Jafa’s ain’t true kiwis. North of the Bombay hills the culture and values suddenly change to something completely unkiwi. I’m not saying it’s worse or bad, it just isn’t like the rest of NZ or like what’s been recognised as kiwi.
Your views are bazaar as its called multiculturalism. Maybe that’s why (in your opinion) so many kiwis in Auckland are racist as they have seen the degrading of its society due to a huge amount of different cultures living in the same city.
people do care
http://www.mercer.com/qualityofliving
I met a Brit travelling who said he always knew a kiwi cos they had a little piece of NZ around their necks… I was wearing a paua necklace at the time. Is this NZ t-shirt phenomenon just some smart marketing from Huffer et al?
Gotta say, I would see these shirts from time to time around Australia.
[...] annoying local affections to the attention of the internet world. Affections like dub, tattoos, patriotic tee shirts and desire for worldly [...]
haha or just NZ without Aux….(i live on the shore but hate auckland)
Funny you should mention that, Rick. Hating Auckland is an upcoming topic for a post.
How long until we see a similar design, but with just the outline of the South Island?
God they’re really starting to creep me out. It’s gone beyond a cheerful kiwi salute and morphed into this kind of bizarre, defensive nationalism. I’ve seen quite a few people recently sporting a design that features the standard two islands motif with a large, shouty “Born Here.” stamped over the top. Who the fuck are they talking to? I keep expecting the back of the shirt to read “unloike those fuggin choinese”.
wouldn’t mind a tshirt like that.
since i’m chinese and born here.