What is the truth about living in New Zealand?

Hello, I am just in the process of trying to decide whether to relocate from the UK and accept an offer of employment in Auckland. I am trying to get to the truth about living in New Zealand: is it a difficult transition? all of the forum / blog accounts that I have found so far paint a grim picture of New Zealand in general and Auckland in particular. (To be fair though people, in my experience, generally air their grievances rather than their successes so it is diffiuclt to find a balanced view) I will be arriving alone and looking for a rural home commutable to Auckland CBD: where are the preferable areas to look for accommodation and are there any local groups that I can link up to with a view to some level of integragtion? Any and all advice will be welcomed. IMS