# Thinking of Immigrating to New Zealand **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 12, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658 "2017-02-12T17:59:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/41 "2017-02-14T01:50:02Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I know who you work for; one of these days I’m going to have to find out what you do. Last time I lived in the GTA was U387 launch, and have only been back for work a few times since then, and never while on my China assignment. I’ll make it easy. I’m in EESE, my desk is in Bldg. 5 but I spend 99% of my time in PDC GR-T24. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/42 "2017-02-14T02:40:34Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > Now I think you’re just screwing with me. 😜 > > In all seriousness, I wouldn’t take anything off the list and would accept an offer from University of Otago if one were offered. But I will take what you said into consideration and prefer an offer from a less cold locale, for example the University of Auckland. Well, my mother works for the Otago University in the biochemistry department, if we can help with information in some way, let me know. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/43 "2017-02-14T07:18:28Z")
I used to live by the beach. I don’t remember ever having a problem with sandflies. But then, as mentioned, it was cold, and probably not their scene. We did have a lot of sandhoppers, though. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/44 "2017-02-14T08:03:58Z")
If New Zealand decides to become a republic in order to have a Trump of it’s own, the respected populist half-Maori **[Winston Peters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Peters)** could become first president. New republics generally veer sharp right after founding. Even the Jacobins were more of a _Businessmans’ and Lawyers’ Party_ than ‘_By Hammer and Hand_’. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/45 "2017-02-14T08:08:06Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > not sure what you’re referring to since wood framing has been pretty widespread since at least the '40s. the kvetching about cheap modern houses has been around things like increasing the center-to-center distance of studs, and using OSB for roofs and outside walls instead of plank. also some complain about drywall in place of plaster, which is silly because properly installed drywall acts as a firebreak. Actually, balloon wood framing has been around in the US since the 1830s. Never really caught on elsewhere, but that doesn’t stop modern English house building being equal crap. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/46 "2017-02-14T08:47:03Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > If New Zealand decides to become a republic in order to have a Trump of it’s own, the respected populist half-Maori **[Winston Peters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Peters)** could become first president. > New republics generally veer sharp right after founding. Even the Jacobins were more of a _Businessmans’ and Lawyers’ Party_ than ‘_By Hammer and Hand_’. …Winston Peters is not generally “well respected” here. And considering there wasn’t even popular support to change our flag in the recent referendum, there is very little chance we will become a republic. Not while Winston is still around at least. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/47 "2017-02-14T09:16:32Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …Winston Peters is not generally “well respected” here. And considering there wasn’t even popular support to change our flag in the recent referendum, there is very little chance we will become a republic. Not while Winston is still around at least. The vote on the flag was way closer than I thought it would be - I think one of the things that ultimately cost us a new flag was Key’s support. And to anyone thinking of moving here - it’s an awesome place. I’m home after 16 years abroad, and loving it. The biggest thing I miss though is food - quite literally there’s nothing available here in Christchurch after 10 pm or so (excluding the generic American fast food crap)…and stores closing at 6 pm is driving me nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/48 "2017-02-14T09:34:03Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > That is the key part right there. New Zealand (and Australia) are notoriously difficult to immigrate to legally and illegal immigration is right out. It is not impossible to do but you have to find one of the narrow legal paths for it. If the OP doesn’t have one, this just a fantasy and academic exercise. > > Have we gotten to that point yet? It takes a whole lot more than just buying a plane ticket and showing up. You keep on repeating this assertion without seeming to have done any amount of research. I’ve known plenty of people who have done the Australian immigration process and it’s not notoriously difficult. You basically need a Bachelor’s degree and a job offer, that’s it. That’s a pretty low bar and far easier than the American system where they have to prove an American can’t do the job and then enter into a lottery. New Zealand’s system appears to be roughly the same. The bigger struggle is that there’s not a huge amount of highly skilled jobs in New Zealand, to the extent that many young professional New Zealanders end up having to leave the country for better career opportunities. But don’t be fooled into thinking that just because America’s immigration system is a nightmare, so are all other developed countries. It costs a bit of money and there’s a mind numbing amount of paperwork but most other countries are pretty friendly towards high skilled migrants wanting to economically contribute. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/49 "2017-02-14T10:25:16Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > If New Zealand decides to become a republic in order to have a Trump of it’s own, the respected populist half-Maori **[Winston Peters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Peters)** could become first president. “Respected?” When did this happen? ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/50 "2017-02-14T21:34:48Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > I am also from Dunedin. Listen to GuanoLad, he speaks the truth. > > Seriously, Dunedin is a lovely town, but it is cold. Not the nice cold that brings lots snow, just the mundane cold that is uncomfortable and un-fun. Wash your mouth out lad. Dunedin is my favourite city! Mainly due to seven years of university and then work. But yes ok, it is a bit temperate, much like Edinburgh which it is a southern version of. > [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Well, my mother works for the Otago University in the biochemistry department, if we can help with information in some way, let me know. Cripes mate. What a small world. My friend’s wife worked there until recently. Another friend who is a clever geneticist works at Invermay in Mosgiel. They have a close relationship with the university. I’ve just taken my daughter back to Otago university for her second year. She is studying law and zoology which is an odd mix although that is what I should have done in hindsight. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/51 "2017-02-14T21:57:37Z")
