New Zealand Emigration

Why would migrating to New Zealand not be a good idea?

Yes and No.It is what you make of it and how it works out for you. Some more detail on your situation would help. ProsWe have great landscapesFar away from the rest of the worldGreat lifestyleLots of small cities to live inEconomy doing well compared to other places.Low level racism.Many people come here, do well fit in and live their whole life here. In construction? Lots of jobs in Canterbury. From the USA - we have universal healthcare (Citizens and Residents only)Economy is doing well and improving.Insurance cover for all accidents - even foreigners. Nice peopleSociety is becoming more multi racial. Skilled, hardworking, talented? Got money? we want to hear from you.NZ Citizens can work in Australia. ConsFar away from the rest of the worldFar away from familyCost of migration and setting up here. Effort required to find work.Housing in Auckland can be expensive. Some houses are very poorly insulated. Could end up stuck here, lots of young NZ's go overseas for a year or two to see the world. Low level racism so it you anit White Caucasian you may find it harder without 'local experience'.Don't move here for the money, it is OK but you will earn more elsewhere. The hassle of immigration paperwork - I'm a citizen so I have never done it, but I know it is a lot of work.My advice - ignore the tourism ads, and Lord of the Rings. Look at the facts. Plan Plan Plan. Can you visit NZ do you like the look of the place when you arrive? Can you do a working holiday here? Don't come here without lots of money to help you during the first few months. The other question is why is your family so negative about coming here? Are you required to remain at home and support them in their old age?

Which is better to immigrate to, Australia or New Zealand?

Australians won’t like me saying this, but Australia has this really nasty undercurrent of bigotry towards people who aren’t white Australians. If you lived in Sydney you’d likely be fine, but just be aware, it’s there. A Native American person I once talked to told me she’d read that Australia was among the most hostile countries in the world for a dark-skinned person and she was scared to go - I’m not sure how right she was, but it’s a be aware case.New Zealand is, in my experience, quite diverse in the cities. In the country, not so much, but as an engineer you’re far more likely to find work in the cities. Dunedin has a lot of overseas students and postdocs so we’re used to diversity, and people from the Middle East are no problem here and are quite warmly welcomed. In fact I am a descendant of an Arab community here from 100 years ago, although that was a different time.I can presume the other cities are similar, with their universities bringing in lots of foreign people.New Zealand tends towards a “if you’re nice, you’ll fit in” attitude. People will probe in your private affairs sometimes but it’s more out of filial concern.Culturally we’re a bit more liberal (in the classical sense) than Australia, and a lot of that probably comes to us being smaller.I echo others in saying that you should come visit both countries to get an impression, and if you visit NZ, pay the South Island a visit too - the North is by no means the whole of the country.