Is New Zealand really as bad as people say?

Question

People are attracted to New Zealand by images of clear blue skies, fantastic scenery, friendly and honest people, low crime and low living costs. However, is this really the case? I've been speaking to people who have moved there and they have told me they feel almost lied to by the government of New Zealand, and by some New Zealanders. They've told me that the country, relatively speaking, is poor and a lot of it is in a state of disrepair. The wages are relatively low, and the living costs are as high as anywhere. Also, they've told me the crime rate is appalling, it only has a population of 4 million, and yet the violent crime rate per capita is higher than Britain, and also they have a lot of organised gang problem. I'm told you've gotta watch yourself more than average when you go out, and at night in urban areas, it's not advisable to go out alone at all - I'm not saying that that's different elsewhere, but it's a contradictions of what the New Zealand government try to portray to attract new immigrants, and also, a lot of New Zealanders are in denial about the state of their country and rant and rave about it. Also, while a minor dissatisfaction, I'm told the weather is not nearly as good as it's made out to be. British people have told me that the weather patterns in New Zealand seem identical to the UK, rain, then sun, then overcast, then rain, then sun in the summer all in one day, and not much warmer than the British summer (20-25C, occasionally pushing into 30C), and cold, grey and wet winters, which are about 10-15C at best on the North Island, and 5-10C on the South Island.

A lot of people seem to be going to New Zealand with the vision of heaven on earth in their minds, and discover it's worse than where they've come from, but can't raise the funds to get back due to the low wages so they're just doing their time in New Zealand until they are granted New Zealand citizenship, and can get out to Australia. Apparently, the New Zealanders with any sense/education have already done so.

This is a collection of what I've been told by people I've spoken to who have moved to New Zealand, of course, some like it more than others, but pretty much all of them said it didn't live up to the hype.

So, is New Zealand all doom and gloom like so many people make out, or does it actually have real appeal?

Answer 1

its a nice country

Answer 2

You have done your home work rather well, but in saying that there is the opposite as well. The weather is better in NZ than the UK I have lived in both but parts of NZ has a lot of wind and rain other parts are more mild. Yes NZ has the beauty of paradise. many people love it and have great jobs. some areas have more crime than others. You don't often see the crime but the news is full of it.Compared with most countries it is safe as long as one is wise. I think they need a bigger population to create more wealth. The people are in general very friendly and careing. Many NZers come to Australia for a better life for job opportunity and weather. But no NZ is not all doom and gloom some people have a very enriched life there. NZ is wonderful for the tourist. oh such natural beauty

Answer 3

I know quiet a few New Zealand Citizens now living in Australia. They agree with you about low wages and trashy weather.

Answer 4

YES!  You are correct.  NZ is just as you describe it.  I've lived and worked here for the last 25 years, from the USA.  NZ has in that time gone to the dogs!  Crime rate is horrific, 10 times the crime of New York City!  Gang problems, very high cost of living and very low wages, the place is dirty and corrupt.  They have outlawed free speech, free press and next year they are getting rid of jury trials.  The country is more like pre world war Germany than anything else.  Race problems, poverty, poor roads, sub standard medical care, slack education system just to name a few.  I'm not sure who the others in this blog are or what they are on, but they are not living in the real world or know what the real world is like.  New Zealand sucks!

Answer 5

no New Zealand is not as bad as the opinions you have collected together and it does definetly have real appeal hence the fact (despite what many have said to you) we still have a huge number of immigrants living here happily by choice

just the other day i was speaking to a woman at my work from the UK and her husband (also UK) they were saying "oh its so nice to have blue sunny days even if they are cool, in the UK its dark and grey for 5 months!"

even in the depths of winter in NZ it doesn't get dark till 5pm and the majority of our winters still have a lot of blue sky sunny days as opposed to grey and rain all the time. I was in London in October (mid autumn) and it was freezy, grey and dark and it was only to get worse

yes it has real appeal

id love to see statistics that prove NZs crime rate is higher than Britains. comparing NZs crime to the UKs, USAs or even Australia statistically, should give you the true non media hyped picture and ill tell you know NZ will be at the TOP of the list for LOWEST crime stats per capita than any of those countries

Answer 6

NZ is excellent for tourism and sheep.  It is not bad at all.

Answer 7

No