Weekly Whirl #17

While the world continues to drift from one crisis to the next, life down here in New Zealand has its own drama.

This week, we had a snail looking for love, the secret rules of potluck etiquette, a debate over work–life balance and even a $2,200 block of butter.

Here’s my pick of what’s been happening this week on our shores.

Ned The Left-Spiralling Snail Looking For Love

27 August 2025

If you thought dating was tough, imagine being Ned, a snail from Wairarapa with a very unusual problem.

Unlike almost every other garden snail, Ned’s shell spirals to the left instead of the right. That might not sound like much, but it means his reproductive organs are reversed, too, making it nearly impossible for him to find a compatible mate.

Illustrator Giselle Clarkson stumbled across Ned while gardening and quickly realised he was a rare find.

Now, New Zealand Geographic has launched a nationwide campaign to help Ned find love. People are being encouraged to check their gardens for other ‘lefties’ and report any sightings.

This isn’t the first time a lonely snail has gone viral. Back in 2017, London’s famous snail Jeremy made headlines during his own search for a mate.

While Ned is technically a garden pest, the campaign is about more than just snails. It’s about sparking curiosity, connecting people with the environment and getting families outdoors.

So if you’re out in the garden after dark, keep your eyes peeled. You might just help write the next chapter in Ned’s love story.

Full story: New Zealand launches campaign to find love for rare and lonely left-spiralling snail Ned.

See also Let’s find a mate for Ned.

The Secret Rules of ‘Bring a Plate’ in New Zealand

1 September 2025

I couldn’t resist including this article because it reminded me of the first time I was invited to a Kiwi gathering and was asked to ‘bring a plate‘. The phrase sparked both excitement and mild panic. Was I supposed to just bring a plate? The host noticed my confusion and explained that, no, they were not short of crockery. Could I please bring a plate with food on it 😊

You may want to read my post on 10 Kiwi Slang Terms You Should Know, where I talk about this typical Kiwi saying and other slang you should know when you visit New Zealand.

It sounds simple, but lurking beneath this phrase is a whole set of unspoken rules. Unlike the American-style potluck, ‘bring a plate’ is meant to be casual and egalitarian. But make no mistake; what you bring says something.

Sausage rolls might be perfect at a sports club lunch, but disappointing at a dinner party. A pack of choc chip cookies? Social crime. And heaven help the person who brings food that needs 45 minutes in the oven when the barbecue’s already firing.

There’s also etiquette beyond the food. BYO really means bring enough for others too.

And unless the host insists, don’t take your leftovers home. That pasta salad in your labelled container tells everyone you were never ready to share.

But despite the pitfalls, ‘bring a plate’ works. It’s chaotic, imperfect and very Kiwi. It reflects our preference for pitching in together rather than fussing over formality.

So when you’re asked to bring a plate, don’t overthink it. Just avoid the budget biscuits and bring something you’d be happy to share.

Read more at The unspoken rules of ‘bring a plate’ – and how to know if you’re breaking them.

Also: Evolution of ‘Bring a Plate’.

World’s Best of Fifth-worst? New Zealand’s Work–Life Balance Debate

4 September 2025

Is New Zealand a work–life balance paradise or one of the worst places in the developed world? Depends who you ask.

Global HR company Remote has crowned us number one three years in a row for work–life balance, pointing to things like generous annual leave, good healthcare and decent wages.

But just a month later, Compare the Market Australia ranked us fifth-worst, largely because of long working hours and the lack of federally mandated paid paternity leave. The truth lies somewhere in the middle.

On average, Kiwis work about 36.5 hours a week—slightly above the OECD average—and surveys show most of us value balance over higher pay.

But while 69% say they’re satisfied with their work–life balance, public sector data shows just over half of workers feel the same.

Still, compared to countries like the US, which has no guaranteed paid leave at all, New Zealand isn’t doing too badly. It just depends on which side of the statistics you want to believe.

Go to World’s best or fifth-worst? How New Zealand ranks in work-life balance for more details.

The $2200 Block of Butter That Made a Difference

3 September 2025

Butter has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately. Although New Zealand is the largest exporter of dairy products, Kiwis are currently paying top dollar for a block of butter. Why the price of butter has gone through the roof makes no sense to the average Kiwi. We have five million dairy cows, and dairy farming is our largest export sector! So why is butter expensive here? I’m not an economist, but if you want to find out, this article explains it well: Explainer: Why have New Zealand butter prices gone up – and when will that change?

But that’s not what this post is about.

In Hawke’s Bay, one block of butter has officially taken the cake, selling for a massive $2200 at a charity auction.

The unusual auction item was the finale of the Elephant Hill Gala Dinner in Te Awanga, where generous guests helped raise more than $60,000 for Family VIP Services, providers of Women’s Refuge in Napier and Hastings.

The butter alone went home with Peter Gerbes of Colourcraft, after sparking a flurry of bids. It wasn’t just about dairy, though. The night featured fine food, matched wines, live music, and even a $10,000 winning bid for a catered lunch at Kopanga Homestead.

With more than 200 guests, this year’s gala more than doubled last year’s fundraising total. Best of all, the money goes straight into supporting local families affected by violence, providing safe accommodation, advocacy and long-term help when it’s needed most.

So yes, butter might be expensive right now, but in this case, it spread a whole lot of good.

New Zealand Treats

30 August 2025

And as we’re talking about Kiwi food, let’s finish this week’s Weekly Whirl with a YouTube video featuring the Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires cast trying some New Zealand snacks.

Marmite on Vogel’s is a real staple here. The bread is delicious, but I’m no fan of Marmite. Ask any Kiwi living overseas what they miss the most, though, and they’ll most likely say ‘Vogel’s and Marmite’. Weet-bix is indeed a typical Kiwi breakfast, but you’re not meant to eat it dry! 😆

Watch the video for more on Kiwi snacks.