Digital Nomad Information to Dwelling in New Zealand

It was at all times a dream of mine to expertise being a digital nomad in New Zealand, and I not too long ago made that dream a actuality. As somebody from the UK, New Zealand is about so far as you possibly can journey earlier than you start coming house once more.

It’s an expansive and delightful nation and the perfect retreat for distant staff looking for a slower tempo tinged with loads of journey, tradition, and enjoyable. I’ve by no means visited anyplace fairly like New Zealand and I can’t wait to let you know all about it.

About New Zealand

New Zealand is an island within the Pacific, full of jaw-dropping landscapes and plenty of alternatives for journey. From epic forests and breathtaking mountains to quirky little cities and large cities, it’s widespread with nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.

With simply over 5 million calling it house, you’ll really feel welcome wherever you go. Regardless of it being so distant, the WiFi is strong and the espresso is wonderful – a visit to New Zealand is completely value it.

Whether or not you’re mountaineering in Queenstown, ingesting in Auckland’s CBD, soaking in Rotorua’s scorching springs, or geeking out over The Lord of the Rings spots, there’s lots to maintain you impressed and entertained.

Dwelling in New Zealand As a Digital Nomad (Private Expertise)

I spent precisely a month as a New Zealand digital nomad. This time was break up between a 2-week home sit in Auckland, per week exploring additional afield within the North Island, and per week exploring the South Island.

Shifting so ceaselessly inside a month meant I delved into all of my distant working abilities and usually discovered new locations to arrange my laptop computer. Fortunately, I discovered that even a few of the most distant New Zealand cities have been well-suited for digital nomads.

Afterward, I’ll talk about a few the perfect coworking areas in New Zealand and a few of the finest cafes I discovered that made nice spots for distant working. Though I used to be over ten thousand miles from house, I at all times felt well-connected to my work, household, and mates.

Is New Zealand Secure?

New Zealand is one of many most secure nations you possibly can go to. Crime charges are low, and locals are famously pleasant. I at all times felt fully secure exploring; whether or not within the rural countryside, distant cities, and even the larger cities.

In contrast to its Australian neighbor, New Zealand has only a few pure predators. You received’t discover harmful snakes or lethal spiders right here, simply loads of sheep and birds. I traveled to NZ straight from Australia so it was good to chill out after 3 months of being on guard!

Whereas New Zealand is usually secure, it’s value noting the nation is vulnerable to earthquakes because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Hearth. Earthquake preparedness is a part of day by day life and lots of buildings are designed to resist tremors.

Greatest Locations for Digital Nomads in New Zealand

I used to be lucky to journey round most of the nation’s greatest cities and cities. Listed here are the perfect locations to contemplate dwelling as a digital nomad in New Zealand:

1. Auckland

Auckland, a metropolis constructed round 2 massive harbors is house to the majority of the nation’s inhabitants. Subsequently, it has essentially the most acquainted huge metropolis vibe of anyplace I visited in New Zealand.

Town skyline, particularly the enduring Sky Tower, typifies the financial prowess of the town and offers it a real metropolitan really feel. As a digital nomad, Auckland is the perfect location.

Greatest Areas to Reside in Auckland

All of my time in Auckland was spent home sitting within the stunning and widespread suburb of Devonport. It’s only a brief hop throughout the water by the ferry or accessible by the Harbour Bridge. Vacationers flock right here and it was a surprising place to remain.

In the event you’re in search of a very central spot, Auckland’s CBD is a unbelievable selection. It’s full of nice eating places, glorious procuring, and iconic landmarks. Its walkable streets and easy-to-use public transport make it a handy base for exploring.

For a extra laid-back vibe, Ponsonby is an space value contemplating. You’ll discover cool cafes, distinctive shops, and a busy nightlife and social scene right here. This beautiful little residential neighborhood provides a mix of contemporary facilities and impartial allure.

