Tuques and Togs? The Relationship Between Canucks and Kiwis
It’s no secret that Canucks (Canadians) and Kiwis (New Zealanders) have a lot in common.
Last year we met a fun Kiwi couple on the Galapagos Islands that we’ve since become great friends with. We will always remember the time we were about to go snorkelling and our new friends said they needed to get their “togs”.
Confused by the foreign term, we repeated to make sure we heard correctly. “What the heck are togs?”
“Togs” is the Kiwi term used to describe bathing suits or swimsuits. We had never heard the term before and found it quite comical. For non-Canadian readers, a “tuque” is the term used to describe a beanie or knitted hat that Canadians wear in the winter.
These amusing discoveries started our ‘Canucks vs Kiwis’ comparisons, which ultimately lead to our realization that New Zealand is a lot like Canada.
Our recent camping road trip through the Canadian Rockies reminded us of our time road tripping from Auckland to Queenstown in our Jucy campervan (pronounced “campa” in New Zealand). We felt very comfortable and “at home” in New Zealand, probably because it reminded us of British Columbia.
We thought it would be fun to highlight some of the similarities between Western Canada and New Zealand.
1. Outdoor Adventure Capital of the World – Whistler or Queenstown?
The debate rages on! Both towns offer world class outdoor activities and adrenaline pumping sports.
Summer alpine views of Whistler Village from Whistler Mountain – Whistler, British Columbia
Autumn alpine views from the peak of The Remarkables – Queenstown, New Zealand
2. Canada and New Zealand experience all 4 seasons in the calendar year
Canucks and Kiwis enjoy climate changes that require “tuques” in the winter and “togs” in the summer.
3. World-Class Coastal Hiking Trails
Both countries are world renowned for pristine wilderness and dramatic temperate rainforests.
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park – West Coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada
Abel Tasman National Park – Northwest coast of Nelson, New Zealand (South Island)
4. Canucks say “EH” and “I figure…”, Kiwis say “Sweet As” and “I reckon…”
Okay, those were too easy. There are many more slang and language differences, but these are the stereotypical heavy hitters. If you’ve got some good ones, leave us a comment below!
5. Canucks love their Ice Hockey, Kiwis love their Rugby
And both are the best at their beloved sports… which is debatable depending on when you read this!
“Canucks v Blackhawks” National Hockey League Game – Vancouver, BC
“Blues v Reds” Rugby Super 14 Match – Auckland, New Zealand
6. Ancient Glaciers Surrounded by Spectacular Mountains
The Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers in NZ are UNESCO World Heritage Sites that flow into lowland rainforests just a short distance from sea level, a unique natural phenomenon rarely seen.
Lake Lousie in Banff National Park, Alberta
Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand
7. Popular Wine Trails in Colourful Valleys
The dry, mountainous landscapes surrounding both wine countries are actually quite similar in nature.
Okanagan Valley Wine Trail – Central British Columbia, Canada
Central Otago Wine Trail – South Island, New Zealand
8. Spectacular Lakes and Rocky Mountain Vistas
It’s all about the great outdoors! There’s good reason why both countries are known as supreme adventure capitals.
Moraine Lake and the Canadian Rockies – Alberta, Canada
Lake Matheson and the Southern Alps – South Island, New Zealand
9. Scenic Ferry Passages
Both countries offer stunning ferry trips that pass through beautiful channels.
BC Ferries passage through the Gulf Islands – Vancouver to Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Interislander passage through the Cook Straight – North & South Island Crossing, New Zealand
10. Iconic Harbour Cities
We find both city skylines and harbours to be quite similar, minus Vancouver’s coastal mountains.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Auckland, New Zealand
10. Canada and New Zealand are considered to be peaceful and friendly nations
Currently ranked #1 in the world, New Zealand takes top honours as the world’s most peaceful nation. However, after the successful Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics we’re giving Canada the award for being the friendliest nation (though we’re slightly biased!).
11. Both countries are blessed with natural Hot Springs
Western Canada and New Zealand are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, resulting in perfect hot spring conditions.
Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia
Polynesian Spa and Hot Springs – Rotorua, New Zealand
12. Both countries are often overshadowed by its Big Brother
It’s the ongoing love/hate relationship between siblings. In an effort to remain neutral, we’ll leave it at that (how Canadian of us?).
