Expat Experiences in New Zealand

When considering a move to a new country, there is nothing more useful than hearing real-life stories and experiences from other expats who have lived there. We’d love to hear about your expat experiences. Please contact us if you live or have lived in New Zealand and would like to share your story.

Moving to New Zealand from the United States – read interviews with American expats living in New Zealand

After living in Central America, Steph somehow ended up in New Zealand. She lives on the North Island with her partner and runs her own company. Learn more about Steph’s struggles adjusting to expat life in New Zealand.
After living in Japan, Jared moved to the New Zealand countryside with his partner. They’ve since established an olive grove complete with a trout stream, veggie garden, fruit trees and adorable pet pigs. Read about Jared’s life in New Zealand.
Eve, with her Kiwi partner, moved from San Francisco to pursue adventure in New Zealand, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. A great lover of the outdoors, read about Eve’s expat experiences as she adjusts to life in New Zealand.
Betty, an American expat in New Zealand, left her home to court and eventually marry her New Zealander husband. The country’s beauty has had such a profound effect on her that Betty has since become an amateur photographer. Read about her life in New Zealand.
Rhonda is an American expat who moved to Auckland, New Zealand, in 2003. She relocated with her husband and two young children, and having lived there for over a decade, is well-versed in New Zealander life. Here she shares her expat experience in New Zealand.
Jimmy, an American expat living in Auckland, is a self-proclaimed country boy who followed his sweetheart to New Zealand from North Carolina. The sweetheart left, but he found a new love: the city of Auckland itself. Read all about his experiences making new friends and carving out a new life for himself living in Auckland as an expat.
Diane, an American expat in Wellington, New Zealand, spent a few years studying and living in Berlin and Amsterdam before settling with her husband in New Zealand. Read her advice on the best areas to live in Wellington, and what she loves about living in Wellington as an expat.
Whitney, an American expat living in New Zealand, is no stranger to relocation. She opted to settle into student life in Christchurch and has found simple pleasure in the pairing of small-town living and mid-sized city infrastructure. Read about her expat experience of living in New Zealand here.
Molly, an American expat living in New Zealand, has found it challenging to deal with the distance of her new home from her Alaskan hometown and adjusting to a space without access to the mountains she feels closest to. She chronicles her journey in her blog "Bring a Raincoat". Read about her expat experience in New Zealand here.

Moving to New Zealand from South Africa – read interviews with South African expats living in New Zealand

Pierre is a South African expat who moved to New Zealand in 2008, after living in Namibia for a few years. After braving cold houses and bugs in Wellington, he finally settled in Hamilton, which he is more than happy to call home. Read more about his expat experience in New Zealand.
Savannah is a 22-year-old student, born and raised in South Africa. She left Cape Town when she was 19 to travel and live abroad. The following year, in 2019, she packed her bags and made the move to Wellington, New Zealand, to study and has lived there since. Learn more about Savannah’s experience of life in New Zealand.

Moving to New Zealand from the UK – read interviews with British expats living in New Zealand

Abigail, originally from England, moved to New Zealand at the age of 10 with her family. Now living in Hamilton with her boyfriend, she shares her tips for making friends and fitting into the New Zealand lifestyle. Read more about her expat experience in New Zealand.
Fiona is a Scottish expat living in New Zealand. She moved to Christchurch in search of a change from her life in Scotland, and with no specific plans on where to settle, she met a Kiwi and has now made Christchurch her home. Read more about her expat experience in New Zealand.
Sarah is a British expat living in Queenstown, New Zealand. She left the city life in London and relocated to New Zealand in 2011. She enjoys the laid-back lifestyle that Queenstown offers. Read about her expat experience in New Zealand.
Wendy, a British expat living in Wellington, travelled with her family to the Falkland Islands and Australia before finally settling in Wellington – a city she is happy to call home. Read about what she likes and dislikes about Wellington and about her life as an expat in New Zealand.