An appropriate song from Fascinating Aida - [Suddenly New Zealand - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb42Jb8jxfY) ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/52 "2017-02-14T22:17:24Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > In all seriousness, I wouldn’t take anything off the list and would accept an offer from University of Otago if one were offered. Otago University has a world ranking of 169 and Auckland of 81. Both are excellent and Otago is strong on science, law, and business. > **[Rankings in: NZ's top university revealed](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealand-universities-confirmed-as-world-class/P45PKDUR6TIO6IKQBQPCPKUHIQ/?c_id=1&objectid=11704210)** > > A commitment to research has helped New Zealand universities stay in the top 3 per cent globally. The often overlooked aspects of a new home are the wider opportunities in that location. Dunedin is a pretty city on a harbour which is a bit cool in winter. As is much of the northern US and Canada. And indeed all of Scandanavia. But people happily live there. Otago university is close to Central Otago which has a Colorado climate. Warm and sunny, mountains, lakes, skiing and hiking. It has taken a lifetime of work and I’m living there now. A lot of people have holiday homes in Central. I’ll give you an example. Four ex-pat friends of ours are doctors. GPs. Three Scots and a South African. They moved as couples to work at the hospital in Invercargill which I have to tell you is nice but wet, windy, and unexciting. The city sits in the Roaring Forties. It is the last place you’d expect young immigrant doctors to choose. Each couple soon bought a home and then shortly after they each bought holiday homes in Central Otago. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Invercargill. In their terms living in southern New Zealand is cheap. One couple are now in practise and living in the country near Queenstown. The others still have their two houses. These choices are simply not available in Auckland or elsewhere. Admittedly there are nice places to go but working life involves one hour commutes to and from work. So more driving in the weekend to a holiday home isn’t attractive. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/53 "2017-02-14T23:22:03Z")
Thanks for the additional info Ken001. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/54 "2017-02-14T23:30:54Z")
A few more things to add … New housing construction in New Zealand has undergone a seismic shift (pun intended) in the last few years. The combination of the [leaky homes crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaky_homes_crisis), the [Christchurch Earthquake 2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Christchurch_earthquake), and growing environmental concerns mean that modern constructions are structurally more robust, are fully insulated, and have double glazing. However, the building boom and high cost of housing means that there are still some construction firms that attempt to take significant shortcuts regarding these requirements. I have heard of sites where the insulation is fitted for the pre-line council inspection (before the drywall is fitted) and then removed to be fitted into the next house for pre-line. Council inspectors do try to keep on top of such things. Older housing will probably not have these features. A good independent building inspection prior to purchase is necessary. We returned to NZ from 12 years in the the UK in 2013, and I took a job in Auckland (against my better judgement). It was a very good decision and I don’t regret it. We purchased an older house in a nice area of Auckland, about 40 minutes out of the CBD by train. We have had mineral fiber insulation blown into the walls (necessitating redecoration) and replaced all the joinery with double-glazed UPVC windows. With a new kitchen and an interior redevelopment, it has transformed the house into something modern and warm. Cost of living is an odd thing. It sometimes looks from outside that NZ is fairly expensive, but we have ended up with more disposable income here than in the UK. But we have mentally accepted that overseas travel for holidays is going to be an occasional goal, not a regular option. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/55 "2017-02-15T04:19:44Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > Dunedin is a pretty city on a harbour which is a bit cool in winter. A [professional landscape photo](https://www.pieterduplessisphotography.com/landscapes?lightbox=dataItem-il7gnml8) of Otago Harbour (Dunedin), taken from near where my Mother lives. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2017, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/56 "2017-02-15T06:03:22Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > About Auckland… here is a post from [e2nz.org](https://e2nz.org/an-americans-take-on-rip-off-new-zealand/) with an American’s take on moving there. It is not, I am sure, a universal opinion. However, I can vouch that I heard many similar opinions expressed by Americans who had migrated there on every forum I frequented. I find it hilarious that a lot of that matches things I hear from people who lived in the US or in European countries and decided to go back home. Not from everybody (my own opinions about US costs are a lot more nuanced) but from a lot. Usually they’ve lived in an expensive place; they’re likely to have chosen a bad(ish) part of a famous and expensive location rather than move a little bit out, to a place that’s not well-known but which happens to be cheaper and better. They’d rather live in the bad parts of Manhattan than move to Brooklyn. It’s their choice, but they don’t realize how much it is their choice because they didn’t even consider the “Brooklyn” option. OTOH, my sister in law lived in NZ for several years and loved the place; she came back when her dad got sick, out of a combination of family duty and job market improvement. But she’s a small town girl and lived in small towns. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2017, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/57 "2017-02-15T08:41:33Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > A [professional landscape photo](https://www.pieterduplessisphotography.com/landscapes?lightbox=dataItem-il7gnml8) of Otago Harbour (Dunedin), taken from near where my Mother lives. And looking toward where my mother lives (peninsular). ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2017, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/58 "2017-02-15T11:53:41Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > A [professional landscape photo](https://www.pieterduplessisphotography.com/landscapes?lightbox=dataItem-il7gnml8) of Otago Harbour (Dunedin), taken from near where my Mother lives. One of the appeals to me for New Zealand is it sure is a beautiful country. ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2017, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/59 "2017-02-15T12:04:19Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > A [professional landscape photo](https://www.pieterduplessisphotography.com/landscapes?lightbox=dataItem-il7gnml8) of Otago Harbour (Dunedin), taken from near where my Mother lives. Nice photo. Your mother lives in Corstorphine? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2017, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658/60 "2017-02-15T12:34:35Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > Nice photo. Your mother lives in Corstorphine? No, Waverley. Corstorphine would have all of South Dunedin and St Kilda in shot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-immigrating-to-new-zealand/779658.md?page=4)