New Zealand is "captive" - we only get what gets imported. If you are injured in an accident, much of your medical and recovery costs are likely to be covered by our Accident Compensation scheme (ACC) — even if you were at fault. When I was home, I ordered two pendant watches online and to have them sent to my home in the states the total cost with shipping was about $63.00US. Please note: New Zealand Now content reflects pre-COVID-19 conditions and outlook. Your biggest costs are going to include housing, food, and transportation. Because of ACC, we do not sue for injuries in New Zealand. Public healthcare in New Zealand is free or low cost — if you are a citizen, resident or hold a work visa valid for 2 years or more. “You just won’t see a manicured lawn with the sprinkler system. There are other opportunities in New Zealand for people with the right skills. What makes this a great place to live in is that it is very accessible. “Be open minded and enjoy life. We really need the Earth’s ozone layer to protect us from the … New Zealand is actively seeking international investors to settle or spend time living here. This distinctive and dynamic ‘Pasifika’ feel to life here is like nowhere else. One expat tells why she made the move. The island nation offers universal health care , plus a … It’s a piece of cake to apply for and it gives you a whole year to explore and work (or not work if you want). We have 4 seasons that each last 3 months. 3 Major Culture Shocks . If you’re curious how attractive of a candidate you are, you can actually do a preliminary calculation on their website. Within the same period, … “There’s no Apple store, so when my laptop broke I had to go to an Apple-approved third-party repair shop,” says Rider. Looking for a change? New Zealand is also known for the quality of our higher learning. By comparison, New Zealand’s biggest and most expensive city Auckland ranked 89th — close to Detroit. New Zealand is a great place to start and raise a family. As a Permanent Resident, you also have many of the same rights as a New Zealand Citizen. We have 8 universities and 16 institutes of technology that provide domestic and international students with internationally recognised qualifications. New Zealand has a unique culture with strong Māori and Polynesian influences. There are a few ways you can move to New Zealand if you're a US citizen under normal circumstances, either temporarily or permanently. The island nation offers universal health care , plus a public option. Ideally, you need to have about 3 months of savings behind you for your move to New Zealand. There are exciting investment prospects in New Zealand, both in traditional sectors and in ‘sunrise’, export-oriented sectors like ICT, biotech, agricultural research and more. The USA has incredible scenery too, but ours is more concentrated - you can see it in just a matter of weeks. 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