There are many factors that will decide where to live in New Zealand.   For most the work that you will be doing will determine where you will be living.  Wherever you live you will be close to the stunning scenery and have access to an outdoor lifestyle.  The cities around the country have rather different...

Thinking of moving to New Zealand?  It is one of the most popular destinations for people wanting to move to a more relaxed and healthy outdoor lifestyle. New Zealand, with its unique blend of Maori and European cultures combined with spectacular scenery, is one of the most popular destinations for both tourists and emigrants.  In...

Renting property in New Zealand is a very good option for those who are only staying for a limited period.  It is also a good option when you first arrive to allow you to get to know the local property market before considering buying a home. The Department of Building and Housing has standard agreements...

If you move to New Zealand there is no shortage of places to visit when you get a spare moment and even if you are not living there these highlights make it well worth the trip. Milford Sound Milford Sound is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sites in New Zealand.  The dark blue of...

There are five major banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac) and a number of smaller banks in New Zealand.  There are also credit unions and savings banks (similar to building societies or savings and loans) which offer many of the same services and, like banks, are supervised by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand...

New Zealand has an excellent public and private healthcare system.  General health is good with no major diseases.  The normal childhood vaccinations are recommended and TB and Hepatitis B in particular. General Health and Vaccinations Tap water is safe to drink, although drinking water direct from streams and lakes does carry a risk from Giardia,...

Internationally mobile investors and entrepreneurs are often keen to gain the advantages of permanent residence or citizenship in a second country.  Investor Visas or Golden Visas as they are commonly known can facilitate residence or citizenship if you meet the requirements for that country. Residence through investment There are a number of countries around the...

There are no pervasive diseases in New Zealand that would affect travellers or expats. There are a few illnesses, however, that can be contracted by drinking water directly from lakes and streams in some areas. Some lakes in South Island are home to a tiny organism that can cause a skin irritation. As the organism is...

Many expat families opt to place their children in one of New Zealand’s excellent public or private schools. There are more than 20 schools in New Zealand, most in the Auckland area, that offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. Some are private and some are state-sponsored. More than a dozen schools offer the Primary Years Programme, one...

It has recently been announced in New Zealand that migration is the only way to bridge the current skills gap for IT companies.  The IT industry in New Zealand is growing rapidly, generating an estimated 3,000 new jobs each year. These roles aren’t being filled by existing training initiatives, even though there are more IT...