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Colombian woman Dani Castillo has gone viral by describing New Zealand’s work culture, praising work life’s strict limits and 40-hour weeks in a widely shared Instagram clip
“There is no fake overtime, no pressure to stay late, and no competition over who works harder,” the Colombian woman explains.
A Colombian woman living in New Zealand has gone viral after sharing workplace habits that still surprise her even after spending three years in the country. In an Instagram video, Dani Castillo talked about the distinct differences between professional life in New Zealand and the work culture she grew up in in Colombia.
Castillo opened the video, saying, “People who have never lived in New Zealand will never be able to understand this. I’m from Colombia, and I’ve lived in New Zealand for the past three years of my life. But there’s something that still shocks me so much.”
One of the biggest differences is the attitude toward long work hours, she explained. According to Castillo, working outside the standard schedule in Colombia is often seen as a sign of dedication and commitment.
“In Colombia, we are used to working 48 hours a week, and if you go beyond that, it is clear. You are a good worker. Work is the center of your life. You push yourself, you work hard. This way you prove your value in your job,” she said.
This mindset was challenged when I entered the New Zealand job market. Castillo said she was surprised by how clearly people separated their jobs and personal lives.
“So, when I moved to New Zealand and finally got a job here, the work culture was a shock. When the work is done, it’s done. People actually stop to move forward and get involved with their families, friends or hobbies,” she said.
Another aspect that caught her attention was the lack of pressure to constantly prove oneself by working overtime. Although every workplace is different, the overall culture seems much less competitive when it comes to staying late or appearing busy, Castillo noted.
“Of course there are exceptions, but the rule is: no pressure, no expectations, no need to impress anyone,” she said.
In the caption accompanying her video, Castillo explained her experience, writing: “Do New Zealanders realize how rare this is? Coming from another country, the one thing that completely shocked me about New Zealand is how seriously people take protecting life outside of work. At 5pm, people literally stop working. No fake overtime, no pressure to stay late, no competition over who works harder.”
She also talked about the relief of being able to disconnect once the work week is over.
“When I hit 40 hours, I close my laptop, and the satisfaction I feel is knowing I won’t be bothered over the weekend,” she said.
For Castillo, treating weekends as real personal time remains one of the most refreshing aspects of life in New Zealand. She added that although employees maintain strong boundaries between work and personal life, productivity does not seem to suffer.
“The craziest part? New Zealanders still get everything done,” she wrote in her caption.
“Here it’s like work is turning your life around, but it’s not the other way around,” Castillo said, summarizing the difference she noticed.
The video quickly sparked discussion online, with many social media users praising New Zealand’s work-life balance and comparing it to cultures where long working hours are often treated as a badge of honour. One user stated, “100% relatable. It’s just something the US can’t understand because of its high culture.”
Others noted that experiences can vary across industries. “It totally depends on the job. My husband works 40+ hours a week at his job, and I teach part time because full time is 40+ hours a week. We’re definitely more flexible than some places,” one user said.
Others agreed that protecting personal time remains one of the country’s most admired workplace values. “When someone dies, it’s not just how hard they’ve worked in their lives; they’re remembered with love for how much time and care they spent with their family and friends. Work is so overrated. In New Zealand, we ‘work to live’ not ‘live to work’. It’s a good thing for us New Zealanders!” A user wrote.
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