Working holiday in New Zealand

I joined a park maintenance event at Molley Green Reserve, organized by Conservation Volunteers New Zealand. It was my second time participating in a community activity like this. Through events like these, I can meet new people each time and learn how well nature is preserved in New Zealand.

Yesterday, I had a chat with my Japanese friend, as he’ll be returning to Japan next week. He has already secured his next job and shared his future plans with me. I was inspired by his attitude and motivation. I’ll definitely keep cheering him on. 

Recently, I’ve realized how important it is to seem as though I completely understand what the customer is saying, even if I don’t catch every single word. Especially in New Zealand, there’s a risk that customers might see me as unreliable if I show any lack of confidence in my English. That’s why I’ve been more careful with my attitude when communicating with them.

Yesterday, a customer requested a refund because the headlights he ordered did not fit his car. It is understandable that he asked for a refund in this situation. However, when he arranged the shipment at the post office, he chose a non-signature-required delivery option. His attitude frustrated me because he hadn’t considered the risk that the parcel could be lost. Fortunately, I received it during my working hours, and it was not damaged. I will be more cautious when handling similar situations in the future.

I have experienced three different jobs so far, excluding part-time work during university: in the pharmaceutical field, international cooperation, and the car industry. Each has its own unique characteristics and has presented me with new challenges. What I assumed to be common in one workplace often did not apply in another. As a result, I was sometimes confused by the differences in values and customs among the companies. However, through these experiences, I developed the ability to adapt to new environments.

I can take a bath anytime in Japan. In contrast, it's extremely difficult to do this in New Zealand. As I mentioned in a previous post on this blog, I had to figure out a way to remove as much fatigue as possible from my body. I tried many different methods, and as a result, I found that releasing the tension in my calves is the most effective. That’s why I always do it, even when I don’t exercise.

This morning, I participated in a running event. It had been a while, as the last time I joined was more than two months ago. Although I hadn’t seen some friends for a long time, they greeted me with warm smiles. I really like this kind of atmosphere—it never makes anyone feel like an outsider, even if they rarely attend. Anyway, my listening skills have definitely improved, and I realized I need to work on my speaking. I know what I have to do: just keep going.

I went to watch the national rugby match between the Black Ferns and the U.S. with two friends from Chile. I never expected to see the women's haka in person, as the Black Ferns’ performances are much rarer compared to the All Blacks. That’s why I was so excited about this experience. I was also happy that my friends became interested in rugby through this game. I appreciated my friends' invitation.

I have communicated with both kind and rude customers so far. It’s easy to speak negatively about mean people, but that doesn't help in mastering customer service. I might as well try to make the most of even stressful situations. That’s why I’ve started reflecting on my own attitude toward customer service staff at other companies when I used to work at a pharmaceutical company and an international cooperation center. I was usually careful about how I spoke to them, but I didn’t always manage to do so. In short, my current role gives me new insights.

I recently discussed ways to increase our profit with the owner. I suggested my ideas, and so far, he has basically accepted them. Even though my wage has not increased, I want to acquire as many skills and perspectives as possible. I always appreciate his support and advice because I can learn something new every day.

I injured my back when I was in high school. Since then, I’ve had to be careful with that area, even when sitting on a chair. Recently, I started placing a cushion between the chair and my hips to keep my pelvis in a neutral position. This is because I noticed that the seat of my current chair is inclined, with the front higher than the back. This adjustment helps reduce the strain on my back.

When I worked in Japan, I always looked for ways to contribute during slower seasons. Supporting others is certainly important, but I now believe that intentionally not doing anything can also be valuable. In a large company, we often feel that a passive attitude could negatively affect our chances of promotion or evaluation. However, constantly helping others can lead to exhaustion. Over time, coworkers may stop appreciating our support, as they begin to take it for granted. In short, it is unnecessary to always be a supportive person.

The biggest reason I feel less pressure in New Zealand is that I don’t have to compare myself with others. This might be because New Zealand has a rich diversity of nationalities, making it clear that each person has unique perspectives. Because of this, I don’t worry too much about my physical appearance. I will continue to have this mindset even after returning to Japan.

I became a fan of the Blues because I might have stayed in Auckland for 10 months. I cheered for the Blues in their Super Rugby match against Moana Pasifika. However, the Blues lost to them for the first time yesterday. This result also caused the Blues to drop to 7th place in the league standings. I was pretty shocked by this since only the top 6 teams qualify for the playoff tournament. Now, they can no longer secure a spot on their own—their fate depends on the results of other teams. Still, I will keep supporting them. Reference:  Fixtures & Results 2025 Super Rugby Pacific

I walked around some libraries and bookstores to look for books. Although I couldn’t find the ones I originally wanted, I came across two intriguing books at a library. Something about them instantly told me they could help me resolve my current worries, so I borrowed them right away. Also, I chose not to use public transportation and enjoyed the heartwarming scenery along the way.

Today is the last working day of the week, and I’ll have two days off over the weekend. I try to wake up at the same time every day to maintain a stable body clock for my health. Taking a slightly longer rest once in a while is fine, but doing it repeatedly can negatively affect my physical condition. That’s why I basically stick to a fixed wake-up time.

