[peterburkimsher]

Really? I just moved to NZ a couple of years ago and don't know how to drive, so will be wanting to hitchhike! What is a better gesture?

"I’ve always used the traditional thumb approach (the norm for NZ)."

https://churnewzealand.com/hitchhiking-in-new-zealand/

[darren_]

NZer, have never heard anything about not using thumbs-up for hitchhiking.

I also can't imagine anyone (at least in NZ), who would be otherwise inclined to give you a ride, somehow getting irate about it either.