NEW ZEALAND IMMIGRATION NEWS

Immigration NZ: Small New Zealand town thrives amidst global financial crisis

Friday, 7 November 2008

For migrants looking to escape the hectic city life or pressures of the world financial crisis, then the small rural New Zealand town of Eketahuna is a destination worth considering.

According to a recent Dominion Post article, Ekatahuna is "the jewel of the South Pacific". Amidst the current recession and falling house prices, this township of 1536 or so (including the rural surrounds) is thriving.

Aucklanders, Wellingtonians, and people from the United States and Britain are buying cut-price lifestyle properties, which is helping to push up property prices in Ekatahuna. House values in this township have increased by 91 per cent in the last three years. This is extremely positive for the small town, which is often joked about because of its size and isolation.

Despite the increased property prices, at NZ$106 000, the average value of a house and section in Ekatahuna, is still an absolute bargain compared urban locations and many other migrant destinations around the world.

An Auckland couple, described in the article, were lured to Ekatahuna by a picture of a house on the internet. After leaving Auckland in 2005 and wiping their mortgage by selling their previous home, they have never looked back and have described Eketahuna as "pure magic".

Another couple from Britain moved to this small New Zealand town and opened Brookfield’s Lodge complete with a restaurant and accommodation. Like many other people who have moved to the area, these British immigrants say they've "had not a moment of regret", despite earlier doubts from friends about their decision.

Eketahuna's new inhabitants enjoy a rural "lifestyle dream" and are "nearly all debt-free with savings in the bank".

Community Board chairman, John Harmon, also comments on the "tremendous spirit" of this small town, which has helped guarantee a strong future for Ekatahuna.

In a recent study, Alliance & Leicester International has also reported New Zealand as the best place for UK citizens to migrate, compared to 13 other popular expatriate destinations, because of its relatively low living costs and high standard of life.

If you are interested in Visas to New Zealand or would like more information on Immigration to New Zealand, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you.