I would have never entered the car industry if I hadn't come here. I actually talked about this with my coworkers. As my wife said before, I might continue to take a different path from others. It always brings me new insights and skills. Through my current role, I've come to feel that I might be able to try something new even after returning to Japan.

I used to feel frustrated because I couldn’t see much improvement in my English. I almost lost my motivation. Since I can’t easily measure my level with tests like TOEIC, I decided to focus on making small progress every day. To do that, I thought about what kinds of sentences I need now and how much time each task takes. I already know my weak points, and I’ve been uploading articles and reading customer service phrases aloud. But sometimes, I lose motivation because these tasks feel stressful. So I asked myself why. Then I realized — they don’t actually take much time. Writing takes about 15 minutes, and reading aloud takes another 15. Just 30 minutes a day is enough. Once I saw it that way, these tasks felt easier, and I became more confident I can keep going.

I want to master the skill of smoothly convincing customers when they negotiate with me about lowering item prices. I can currently reject their requests, but I hope to help them understand our financial situation and the recent increase in import costs, so that they eventually agree to purchase the item at the original price. This skill will definitely be important for my future.

I couldn’t afford to take on extra tasks or check our sales and profit in detail. Also, in my role, I mainly reported daily sales, so I hadn’t paid much attention to how much profit we actually made. However, by reviewing our sales records, I realized which parts could help boost our profit. My role is certainly in customer service, not management, but I might as well broaden my skill set.

I visited the Avondale Sunday Market today. Fortunately, it was lively thanks to the good weather. I had passed through the market before but couldn't stop by due to a prior commitment. So, I was happy to finally visit. In my impression, most of the shops there are run by Asian people, so I found some intriguing groceries and clothes. Putting myself in a slightly different environment from my usual one always leads to new discoveries.

Companies should require employees to wear formal business attire only when the situation demands it. For instance, when visiting other companies or meeting important clients, formal clothing shows respect and professionalism. Our appearance reflects how seriously we take the interaction. If we are negotiating a deal or promoting a new product, it is important to be careful not only with our words but also with our attitude and appearance. Otherwise, we risk damaging the business relationship. However, if employees are working mainly in the office without client interaction or business trips, wearing formal jackets every day is unnecessary. In such cases, the most important thing is productivity. In Japan, employees are often expected to wear suits even when they are only working in the office. This does not make sense, because wearing tight and uncomfortable clothes can cause stress and reduce motivation. Therefore, I believe it is reasonable to wear casual clothes in the office, exce...

When I was younger, especially during high school and university, I felt that I always had to connect with someone. I understand that I shouldn't blame adults for this, but teachers and older people often forced me to engage in conversations with classmates or club team members. It was actually very difficult for me to communicate with someone for a long time because I didn’t want to make others feel frustrated or uncomfortable. As a result, I became exhausted from repeatedly trying to maintain conversations. Now that I am an adult, I am gradually learning to express my thoughts and prioritize my mental health. Since coming to New Zealand, I have felt this even more strongly. Moving forward, I will continue to embrace this mindset.

I always use public transportation to go to my workplace. Today, due to some system issues or bad weather, I couldn’t catch either the train or the bus—both on the way to work and on my way home. Although I usually allow plenty of time for commuting, I didn’t expect today’s situation. Fortunately, I wasn’t late, but I was worried about being late for the first time at my job. This experience made me realize the importance of leaving some buffer time in my schedule and maintaining good relationships with co-workers. Otherwise, people might not trust me when I face unexpected situations.

I filled all display racks with cleaned wheels today. I could feel satisfaction with this task because the scenery was amazing. Also, I asked what I should do next to the owner and I got  a chance to broaden my knowledge about tyres. Although I can just take a rest without do anything, I chose to try something new. I understand I can definitely gain something from even small and simple tasks. I will start that tomorrow anyway.

I feel that winter is coming soon because the temperature has been getting cooler and cooler. Also, the daylight hours are quite a bit shorter than before. I like breathing in the clear air, but I still can't fully adjust to such a cool environment. I will continue to take care of myself by eating nutritious food and making sure I get enough rest.

I saw my wife off at Auckland Airport and went straight to work. Thanks to all the conversations we had, I felt completely refreshed and was able to concentrate on the task at hand. I've also noticed an improvement in my English and realized how important it is to speak with confidence. I'm truly grateful to her and to all the people I met during our short trip last weekend.

My wife arrived in New Zealand on the 1st of May, and we explored several spots together over the weekend. I selected some amazing photos and posted them in this article. But honestly, nothing beats being with my wife. 2nd May Remedy Coffee Mission Bay Cornwall Park  and  One Tree Hill Mount Eden  and  Friend & Whau Cafe Watching the Super Rugby Match between the BLUES and WESTERN FORCE at  Eden Park 3rd May Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Rotorua Lakefront Boardwalk Auckland Night Market 4th May Takapuna Beach Sunday Market Mount Victoria Devonport Beach

I have been good at doing delicate tasks since I was a child. Craft classes were my favorite in elementary and junior high school. Although I’m not very familiar with the arts, I recently realized that I might be well-suited for work that requires attention to detail, such as making small items or cleaning equipment. In fact, I enjoy polishing wheels and feel a deep sense of satisfaction when I see them cleaned and shining.