Moving to New Zealand?
If you are considering relocating to New Zealand, or maybe you are already in the process, you’re sure to have heard plenty about the country already. Stunning photos of New Zealand are circulated on the internet on a regular basis and everybody knows about their aptitude for rugby, wildlife and bungee jumping. Here are a few facts that you might not know, but you probably should, before you move to New Zealand.
There are more sheep than people
Yep. It really is true. There are more sheep than people in New Zealand and that’s the way they like it. There are roughly around 4 million people in New Zealand, and around 40 million sheep. As soon as you leave the city hubs of Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch, it will become abundantly clear that the sheep are the truly dominant species in New Zealand. There are lamb farms all over the country, but mainly concentrated on the South Island. With such a high population of sheep, it can only be expected that there is plenty of delicious lamb on the menu everywhere you go. If you are moving to New Zealand, it’s probably best you learn how to cook this incredibly popular meat.
It’s pricey, but not as pricey as Australia
We wish we could say that everything in New Zealand is cheap, but unfortunately that just isn’t the case. The truth of the matter is that virtually everything is imported to NZ, which makes things very expensive. However, of the two immensely popular Pacific expatriate destinations, New Zealand is in fact cheaper than its neighbour Australia. Over time expatriates will adapt to the prices and find new ways to keep their living costs at a sustainable level. Plus, the beauty of New Zealand and its perpetual friendly nature are sure to compensate for the extra cash you pay out in groceries.
Don’t wait for the bill
Speaking of cash, it’s probably best to tell you that you shouldn’t wait for the bill at a restaurant in New Zealand. You will probably be left waiting for a very, very long time. New Zealand is a very self-sufficient nation, and the locals don’t really believe in being waited on hand and foot. Everyone makes an effort to do their bit in this corner of the world. This means, if you want to pay for your food and leave, you need to get up and go to the cash register to pay. Many of us have grown accustomed to customer service that bends over backward to please us. But in New Zealand, everything is a little bit more laid back, but also just as efficient. Hate it or love it, you will get used to it in no time.
You will definitely meet someone from WETA or LOTR
If you are living in any of the major cities in New Zealand (or anywhere where there are any people in the fact) you are guaranteed to meet someone who had something to do with the production of Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. Due to the tiny populations and the sheer size of both projects, almost everyone has been involved with the films in one way or another. Or at least one of their family members or close friends has. So, if you are a huge fan of J.R.R Tolkien, or Peter Jackson for that matter, New Zealand is the destination for you. You won’t just get to meet people who contributed to the movie franchise, but you will also get to visit some of the most stunning landscapes and sets from both of the movie franchises.
The beauty will blow you away
On the topic of stunning landscapes, you’ve probably heard a million times that New Zealand is like nowhere else in the world. However, it is one thing to hear it, and another thing entirely experiencing it on a day to day basis. As an expatriate in New Zealand, you will never get bored of the never-ending beauty of New Zealand. No matter whether you live near a breath-taking coastline, adjacent to a dramatic mountain range, or alongside a tranquil lake, New Zealand’s will blow you away time and time again. Previous expatriates have often said that it has taken them twice as long to travel anywhere, due to the fact that they keep getting out of the car to take photos. When you live in New Zealand, you will feel continuously excited to be living in one of the most naturally stunning countries in the world. So, leave the hum-drum views of metropolis and suburbia behind, and live in the land of 360 degree awe-inspiring views.
