In 2025, it’s 13 years since we have been helping people to move to New Zealand. All people, including ourselves, make different mistakes, do a lot of interesting things. Some of these things are successful, some of them – not really. And we’d like to share that experience with you. And suggest a few tips and insights on how to make your adaptation to life in a new country softer and faster.
Of course, we’ve talked to other people who have years of experience living abroad. Together we’ve made a list of practical advice and recommendations that might be helpful, whether you’re planning your move or already living in a new country.
We want to mention that most of these tips are good for people planning to settle down for the long term. If you’re only staying abroad temporarily or just passing through, some of these suggestions might still be useful, but not all of them.
Do Your own Research
The very first thing you absolutely need to do is thoroughly research the country you’re moving to. And we’re not just talking about what language they speak, how to get a visa, or how long it takes to get a passport. You need much more detailed and practical information, such as:
- What are the salaries in your specific industry and profession?
- What is the cost of living (not just the national average, but in the exact cities you’re considering)?
- Compare your expected income to the expenses to understand when and how you’ll reach the lifestyle you want.
- What’s everyday life like? What are the living conditions?
- What’s available for children (are schools or kindergartens free or paid?), and so on.
This might seem like obvious advice, but you’d be surprised how many people arrive in a country like New Zealand and are shocked by things they could’ve easily known in advance. And it’s not the country to blame. It’s simply because the person didn’t do their homework.
There is plenty of information out there: official websites, blogs, videos, forums. You just need to spend time to find what’s relevant to you.
Also, we strongly recommend learning about the value system in your destination country:
- What are the dominant religious views? Is religion a big part of public life?
- How are women and children treated?
- What are the key cultural norms and values?
- How does society view people of different races, genders, or sexual orientations?
This is very important. If you skip this, you might face some uncomfortable or even painful surprises. It’s better to prepare in advance and decide whether this society aligns with your values. After all, when you move, you’re agreeing to play by the rules of that country.
Learn the Language
Yes, another seemingly obvious tip. And if you’re already from an English-speaking country and are moving to New Zealand, for example, this might not be relevant to you. But again, many people, moving to a country where the language is different from the language they speak at home, assume they can just move and the new language will “somehow stick.” Please don’t rely on that.
Of course, learning a language in the right environment is faster and more effective, but the better your skills are before moving, the smoother your adaptation will be.
Language is critical — don’t ever underestimate it.
Learn About Immigration Psychology
Now this one isn’t so obvious. And that’s why most people ignore it. But it’s just as important. There’s plenty of material on the topic. There are good books and articles. You can even read our own article on this topic.
Understanding the psychological stages of immigration is not only helpful but also fascinating. When you read about this topic and begin to internalize it, you know what to expect.
Read about psychology of immigration
So, when you suddenly hit a low point, when everything feels overwhelming, you’re exhausted, you want to go home – you’ll recognize this as a normal stage. You’ll know that many people go through the same thing and that it will pass with time.
This understanding plays a crucial role in helping you grow into a strong, self-aware person who can make smart decisions under stress and take responsibility for their life.
Socialize
This is a big one. After moving, you’ll naturally find yourself interacting with different groups of people. One of the first groups you’ll likely connect with is your countrymates — and that’s totally fine. In the beginning, it’s comforting and convenient to communicate in your native language. It takes the pressure off during a stressful time.
But don’t limit yourself to just that circle. While it’s great to make friends and connections within your community (and you might even meet lifelong friends or your partner) it’s essential to expand beyond it.
Real adaptation doesn’t happen if you stay only in your comfort zone. Even if you struggling with communicating to people from another culture at first, it’s how you grow. You’ll learn faster, feel more confident, and become a part of the wider society.
The second group you’ll be interacting with are other foreigners and immigrants, just like you but only from different countries. This is a fantastic group to connect with. You might build strong friendships or at least enjoy great conversations and shared experiences. These are people who truly understand what you’re going through, because they’re going through it too. And most of the time, English isn’t their first language either, so you’ll feel much less self-conscious speaking with them.
Getting to know other cultures is genuinely interesting! New Zealand is a super multicultural country, with people from all over the world. We talk to Latin Americans, North Americans, South Africans, and lots of folks from Asia — Philippines, Thailand, China, India, Japan, Korea, you name it. Each group has their own background, values, and ways of seeing the world.
One of the unexpected bonuses of immigration is that you get access to these completely different worldviews. Talking to people from different cultures helps you broaden your own perspective.
Now, the third group is locals. The people who were born and raised here. Talking to locals is important and, honestly, really rewarding. Some people say locals are “closed-off” or “hard to befriend”. Иut let’s be real: would you be friends with everyone back home either? Probably not. We naturally form deeper connections with people who match our personalities and interests.
Some Kiwis are amazing people — others, not so much. Just like anywhere else. But building relationships with locals is very useful. They’ve been here their whole lives, so they have established networks. And networking in a new country can benefit your career, your business, your social life, your children, and more.
Don’t Get Trapped in Negativity
Now, this doesn’t mean pretending everything’s perfect or ignoring problems. It’s about not sinking into constant negativity, which, unfortunately, is very common.
Spend five minutes in some immigrant Facebook or Telegram groups and you’ll see people bickering, being sarcastic, tearing each other down. It’s toxic. If someone lashes out at you online, chances are they’re struggling themselves. Don’t take the bait. Don’t get dragged into pointless arguments or let it affect your mindset.
Stay positive. Not because life is all sunshine and rainbows, but because positive energy keeps you going. Negative energy, on the other hand, drains and destroys.
