Pros and Cons of Moving to New Zealand

New Zealand's popularity as a destination for expats is not surprising, given the country's stunning landscapes, mild climate and high standard of living. From the snow-capped Southern Alps to the golden beaches of the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand's natural beauty is truly remarkable. This is coupled with a relaxed way of life and a strong sense of community, making it an ideal place for those seeking a slower pace of life.

However, as with any big move, expats should be prepared for the challenges of transitioning to a new country. While New Zealand is a welcoming place, cultural differences and homesickness can make the adjustment difficult. Expats should take the time to research and understand the local customs and etiquette, especially in the workplace. Additionally, the cost of living in New Zealand can be high, so expats should carefully consider their budget and negotiate their salaries accordingly. With the right preparation, though, expats can make the most of their time in New Zealand and enjoy all the benefits this beautiful country has to offer.

Below, we've put together a list of pros and cons of moving to New Zealand.

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Government and policies in New Zealand

+ PRO: Progressive government

The New Zealand government has been praised for its progressive policies focused on the well-being of its citizens. Five major priorities have been put forward by the government: reducing child poverty, improving mental health, addressing inequalities experienced by the Maori and Pacific Islanders, transitioning to a green economy and thriving in a digital age.

+ PRO: It's one of the least corrupt places in the world

New Zealand was ranked second, tying with Finland, on Transparency International's 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index. From an outside perspective, any political scandals that do exist tend to be minor compared to those of other countries.

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Environment and weather in New Zealand

+ PRO: It has an astonishing amount of beautiful scenery

In terms of natural scenery, New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. For such a small country, it has an amazing range of landscapes, including rainforests, glaciers, mountains, deserts, plains, fjords and a variety of coastlines. 

+ PRO: The weather is just right

New Zealand's climate is a temperate one. It rarely gets too cold or too hot, although it definitely has more sunshine than rain. Winters are warm on the North Island, but the South Island can experience some snow. New Zealand is just about the only country in the world where one could, theoretically, swim at the beach and ski down a mountain on the same day. 

- CON: There are a lot of mosquitos and sandflies

When moving to New Zealand, prepare to deal with mosquito and sandfly bites. Though not dangerous, they can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable. The first summer is always the worst, and expats should make sure to use insect repellent when enjoying the warm evenings. It may also be a good idea to take insect repellent to the beach.

- CON: Skin cancer is a concern

New Zealand is a gloriously sunny country. Unfortunately, it's right under a hole in the ozone layer. This means that New Zealand experiences higher amounts of UV rays, increasing the prevalence of sunburn and skin cancer. The strong sunshine also means that anything placed next to a window at home will lose its colour very quickly.

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Safety and location in New Zealand

+ PRO: It's one of the safest places in the world

New Zealand was ranked second on the 2022 Global Peace Index, a global think tank report produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). The country's high rank is largely due to its political stability, low crime rate and lack of involvement in conflict, both internally and externally.

- CON: It's rather isolated from the rest of the world

New Zealand is a small island country at the bottom of the world. This means that New Zealanders have to fly a long way if they want to visit any other country that isn't Australia or one of the Pacific Islands, making overseas holidays very expensive. Expats may find that they cannot afford to visit relatives back home as often as they'd like to. New Zealand's distance from the rest of the world also increases the cost of imported goods.

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Lifestyle in New Zealand

+ PRO: It's a laid-back country

New Zealand is the place to go for a relaxed lifestyle. People don't expect too much, so the work-life balance emphatically favours life. The same is true within the schooling system.

+ PRO: It's uncrowded

In terms of area, New Zealand is just slightly larger than Britain, yet it has only about 5 million people in it. Auckland is the only place in the country where one needs to worry about traffic. The beaches are peaceful, and people tend to be easygoing.

+ PRO: New Zealand has good food

New Zealand has world-class seafood, lamb, wines and cheeses. In some parts of the country, it would be difficult to find a bad restaurant, and the café culture is booming. There's plenty of delicious Asian food around, as well as the best of European cuisine presented in a range of fresh Kiwi styles.

- CON: Life in New Zealand can be rather quiet

While there is plenty to do outdoors, and the larger cities do have a limited but thriving nightlife, New Zealand does not compare to the busy and bustling streets of cities in the UK and the US. While this may suit expats who are looking for a quieter life, young adults and students may find themselves longing for more to occupy their evenings.

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People in New Zealand

+ PRO: Really friendly locals

Everyone who's ever been to New Zealand seems to gush about how friendly Kiwis are. This has a lot to do with their relaxed attitude towards life in general.

+ PRO: It's very multicultural

New Zealand is a society of immigrants. Even its native inhabitants, the Maori, have only been in the country for about 800 years. Most of the population is of (relatively recent) European descent, and there are also a lot of people from Asia and the Pacific Islands. While the country still bears the scars of colonisation, racism is minimal, and many cultures are joyously evident.

- CON: Tall Poppy Syndrome

New Zealanders are very down-to-earth people who despise pretentiousness. As the proverb goes, tall poppies will be 'cut down' – meaning that equality is prized and individual achievements aren't something to be boasted about.

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Cost of living in New Zealand

+ PRO: Affordable, quality public services

New Zealand's commitment to providing high-quality, affordable public services has helped to create a high standard of living for its residents and has contributed to the country's reputation as a desirable destination for expats and visitors alike. The island country is known for having a high-quality public healthcare system that is affordable for its citizens and permanent residents. The National Health Service (NHS) provides access to a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications and emergency care.

In addition to healthcare, New Zealand's public education system is also highly regarded and provides free education for children up to the age of 18. Transport in New Zealand is also well-developed, with affordable and reliable public transport options available in most cities and towns.

- CON: Dental treatment is very expensive

While healthcare is subsidised in New Zealand, dental treatment is not. Although it's free for people under 18, the cost of both appointments and treatments for adults is alarmingly high. Because of this, just over half the population of New Zealand does not see a dentist regularly, if ever – it's simply too expensive for lower- and even middle-income people.

- CON: House prices in Auckland are extremely high

Auckland is New Zealand's biggest city, with half of the total population of the country living in or around it. It's also about the only place where jobs are available, and it's where nearly all New Zealand immigrants go. It's no wonder there's a housing crisis. Rent continues to go up, with some people having to pay nearly half their income towards it. That said, once moving outside of Auckland, although still costly, reasonable rent can be found.

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Work opportunities in New Zealand

+ PRO: Workplaces are egalitarian

New Zealand society is socially fluid. There is little or no talk of 'class', and old-fashioned ideas of 'dressing to impress' are largely frowned upon. The wage gap has widened significantly since the 1980s, but the Kiwi attitude that wealth has nothing to do with a person's value is still alive.

- CON: New Zealand has limited career options

Because of the aforementioned small population, jobs in a specific field can be hard to come by. Many Kiwis who dream big are forced to leave New Zealand upon the completion of their studies. Artists also tend to struggle more here, as the opportunities are fewer.