In starting this blog and talking to people also making the move to NZ, I have picked up some negative vibes about what life is like in here and it seems like people are getting bogged down (mostly understandably) by worrying about visas and costs and all of those things. For this reason I thought I’d bring it back down to the simple joys in life and tell you what I think are the best things about New Zealand.
Perhaps you are moving to New Zealand, or coming here to visit? Need a little reminder about why it is so great and why you really want to be in NZ? Here is 10 reasons for you.
You may also be interested in the 10 things that I love the most about my home, Wellington! You can read HERE!
The 10 best things about New Zealand for me:
1. The people
Its true that Kiwi people are super friendly. You will arrive at the airport and be greeted really kindly and treated like a welcome guest even by the security. There is seemingly much less hostility here than in other parts of the world. Perhaps it is the slower pace of life or just being surrounded by natural beauty that makes people so chilled, I’m not sure, but the Kiwis are a nation of lovable people like no other.
2. The lack of people!
Despite NZ being a nation of delightful friendly people its contrary charm is that there are hardly any people! The population of the whole country is 4.5 million. London alone has 8.6 million, just put that in perspective! It is not crowded anywhere you go, even the ‘touristy’ places are not full of people. Basically, its the best of both worlds: there are hardly any people but the people that are here, are lovely.
3. The vistas
This is quite an obvious one because everyone knows how stunning New Zealand is. But it is really beyond expectations. Pretty much everywhere you go there is some kind of unbelievably amazing view. Even deep within the forest you feel like you are in a fairy tale. I live in Wellington, so have mainly spent time on the North Island, and every time I leave the city and drive past the ocean and the harbor I feel so lucky to live here. Everyone says the South Island is where its at and when I went to Queenstown, I’ll admit, I was blown away. But the North Island is underrated; Taranaki is amazing, up on the tops in the Tararuas is sooo beautiful, Lake Taupo is peaceful heaven. Its all just amazing!
4. The produce
Something I am loving about New Zealand is the locally produced food and drink. There are so many amazing little companies, who are working sustainably and locally to make amazing products. Like I said in my post 16 Things you might not know about life in New Zealand, the beer is amazing and there are micro-breweries everywhere like Garage Project in Wellington. And there also super cool companies like Fix&Fogg making groovy peanut butters and the Six Barrel Soda Company, with their natural sodas. There are so many farmers markets with interesting home-made things for sale. The fruit and veg that is frown here is also great and I love getting organic fruit and veg delivery from Commonsense Organics.
5. The wine
I don’t really know a whole lot about wine, I know when its bad and when its good but I’m definitely no connoisseur. Despite this, I can confirm that New Zealand has very nice wine! There are parts of the country that are wine making meccas and you can hop around the Vineyards trying the different wines. My favorite New Zealand wines so far have been The Luminary range from Palliser Estate in the Wairarapa near Wellington.
6. The back country huts
Little huts nestled all throughout the wilderness for hikers to turn up to and stay the night for between $5 and $15. Where is better than that?! Some might see this as only being for the really fit or hiking obsessed. I am neither one of these and have been loving it. Keen to know more about this? Have a look at my blogging about the huts that I have been to so far in my Backcountry Huts Series.
7. The colour green
New Zealand is florescent green! I mean the UK is also pretty green but the colour here in New Zealand is so different, its impossible to describe how lush and beautiful the green paddocks and natural landscape is. Pictures don’t do it justice. You just have to come here and see what I mean!
8. The birds
New Zealand has no native land mammals but tonnes of native birds. Sadly some are under threat due to introduced pests like possums but there are still so many unusual and beautiful birds hanging out all over. The most famous is the Kiwi of course, but this is pretty illusive and a rare sight. The Tui is probably the most common and I love hearing its song around the house in the morning. The Birds are great, you’ll see/hear when you get here!
9. Hot springs
Because of its geographical location, New Zealand has tonnes of geothermal activity. Mainly on the central north island and central south island there are amazing natural hot springs that you can go and warm your cockles in! Some are made into attractions that you have to pay to get into, like Hamner Springs in the south island, but some are free, like those in Spa Park in Taupo in the North Island. Hot Springs; one of the upsides of a shaky, erupting country.
10. Maori culture
I can’t not mention Maori Culture in a post about New Zealand. It is the bedrock of this country and so alive and present. Te Reo, the Maori language is used in most sign posts and Maori art and customs are present throughout New Zealand daily life. It gives New Zealand a spiritual feeling and is not akin to anywhere else. Also, who can forget the Haka, is it any wonder that NZ’s rugby team are the best in the world with this intimidatingly magical start!
You can read more about how the celebration of indigenous culture makes NZ one of the most progressive countries in the world by checking out my post HERE.
Those are 10 things I absolutely love about New Zealand. There are many more of course and I would love to know what you love about it here. If you are moving here, what you are excited about? Do comment below. Lets get some positive vibes going for little old NZ!
Are you moving to NZ? Check out the following posts for tips and advice about your move:
The 9 Essential Tasks for moving to New Zealand
How I Applied for the NZ Partnership Work Visa
Cost of Living in New Zealand – The Truth
Thank you for reading. Get in touch, I would love to hear from you!
Peace
Josie x