NEW ZEALAND: THE PROS AND CONS

PROS

It has a small population -
New Zealand’s land mass is very similar to that of Great Britain or Japan, but with a population of only 4.5 million, the whole nation appears quite relaxed and stress free. Auckland, the biggest city in New Zealand, would be the only place you would find difficulty with crowds and traffic. The houses in New Zealand are also spread out, with many having large gardens and are only one storey high, so your overall experience in New Zealand will ultimately be one of relaxation.

The food is really, really good -
New Zealand is internationally known for its large sheep population and onshore, the quality of lamb, as well as its seafood, has quite a reputation. As well as this, the hugely successful dairy and viticulture industries have meant that wine and cheeses made in New Zealand are of the best quality. Cafes and fancy restaurants are renowned for their attributes, offering a range of cuisines, including Asian delicacies and Kiwi- style dishes.

New Zealand has one of the most picturesque environments in the world -
New Zealand boasts a beautiful natural environment and is particularly diverse in its offerings. One minute you can be skiing down the mountainside, the next exploring volcanoes or swimming in the pristine lakes. There are a number of beaches, hot springs and glaciers, as well as mud pools and rainforests. You will never be short of adventure in Australia.

It has an exceptionally diverse society -
New Zealand is an incredibly multicultural country, with residents from all over the world, including Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. A significant number of Pacific Islanders have headed south to New Zealand as well. There is still a large population of New Zealand’s indigenous peoples, the Maori, who have lived there for close to 3200 years. European settlement was considered a particularly dark time for its native inhabitants, however, racism is quite scarce, with the multicultural society proving to be harmonious and successful.

It has a very safe and secure lifestyle -
According to the Global Peace Index of 2015, New Zealand ranked 4^th in the world with a ‘very high’ standard of global peace. Violent and fatale crimes are extremely rare in New Zealand and as a secular society, religion plays an insignificant role within the community. New Zealand is quite geographically removed from the rest of the world, so it manages to stay away from any violent conflicts or threats.

It has an extraordinary climate -
New Zealand generally has very calm weather all year round. In winter, the temperature is quite moderate in the North Island, whilst snow will fall in the South. The mercury will rarely rise or fall to the extremes, meaning living in New Zealand is usually a pleasant experience. The temperate nature of New Zealand’s climate means one can general go skiing and swimming on the same day.

It’s just so relaxed - 
The lifestyle in New Zealand is incredibly laidback. The entire population are well- versed in balancing their work and leisure lifestyles, which is probably a reason why the country is so peaceful. Schools and universities, when compared to other nations, are quite stress free as well, as there is an equal focus on free time and extra- curricular learning as there is on homework.

The people are really friendly.
Given that it’s one of the most peaceful nations in the entire world, one would expect the people of New Zealand to quite open and friendly, which they most certainly are. Regardless of your circumstances, a local is very likely to just come up and talk to you, no matter how well they know you. Everyone in New Zealand is very down to earth, so expect plenty of casual conversations.

It’s one of the least corrupted places on the planet
New Zealand has a reputation of being a very transparent society. In the 2015 Corruption Perception Index, the country ranked 4^th in the world, with a very low level of corruption. Political scandals in New Zealand are quite minor compared to some other governments in the world and they are usually laughed off or ridiculed in the media, as they have little impact on the wellbeing of the nation.

CONS

It is an isolated country
New Zealand is located far away from the rest of the world, with only Australia and some small Pacific islands situated nearby. As a result, flights to and from there can be expensive, and the importation of goods equally so.

Housing costs in Auckland are huge
As Auckland is the biggest and busiest city in New Zealand, most of the population wants to live there, making house prices extremely high. Auckland has the highest employment opportunities and is the go to destination for immigrants, so rent is becoming extreme. Elsewhere in the country, however, house prices are pretty reasonable.

There are few job options
There are few professional fields to pursue in New Zealand, so unless students are looking in those fields, it is every difficult to find a good job on home soil. As a result, many move overseas to pursue higher education or search for employment.

It lacks in historical artefacts
Even though the Maori people have lived in New Zealand for thousands of years, much of the physical evidence of their settlement no longer remains. Unlike in Europe or Asia, tourist activities usually revolve around outdoor adventures and exploration rather than history. It can be a hard task to find picturesque architecture.

It has heaps of mosquitoes and flies 
If you do move to New Zealand, be prepared to be bitten by heaps of mosquitos and sandflies. They are worst in the summers, so be ready with insect repellant, mozzie coils, citronella candles and bug sprays.

There are poor building regulations
Building standards have not always been a priority for the people of New Zealand or its government. There are many houses in New Zealand that are of a very poor quality, with little to no insulation or heating sources. Despite the moderate weather, heating is still necessary.

Public transport is unreliable
There is no properly organized public transport system within New Zealand, so getting around the islands can be difficult without your own car. Trains do not run nation- wide and buses can be unpredictable, so best to stick with private transport.

Dentists are quite expensive
While general medical bills are often discounted by the government, dental bills are not and as a result, can end up being very expensive. Children are free, but for adults some necessary treatments are simply too costly and many neglect even going.