Is New Zealand Right for You?

You've landed on this blog post because you're seriously considering moving to New Zealand or weighing up whether to stay. You may have read numerous articles and forums on the pros and cons of living in New Zealand. Perhaps even seen some not-so-nice comments on social media from unhappy locals or people who have chosen to leave.

New Zealand is an incredible country, and like any other, it has its negatives and positives. Whether it's the right place for you and your family is a deeply personal question that we can't answer for you, but we can help shed some light on some things to consider before making the move.

Job Opportunities

The first question people ask before moving to New Zealand is: can they get work in New Zealand?

Depending on your occupation and industry, finding a job in New Zealand could prove challenging. We're a smaller country with fewer people, which of course means a more competitive job market compared to larger nations.

With that said, a smaller job market doesn't mean fewer opportunities. Specific industries, including healthcare, construction, technology, engineering, and various trades, are experiencing significant skills shortages. Your work experience and skills may be exactly what New Zealand is looking for.

Before making your decision, it's essential to consider both the short-term and long-term implications for your career.

Questions to consider:

• Are you able to secure employment that meets Immigration New Zealand requirements/criteria?

• Do you wish to live in New Zealand permanently?
  
  If yes, are there opportunities for you to advance your career in New Zealand (if that is your main objective)?
  
  And does your occupation meet the criteria for a Residence Visa (if living in New Zealand permanently is the end game)?

• Can you get the same or better level of salary in New Zealand? And how important is this to you?

Salary Expectations

If you're relocating from a Western country like the United States or the United Kingdom, salaries for the same job in New Zealand might be lower than in your home country (due to the currency exchange or current job market conditions).

For some, a slight salary 'downgrade' is worth it for an upgrade in lifestyle and a greater sense of stability and safety.

We encourage you to research the average salary and opportunities for your specific role within a New Zealand industry context and decide whether a potentially lower salary is a make-or-break for you.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you're moving from a country where salaries and currency are typically lower, moving to New Zealand might be considered an attractive choice.

Ultimately, it all depends on your occupation, industry, personal goals, what you value most and, to some extent, what you're willing to 'trade off'.

Cost of Living

"New Zealand is so expensive," is a common refrain you've probably heard by now.

Is New Zealand really that expensive? Yes and no.

Cost of living is a complex topic.

Dig a little deeper and you'll be surprised to find that the cost of living in New Zealand is comparable to, or in some cases, even more affordable than, countries like the USA.

The cost of living depends on several factors such as:

• Where you choose to live in New Zealand (metropolitan areas are more expensive than smaller or rural towns)

• Your lifestyle and personal finances

• Whether you have a partner and/or children

• Your household income

Yes, some things are more expensive, but it also depends on what you're accustomed to paying in your home country.

In general, expect to pay a bit more for petrol, as well as consumer goods such as clothing, furniture, and homewares, and some types of food (e.g., dairy and meat).

Read this blog post for a snapshot of living costs between the North and South Islands.

Geographical Distance

For a long time, New Zealand was considered a glorified island with more sheep than people, so distant from the rest of the world that many people weren't even aware of its existence (no joke).

For some, the remoteness is a drawcard, and New Zealand is often lauded as a peaceful paradise removed from the world's conflicts.

For others, the distance can be an issue, especially for those who frequently travel overseas or have close family and friends abroad.

Because of our geographical isolation, travelling to and from New Zealand can be very expensive. Shipping goods to and from the country can also be costly and time-consuming.

If you order something from overseas, you can expect to pay more for freight and wait at least two weeks to get it with standard shipping. Although Amazon shopping is available in New Zealand, we certainly don't have Amazon's same-day delivery!

Secular Government and Society

One would assume that a generally open-minded, tolerant and egalitarian society is something everyone would appreciate. Still, you'd be surprised at the number of people we've met who come to New Zealand and view these qualities as 'negatives' and a sign of a 'weak' government (yes, we know, it's bonkers!).

It's important to know that New Zealand is a secular country with a moderate government. We don't have anywhere near the same level of ideological fanaticism or political divide that you see in other nations. Here, people can agree to disagree and still have a BBQ together at the end of the day.

It's fair to say that politicians are viewed with a healthy level of scepticism by New Zealanders, who don't shy away from holding them accountable.

Prejudice of all kinds still exists in New Zealand, but as a collective, we're progressive in our views towards sexual orientation, gender, race, human rights and social commitment.

It's important to consider whether or not New Zealand is a good 'fit' for your values and beliefs, as these will impact your overall experience of the country and its people.

A More Relaxed Way of Living

Kiwis are known for their relaxed attitude and easygoing, 'she'll be right' approach to life. In New Zealand, work-life balance is more than just a phrase- it's a genuine lifestyle.

Even corporate culture in New Zealand is somewhat less hectic than in other countries. We have a Kiwi mate who worked for a FinTech corporation in London for three years, and when asked what it was like, he replied, "London broke me." Needless to say, he's a lot happier working in corporate New Zealand.

We always advise our clients who are relocating from big, bustling cities to prepare themselves mentally and emotionally for the shock of slowing down.

It's important to remember that things don't happen as quickly in New Zealand as in other countries and people here like to take their time. We touched more on this in a previous blog post.

If you're seeking a New York City type of excitement and a fast-paced lifestyle, New Zealand may not be the right fit for you. Unless you're keen on the adventure-sports variety of excitement, in which case you'll have your pick of adrenaline-pumping activities. Bungy-jumping, white water rafting, skydiving, paragliding, scuba diving, free diving, fishing, sailing, surfing, snowboarding, skiing, caving...we've got it all.

English

One of the requirements for a Residence visa is that applicants be able to pass an English language test. For non-native English speakers who don't speak English daily, this could prove challenging.

We have had clients in the past who can communicate in English (read, write, and speak) at a good level. They settle in well at work and within their local communities, and have no issues getting on with their everyday lives.

However, as soon as their English capability is 'tested', they do not meet the standards set out by Immigration New Zealand.

If English isn't your primary language, and you're considering applying for Residence in the future, it's always a good idea to brush up on your English language skills.

Consider taking an online or in-person English language course.

You can even take a 'mock' test to see where you stand in your score before sitting the real assessment. This mock test is offered by IELTS (one of New Zealand's accepted English language proficiency tests). Click here for the mock IELTS test.

Is New Zealand right for you?

The above are just a few of the many things to consider before committing to moving to New Zealand. The entire relocation and visa process is expensive and can sometimes feel like an uphill climb, particularly when obstacles arise along the way. This is why it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons for your specific situation and future goals (not just what you read online or are told by others).

For some, New Zealand is the ultimate place to live, but for others, the idea of living in New Zealand is more appealing than the actual reality of living here.

Take the time to genuinely envision the life you desire for yourself and your family. Clarify what matters most to you—what you're willing to prioritise and what you're ready to let go of.