If you’re ready to throw yourself into Kiwi life, it’s a good idea to get some first-hand accounts from people who have already made the leap, so here’s our top ten moving to New Zealand blogs:
1. Poms Away
Poms Away is an award-winning blog from Abby Simpson, who moved to New Zealand from the North of England when she was just ten. The well-travelled twenty-something has some great suggestions for touring destinations as well as amusing insights into cultural differences between the Poms and Kiwis.
http://pomsawaydownunder.wordpress.com/
2. Albom Adventures
Another highly acclaimed blogger, Rhoda is an American mother of two teenagers living in New Zealand. Her blog focusses on her family’s adventurous pursuits and events around Auckland.
http://www.albomadventures.com/
3. Expat Stories: The Search for Hobbits
This blog explores the experience of Julia, a young post-grad from the US wanting to see more of the world and landed in Wellington. Her blog has some useful information about working, travelling and eating in a new country.
http://kiwisinhobbiton.blogspot.co.nz/
4. Dawes family in New Zealand
The Dawes are a family of three from the UK who moved to Wellington in 2006. Since then, they have blogged every trial and tribulation of settling a young family into New Zealand life and have some great advice about expat family life.
http://www.dawes.co.nz/
5. Bring a raincoat
This blog offers a fascinating and eloquent account of expat life in one of New Zealand’s smaller cities, Dunedin. Written by Molly, an American studying in New Zealand, the blog looks at academic life, cultural readjustment and the emotional journey of moving to a different country.
http://bringaraincoat.blogspot.co.uk/
6. This New Zealand Life
A fantastically useful and practical resource, This New Zealand Life is an invaluable tool for all potential expats. It has clear, detailed information about everything from changing bank accounts to the cost of living and plenty of words of wisdom about the common expat pitfalls.
http://www.thisnewzealandlife.com/
7. Moon Over Martinborough
Jared Gulian moved to the North Island in 2006 and continues to chart his journey from Detroit city boy to New Zealand olive oil producer in this acclaimed blog. The first four years have now been published in a popular book and he continues to blog about food, wine and farming.
8. Inquisitive Bird
This blog charts the experiences of a high school biology and chemistry teacher living in New Zealand. The blog combines pragmatic advice with thought-provoking insight and is a must-read for would-be expat teachers.
http://inquisitivebird.wordpress.com/
9. Tina, Amber, Rio and Scott – Kiwi Wannabes
This blog has followed the Elsdon’s acclimatisation from their arrival eight years ago to their official citizenship. This amusing and helpful blog focusses on family life and the naturalisation process.
https://elsdonblog.wordpress.com/
10. Practically Perfect
Jenny is an American born nurse now living and working back in the USA but previously lived in New Zealand. Her blog has lots of useful information for those wanting to work in healthcare down under and plenty of travel and baking tips too so well worth a spot on our top ten moving to New Zealand blogs.
http://www.practicallyperfectblog.com/
To find out more about international removals to New Zealand check out our ultimate guide to moving to New Zealand.