Coworking Areas in Auckland

Issues to Do in Auckland

Listed here are 5 enjoyable issues in Auckland to fill your free time with:

1. Climb Mount Eden: A wonderful hike up a dormant volcano with epic views of the town and surrounding countryside.
2. Whale Watching: Probably the greatest issues I did in New Zealand was a marine eco-safari. Make a journey aboard a luxurious catamaran and observe orcas and dolphins of their pure habitat. Ebook your unforgettable journey at the moment.
3. Discover the Auckland Struggle Memorial Museum: Dive into New Zealand’s historical past and Maori tradition in a surprising heritage constructing. Get your tickets proper right here.
4. Lord of the Rings Expertise: Discover two of New Zealand’s iconic points of interest in in the future – go to the enchanting Hobbiton Film Set and the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Click on right here for extra info.
5. Go to the Sky Tower: Thrill-seekers can stroll across the edge, or for those who choose, merely take in panoramic views from the statement deck. The perfect views within the metropolis! Discover it right here.

2. Christchurch

Christchurch is a good choice for anybody working remotely in New Zealand. It provides a pleasant combine of contemporary amenities and pure magnificence – I spent days right here and it’s preferrred for digital nomads. There’s a giant cafe tradition and a rising distant working scene.

There’s lots to do whenever you’re not working. Discover the parks, stroll alongside the Avon River, or eat and drink your approach across the Riverside Farmers Market. Town has a relaxed really feel to it and life in New Zealand feels considerably slower right here than in Auckland.

Greatest Areas to Reside in Christchurch

Riccarton is a unbelievable neighborhood for digital nomads and is the place I stayed for 2 brief spells within the metropolis. The spotlight for me was the peaceable stroll by means of Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens, which led straight into the town heart.

For a extra vigorous expertise, Christchurch’s CBD is tough to beat. This revitalized space is alive with bars, eating places, and the town’s finest coworking areas. Being near hotspots like Riverside Market and the Avon River is good for digital nomads.

In the event you’re after one thing quieter however nonetheless well-connected, Addington is a good choose. It’s house to loads of cozy cafes and has a extra laid-back environment. It’s excellent for centered workdays and has easy accessibility to the CBD and close by parks.

Coworking Areas in Christchurch

Issues to Do in Christchurch

Whenever you’re not working, listed below are 5 Christchurch points of interest to strive in your spare time:

1. Riverside Market: Discover this widespread spot stuffed with native meals stalls, boutique retailers, and impartial bars.
2. Botanic Gardens: Stroll by means of fantastically curated gardens, chill out by the river, or take pleasure in a picnic in a tranquil setting.
3. Tram, Punt, and Gondola: Tick off 3 superior actions on land and water with a sightseeing tour on the well-known classic Christchurch Tram, plus punting and a gondola experience on the Avon. Take a look at this nice tour I discovered that features all three.
4. Go to the Antarctic Centre: Uncover the magic of Antarctica at one in every of New Zealand’s high points of interest. It’s the following smartest thing to visiting Antarctica. Click on right here to pre-book your tickets.
5. Go Wine Tasting: New Zealand is legendary for its wine, so why not spend a pleasant day within the scenic countryside surrounded by vineyards? Go to three wineries and luxuriate in a mouthwatering lunch. Click on right here for particulars.

3. Queenstown

Queenstown is a serious NZ hub on the spectacular Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by gorgeous mountains. Lodging choices vary from finances hostels to cozy flats and high-end inns, catering to each digital nomad.

Exterior work, journey will probably be proper in your doorstep. Go mountaineering, discover wineries, and even ski throughout your downtime. The energetic environment and inventive group make Queenstown an inspiring place to base your self.

Greatest Areas to Reside in Queenstown

Frankton is a sensible selection for any digital nomad working in New Zealand. It’s the place I stayed throughout my go to to Queenstown. Its proximity to the airport is tremendous handy, and the cafe scene offered all of the WiFi and caffeine I wanted.

For these desirous to be on the coronary heart of the motion, Queenstown’s city heart is good. This busy space is full of comfy laptop-friendly cafes, eating places, and coworking areas. It’s additionally the perfect place to fulfill different digital nomads and ex-pats.

In the event you choose a quieter vibe, Fernhill provides a peaceable escape whereas nonetheless being shut sufficient to the city heart. Right here, the principle profit is the breathtaking lake and mountain views – it’s a very inspiring place to arrange your laptop computer.

