Being recently moved to New Zealand, I am absolutely awestruck by how awesome the land is. I’m not surprised that it’s often depicted as the Promised Land in the UK – it’s such a stunning landscape, relaxed lifestyle and a friendly people. Still, there will be pros and cons of living in any other country. So in this blog, we’ll evaluate together the pros and cons of living in New Zealand!
(Note: I was living in the UK beforehand, which may judge some of the comparisons! Though I’ve lived in 5 different continents before – so hopefully not too biased)
The Pros of Living in New Zealand
1. Unmatched Natural Beauty
It’s not a secret that New Zealand boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. From the stunning beaches of the North Island to the dramatic fjords and mountains of the South Island, nature lovers will find endless opportunities for outdoor adventures.
2. High Quality of Life
New Zealand consistently ranks high in global quality of life indexes. The air is clean, the environment is well-preserved, and cities offer a balance between urban convenience and nature. The country has excellent public services, including healthcare and education, contributing to a high standard of living. Additionally, New Zealanders tend to prioritize well-being, valuing time spent with family, enjoying the outdoors, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. With low population density, residents often experience less congestion and pollution compared to other developed nations, adding to the overall comfort and ease of living.
3. Friendly and Welcoming People
Kiwis are known for their friendliness and laid-back attitude. Strangers will say hi to you as you pass by them, neighbours offer their fruits and produces for you, they do make me feel like home immediately.
4. Work-Life Balance
The Kiwis are known to be VERY chilled. Unlike many fast-paced countries (thinking of Asian countries here), New Zealand promotes a great work-life balance. Many employers encourage flexible working hours, and there is a strong emphasis on personal time and outdoor activities. People are entitled to at least 4 weeks of annual holidays – so that’s definitely more than most Asian countries I know.
5. Safety and Low Crime Rates
New Zealand is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is rare, and the overall crime rate is significantly lower compared to many other developed nations. It does help that there are relatively less people. I see kids running around the streets and even the rivers, the parks without their parents. I feel 100% fine of going about by myself in the evening as a woman, which sometimes are not the case in other places.
6. Good Healthcare System
The country has a public healthcare system that provides essential medical services at low costs for residents. There are also private healthcare options for those who prefer quicker access to specialists. I have an insider view due to my husband working in the Emergency Department here I suppose. I think it’s a bit funny sometimes that in the UK people think that NZ healthcare is the holy grail of healthcare in the world, but it’s not really the case. Yes, there is lower waiting time in the ED, after all there are less people in the UK. But the waiting time in the Emergency Department is still about 4 hours this weekend – which is the problem European countries are also facing, and interestingly in the US though of course with different severities. I suppose more people will abuse the system if a trip to the Emergency department is free in the UK, as opposed to a few thousand dollars in the US.
What’s absolutely amazing about the NZ Healthcare system is the ACC system. No matter who you are, even if you are a foreigner here on a tourist visa, you are covered under no-fault scheme. This helps businesses to not need a very expensive claims, and helps everyone to not live fearfully of medical cost that may be life-changingly large. I think it’s an absolutely fantastic scheme that should be rolled out globally (Wink, US ;)).
7. Immigration Pathways
For skilled workers, New Zealand offers various visa options that can lead to residency and eventually citizenship. I wrote this as some Middle Eastern or Asian countries practically never let you as a citizen even after living there forever. The government actively seeks professionals in sectors like healthcare, IT, and engineering. If you have highly skilled in niche, in demand sectors, you may have an opportunity to migrate to New Zealand. However – there is also a limited job market, which we will cover in the cons section below.
The Cons of Living in New Zealand
1. High Cost of Living
New Zealand is an expensive country to live in. Housing prices, especially in cities like Auckland and Wellington, are notoriously high. Groceries, dining out, and general expenses is also more expensive as a lot of things needs to be imported, and New Zealand is kinda far from everyone. I am still shocked at paying about $100 for every grocery trip, even for top ups which in the UK I’m sure I can get for about half the price.
2. Limited Job Market
While there are job opportunities, the market is small and competitive with only 5 million people in New Zealand. This is one of the big reasons why a lot of Kiwis leave New Zealand to Australia or even Europe/US. In fact, last year there was a record number of Kiwis leaving the country, with economic struggles being a big reason.
3. Geographic Isolation
New Zealand’s location in the South Pacific means long and expensive flights to other parts of the world. If you love international travel or have family abroad, the distance can be challenging. Sure, there’s loads of places to visit in New Zealand, but if you are like me and have families in the UK, it’s kinda halfway throughout the world. Our flight costed us £1200 per person (return) and 44 hours door to door, on top of 13 hours time differences. 1-2 weeks trip feels no longer worth it due to the hassle, cost and energy required. In fact this is the primary reason why we are not thinking of staying in New Zealand permanently, at the moment.
4. Slower Pace of Life
While some enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, others may find it frustrating. There’s two sides of a coin I suppose. Things can move at a slower pace, from customer service to business operations, which may require an adjustment for those from fast-paced countries especially Asian countries. It took absolutely forever to sort out any admin (visa, medical registration), and sometimes it does frustrates me.
5. Housing Shortages
Finding affordable housing, especially in major cities, is a big problem in New Zealand. Doesn’t make sense to me because, come on there are only 5 million people in New Zealand? But the problem is that, the demand for homes often outstrips supply, leading to high rental and property prices. Many younger generations, as in other countries, find it almost impossible to buy a house. I mean, house price can cost upward of $1 million NZD and we are in Hamilton, not Auckland which is even more expensive. I don’t know how anyone affords houses here. A lot of people rely on parental help and inheritance, which.. is not ideal.
6. Limited Entertainment and Shopping Options
Compared to larger countries/cities, New Zealand has fewer entertainment options, shopping choices, and cultural events. If you thrive on big-city life, you might find the selection underwhelming.
Shopping options is very limited as New Zealand is so far from everywhere and thus imports are costly. I mean, I was absolutely shocked to find that Amazon doesn’t exist in New Zealand! So say goodbye to one day shipping in New Zealand. Of course, you can still buy things online or the traditional way – but it may take longer or even not available for very niche things. This doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’ve experienced it, get used to it (like I was in the UK) and then losing this seemingly small convenience.
7. Lack of Public Transport
This depends what you are used to, because if I came here straight from Indonesia I will say that the public transport is better. It’s also better than the US. However, I came straight from the UK which, not being the best but relatively speaking have good public transport system. I live in Hamilton currently, and there are good buses system throughout the city. However, I was VERY shocked to find there is no train or public shuttles between Auckland Airport and Hamilton, which is 90 minutes by car!!! There is an option of private shuttles, but the time is not the most convenient either. This definitely hinders even more any sort of travelling abroad. People are so used to driving everywhere, including to the airport. I wrote a comprehensive guide to buying a used car should you need it.
Fun fact: there are TWO return journeys a DAY between Auckland and Hamilton by train, which I find absolutely insane. Both being major cities (Auckland being the biggest city) and only 90 minutes apart by car! We had to get a car here ASAP to enable us to explore New Zealand and even just to go for bigger shopping trips or visiting friends.
Final Thoughts: Is New Zealand Right for You?
New Zealand offers a unique lifestyle with incredible natural beauty, safety, and a relaxed way of living. However, it also comes with its challenges, such as a high cost of living (including housing) and geographic isolation. Whether it’s the perfect place for you depends on your priorities and lifestyle preferences.
Would you move to New Zealand? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!