And this applies to real life too. Surround yourself with uplifting people. Be the kind of person who inspires others. It’ll make a huge difference, especially during challenging times.
Of course, criticism is healthy. I openly talk about the downsides of living in New Zealand on my YouTube channel. But it’s important not to dwell only on the negatives. Balance is key.
Explore the Culture Around You
New Zealand is incredibly diverse and offers a ton of cultural experiences. From local (Anglo-Saxon) traditions to events and festivals to Indian, Chinese, Pacific Islander communities and more.
Go to concerts, theaters, museums, galleries, and community events. Learn about the local history and art. The more you engage, the deeper your connection with your new home becomes. If you stay isolated, only focused on your own background, it’s much harder to truly adapt.
Let the new culture become a part of your story.
Build a Connection with Your Surroundings
This may sound small, but it’s powerful: create emotional connections with your city or neighborhood.
Find your favorite walking routes. Discover cozy little cafés. Know where you can get the best coffee or the best view at sunset. Explore hidden streets and quiet parks. These little spots slowly become your own personal landmarks — and help you build a sense of comfort and belonging.
As immigrants, we often miss the emotional anchors we had in our home countries — the places tied to our childhood, friends, or memories. But you can recreate that feeling. It just takes time and intentional effort.
The more you explore and engage with your new environment, the more it starts to feel like home.
Create a Sense of Comfort
This isn’t just about physical comfort — it’s emotional too. Let the past go. Your favorite car, your perfectly renovated apartment, that amazing café on the corner. They’re all great memories now, but they’re in the past. Don’t cling to them. Treat them like sweet moments from childhood, not something to compare everything to. You’re building something new here. Yes, from scratch.
Even if you’re renting, make the space feel like home. Add small things: a few plants, cozy lighting, framed photos. Sure, there are limits to what you can change in a rental, but you can still create warmth and comfort.
Also, choose your home carefully. It might take more time than you expected, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. How you perceive the country often depends on your living conditions.
So don’t cut corners here. Invest in good bedding, a warm duvet, comfy pillows — anything that helps you rest well and feel secure. Because if your basic comfort is off, your whole day suffers. It’s harder to think clearly, work efficiently, meet people, or just enjoy life.
Buy a Car
If you don’t drive yet — learn. Seriously. In most countries, including New Zealand, life with a car and life without one are two completely different experiences. A car gives you freedom to explore, discover hidden places, and really understand your new home.
A car opens up the whole country. In NZ, especially, it’s almost essential.
Travel Around the Country
You’ve moved to a new country don’t just stay in one place. Travel! Explore what this place has to offer. Talk to locals, ask for recommendations, take weekend trips. Even short road trips can change how you feel about where you live. Travel helps you understand the spirit of the country better than any textbook or blog.
Find a Hobby
Pick up a hobby or revive an old passion you never had time for before. It doesn’t have to be expensive — many great hobbies cost next to nothing.
You play football / basketball / volleyball and like hiking? That costs almost nothing. There is a whole lot of activities, especially in New Zealand, available around you. Some may be pricy, but even low-cost hobbies can bring huge value.
The point is: hobbies bring joy, endorphins, and most importantly — people. When you join a group or class, you meet others with similar interests. You laugh, you connect, maybe go out for a barbecue together — and suddenly, you’re not alone anymore. You’re part of something.
Moreover, in multicultural countries like NZ, you’ll likely meet people from all over the world. And that’s a huge bonus.
Reduce the News Flow from Your Home Country
Here’s a surprising one: cut down on how much news you consume from back home. Especially, if it’s often filled with negativity and brings you down emotionally. Constant scrolling through these stories slowly drains your energy and spirit.
Important news will reach you one way or another. So, don’t worry about missing anything urgent. But try to limit the emotional connection to that media flow. Your home country will always hold a special place in your heart, and that’s okay. But now, it’s time to be present in your new reality.
Form your goal and purpose
Be honest with yourself. Why did you leave? What are you aiming for? These questions may arise from time to time. Avoid using words like “ran away” or “was forced out.” That mindset ties you too tightly to the past and makes the move feel like something you didn’t choose, even though you did.
You made the decision to leave, and that matters. Own it. Think through your goals clearly and anchor yourself to your purpose.
Maybe one day you’ll go back, or maybe you won’t. Either way, you and your home country will both have changed. You’re not the same person anymore. That’s a good thing. Now, stay focused on why you’re here and what you want to build.
Treat the Move as a Gift
Yes — really. This is a gift. You’ve been given a chance to start over. A second life. Or maybe you don’t refer to this as “second life”. It’s just your life. It goes on. It’s a new big and important part, where you can get and achieve something that you couldn’t in the past.
It’s a rare opportunity to rebuild everything from scratch: a new profession, new people around you, new friendships and experiences. Maybe you liked your old life, and that’s okay. But for whatever reason, you’re not there anymore. You’re here (or planning to be). That means it’s time to let go of the past and embrace what’s ahead.
Don’t tie yourself too tightly to what was. Instead, learn about the psychology of immigration, understand the emotional rollercoaster, and use that knowledge to navigate your journey with strength and awareness.
You’re not a child anymore, stumbling through life hoping it all works out. Now you have the power. You have the conscious awareness to shape your path with intention. And that can take you to places you’ve never even imagined.
So that’s our list. We hope something in it was useful or gave you a fresh perspective. Don’t treat this list as a strict step-by-step guide — that’s not the point. Our goal is simply to get you thinking, to motivate you to dig deeper, to learn more, and to better understand what you truly want and where you want to go next. Good luck on your journey — wherever it takes you.
And remember: this is not the end. It’s a new beginning.
