Choosing where to put down roots in New Zealand isn’t always an easy decision – but knowing where other expats have already landed can be a good place to start.
New Zealand is one of those countries that gets under your skin before you’ve even arrived. Perhaps it’s the landscapes you’ve seen in films, the rugby or the stories from friends who made the move and never looked back. Whatever draws you in, the question most people ask pretty quickly is: where exactly should I live?
The country offers a lot. Outdoor adventure, a relaxed pace of life, excellent schools, good healthcare and – depending on where you settle – some genuinely affordable property compared to the UK. But with two main islands, a handful of major cities and a great many smaller towns worth considering, the choice can feel overwhelming. To help you get your bearings, here are five locations that have proven consistently popular with British expats.
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1. Auckland
If you’re not sure where to start, Auckland is where most new arrivals end up – and for good reason. As New Zealand’s largest city and its commercial heart, it offers the widest range of job opportunities, the best international flight connections and a lively urban energy that makes settling in easy.
Known as the City of Sails for its relationship with the Waitematā Harbour, Auckland isn’t a single place so much as a patchwork of distinct suburbs, each with its own feel. You can be in a dense, walkable neighbourhood one day and a quiet, leafy hillside community the next. That variety is part of the appeal – there’s a good chance one of those suburbs will click for you and your family.
Property prices in Auckland are the highest in the country, and that’s worth factoring in from the start. Renting while you find your feet is a sensible approach, and the rental market – while competitive – is considerably more accessible than buying outright. From the city, you’re well placed for day trips: Waiheke Island and Rangitoto Island are a short ferry ride away, while Piha Beach on the west coast is around 30 minutes by car.
2. Christchurch
Christchurch often surprises Brits who visit for the first time. It’s a proper city – New Zealand’s second largest with a population of around 400,000 – but it doesn’t feel chaotic or overwhelming. Its wide streets, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and abundance of parks and gardens give it a character that many expats find familiar and comfortable.
The city has been rebuilt significantly following the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes and is a different place to the one that suffered so much damage in those years. The central city has been redeveloped with purpose, and what’s emerged is a place that blends a sense of history with genuinely forward-thinking urban design.
Property here costs roughly 20% less than in Auckland, which makes a real difference if you’re buying rather than renting. It’s well regarded for families in particular, with strong schools and universities and a range of activities across all four seasons. Summer temperatures average around 22°C; winter drops to around 12°C, cold enough to feel seasonal but rarely harsh. The nearby Mt Hutt ski resort is about 90 minutes away, while Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Arthur’s Pass and Banks Peninsula are all within reach for weekend trips.
3. Tauranga
Tauranga sits at the heart of the Bay of Plenty, and that name is well earned. It’s a coastal city with a laid-back character, around 2,260 hours of sunshine per year and a genuine sense of community that draws in people looking for something a little quieter than the main urban centres.
One of the key draws here is the combination of coastal living and relative affordability. While property prices have risen across New Zealand in recent years, Tauranga still offers more accessible options than Auckland for those who want to wake up near the water. It’s also around two hours from Auckland by road, which keeps it connected without being swallowed up by the city’s orbit.
The food scene is worth a mention: the restaurant culture here leans heavily on locally grown and organic produce, and the dining options punch above what you might expect from a city of its size. The National Jazz Festival and Tauranga Food Show are annual highlights. For outdoor pursuits, the Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua and Lake Taupo are all within comfortable driving distance.
4. Dunedin
Dunedin is the kind of city that rewards those willing to look past the headline appeal of sunnier, more obviously glamorous options. It’s in the south of the South Island – Otago region – and the climate is cooler and more unpredictable than further north. But what it offers in return is a quality of life that its own residents rate very highly. In the 2024 Quality of Life Survey – a biennial study run across eight New Zealand cities by their respective councils – 83% of Dunedin respondents described their quality of life as good, very good or extremely good, the highest figure of any city in the survey.
The city has a strong university, which gives it an energy and cultural life that belies its modest size. It’s also one of the more affordable places to buy property in New Zealand, making it particularly attractive if budget is a consideration. Housing costs are among the lowest of any major New Zealand city.
For active people, Dunedin is an excellent base. Deserted beaches, harbour views, hill walks and opportunities for water sports, cycling and climbing are all on the doorstep – typically within 20 minutes of wherever you’re based in the city. The locals have a reputation for being genuinely welcoming, which makes the process of getting established considerably easier.
5. Wellington
As the capital, Wellington punches well above its weight. It’s compact by capital city standards – you can walk across the centre in under half an hour – but it manages to pack in an extraordinary range of restaurants, bars, galleries and cultural institutions. In fact, there are reportedly more bars and restaurants per capita here than in New York City.
Wellington’s position at the southern tip of the North Island means the weather can be bracing – it’s a famously windy city – but its harbourside setting and the 425 hectares of bush surrounding the urban area give it a natural beauty that offsets the occasional gale. Residents can reach hiking trails, coastal walks and water sports within minutes of the city centre.
Employment prospects are solid, with a significant proportion of the workforce in government and public services, as well as a growing tech sector. Wellington also lays claim to being New Zealand’s creative hub – the film industry, theatre, music and the arts all have a strong presence here. If you want city living with a genuinely village-like warmth, Wellington tends to deliver.
Taking the next step
Whichever of these cities appeals to you, the practical side of the move – currency exchange, property purchase and financial planning – deserves as much thought as the lifestyle choice. Fluctuations in the pound-to-New Zealand dollar rate can make a significant difference to your buying power, and taking expert advice early in the process is always worthwhile. Our currency partners at Smart Currency Exchange can help you navigate that side of things and protect your budget as you plan your move.
