NZ - A Bit Further Than Middle Earth
For years, New Zealand traded on our success with the Lord of the Rings and then The Hobbit movie franchises, in many ways, because what we had to offer in terms of scenery and landscapes was depicted in those films and there was a certain romanticism behind a far away land, with snow covered mountains, dense, rich forests and unchartered landscapes. Ironically however our location is quite a few leagues away from the “Middle Earth”.
Our location on this planet is not just a matter of geography, but its impacts can be felt economically and logistically as well. We are not just removed from the big global events, we are often at the very end of the line when it comes to global supply chains. The recent fuel disruptions have brought that into the homes of most New Zealanders.
What begins as tension or supply-side disruption on the other side of the world does not stay there for long. It moves through shipping routes, squeezes supply, and eventually lands here, quite literally, at the pump. And yet, at the same time, that very distance is part of the story. Because while we are connected to everything, we are not quite in the middle of it.
For migrants, that distance has always carried a certain appeal. It is often seen as a form of insulation, a step back from the noise, the pace, and increasingly, the unpredictability of larger, more central economies. Many of my clients regularly talk about New Zealand not just as a destination, but as a way to reposition themselves. A country that offers space, stability, and a sense of being slightly removed from whatever is unfolding elsewhere and at the moment things seem to be unfolding everywhere.
The Drawbacks of Distance
New Zealand is a long way from almost everything that matters economically. Goods take longer to arrive (even with Temu), they can cost more to move and import, and when global systems tighten based on any number of possible reasons, we feel it in very tangible ways. Fuel prices rise quickly, and from there it flows into almost every part of daily life - something we are experiencing right now.
Transport costs increase, businesses pass those costs on to consumers, and households absorb the rest. It also disrupts other aspects of daily life, including people’s ability to get around, take kids to school, commute to work and so on. So far, we are managing the fuel shocks well and I certainly don’t think we are at panic stage yet, but these issues remind us all of how much of an impact our geographic location can have.
The Good and the Bad
For every positive that a migrant can see, in making the move, there is an opposing negative. Whether that influences a migrant, depends on their perspective.
For migrants, this is often one of the first real shocks they discover as they settle in to their new life.
The move to New Zealand is not just a change in location, it is a shift in cost structures. Everyday expenses can in some cases feel disproportionately high, and that can be confronting if expectations have been set by larger, more centrally located economies. Admittedly these current disruptions to fuel supplies are impacting on everyone, including nations that produce the oil that we consume. However, while costs are high everywhere, these issues tend to send spikes in our direction, more quickly and they can be felt more sharply.
There is also the personal distance to consider, which for most migrants is really important. Family, support networks are often on the other side of the world and while we have amazing communication tools now, allowing us to keep in touch with a greater level of ease, nothing replaces that in-person connection.
When the world is running smoothly, all of these challenges can feel like a disadvantage that is hard to justify, depending on where you are moving from of course.
Geographic Comfort
But global instability, complexity and what can sometimes be called chaos, has a way of changing how migrants (and locals) perceive our distance from anywhere near the middle of the earth.
When supply chains do become strained and geopolitical tensions rise, and eventually conflict ensues, being closer to the centre of these things is not always a benefit. Being deeply embedded in global systems, or part of that political chaos, can mean you experience disruption faster and more intensely. New Zealand’s position, while far from perfect, can offer a different kind of exposure and for some a far more comfortable place to be.
Expectation Meets Reality
Understanding that NZ is not perfect, but can offer the prospective migrant something different, is a really important part of any successful move.
New Zealand is not immune to global events. Far from it. The fuel situation proves that clearly. However the impact of these very complicated situations, is often less immediate, less volatile, and sometimes more manageable.
There is a degree of separation between us and all that is swirling around us, that allows for adjustment, even if it does not remove the underlying issue. For many potential migrants, that separation is becoming part of the appeal.
It is not about escaping the world or removing yourself from al that is happening in it, but it is about engaging with it from a slightly different vantage point. One that offers stability in some areas, even if it might come at a cost in others.
How To Make A Successful Move
For our part, we do what we can to encourage clients to think about what it is they are trying to achieve, and whether New Zealand is able to offer that. In some cases,
Of course, for those that do embark on this process, having the right advisers alongside you, who can help you to set the right expectations and to make sure you are prepared for what life is really like here, can be another really valuable tool in the toolbelt.
Until next week!