United States is Canada’s Big Brother – Canucks are often confused for Yankees
Australia is New Zealand’s Big Brother – Kiwis are often confused for Aussies
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Did we miss some common similarities between Canucks and Kiwis?
Share your feedback in the comments section below!
What a fantastic list! 🙂 I’m Canadian and have traveled in New Zealand and your comparisons are great. 🙂 You made me smile today. 🙂
Thanks for you feedback Krista!
Great post! 🙂
Thanks! Glad you liked it. 🙂
This is great!! I especially love all the photos used to show the comparisons. I’ve only visited Canada, but I lived in NZ for about 5 months. I can definitely see some of the similarities you listed! Both are great countries.
Thanks for the feedback Amanda! I think that’s why we (being from British Columbia) loved touring through NZ so much.
Really enjoyed your images. Having traveled in both countries I’d have to say they’re both fantastic. New Zealand is home for me so it will always be the winner but if there is one spot in the world that I would love to return to – it is Canada.
Thanks Dawn! We feel the same way. Canada will always be our home 😉
As a non-Canadian / non-Kiwi, I can add that both countries also have a high percentage of travelers for their relatively smaller populations and that those travelers are some of the best (and often most entertaining) travel companions out there!
That’s a great observation Earl. I hadn’t thought of that but would definitely agree (with the high % of travellers and relatively small population). The entertaining goes without saying! 😉
I had heard that Canadians were like Kiwis and Americans were like Aussies and I have to say it’s not completely inaccurate. I think the dynamic between the countries is very similar.
Agreed. The dynamic is quite similar.
These are beautiful photos and a funny post on the similarities!
Thanks Jeremy!
G’day, I quite enjoyed that read bro! Some of the picture comparissons are amaing eh. You will be needing to crank out those “tuques” soon with the onset of winter. We are off to Greece next week guys – I can assure you that the first thing I pack will be my trusty old “togs”! (haha) Cheers, Mat
Hey Matt! Have fun in Greece… don’t forget your “Togs” mate!
Great post! I haven’t been to New Zealand yet, but have lived most of my life on the west coast of B.C. before moving to the Rocky Mountains. I heard New Zealand was a lot like B.C., but didn’t realize there were so many similarities.
We were pleasantly surprised at how similar New Zealand and Western Canada are. We can totally see ourselves living comfortably in New Zealand. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to visit in the future! 😉
Love it! I’ve often thought Canucks and Kiwis are similar, mainly because of this point: “Both countries are often overshadowed by its Big Brother.” 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Leslie. It’s so true. Sadly, we’ll always be overshadowed and confused for our older brother
Keep up the good work! Great Site!
Hi
Thanks for the post. I stumbled across it while looking up facts on NZ for a Canadian penpal of mine. One thing you may have left off the list is the rather laid back peaceful nature of both countries which seems to only encourage the friendliness of the people and makes them so welcoming! I am a NZer but would love to visit Canada some day to see for myself the beauty.
🙂
🙂
Awesome site!
Another cool similar thing is that the US tend to use the scenery of both our countries for backdrops to their TV and films alot!
Keep up the good work!
Lived in B.C for 11 years now in NZ for the past 5. 2 of the best countries in the world and yes similar in many ways. Heaps of different words though. The other day listening to an American artist singing about ” drinking whiskey by the by batch” and my daughter says ” I didn’t know they called them baches in America. I guess she’s becoming a kiwi. A bach in NZ is a cottage for those who don’t know.
Wow! This is great. Because I am a Kiwi, and I am currently living in NZ we had to research the similarities of Canada & NZ. This has been a great help and e photographs are amazing. ☺️
*the photographs
I think #12 was the most interesting one! Very true lol
very nice post. I have lived in both the countries and both are amazing . 🙂
Crikey, you guys nailed it. I married a Canuck.I’m a Kiwi photographer/journo living in Alberta, and definitely see the similarities. My Instagram site, if interested…[email protected]
Oddly enough we say “eh” a lot down here too, usually on the end of a sentence when you’re seeing if the other person agrees or you’re just inviting feedback. Wonder if we both get it from the same source.
Very true!
Being overshadowed is not a bad thing…We are Chinese/American couple and New Zealand is home for us now. Both countries are stunning, offers great opportunities for outdoor activities, people are down to earth and there’s no language barrier between the two! I would add in both places it can get really really cold 🙂 And both countries have good safety net for their people, allowing them to enjoy a balanced lifestyle.