New Zealand, renowned for its diverse climates catering to different preferences and stunning natural scenery, is a favorite destination for adventure seekers.

The stunning scenery makes it one huge outdoor playground, while for others the slower pace and healthy work-life balance is as much a draw.

Placed fourth out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index, New Zealand is recognized for its societal safety and security, frequently appearing in the top ten for quality-of-life rankings.

Housing a population of approximately five million, it offers ample space and, being part of the British Commonwealth, obtaining a visa for an extended stay is relatively straightforward.

There are 122,571 British and Irish people living in New Zealand, according to the most recent census, and last year 5,600 Britons moved to New Zealand – but there’s evidence of an uptick in 2025.

Removals company John Mason International published a report noting an increase in outbound moves this year. UK migrants are typically choosing Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton over Auckland.

‘This seems to be influenced by New Zealand’s visa system, which awards extra points to skilled migrants who live outside Auckland, giving them a faster route to residency,’ says Simon Hood, the company’s owner.

Aside from an increase in Britons moving, he says the biggest inbound markets are South Africans – emigrating for the safety, stability and jobs in healthcare and engineering – and Australians.

The country has also changed its ‘golden visa’ programme, an immigration scheme that grants residency to foreigners who make significant investments; and there has been a 500 per cent increase in applications this year (so far) on 2024, according to immigration advisory firm Henley & Partners.

Interest has been strongest from the US, especially among anti-Trumpers. As the former Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash said, golden visas elsewhere in the world are sought by wealthy people looking for a tax haven, but in New Zealand it’s a safe haven.

With moving your entire life to New Zealand neither a quick nor inexpensive undertaking, what are the other factors to consider? Here’s our essential guide.

Getting a job

If you want to work in New Zealand you really need to have a job before you go. If your role happens to be on the country’s list of in-demand skilled professions then you are halfway there.

Jobs listed on the Green List Tier 1 of occupations includes all sorts of engineers, construction project managers, surveyors, nearly every kind of medical or health professional including dentists, midwives and physiotherapists, software engineers and teachers at most levels.

If you are offered such a full-time job, are under 55 and also have six points (based on skills/qualifications, work experience and income) you apply for a Straight to Residence Visa that is a direct pathway to permanent residency (after two years).

Having a residence visa means permits a person to purchase residential property, which is otherwise banned for foreigners except Australians and Singaporeans. The cost is from $6,450 (£2,860).

Tier 2 includes trades such as plumbers and electricians, and dairy farmers can get a Work to Residence Visa (indefinite stay). In August later this year, ten more trades are being added to this Work to Residence category including welders, metal fabricators and panel beaters.

If you are British and aged up to 35 you can get a working holiday visa for up to a year. The country has also relaxed its rules for remote workers (who can stay for up to nine months).

Don’t assume you can just arrive and land a job, however. ‘The employment market is very competitive,’ says Caroline Prior of Frog Recruitment in Wellington. ‘Before making a move over here reach out to relevant recruiters and ask them what the market is like for jobs with your skillset.’

Golden visas

New Zealand loosened the rules around buying residency through the golden visa, or Active Investor Plus Visa, on April 1.

There are now two categories: ‘growth’ requires NZ$5 million (£2.2 million) within three years into higher-risk growth sectors; and ‘balanced’ necessitates at least NZ$10 million (£4.4 million) into a mixture of investment in bonds, shares or property over five years.

The old visa required at least NZ$15 million (£6.6 million) and holders needed to spend three years – not 21 days – in the country across the visa term.

Between April and June 10, 168 applications were received for this visa, according to the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment – most in the growth category and from the US and China.

Politics and culture

New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. King Charles III is the sovereign and head of state, while the prime minister, Christopher Luxon, is the head of government. He took over from the Labour Party’s Jacinda Ardern – the youngest female world leader – in January 2023.

New Zealand experienced a recession in the second half of 2024 – the worst downturn since 1991, outside of the pandemic. Inflation and the rising cost of living remain issues of concern.

