‘One thing that completely shocked me about New Zealand’: Colombian woman can't believe what happens at 5 pm every day

For many employees, staying late at the office or responding to emails after hours is often seen as part of the job. That's why a Colombian woman's experience in New Zealand has caught attention online.

Dani Castillo, who has been living in New Zealand for the past three years, recently shared an Instagram video about one aspect of the country's work culture that still surprises her.

‘There's something that still shocks me’

In the video, Castillo reflected on the difference between her experiences in Colombia and New Zealand.

“People who've never lived in New Zealand will never be able to understand this. I come from Colombia, and I've been living in New Zealand for the past three years of my life. But there's something that still shocks me a lot.”

She said that in Colombia, working beyond regular hours was often viewed positively.

“In Colombia, we used to work 48 hours a week, and if you go beyond that, that's well seen. You are a good worker. Work is the center of your life. You push yourself; you work very hard. That's how you prove your worth at your job.”

The difference she noticed after moving

Castillo said her perspective changed after she started working in New Zealand.

“So when I moved to New Zealand and finally got a job here, the working culture was a shock. When work is done, it's done. People actually stop to go ahead and share with their families, their friends, or their hobbies.”

She added that the culture generally does not encourage employees to stay late simply to appear hardworking.

“Of course, there are exceptions, but the rule is no pressure, no expectations, and no need to impress anyone. When I hit the 40 hours, I just close my laptop, and I get satisfaction because I know I'm not going to be bothered over the weekend. Here it feels like work turns around your life, but it's not the other way around.”

‘Do Kiwis even realize how rare this is?’

In the caption accompanying the video, Castillo praised the way people in New Zealand protect their personal time.

“Do Kiwis even realize how rare this is? Coming from another country, one thing that completely shocked me about New Zealand is how seriously people take life outside of work. At 5 pm, people actually stop working. No fake overtime, no pressure to stay late, and no competition over who is “working harder.” The craziest part? Kiwis still get everything done. I genuinely think this is one of the best things about #livinginnewzealand. The work-life balance here feels so healthy compared to so many other parts of the world. #lifeabroad”

Internet reacts

The video drew several reactions from social media users.

One user wrote, “This is exactly how work should be everywhere.”

Another commented, “As someone from Latin America, I understand this completely.”

A third user said, “New Zealand really values life outside office hours.”

Others echoed similar sentiments. One person wrote, “In many countries, overworking is treated like a badge of honour,” while another added, “The best part is that people remain productive without burning themselves out.”

Disclaimer: This article is based on a video shared on social media and user-generated content. The statements and views expressed are those of the individual featured in the video. The publication has not independently verified all claims made in the post. The Times of India has reached out to Dani Castillo for comment. This story will be updated if and when a response is received.