Coworking Areas in Queenstown

Issues to Do in Queenstown

You received’t be bored in Queenstown; listed below are my high 5 actions to get you began:

1. White Water Rafting Journey: Really feel the adrenaline as you navigate rapids on Queenstown’s gorgeous rivers. This can be a widespread exercise and is a lot enjoyable. Click on right here to guide your spot at the moment.
2. Skyline Gondola and Luge: One of many metropolis’s high points of interest! Experience the gondola for jaw-dropping views, then zoom down the luge for a thrill not like another in probably the most stunning locations on earth. Discover it right here.
3. Panoramic Helicopter Tour: What higher strategy to see Queenstown’s breathtaking landscapes than to soar over all of it on a helicopter tour? This expertise is just unforgettable, click on right here to order your once-in-a-lifetime flight now.
4. Jet Boating on Shotover River: One of the enjoyable issues to do, however not for the faint-hearted. Pace by means of slim canyons on an exhilarating jet boat experience, a must-do distinctive thrill in Queenstown. Click on right here for particulars.
5. Vineyard and Lunch Tour: Embrace the native wine scene and luxuriate in connoisseur delicacies on a guided vineyard tour. Deal with your self to this scrumptious time out, you received’t remorse it. Click on right here to study extra about this nice day tour.

4. Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, is a metropolis constructed for digital nomads. The cafe tradition and relaxed stylish bar scene make it straightforward to discover a spot to work. Its strategic place between the North and South islands makes it an excellent spot for exploring too.

For the moments you’re not working, Wellington has lots to supply nonetheless. Town’s vigorous power and inventive environment lend itself to an inspiring place to name house for some time.

Greatest Areas to Reside in Wellington

Te Aro is a best choice for digital nomads, with its central location and vigorous environment. Cuba Avenue is correct across the nook, providing an thrilling combination of cool retailers and bars. It’s the proper place to unwind after a productive day on the laptop computer.

For a quieter however nonetheless linked spot, head to Mount Victoria. Situated only a brief stroll from the town heart, this neighborhood provides gorgeous views of the harbor and metropolis skyline. It’s an excellent place for cafes, parks, and cute little streets.

Wellington CBD is at all times a superb choice. Right here, you’ll have entry to every little thing the town has to supply. There’s a pleasant selection of coworking areas, laptop-friendly cafes, and reasonably priced lodging choices; making it the proper base to follow an excellent work-life stability.

Coworking Areas in Wellington

Issues to Do in Wellington

Make time to slot in these 5 high Wellington actions:

1. Guided Metropolis Tour with Cable Automobile Entry: Discover all of Wellington’s essential highlights with a guided metropolis tour, together with a experience on the enduring cable automobile. Click on right here to guide your tickets.
2. Half-Day ‘Center Earth’ Lord of the Rings Tour: Go to iconic filming areas from the Lord of the Rings films, or reap the benefits of a tour full of much more motion. Click on right here for particulars on the half-day tour to get you began.
3. Return Ferry to Days Bay: Take a soothing ferry experience to Days Bay. The ferry is scenic and enjoyable, and Days Bay is house to a ravishing seaside and plenty of nature to take pleasure in. Ebook your ferry tickets right here.
4. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Dive into New Zealand’s wealthy tradition and historical past at Te Papa, the nation’s nationwide museum. Click on right here for skip-the-line tickets and fast-track entry.
5. Martinborough Vineyard Tour: Sip on positive wines and luxuriate in a scrumptious lunch as you tour Martinborough’s well-known wineries. Don’t miss out and click on right here to guide your tour, together with transfers at the moment.

5. Dunedin

Let’s end with a wild card. Dunedin is a beautiful metropolis on the South Island that mixes loads of pure magnificence with a big quantity of tradition and historical past. Recognized for its Scottish heritage, it has gorgeous structure and an excellent ingesting tradition.

The close by Otago Peninsula is house to distinctive wildlife and out of doors adventures together with mountaineering and kayaking. Dunedin additionally has a thriving arts and music scene, so there’s at all times one thing to discover throughout your downtime.

Greatest Areas to Reside in Dunedin

Central Dunedin is the guts of the town and an excellent selection for digital nomads. With loads of cafes, a few first rate coworking areas, and plenty of historic allure, you’ll have every little thing you want throughout a keep right here, together with procuring, eating, and native points of interest.

North Dunedin is a quieter, extra residential space. It’s near the College of Otago, which supplies it a youthful really feel with loads of cafes, parks, and funky bars. General the world is peaceable, with nice strolling and biking routes, preferrred for work-life stability.

