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What is the great draw that
makes everyone say 'you lucky devil' when you
tell them you are going to New Zealand? It's
simply the most beautiful country nature has
created, on earth. Add that to the cool
temperate climate with snowy mountains in the
south and magnificent beaches in the north and
you have a recipe for a great way of living.
That said, it also has its
draw backs and you should consider both sides
of the fence before making your decision.
First, the bad news
A few considerations
to think about. New Zealand is a small and
distant country. For those accustomed to
larger, more metropolitan societies this can
come as a shock. Of all New Zealand’s cities
only Auckland with a population of over a
million, about 25% of the national total,
would qualify as a major city. For many
migrants, the other centres have more the feel
of a country town and provincial towns often
seem more like villages. If you love big city
life, these features will not appeal. Their
smallness is also reflected in other ways. The
range of consumer goods is more limited and
prices are sometimes higher. When compared
with larger developed economies, New Zealand
wage scales are also slightly lower. This has
to be kept in mind when comparing living costs
which must be measured in terms of your New
Zealand not your current salary. The
opportunity to develop highly specialised
skills is more limited. Standards tend to be
more uniform, with few schools and no
universities comprising an elite.
Although new technologies
are constantly making it easier for New
Zealanders to keep in touch, quick overseas
trips are not an option. Their closest
neighbour, Australia, is still three hours
flying-time away and overseas travel remains
costly and time consuming. Divorce rates
amongst migrants are high and distance from
family and friends is often a contributing
factor. If family and friends are important to
you, this is something you’ll need to weigh
carefully before choosing to settle there.
As a new country they also
have their own way of doing things. For
instance, their housing is lightly constructed
and employs different materials and styles.
Two-storey houses, double glazing and central
heating are uncommon and construction is
generally of wood or manufactured materials.
The roads are usually limited to two lanes and
in the country often have a gravel or metalled
surface. They are also a do-it-yourself
culture. If you want things done about the
house, you must generally do them yourself.
Home decorating and renovation is a national
obsession and you’ll need to take a hands-on
approach to most things. Domestic servants are
not available and status counts for little. As
a New Zealander you will be expected not to
stand on your dignity and ‘muck in’ like a
good Kiwi, whatever the occasion.
Now, for the good news
If all this still sounds
like the place in the sun where you want to
spend the rest of your life, then welcome to
paradise, because New Zealand has so much to
offer a new life style seeker.
The following sections are
designed to ensure that you have ready access
to the sort of reliable and up-to-date
information, you’ll need. It comprises of the
following nine categories:
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