New Zealand at a Glance
Moving to New Zealand
iStockphotoRare animal species like the Kiwi can be found all over New Zealand.
Despite current economic difficulties, New Zealand remains a popular destination for potential expatriates, and many of those considering a move to New Zealand are attracted by the country’s high quality of living, its welcoming attitude towards foreigners, and its breathtaking scenery.
New Zealand has long been particularly popular among those who appreciate the great outdoors. The diverse natural attractions range from beautiful coasts and beaches to vast forests, deep blue lakes, active volcanoes and majestic glaciers. Enjoying nature’s beauty will be part of your everyday life after you’ve settled in New Zealand.But rest assured: If you are not a fan of bungee jumping, hiking or paragliding, there will still be plenty of other, less adventurous ways to enjoy yourself in New Zealand.
The Economy
Agriculture as well as tourism are very strong sectors in the local economy. The manufacturing and high-tech sectors, on the other hand, are relatively small. However, they too offer some great opportunities for expats in New Zealand, especially those with strong professional skills in these fields.
Even though both the export of agricultural products and the tourism industry are very profitable, they make the country highly dependent on international trade. Consequently, the country has been hit particularly hard by the global economic crisis, and the unemployment rate remains higher than it was before.
Employment Situation
Especially for foreign workers, finding a job is currently not particularly easy. Nevertheless, for those who posses not only the required skills but also the right amount of perseverance, finding employment in New Zealand is still an attainable goal.
Not all expats who consider moving to New Zealand are aware of the fact that, regarding the GDP per capita, the country ranks only 55th worldwide, exceeded by countries such as Spain, Slovenia and South Korea.
The income of the majority population is rather moderate, and expat salaries might be lower than what you expect. On the other hand, local costs of living are also likely to be lower than what many expats are used to from their respective home countries.
Popular Expat Destinations
Unless they are relocating to New Zealand specifically to enjoy the solitude of the country’s wilderness, most expats end up living in one of the bigger cities, as 90% of residents do.
The large majority of expatriates make Auckland or Wellington their home – two of the country’s largest cities, which are both continually ranked among the world’s most livable cities in international surveys.
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