New Zealand’s culture is a blend of indigenous Maori traditions and influences from Europe, the Pacific and Asia. Nature, the outdoors and sports all feature strongly, but Kiwis are also known for their community, environmentalism, their warm welcome and tolerance. It is a multicultural country with a diversity of religions.

Tax perks?

People tend not to move to New Zealand for the tax benefits. Income tax rates are based on your total income for the tax year, including salary, interest from a bank account or investment, earnings from self-employment, money from renting out property and overseas income.

Its effective tax rates are similar to the UK and progressive: with up to NZ$15,600 (£6,986) at 10.5 per cent; NZ$15,601 to NZ$53,500 at 17.5 per cent; NZ$53,501 to NZ$78,100 at 30 per cent; NZ$78,101 to NZ$180,000 (£80,614) at 33 per cent; and NZ$180,001 and over at 39 per cent – so the maximum rate kicks in at a higher threshold and is lower than the UK’s Higher (40 per cent) and Additional (45 per cent) rates.

Those approaching retirement should note that UK pensions can be moved to New Zealand, but it is not straightforward. You need to transfer your pension to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) or a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) in New Zealand. Because QROPS schemes are taxed at local rates (as above) you could end up with a lower tax bill.

Cost of living

The cost of living in New Zealand is slightly below the UK’s. According to Numbeo, the cost of living is 7 per cent lower than the UK, yet rental rates are 20 per cent lower. Average monthly net salaries are pretty similar too: at £2,378 the UK is 4 per cent higher than New Zealand’s £2,276.

However, groceries can be higher than the UK due to import duties and the choice of supermarkets less extensive, according to locals – in fact, Numbeo puts groceries at 11.4 per cent higher than the UK. But eating out and grabbing a coffee are both generally more affordable.

Factor in the cost of a move: £5,600 to £7,700 (for a three-bedroom home, according to John Mason International) and allow ten to 14 weeks for sea freight. Add in NZ$6,450 (£2,860) for a skilled work visa.

Housing

On first arrival, booking a long-term Airbnb allows you to road-test different locations.

Rentals might be more affordable than the UK but city-fringe markets are competitive. ‘You often need to put together something like a CV, including your interests, where you work, your future plans – basically selling yourself to the landlord,’ says Kirsty Henegan of Frog Recruitment.

References from work or from family friends can also help.

For rentals across New Zealand, she suggests looking on Trade Me or OneRoof sites. For buying, try realestate.co.nz. The average house price is NZ$855,150 (£383,000) – greater than the UK’s £271,000.

To buy your home you will need a Permanent Residency Visa or be a citizen. But there’s no stamp duty and it can take just five weeks. If you buy with a mortgage, expect to pay around NZ$2,800 (£1,253) in conveyancing/fees, says Julie Reger of agent Harcourts International.

Education

New Zealand’s education system is well regarded and typically appears in the top 20 of global rankings, but usually below Australia. It is student-centred, practical and is free from age five to 19 for citizens and permanent residents. The school year runs from late January to mid-December.

Those moving over can look for a school and check performance on the government website (educationcounts.govt.nz).

Private schools are attended by 4 per cent of the country’s population and there are international schools, with 13 offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma, according to the International Schools Guide.

New Zealand has eight universities, with the University of Auckland ranked the best nationally and globally (150th in the World University rankings 2024).

Healthcare

The public healthcare system is high-quality and if you have residency for at least two years then you should be able to access it. Yet historic under-funding has resulted in challenges similar to those faced by the UK’s NHS.

Both systems – free to residents – have the issues of long waiting times for appointments, over-run emergency departments and a shortage of nurses (they’re on the Green List).

Long waiting times for procedures mean that many Kiwis are taking out private healthcare cover – as temporary expats will need to do if you only have temporary residency. Giving birth as a foreigner in New Zealand may be expensive if you are not eligible for public healthcare. Dental care is, for the most part, not free for adults.