St. Clair is a coastal neighborhood with a extra relaxed seaside vibe however loads of fashionable facilities. Keep right here for the views and luxuriate in entry to unbelievable close by nature, excellent for outdoor-loving digital nomads.

Coworking Areas in Dunedin

Issues to Do in Dunedin

Listed here are my high issues to do in Dunedin:

1. Go to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens: Discover Dunedin’s peaceable botanic gardens, a free, stunning house to chill out and unwind surrounded by nature. Click on right here for particulars.
2. Speights Brewery Tour: Uncover the historical past behind New Zealand’s iconic Speights beer with a brewery tour. The well-known drink originates from Dunedin and this tour is a should for beer lovers! Click on right here for extra particulars.
3. Metropolis Highlights and Otago Peninsula Tour: Discover the perfect of Dunedin, from the town’s heritage to the gorgeous Otago Peninsula. This widespread tour typically sells out. Click on right here to guide your tour.
4. 3-Hour Artisan Meals Tour: Savor the flavors of Dunedin’s finest native produce with this scrumptious artisan strolling meals tour. It’s an actual deal with to your style buds and also you’ll study lots concerning the metropolis alongside the best way. Click on right here for extra info.

Find out how to Discover Lodging in New Zealand

In the event you plan on being a digital nomad in New Zealand, maintain your lodging choices open. Listed here are the 4 choices I used all through my time in New Zealand:

1. Reserving.com: A useful instrument for reserving every little thing from hostels to luxurious flats. Reserving.com typically permits for no pre-payment, free cancelation, and worth matching, making it a traveler’s budgeting dream.

2. Airbnb: Whether or not you’re planning a metropolis heart keep or one thing extra distant within the New Zealand countryside, Airbnb has a number of decisions on each islands. All the time play together with your dates to see for those who can hit sure low cost markers.

3. Trusted Housesitters: Save on all of your lodging prices by securing a home sit. The largest home sitting web site available on the market usually has listings throughout New Zealand. I secured a 2-week keep in Auckland and Goats On The Street readers get a particular 25% low cost by clicking this hyperlink.

4. Vrbo: A platform similar to Airbnb, Vrbo provides a spread of properties at aggressive costs. Remember to verify each to safe the perfect costs and mess around together with your size of keep to see if it can save you cash by reserving for longer.

Value of Dwelling in New Zealand

I used to be pleasantly stunned by the price of dwelling in New Zealand. Even within the greater cities, most issues felt pretty cheap, right here’s the breakdown:

Eating places and Groceries

Eating out is similar to most US and UK locations. You may anticipate to pay round $15 for an informal meal, and the sky’s the restrict with high-end eating places. Typically talking, the verify for an honest dinner out will simply set you again $80-$100.

Like most locations, you’ll by no means be removed from a pleasant espresso store. Your normal brew will normally value $3 wherever you’re in NZ. Meat could be very reasonably priced in New Zealand as little is imported. Beef, rooster, and particularly lamb are routinely beneath $5/lb.

Lodging Prices

Costs will differ vastly throughout the nation relying on whether or not you intend to remain within the greater cities or extra rural areas. So, utilizing the largest metropolis Auckland as our benchmark, metropolis flats value upwards of $1200/month, with $200 utilities on high.

If planning a brief keep, refine your searches utilizing the choices mentioned within the earlier lodging part. You’ll discover a full vary of choices throughout New Zealand, from shared hostel dorms and Airbnb rooms to luxurious flats.

Transportation Prices in New Zealand

The entire main New Zealand cities are serviced by environment friendly, reasonably priced, and secure public transport methods. Throughout my time in Auckland, I ceaselessly used the ferry to take me straight throughout the water into the guts of the town heart.

Utilizing Auckland as our information as soon as once more, tickets for public transport begin at round $2.50 per journey and will be bought on-line, by way of an app, or in particular person at a kiosk.

Uber is extensively used all through New Zealand and is an reasonably priced and handy strategy to journey, brief journeys value $10-$15. Gasoline costs are normally a lot larger than within the US or Australia – a gallon of gasoline was above $6 throughout my keep!

SIM Playing cards, Information, and WiFi

Getting linked in New Zealand is a easy and easy course of. Strolling by means of airport arrivals at 10 pm, a One NZ store was open for enterprise and had me up and operating with limitless calls, messages, and 10GB of knowledge in minutes.

