What can you expect from New Zealand?

Nature

With no human habitation until 1250 AD and the late arrival of Europeans in 1642, New Zealand’s natural landscape was left to thrive – and this has led to it being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. In fact, over 80% of the country’s trees and plant life are endemic species, meaning that they aren’t found anywhere else in the world. There are an estimated 20,000 species of native insects – and many are yet to be detailed, let alone discovered. Having said this, there are only two species of bat in NZ – there are no other land mammals in the entire region – and reptiles are few and far between (there aren’t even any snakes). As the country has such a wonderful native ecosystem, there are restrictions in place to protect wildlife, sea life and plant life, so it may be worth checking these out before coming for a visit.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a host of landscapes here, with volcanoes and mountains, forests and stunning beaches; there are even glaciers in some southern areas! This makes it perfect for travel and unique experiences, no matter what you hope to visit New Zealand for.

History

Considering the late arrival of man, you may expect little historic interest, but that’s not the case. First settled by Polynesians, who developed the now well-known Maori culture, it didn’t take European explorers long to stop by and cause civil unrest. After centuries of in-fighting, the Musket Wars occurred. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by Maori tribes and the island became a British colony. The story isn’t too different to many other isolated countries and with political reform came the loss of native rights and an increase in immigrants. Despite this, the Maori are still the most common minority and have been slowly regaining their civil rights as the generations progress. There are a host of languages spoken country-wide, but the official ones noted are English, Maori and New Zealand sign language.

Government

As it stands, the Queen of England is still the head of state (due to the recent sad loss of Her Majesty, this will soon pass over to King Charles III), but NZ is self-governing with a parliament, with a Governor-General acting as the British representative. The country has a Prime Minister, but this position isn’t decided upon via traditional vote.

In a parliamentary sense, the country is divided into 16 regions, with 11 being run by the top tier of local government, otherwise known as the regional council, and the other 5 by territorial authorities. Those in charge tend to have civil responsibilities in mind and operate under an inclusive ethos that considers the needs of the entire country and its inhabitants. As the system is relatively new compared to the established political functions in other countries, laws are constantly changing, so those visiting, hoping to study, or even to relocate here should take some time to check the rules and regulations that are currently in place.

The economy

New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar as its currency and operates on free market principles with an open economy. With decent-sized manufacturing, agricultural and service sectors, there are plenty of opportunities for work and a decent balance between the cost of living and quality of life.

Education

The education system in New Zealand is well-appointed and functions under a national curriculum. Children are expected to complete primary, intermediate and secondary schools (all of which are free for students between 5 and 19), and there are a host of higher-education facilities like universities and polytechnics for those who want to continue their studies (or study here from abroad).

Healthcare

There is a universal healthcare system in place in NZ, meaning that services are publicly funded and free for residents. There are a host of well-appointed private facilities too, so care is not restricted.

Public transport

Public transport is well-established in NZ, with buses running across the country, and you will find an array of ferries, trams and even trains in some areas.

Crime

With a relatively low crime rate of 2.63%, it can be an attractive country to study and reside in for foreign nationals.

Food

As there are over 14,000 kilometres of coastline, visitors can enjoy some of the finest fish and seafood when in NZ. You’ll often find crayfish, green-lipped mussels, king salmon and more on the menu. New Zealand is famous worldwide for its lamb, so you won’t be having the true cultural experience if you don’t have some in the country where it is reared. The Maori have their own cooking style, favouring BBQ and the Māori hāngī, where chicken, pork, mutton, potato, pumpkin and so much more are cooked underground in traditional earth ovens.

Is it time to immigrate to New Zealand?

There are plenty of countries around the world to settle in, so why would you choose New Zealand? Well, the most basic answer to this is that it has a stable yet growing economy, plenty of opportunities for work, a good education system, it’s safe and it provides a unique way of life that you simply won’t find anywhere else. With a rich, welcoming culture, spectacular scenery and native, endemic plant life and wildlife, what more could you want?