Digital Nomad Guide to Living in New Zealand

It was always a dream of mine to experience being a digital nomad in New Zealand, and I recently made that dream a reality. As someone from the UK, New Zealand is about as far as you can travel before you begin coming home again. It’s an expansive and beautiful country and the ideal retreat … Read more

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It was always a dream of mine to experience being a digital nomad in New Zealand, and I recently made that dream a reality. As someone from the UK, New Zealand is about as far as you can travel before you begin coming home again.

It’s an expansive and beautiful country and the ideal retreat for remote workers seeking a slower pace tinged with plenty of adventure, culture, and fun. I’ve never visited anywhere quite like New Zealand and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

About New Zealand

New Zealand is an island in the Pacific, packed with jaw-dropping landscapes and lots of opportunities for adventure. From epic forests and breathtaking mountains to quirky little towns and big cities, it’s popular with nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.

With just over 5 million calling it home, you’ll feel welcome wherever you go. Despite it being so remote, the WiFi is solid and the coffee is amazing – a trip to New Zealand is totally worth it.

Whether you’re hiking in Queenstown, drinking in Auckland’s CBD, soaking in Rotorua’s hot springs, or geeking out over The Lord of the Rings spots, there’s plenty to keep you inspired and entertained.

Living in New Zealand As a Digital Nomad (Personal Experience)

I spent exactly a month as a New Zealand digital nomad. This time was split between a 2-week house sit in Auckland, a week exploring further afield in the North Island, and a week exploring the South Island.

Moving so frequently within a month meant I delved into all of my remote working skills and regularly found new places to set up my laptop. Thankfully, I found that even some of the most remote New Zealand towns were well-suited for digital nomads.

Later on, I’ll discuss a couple of the best coworking spaces in New Zealand and some of the best cafes I found that made great spots for remote working. Although I was over ten thousand miles from home, I always felt well-connected to my work, family, and friends.

Is New Zealand Safe?

New Zealand is one of the safest countries you can visit. Crime rates are low, and locals are famously friendly. I always felt completely safe exploring; whether in the rural countryside, remote towns, or even the bigger cities.

Unlike its Australian neighbor, New Zealand has very few natural predators. You won’t find dangerous snakes or deadly spiders here, just plenty of sheep and birds. I traveled to NZ straight from Australia so it was nice to relax after 3 months of being on guard!

While New Zealand is generally safe, it’s worth noting the country is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Earthquake preparedness is part of daily life and many buildings are designed to withstand tremors.

Best Places for Digital Nomads in New Zealand

I was fortunate to travel around many of the country’s biggest towns and cities. Here are the best places to consider living as a digital nomad in New Zealand:

1. Auckland

Auckland, a city built around 2 large harbors is home to the bulk of the country’s population. Subsequently, it has the most familiar big city vibe of anywhere I visited in New Zealand.

The city skyline, specifically the iconic Sky Tower, typifies the economic prowess of the city and gives it a true metropolitan feel. As a digital nomad, Auckland is the ideal location.

Best Areas to Live in Auckland

All of my time in Auckland was spent house sitting in the beautiful and popular suburb of Devonport. It’s just a short hop across the water by the ferry or accessible by the Harbour Br