New Zealand is incredibly welcoming to potential settlers and boasts thriving expat communities from all over the world, including the UK, USA, South Africa, China and India. Many of these expats are families seeking a fresh start with a better work-life balance. Part of the attraction is New Zealand’s first-rate healthcare and education systems as well as its low crime rate, which all culminate in a very high quality of life.

New Zealand may lack the economic prowess of larger nations such as the UK, but recent efforts by its government to attract overseas talent has seen its economy diversify and strengthen to produce near continuous growth. The ‘Kiwi’ government now welcomes prospective expats in a variety of industries, as long as they hold the relevant experience and skills to benefit the local economy. Some of New Zealand’s biggest employment sectors are agriculture, mining, manufacturing, finance, IT and tourism.

British citizens can visit New Zealand for up to 6 months without a visa. However, if you intend to get a job in that time or stay beyond 6 months you will require a visa. There are a variety of visas available for people intending to work in New Zealand including an essential skills visa, a working holiday visa and permanent work visas. To check which visas you qualify for or for further information on working in New Zealand please visit the NZ Immigration website. You will still be able to receive your UK state pension when living in New Zealand but you will not be entitled to the annual increases. If you are already claiming your pension at the time of relocation the rate will be frozen when you leave the UK or remain the same rate as when you first qualify whilst living in New Zealand.