New Zealand is known for its beautiful landscapes and the great outdoors. Nearly 1 million people live in rural New Zealand; the lifestyle feels deeply Kiwi. Living in the countryside offers a lifestyle connected with nature, with close-knit communities and a slower pace of life.
However, this setting also comes with its own set of challenges. If you’re not sure whether a move to the country is for you, our guide can help. We delve into the pros and cons of living in rural New Zealand, exploring the benefits and limitations of living beyond the city limits.
Property prices have grown a lot in New Zealand over the last ten years. But, there’s one place that’s always cheaper to buy a home - the countryside. In most places, choosing to live in the countryside can save you around NZ$100,000 off the average price of your home.
While there are some exceptions, moving away from the city can significantly reduce the price of your mortgage. Plus, you’ll get more bang for your buck in the countryside. The average house price in Auckland or Wellington will net you a medium-sized home. While in the country you’ll get more space, privacy, peace and quiet.
Auckland
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
Hawke's Bay
Manawatu
Wellington
Nelson
Christchurch
Otao
Southland
In New Zealand, there’s living rurally and then living rurally. In a lot of areas, rural communities find it difficult to access healthcare, particularly specialist services or emergency care. This is due to the lack of doctors (New Zealand has a healthcare worker shortage that affects the regions more severely).
Living in rural New Zealand may not be for you if you have a health condition or just don’t like the thought of being a long way from care. You may need to take a more pro-active approach to looking after your health once you move to the country. Waiting to seek care, could make any conditions worse.
Sure, there may be fewer jobs in the regions because of the smaller population, but there’s also less competition for jobs. From healthcare to banking, agriculture and local government, there are lots of opportunities to start in a new industry or just apply your skills somewhere new. Plus, in regional roles, you’ll often get to stretch your capabilities.
If you’re a nurse or doctor working in a hospital, you may take on a wider range of tasks than the same role in an urban centre. Rural jobs are often a great way to move up the corporate ladder, become a manager or just try something new.
The biggest downside to living in a small town is the lack of options. While you may get used to not having hundreds of restaurants, coffee shops or takeaway joints to choose from, you also have fewer schools to choose from, fewer employers, fewer churches and denominations, and less diversity.
That’s not to say that all places in rural New Zealand are the same. The North Island has a higher population of immigrants and Maori. However, people may struggle to relocate to small towns that lack the melting pot of cultures they are accustomed to, particularly in Auckland or Wellington.
Tired of not knowing your neighbours? Sometimes, city life can feel isolating even in a friendly country like New Zealand. If you live in an apartment building or busy city, it’s normal to not know your neighbours. Not so in the country. Small towns in New Zealand run on community.
Research into the level of happiness in New Zealand showed that people were generally happy whether they lived in an urban centre or a rural location. However, in a small community you can have a bit more impact on the lives of others.
According to a Ministry of Transport study, the average Auckland household spent 6.5 hours a week commuting 200km at an average speed of 30km. Needless to say, if you’re tired of spending a good chunk of your day in crawling traffic, a move to the countryside can give you back your spare time.
One thing you’ll have to adjust to is a lack of public transport. If you don’t own a car, or have a licence, you’ll need one before moving to rural New Zealand.
If moving to the regions sounds appealing, you might want to consider one of these places.
Nicknamed ‘the winterless north’ for its sub-tropical temperature, Northland is home to around 180,000 people. Its largest city is Whangarei, two hours north of Auckland. Northland has a large Maori population and a rich history, having welcomed the Polynesian explorer Kupe around 800 years ago.
Waikato is the region just south of Auckland, many people live in rural Waikato but commute into Auckland or the region’s largest city - Hamilton. The area is known for agri-business and is the home of many of our country’s research institutes.
Located on the north-east coast of the North Island, Bay of Plenty is a sunny region with a fast-growing population. The area produces a lot of milk, meat, fruit and vegetables, making it the perfect place for those looking for an ag-based job.
Gisborne is located on the east coast of the North Island and is known for its winemaking industry. It’s population and industry is a lot smaller than Bay of Plenty or the Hawke’s Bay just to the south.
Known for horticulture, Hawke’s Bay is home to vineyards, orchards and horticulture thanks to its hot and dry summers and autumns. A large hospital in Napier and an Institute of Technology are also big employers in the region.
Taranaki is located on the west coast of the North Island. The region is known for dairying, offshore oil and gas industry and engineering industries. The second-largest milk treatment plant in the southern hempispher is located here.
This region spans between Wellington in the south and Taranki to the east. The university town of Palmerson North is located here and the region supports many agricultural, science and research facilities and is a rich farming district.
Located at the top of the south island in the northwestern corner, the region is home to golden sand beaches, horticulture, fishing, wine and tourism. The region is also developing a strong craft brewing scene. Horticulture includes apples, pears, kiwifruit and hops.
Next to the Tasman region, Marlborough covers the north-east of the South Island. Economic activity in the region includes aquaculture, particularly mussel farming. The region is also famous for producing more than half of New Zealand's export wine, particularly in Sauvignon Blanc.
Canterbury is a strong food growing region and produces many of New Zealand’s meat, dairy, wine, seafood for local and international consumption. Lincoln University, Landcare Research, AgResearch and Plant and Food Research are all located in the region.
The West Coast was long the region of coal mining. The region is known for commercial fishing in the rough Tasman sea, gold production, native timber and a small amount of dairy. Tourism is a growing industry thanks to the natural beauty of the coast.
Known for its stunning scenery inland, the central part of Otago produces fantastic pino noir and is home to industries including agriculture, horticulture and viticulture. Forest and farming are economic activities throughout the entire region.
Major industries in the country's southernmost region include agriculture - particularly sheep and dairy farming. The small town of Edendale plays host to the world’s largest milk processing plant. To the very south, the aluminium smelter in Bluff is a major employer.
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