New Zealand Introduction
If you are searching for a more balanced lifestyle, New Zealand may be the place for you. This small island nation tucked away southeast of Australia in the far reaches of the southwestern Pacific Ocean consistently comes out near the top of most surveys comparing the quality of life around the globe. The BBC has called New Zealand a “lifestyle superpower.” New Zealand ranked fourteenth out of 142 countries researched for Average Life Satisfaction by the Legatum Institute (2012). That is a key reason why 75 percent of recent immigrants to the country decide they want to stay permanently, according to an Immigration New Zealand survey. And, nine out of 10 are prepared to recommend New Zealand as a place to live to family and friends.
A big part of New Zealand’s charm is its pace of life. Low density population, gorgeous scenery, very friendly people and plenty of things to do add up to very low levels of stress in the land that some say time forgot. From lazing on an uncrowded beach to getting close to nature on a mountain trail, Kiwis – as the people of New Zealand are known – seem to have it all. If you like the great outdoors, New Zealand’s mild year-round climate and lack of dangerous land animals (no snakes!) offers just about anything you would like to do including kayaking, mountain biking, surfing, hiking, parasailing and much more. You should know, though, that this island nation’s geographic location places it in a very active earthquake zone. The 2011 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch was the country’s worst natural disaster in terms of loss of life since 1931. The country has also experienced typhoons (hurricanes) and has a number of active volcanoes.