My plan value me $30/month and was excellent for my wants. There are official retailers for the principle distributors similar to Spark, One NZ (Vodaphone), and 2Degrees in all cities and cities.

Information-only SIMS are cheaper however anticipate to pay no less than $15/month to get absolutely arrange and linked with a fundamental package deal.

Cash Saving Ideas for New Zealand

1. Home Sit: Save on all of your lodging prices by securing home sits in New Zealand. I did it for half of my keep and you may learn all about it on this Auckland home sitting information.
2. Fly Domestically: Touring between the North and South islands by practice or automobile feels like an excellent concept however is extremely uneconomical. Finances airways function between all main cities and can get you there in a fraction of the time.
3. Store Round: There are a selection of widespread supermarkets in New Zealand. Pak n Save is usually thought-about the most affordable however by procuring round you’ll discover totally different bargains in numerous shops.
4. Op Store: Thrift shops and op retailers are prevalent all through NZ and are at all times useful for choosing up new books, second-hand clothes, and souvenirs.
5. Embrace the Free Stuff: New Zealand is without doubt one of the most stunning nations I’ve ever visited. Get out into the good open air and benefit from the alternative for loads of mountaineering, pure magnificence, and seaside life throughout your keep.

Climate in New Zealand

New Zealand experiences 4 distinct seasons, providing various climate all year long. October is the guts of spring within the southern hemisphere, and temperatures have been dry and nice. That is after I visited and the landscapes actually got here to life.

The perfect time to journey to New Zealand will depend on your plans, as every season has distinctive highlights. Summer time (December to February) is nice for seashores and mountaineering, whereas winter (June to August) attracts skiers. Spring and autumn supply fewer crowds and milder climate.

There’s no hurricane season, however the scorching climate round holidays like Christmas and New Yr can deliver excessive journey demand. For preferrred circumstances, spring or early autumn each stability nice climate and fewer vacationers.

Execs and Cons of Dwelling in New Zealand

Like several place on the earth, dwelling in New Zealand comes with its benefits and challenges. Right here’s what I discovered throughout my keep:

Execs of Dwelling in New Zealand

• Beautiful Pure Magnificence: Breathtaking landscapes, from mountains to seashores, New Zealand actually is without doubt one of the most stunning nations I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.
• Laid-Again Way of life: The relaxed and pleasant tradition is conducive to work-life stability and low stress ranges.
• Excessive High quality of Life: A clear surroundings, glorious healthcare, and a powerful schooling system contribute to general well-being.
• Journey Alternatives: Actions similar to mountaineering, bungee leaping, water sports activities, and snowboarding are extensively out there.
• Secure and Peaceable: Low crime charges and political stability make it a safe place to reside.

Cons of Dwelling in New Zealand

• Excessive Value of Dwelling: Housing, groceries, and utilities will be costly, particularly in cities like Auckland.
• Distant Location: Its distance from different nations makes worldwide journey and exploring additional afield expensive and time-consuming.
• Earthquake Danger: New Zealand lies on the Pacific Ring of Hearth, which means that earthquakes are a typical pure hazard.
• Bugs and Sandflies: Sure areas, particularly close to water, are identified for irritating sandflies and mosquitoes.

Digital Nomad Visa for New Zealand

New Zealand doesn’t at present supply a selected digital nomad visa. Nonetheless, distant staff typically make the most of the Customer Visa which permits stays of as much as 2 years. Remember the fact that solely sure nations are eligible and sure standards should be met.

For American and Canadian residents a visa-free journey settlement permits stays of as much as 90 days, whereas Brits can keep for as much as 6 months. Distant staff want to make sure they adjust to rules (working whereas on a vacationer visa is normally not permitted).

All the time comprehensively analysis the visa state of affairs based mostly by yourself circumstances earlier than planning any keep in New Zealand. Your personal authorities’s web site will provide all the mandatory info. Click on right here to study extra about working vacation visas in NZ.

In Conclusion

I hope my digital nomad information to New Zealand has impressed you to make it your subsequent distant working base. I liked my time there and may’t wait to return and discover some extra.

Whether or not you take pleasure in breathtaking pure landscapes, quaint cities, or the draw of the large metropolis, New Zealand has all of it and is a rustic completely suited to digital nomads. Take pleasure in your travels!