Why do People Emigrate to New Zealand?

New Zealand remains an enduringly popular destination for people to emigrate to – particularly for British expats. The first British settlers came to the country in the early 1800s, and it’s been continuing ever since. According to the country’s most recent census in 2018, the country is now home to more than a quarter of a million people who were born in the UK.

But why is the country so popular? Here Greens Removals, who provide high-quality removals to New Zealand, identify five key reasons why.

The Common Language

English and Maori are the two official languages of New Zealand. However, despite its official status, Maori is rarely used – usually it is just between native speakers of the language. This means any English speakers moving to the country don’t have to worry about learning a new language, saving both time and money.  

The Shared Culture

The New Zealanders and the British share a lot more than just a common language. A lot of the common pastimes and hobbies in the country are British in origin – for instance, cricket, netball, rugby union and rugby league were all brought over from the UK. In many cases, New Zealanders are now better at the various sports than the British – and both countries share a common delight in beating Australia in sporting contests.

Other aspects of New Zealand life are similar to the UK’s as well – their legal system was based on ours, and much of the architecture is similar too (particularly some of the public buildings). New Zealand was also one of the founder members of the Commonwealth and remains an integral part of it today.

The British and the New Zealanders share something else as well – a mild climate (although, if anything, their weather is a little wetter).

The Work-Life Balance

New Zealanders know how to work hard and how to play hard too. Every employee gets at least 20 days (four weeks) of paid annual leave, with an additional 11 days off a year for public holidays on top. Bereavement and sick leave are also available, depending on how long you have worked for the same employer.

It seems to work - the latest Gallup World Happiness Index (which measures how satisfied people are with their country of residence) puts New Zealand in the top ten, while other studies have shown that their workers are among the most productive in the world.

The Beautiful Scenery

New Zealand has so much natural beauty to enjoy – large parts of the country are still unspoilt. Even in the cities you are never too far from a beach, a bike trail or a national park. One of the most recognisable national parks is Aoraki Mount Cook, which has a 3,724m peak at its heart and which is pictured below. Others include Fiordland – as the name suggests, it’s not dissimilar to what you will find in Norway – and Mount Aspiring.

Much of the more picturesque scenery is on the country’s South Island, but North Island has plenty to offer too – including Maitai Bay and Ninety Mile beaches in Northland. The former is ideal for families and relaxing, while the latter is better for watersports enthusiasts.

Enthusiasts of both hiking and J.R.R Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings will also recognise the volcanic Mount Ngauruhoe, the location for Mount Doom in Peter Jackson’s movie adaptation – a frequent sightseeing spot for fans of the films.

The Economy

New Zealanders generally enjoyed a good standard of living before the coronavirus pandemic arrived – salaries were a bit lower than in the UK, but so were prices. Thanks to swift, hard lockdowns, the New Zealand economy recovered quickly from COVID-19. Today, sectors such as engineering, construction, healthcare, social services and finance are all on the country’s long-term skills shortage list.

Remember, if you are planning to live, work or study in the country you will almost certainly need a visa.

Removals to New Zealand with Greens Removals

Greens Removals can provide you with a door-to-door removal service from your home in the UK to your new home in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or anywhere in New Zealand.

We would be delighted to provide you with a free competitive quote for your move and will give you an unrivalled moving experience should you choose us to ship your belongings to NZ for you.

Greens Removals is a specialist international removals company, and a fully accredited business that is a member of all the major international and UK associations that govern our industry. To find out more please click on this link.