Which of you have been to New Zealand? What did you like most about it? Which part did you visit?

Question

I'm emigrating over there with my family this year and would just like some genuine feedback. I've heard good things and everyone who has been has loved it for different reasons.

Thanks guys :)

Answer 1

I'm an American who's currently attending a university in New Zealand.  So far I'm loving it.  Friendly people, relaxed atmosphere, and lots of beautiful scenery.  I'm in Palmerston North...on the North Island.

Answer 2

We moved to Auckland in 2005 from the UK and absolutely love it.

So much so, we decided to write a website about living in Auckland. It's still a work in progress but lots of good info.

All the best with your move.

Answer 3

Im a kiwi and live in wellington. It is a lovely place to live. Auckland is the most expensive when it comes to buying or renting a house.  If your looking for a laid back type of life then wellington or christchurch is the one for you. When we refer to australia as over the ditch we call it DITCH, have never heard any1 say Dutch before so im not sure where the previous post got this from

Answer 4

I was born and have lived in Auckland all my life. I have travelled all over NZ. NZ's a pretty cool country. We love our sports, so you had better get used to rugby and cricket. We have our problems, just like any country, especially crime and gangs in poor parts of the towns/cities. I'm sure you'll love it. Where r u going? If you need any more info, just email me.

Answer 5

gorgeous country....i mostly went to the South Island, i saw alot of it. its all amazing, there is alot to see, since youll be living there , youll have alot of time to see it,  i was there for three weeks, and didnt want to leave, Christchurch and the surrounding areas were my favorite.

Answer 6

As I don't have too many family here I'd move there tomorrow.  But my type of work is well oversubscribed.  NZ is also quite tight about the age of immigrants.  

I loved going for miles on top grade roads and having the place to myself.

Eating fresh local produce, with superb local wines.

Ideally, I'd settle on the pacific side of the Coromandel peninsular, up near Whitianga.

Answer 7

You must be pretty excited NZ is a stunningly beautiful place.

I have lived up on the East coast of the North Island near a relatively big town (in Kiwi terms) called Whangarei. All of the Northland area is very beautiful with a really relaxed laid back beach style way of living.

I also visited Rotorua and loved it there (except the smell but you get used to it pretty quickly and don't even notice).

Auckland is ok but doesn't really seem like a city more just a big town. That is probably my only complaint about NZ is that there isn't much choice for shopping but I guess Australia is just across the ditch ('dutch' if you speak Kiwi) and the USA is not too far the other way if you are really a big spender and hey you can get ANYTHING off the internet these days.

You will enjoy living over there. Have fun.

Answer 8

My mother lives in NZ. I love the whole country. The South Island is more mountainous then the North Island. It has a very English feel to it. We have a home in Wellington also known as The Windy City. Auckland has the largest population of all the cities and has come a long way in it's strides to become a modern city. But NZ is rugged, beautiful, clean and relatively safe, but it does have a lot of petty crime. Lot's of outdoor activities as Kiwi's love the outdoors. Good skiing, fishing, trekking. Great place to raise kids. Best of luck with your new life and safe journeys to you and your family.

Answer 9

Did a 4 month exchange with the New Zealand Defence Force - was lucky and got to travel the whole of North and South Island - was there for the Kiwi winter and loved Queenstown, South Island - found Dunedin interesting as well - i come from Edinburgh and found it wierd that the street names are the same.  Wellington is a good place for the night life, whale watching is a must and Milford Sound is amazing - if you can do the heli trip to the Cook Glacier - there is a lot to do - Kiwis are outdoor adventurous types and any sport is catered for.  Food wise - PIES ! They are bloody good

Answer 10

Well I visited NZ a few years ago and loved it so much the best places to visit are Mt Ruapahu, the tongariro crossing, Lake Taupo, Christchurch and Rotarua there is tons of stuff to do and no two days are the same I loved it so much that I moved out here

Answer 11

you don't say which part of NZ you're moving to but if you like shopping Cuba Mall & around that area in Wellinton has some funky shops & for bargain shopping in Auckland go to Dressmart in Onehunga which has great discounts on big name brands (also in Onehunga go to the Hard to Find Bookshop which is a cool 2nd hand book store with a massive amount of stock in an interesting building.  Also Pathfinder bookshop in Downtown Auckland you might like if you're into UFO books and Mayan stuff, etc like you say in your profile.  I think Iko Iko on Karangahape Rd in Auckland (& in Wellington) and Texan Art Schools (all NZ designer stuff) are 2 funky shops if you're buying a present for someone or Texan Art Schools if you're after NZ jewellery.  Melbourne in Australia is a cool city for shopping & Air NZ have some good specials on airfares to Australia every month or so (get them emailed to you).

Answer 12

I'm from Canada, but lived in Windy Welly for half a year a couple of years ago....it was definitely an interesting experience. It is a BEAUTIFUL country...truly amazzzing...however, I found it to be a bit conservative...

NZ is full of natural beauty-I could go on and on about all of the places that you should check out (top three would be the Coromandel, Queenstown, and Milford Sound!!!)

There aren't very many apartments. Rent is charged weekly, rather than monthly. One thing that was VERY hard to get over was the fact that they do not have central heating, the only heating in most houses are plug in heaters. So in the winter I went to bed with a hot water bottle!!

**Seriously- bring LOTS of warm sweaters for the winter months (unless you plan on living way up north on the north island)...

However, in the summer, the beaches are AMAZZZING...and nice and hot!!!

If you want more info from a foreigners perspective, feel free to send me an email!!

Have a GREAT time!!!!!!!!!

Answer 13

N. and S. Islands. Liked almost all of it. But for a place to live, Christchurch is pretty and quiet. Auckland is too bustling and congested. Also being in the south, Christchurch is a good departure point for many of the nice spots, e.g. Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mt Cook, etc. You're lucky.

Answer 14

no i have never been to new zealand, but love the guys from flight of the conchords...hilarious.

Answer 15

New Zealand Is Superb.

I Love It!!..I Live In The Wellington Region And I Couldn't Be Happier With This Country, The People Are Friendly, It's Beautiful, There's No Nuclear c**p, The Landscape Is Great, Good Shopping, Food & Culture..

Blah I Could Go On Forever But Basicly NZ Is Top Notch!! =]