Digital Nomad Information to Dwelling in New Zealand

It was all the time a dream of mine to expertise being a digital nomad in New Zealand, and I just lately made that dream a actuality. As somebody from the UK, New Zealand is about so far as you may journey earlier than you start coming house once more.

It’s an expansive and exquisite nation and the best retreat for distant employees 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 inform you all about it.

About New Zealand

New Zealand is an island within the Pacific, filled with jaw-dropping landscapes and many alternatives for journey. From epic forests and breathtaking mountains to quirky little cities and large cities, it’s common 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 stable and the espresso is wonderful – a visit to New Zealand is completely value it.

Whether or not you’re mountaineering in Queenstown, consuming in Auckland’s CBD, soaking in Rotorua’s sizzling 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 cut up between a 2-week home sit in Auckland, every week exploring additional afield within the North Island, and every week exploring the South Island.

Transferring so continuously inside a month meant I delved into all of my distant working expertise and frequently discovered new locations to arrange my laptop computer. Fortunately, I discovered that even a number 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 number of the greatest cafes I discovered that made nice spots for distant working. Though I used to be over ten thousand miles from house, I all the time felt well-connected to my work, household, and pals.

Is New Zealand Protected?

New Zealand is one of many most secure international locations you may go to. Crime charges are low, and locals are famously pleasant. I all the time felt fully protected exploring; whether or not within the rural countryside, distant cities, and even the larger cities.

Not like its Australian neighbor, New Zealand has only a few pure predators. You gained’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 calm down after 3 months of being on guard!

Whereas New Zealand is usually protected, it’s value noting the nation is liable to earthquakes as a consequence of its location on the Pacific Ring of Hearth. Earthquake preparedness is a part of each day life and plenty of buildings are designed to resist tremors.

Finest 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 below are the perfect locations to think about dwelling as a digital nomad in New Zealand:

1. Auckland

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

Town skyline, particularly the long-lasting Sky Tower, typifies the financial prowess of the town and provides it a real metropolitan really feel. As a digital nomad, Auckland is the best location.

Finest Areas to Dwell in Auckland

All of my time in Auckland was spent home sitting within the lovely and common 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 shocking place to remain.

In the event you’re searching for a really central spot, Auckland’s CBD is a implausible alternative. It’s filled with nice eating places, wonderful purchasing, 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 pretty little residential neighborhood affords a mix of recent facilities and unbiased appeal.

Coworking Areas in Auckland

Issues to Do in Auckland

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

1. Climb Mount Eden: A superb 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. Guide your unforgettable journey right this moment.
3. Discover the Auckland Warfare Memorial Museum: Dive into New Zealand’s historical past and Maori tradition in a shocking heritage constructing. Get your tickets proper right here.
4. Lord of the Rings Expertise: Discover two of New Zealand’s iconic sights in at some point – 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 if you happen to desire, merely take in panoramic views from the commentary deck. One of the best views within the metropolis! Discover it right here.

2. Christchurch

Christchurch is a superb choice for anybody working remotely in New Zealand. It affords a pleasant combine of recent services and pure magnificence – I spent days right here and it’s ideally suited 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 method 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.

Finest Areas to Dwell in Christchurch

Riccarton is a implausible 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 middle.

For a extra vigorous expertise, Christchurch’s CBD is difficult to beat. This revitalized space is alive with bars, eating places, and the town’s greatest 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 superb choose. It’s house to loads of cozy cafes and has a extra laid-back environment. It’s excellent for targeted workdays and has quick access to the CBD and close by parks.

Coworking Areas in Christchurch

Issues to Do in Christchurch

If you’re not working, listed here are 5 Christchurch sights to attempt in your spare time:

1. Riverside Market: Discover this common spot stuffed with native meals stalls, boutique retailers, and unbiased bars.
2. Botanic Gardens: Stroll by means of fantastically curated gardens, calm down 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. Try this nice tour I discovered that features all three.
4. Go to the Antarctic Centre: Uncover the magic of Antarctica at certainly one of New Zealand’s high sights. It’s the subsequent neatest 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 funds hostels to cozy flats and high-end inns, catering to each digital nomad.

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

Finest Areas to Dwell in Queenstown

Frankton is a sensible alternative 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 eager to be on the coronary heart of the motion, Queenstown’s city middle is good. This busy space is filled with comfy laptop-friendly cafes, eating places, and coworking areas. It’s additionally the perfect place to satisfy different digital nomads and ex-pats.

In the event you desire a quieter vibe, Fernhill affords a peaceable escape whereas nonetheless being shut sufficient to the city middle. Right here, the primary profit is the breathtaking lake and mountain views – it’s a really inspiring place to arrange your laptop computer.

Coworking Areas in Queenstown

Issues to Do in Queenstown

You gained’t be bored in Queenstown; listed here 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. It is a common exercise and is a lot enjoyable. Click on right here to guide your spot right this moment.
2. Skyline Gondola and Luge: One of many metropolis’s high sights! Journey the gondola for jaw-dropping views, then zoom down the luge for a thrill not like some other in one of the vital lovely 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 solely unforgettable, click on right here to order your once-in-a-lifetime flight now.
4. Jet Boating on Shotover River: One of the crucial enjoyable issues to do, however not for the faint-hearted. Velocity 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 gained’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 simple to discover a spot to work. Its strategic place between the North and South islands makes it an awesome 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.

