Welcome

“Ask Me NZ” is an independently run platform that connects New Zealand and Japan through practical, experience-based information.

In an era where AI can generate answers instantly, I believe that human perspective, context, and trust matter more than ever.

Ask Me NZ exists to preserve and share information that remains meaningful over time — because behind every decision, every move, and every life change, there is always a real person.

What Ask Me NZ Is

Ask Me NZ shares New Zealand-related knowledge and insights for Japanese-speaking audiences, including topics such as:

  • Life in New Zealand
  • Study and working holiday
  • Immigration and visas
  • Business and professional services
  • Travel, culture, and communities
  • New Zealand–Japan connections

However, Ask Me NZ is not just an information site.

It is a space where people can learn from real experiences, understand context, and make decisions with greater clarity.

Why Ask Me NZ Exists
(Especially in the Age of AI)

AI is highly capable of summarising, organising, and presenting existing information.

At the same time, AI can sometimes:

  • Provide outdated information
  • Miss important nuance due to the way a question is asked
  • Produce answers that sound confident, even when incorrect

This becomes particularly important in areas where information changes frequently—such as immigration-related matters.

That is why Ask Me NZ values:

  • human experience
  • professional expertise
  • and responsible communication

We believe that in the AI era, trustworthy, human-centred information becomes even more valuable.

The Key Role of Ask Me NZ

Ask Me NZ does not aim to “own the truth” or provide one correct answer.

Instead, Ask Me NZ focuses on creating and maintaining the space where information can be shared responsibly.

In short:

Ask Me NZ facilitates the space.
(We do not control people’s views — we make the platform trustworthy and sustainable.)

This is the mindset behind every decision we make as a site.

What We Aim For
(Long-Term Vision)

Ask Me NZ is not designed to grow rapidly or chase trends.

Our goal is to become a long-lasting, trusted archive where:

  • the source of information is clear
  • real experience and context are preserved
  • people can return years later and still find value

If someone in the future discovers Ask Me NZ and thinks:

“This seems trustworthy.”
“This perspective is helpful.”

then the platform has achieved what it was meant to do.

Supporters, Partners, and Sponsors

Ask Me NZ is supported by three groups:

1) Supporters

Supporters are people who resonate with Ask Me NZ and support the initiative in their own way.

Support can be as simple as:

  • reading
  • sharing
  • recommending Ask Me NZ to someone else
  • quietly following the journey

Supporters do not need to commit to anything.

There is no pressure, and no obligation.

2) Partners

Partners are individuals or organisations who engage with Ask Me NZ more actively and collaboratively.

Partners contribute through ongoing cooperation, shared values, and trust-based relationship-building.

Ask Me NZ does not treat partners as “advertisers.”

A partner is someone who co-creates value with the platform.

3) Sponsors

Sponsors support the sustainability of Ask Me NZ.

Sponsorship does not mean influence over editorial choices.

Ask Me NZ maintains independence and does not allow sponsorship to shape content direction or messaging.

NOT Use a Standard Advertising Model

Ask Me NZ does not operate based on page views or clicks.

This is a deliberate choice.

Traditional advertising models tend to prioritise:

  • volume
  • speed
  • attention
  • short-term reach

Ask Me NZ prioritises:

  • trust
  • context
  • responsibility
  • long-term value

For Ask Me NZ, it is more meaningful to reach one person deeply, than to reach one hundred people superficially.

Contributor Recruitment
(Writing for Ask Me NZ)

Ask Me NZ welcomes contributors who want to share New Zealand-related knowledge and experience in a responsible way.

We are particularly interested in contributors who can offer:

  • professional expertise
  • lived experience
  • practical insights
  • or culturally informed perspectives

Articles published on Ask Me NZ are presented under the contributor’s name, and reflect their views and responsibility.

Ask Me NZ may support contributors by providing:

  • structure and guidance
  • suggested categories and themes
  • basic editorial support (as needed)

At the same time, Ask Me NZ does not take responsibility for the content as professional advice.

Readers should always use appropriate judgement and consult qualified professionals where necessary.

A Note From the Founder

Ask Me NZ is currently run solely by me.

I do not have the capacity to run large-scale marketing or social media campaigns, because I also have a separate full-time role,

Instead, Ask Me NZ grows quietly through trust, community, and word of mouth.

On the other hand, more and more professionals from various fields have been joining the initiative—either as partners or as contributors—because they resonate with its core values and approach.

These developments make me feel confident that I am on the right track, and that the values behind Ask Me NZ truly resonate with others.

A little bit about me

On a personal note, I moved to New Zealand in 2014 after the resigning a job in Japan.

Today, I live with my wife and our four children in Auckland more than 10 years.

Ask Me NZ is my personal way of giving back to New Zealand — a country that has provided my family with a safe, welcoming, and fulfilling place to live.

You Are Welcome Here

Ask Me NZ respects different levels of engagement.

You are welcome to:

  • read, enjoy and learn
  • share when you feel comfortable
  • leave and come back anytime
  • simply observe from a distance

My hope is simple: that Ask Me NZ helps New Zealand feel a little more familiar to you, especially Japanese people.

And that it also gives people in New Zealand a gentle opportunity to feel closer to Japan.

Even small connections, built through trust and shared stories, can go a long way.

In the age of AI, Ask Me NZ chooses to remain human.

Contact

If you would like to connect, collaborate, or contribute, please reach out via the contact form on this website.

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