I'm Angry At New Zealand... But Im Choosing To Stay

About this video

• Video Title: I'm Angry At New Zealand... But Im Choosing To Stay
• Channel: John Kenel
• Speakers: John Kenel
• Duration: 00:07:56

Overview

The speaker expresses a long-held, quiet discomfort and anger towards New Zealand and some of its people, stemming primarily from the 2020 lockdowns, mandates, and perceived loss of fundamental freedoms without proper debate. This anger affected his personal and business life and led to thoughts of leaving the country. However, after reflecting and stepping back from this negativity, he realized the value of New Zealand's lifestyle, natural beauty, and simpler way of living compared to congested big cities abroad. He concludes that escaping problems by moving countries is not a solution, and instead, he chooses to stay engaged, contribute positively, and "fight for" New Zealand's way of life.

Key takeaways

• Acknowledgement of Negative Feelings: The speaker admits to feeling anger, disappointment, and frustration towards New Zealand and its people, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic's handling (lockdowns, mandates).
• Impact of Pandemic Measures: The speaker details how these measures affected him personally (family separation, inability to attend funerals) and professionally (business projects halted while costs continued, uncertainty).
• The Toxicity of Anger: He recognizes that carrying anger is toxic, mentally and physically draining, and narrows one's perspective, leading to thoughts of leaving the country.
• Re-evaluation of New Zealand: Stepping back from anger allowed him to appreciate New Zealand's inherent qualities, such as its natural spaces, access to nature, and simpler daily life compared to larger cities.
• International Perspective: Living abroad for over a decade provided a comparative perspective, highlighting that all countries have problems and that escaping them by moving is not a sustainable solution.
• Choosing to Stay and Contribute: Despite acknowledging New Zealand's imperfections and past grievances, the speaker decides to stay and actively contribute by building businesses, raising families, and engaging in constructive dialogue, believing the country is "worth fighting for."