Self-reliant Kiwis are a happy bunch

Kristen Hamling Photo/File

I have some good news. I have it on reliable authority that New Zealanders are by far a happier and friendlier bunch than their Antipodean counterparts.

The source of this good news is my family and friends who have been visiting us in the last few years. Comments like "people are so friendly here" and "people seem so happy " and "people are willing to help you".

Now I generally consider myself to be a happy person and, honestly, I could talk to a lamppost. However, despite this I find myself enjoying the company of others in New Zealand more than I have anywhere else in the world. It is something about the willingness of others to engage with me in a genuine and happy way.

The other day in Wellington, I asked a young family if they were leaving the full car park so I could snaffle their spot. My friend from Sydney was a little taken aback when this fairly ominous-looking family turned around and gave us the biggest smile and said "we sure are, won't take a sec".

Before backing out their car from the spot, they came over and gave us a parking meter ticket for the rest of the day. My friend's jaw almost dropped. This has become my norm but my friend was impressed.

I very much enjoy my "good morning" greetings that I get around town and recognise that this is very different to many other places.

For instance, my husband said recently that he had become so used to the "good morning" greetings in Wanganui that he automatically did this when back in Sydney. He greeted a street cleaner as he jogged by with his usual "good morning". Apparently the man was so taken aback that it took a while for him to register. He had to shout back "good morning" as my hubby was then half way down the street.

The positive experiences of New Zealand are endless and I can see how people become drawn to this country.

But why is this so? Why are Kiwis so happy?

There are loads of surveys out there, such as Gallup, reporting NZ in the top 20 happy countries in the world.

Things like income, education and standard of living factoring into the happiness index. Also the fact that there is no political unrest and people have a say in what happens in the country.

People in NZ also seem to be more resourceful and self-reliant. Perhaps because NZ is a smaller country, people have to be more self-reliant. Indeed, NZ produces some amazing entrepreneurs who are mixing it up internationally.

I also think a contributing factor to NZ's happiness is the fact that moods are contagious. Research has shown that just having a positive person in your neighbourhood can make you a wee bit happier too. So when I am greeted with a smile and a friendly "good morning" on the way to my son's school, it lifts my mood.

I then take this back home with me to my husband who then passes it on to the people he sees during the day. So on it goes.

It really makes me think about the mood that I want to spread in my neighbourhood. If I can create one small ripple effect of happiness in my own small way then what a way to start the day.

A registered psychologist with a masters in applied psychology, Wanganui mother-of-two Kristen Hamling is studying for a PhD in positive psychology at Auckland University of Technology