Moving abroad often comes with unexpected surprises. While many people prepare for differences in food, language or weather, workplace culture can be one of the biggest adjustments. That was the case for Dani Castillo, a Colombian woman who has been living in New Zealand for the past three years. In a recent Instagram video, she shared several aspects of Kiwi work culture that still surprise her today, particularly the way people balance their jobs with life outside work."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," Castillo said at the start of the video.Drawing comparisons between her home country and her adopted one, Castillo outlined five work habits she believes make New Zealand stand out.1. Working long hours is not seen as a badge of honourAccording to Castillo, the attitude toward work in Colombia is very different from what she has experienced in New Zealand."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."She explained that in the environment she grew up in, putting in extra hours was often viewed as proof of commitment and professionalism. That expectation, she said, was much less visible after she moved to New Zealand.2. People leave work behind when the day is overOne of the biggest adjustments for Castillo was seeing colleagues disconnect once the workday ended."So when I moved to New Zealand, 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."Rather than staying late at the office or remaining constantly available, many workers appeared comfortable stepping away and focusing on personal time. For Castillo, this represented a major shift from what she had been used to.3. There is less pressure to prove yourself through timeAnother workplace habit that stood out was the lack of competition around who works the longest. "Of course, there's exceptions, but the rule is: no pressure, no expectations, no needing to impress anyone."She expanded on that point in the caption accompanying her video, writing: "Do Kiwis even realise how rare this is? Coming from another country, one thing that completely shocked me about New Zealand is how seriously people protect 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."For Castillo, the absence of that pressure created a healthier relationship with work.4. Weekends are treated as personal timeCastillo said one of the things she appreciates most is knowing that her time off is genuinely her own."When I hit the 40 hours, I just close my laptop, and the satisfaction that I get because I know I'm not going to be bothered over the weekend."She described that feeling as something that continues to stand out even after spending several years in the country. Being able to disconnect and recharge without worrying about work messages or last-minute requests was not something she took for granted.5. Productivity is still high despite fewer hoursWhat surprised Castillo most was that the culture of switching off after work did not seem to hurt productivity. "The craziest part? Kiwis still get everything done."She concluded by saying, "Here it feels like work turns around your life, but it's not the other way around." The observation sparked a wider discussion online about whether working longer hours necessarily leads to better results.Social media users share mixed experiencesCastillo's video attracted hundreds of comments, with many people agreeing that work-life balance is one of New Zealand's strongest qualities. One commenter wrote, "Work is WAY OVERATED. In New Zealand we 'work to live' not 'Live to work'."Another user who had moved overseas said the thing they missed most about home was the ability to leave work stress behind at the end of the day. Others who had relocated from countries such as Brazil, Germany and South Korea said they could relate to Castillo's observations.At the same time, many New Zealanders pointed out that experiences vary significantly depending on the industry. Teachers, nurses, farmers, business owners and salaried workers said long hours and after-hours responsibilities remain common in their professions.Several commenters stressed that there is no single Kiwi work experience. While some employees enjoy flexible schedules and strong boundaries between work and personal life, others regularly work well beyond 40 hours a week.Even so, the discussion revealed why Castillo's video resonated with so many viewers. Whether they agreed completely or not, many saw value in the idea that a person's life should not revolve entirely around work. As one commenter summed it up: "Do you live to work? Or do you work to live?"