Finest Areas to Dwell in Wellington

Te Aro is a best choice for digital nomads, with its central location and vigorous environment. Cuba Road 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. Positioned only a brief stroll from the town middle, this neighborhood affords gorgeous views of the harbor and metropolis skyline. It’s an awesome place for cafes, parks, and cute little streets.

Wellington CBD is all the time a wonderful choice. Right here, you’ll have entry to the whole lot the town has to supply. There’s a pleasant alternative of coworking areas, laptop-friendly cafes, and reasonably priced lodging choices; making it the proper base to apply an awesome 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 Automotive Entry: Discover all of Wellington’s most important highlights with a guided metropolis tour, together with a experience on the long-lasting cable automotive. Click on right here to guide your tickets.
2. Half-Day ‘Center Earth’ Lord of the Rings Tour: Go to iconic filming places from the Lord of the Rings films, or make the most of a tour filled with 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 calming ferry experience to Days Bay. The ferry is scenic and enjoyable, and Days Bay is house to an attractive seashore and many nature to take pleasure in. Guide 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 advantageous 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 right this moment.

5. Dunedin

Let’s end with a wild card. Dunedin is a stunning 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 awesome consuming 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 all the time one thing to discover throughout your downtime.

Finest Areas to Dwell in Dunedin

Central Dunedin is the guts of the town and an awesome alternative for digital nomads. With loads of cafes, a few first rate coworking areas, and many historic appeal, you’ll have the whole lot you want throughout a keep right here, together with purchasing, eating, and native sights.

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, ideally suited for work-life stability.

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

Coworking Areas in Dunedin

Issues to Do in Dunedin

Listed below are my high issues to do in Dunedin:

1. Go to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens: Discover Dunedin’s peaceable botanic gardens, a free, lovely area to calm down 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 common tour usually sells out. Click on right here to guide your tour.
4. 3-Hour Artisan Meals Tour: Savor the flavors of Dunedin’s greatest native produce with this scrumptious artisan strolling meals tour. It’s an actual deal with in your style buds and also you’ll study lots concerning the metropolis alongside the best way. Click on right here for extra info.

How one can Discover Lodging in New Zealand

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

1. Reserving.com: A useful instrument for reserving the whole lot from hostels to luxurious flats. Reserving.com usually permits for no pre-payment, free cancelation, and value matching, making it a traveler’s budgeting dream.

2. Airbnb: Whether or not you’re planning a metropolis middle 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 if you happen to can hit sure low cost markers.

3. Trusted Housesitters: Save on all of your lodging prices by securing a home sit. The most important home sitting web site in the marketplace frequently 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 affords a spread of properties at aggressive costs. You should definitely examine 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 shocked by the price of dwelling in New Zealand. Even within the larger cities, most issues felt pretty affordable, right here’s the breakdown:

Eating places and Groceries

Eating out is corresponding to most US and UK locations. You may count on to pay round $15 for an off-the-cuff meal, and the sky’s the restrict with high-end eating places. Usually talking, the examine 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 customary brew will often value $3 wherever you’re in NZ. Meat may 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 tremendously throughout the nation relying on whether or not you intend to remain within the larger 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 protected public transport programs. Throughout my time in Auckland, I continuously used the ferry to take me instantly throughout the water into the guts of the town middle.

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

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

SIM Playing cards, Information, and WiFi

Getting linked in New Zealand is a clean 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 working with limitless calls, messages, and 10GB of information in minutes.

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

Information-only SIMS are cheaper however count on to pay no less than $15/month to get absolutely arrange and linked with a primary 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 automotive seems like an awesome 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 number of common supermarkets in New Zealand. Pak n Save is usually thought of the most cost effective however by purchasing 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 all the time useful for choosing up new books, second-hand clothes, and souvenirs.
5. Embrace the Free Stuff: New Zealand is among the most lovely international locations I’ve ever visited. Get out into the nice outdoor and benefit from the alternative for loads of mountaineering, pure magnificence, and seashore 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.

One of the best time to journey to New Zealand is determined by 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 provide fewer crowds and milder climate.

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

Execs and Cons of Dwelling in New Zealand

Like every place on this planet, dwelling in New Zealand comes with its benefits and challenges. Right here’s what I realized throughout my keep:

Execs of Dwelling in New Zealand

• Beautiful Pure Magnificence: Breathtaking landscapes, from mountains to seashores, New Zealand really is among the most lovely international locations 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, wonderful healthcare, and a powerful schooling system contribute to general well-being.
• Journey Alternatives: Actions reminiscent of mountaineering, bungee leaping, water sports activities, and snowboarding are broadly obtainable.
• Protected and Peaceable: Low crime charges and political stability make it a safe place to stay.

Cons of Dwelling in New Zealand

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

Digital Nomad Visa for New Zealand

New Zealand doesn’t at present provide a particular digital nomad visa. Nonetheless, distant employees usually make the most of the Customer Visa which permits stays of as much as 2 years. Take into account that solely sure international locations are eligible and sure standards have to 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 employees want to make sure they adjust to laws (working whereas on a vacationer visa is often not permitted).

All the time comprehensively analysis the visa scenario 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 massive metropolis, New Zealand has all of it and is a rustic completely suited to digital nomads. Get pleasure from your travels!