Let us see what are the positive and negative aspects of living in New Zealand.
As for natural landscapes, it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. For such a small nation, it offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes: Jungles, glaciers, mountains, deserts, plains and an immense variety of beaches.
Jobs in New Zealand are quite easy to find and salaries are quite high, even if they are lower than in Australia. To find a general job, average English skills are sufficient, while specialized jobs require good language skills. In New Zealand, there is a shortage of skilled labor in certain sectors such as IT, trade and health care, wages are commensurate with the cost of living and one can live well on it. In low-skilled jobs, on the other hand, the salary is just enough to survive, but with commitment and sacrifice, one can make a careerr. No one in New Zealand takes their career too seriously; instead, they strive for a good work-life balance. Few people work overtime, and there is little pressure to succeed at work. Competition in the workplace is also virtually non-existent. But the social system is very poor; there are subsidies for the unemployed, but no pension, for example, and maternity leave was only recently extended to 26 weeks.
There are many opportunities for entrepreneurs. New Zealand’s economy is growing and the market is not yet saturated. This means that if you have an idea for an innovative business, it may not yet exist in New Zealand. But remember that you should not move to New Zealand if your first goal is to make money. Here you earn well, but not very well, and many things can cost a lot.
New Zealand is an immigrant society. Its indigenous people, the Maori, are few. The majority of the population is of European descent. There are people from all over the world, especially from Asia and the Pacific islands. People are generally polite and hospitable. It is easy to meet new people and it is possible to start a conversation with anyone. New Zealanders do not tend to be hostile or closed to foreigners, on the contrary, they are very outgoing and animated by sincere curiosity. Kiwis are amazingly open people.
New Zealand is as big as Italy, but has less than 5 million inhabitants. Everything flows slowly, at a relaxed pace, no one likes to run. There is no hustle and bustle, no traffic, and even the largest cities are little more than sprawling villages, with the exception of Auckland, which is the only metropolis. Even the capital, Wellington, can be explored on foot in half an hour. This is the good and the bad side of New Zealand: tranquility and boredom. There are two sides to the New Zealand lifestyle: On the one hand, it can be nice to live in a place where time passes slowly; on the other hand, it’s easy to lose motivation and find that you are literally cut off from the world. But New Zealanders have a strong sports culture. If you like outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, rugby, sailing, mountain biking and fishing, New Zealand is the place for you.
Living in New Zealand is expensive. The cost of living is generally high, especially in terms of food, entertainment and, most importantly, housing. Rents in the larger cities and especially in Auckland are quite high. Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand. Half of the country’s population lives here. It is the city with the largest employment opportunities, where almost all immigrants settle. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a housing crisis where rents keep rising. Rent will be the biggest part of your expenses if you decide to live alone, and besides, building standards were very low, many older houses are poorly insulated and not equipped with heating systems.
Public transportation leaves much to be desired. There are trains, but no national rail network. The bus system is well developed, but not always reliable. So if you choose to live in New Zealand, you will need your own vehicle. New Zealand is one of the safest places in the world, the crime rate is extremely low and it is the country with the least corruption in the world.
Health care is free for all residents, and the education system is also free and among the best in the world. The situation is different with childcare, which is chargeable, and support for families is low.
The climate is temperate. Rarely too cold or too hot. Winters are warmer on the North Island, while snow can fall on the South Island.
Living and working in New Zealand – pros and cons
Living in New Zealand, pros
- Good job opportunities and strong economy
- Easy integration, relaxed and friendly attitude
- High security
- Fantastic landscapes (beaches, lakes and mountains)
- Relaxed life
- Good services (health, education, bureaucracy)
- Excellent weather
Living in New Zealand, cons
- Slow and inefficient public transportation
- High cost of living, (real estate)
- Isolation, (great distances from all other countries)
- Boring, (lack of cultural activities, events, etc.)
Living and working in New Zealand, conclusion
New Zealand is perfect for a one-year stay on a working holiday visa, another thing is a permanent move. Many young people who love an intense social life will be disappointed.
New Zealand is a quiet and relaxed place where life is monotonous and a bit boring. Of course, there are some bars and clubs in Auckland, but it has nothing to do with other big cities in the world. Cultural activities, music festivals and events in general are also almost unknown. New Zealand is ideal for those who are looking for a relaxed and less competitive lifestyle, for those who want to live in a peaceful, tolerant and sociable society.
Another factor to consider is the country’s location. New Zealand is really far away from everything. You have to consider that Europe is on the other side of the hemisphere and it takes a lot of time and money to reach it. Another case is that you live in South America.
So, in the end, the choice depends on what your priorities and goals are in life.
You can find all the information about moving to New Zealand in the article: Moving to New Zealand
You can find all the information about working in New Zealand in the article: How to work in New Zealand
