which country is better out of Australia or New Zealand ?

Question

i live in uk want to move to a nice place ive heard alot about australia but is New Zealand better or worst?
what do you think ?

Answer 1

Both have nice places to live but a simple way to decide is by understanding that Australia is, in many ways, a smaller version of the US in terms of philosophy and culture, whereas, NZ is much more like the UK in ditto

Answer 2

New Zealand. For sure.

Australia is mostly desert. Hehe. No, but seriously, they're becoming a miniature America, they're in the grip of a water crisis, the relationships between settlers and indigenous people is still appaling compared to New Zealand. You see, Australian settlers tried to wipe out the Aborigines, and then later just settled for stealing their kids and trying to integrate them into "white Australia". This happened as recently as 30 years ago. New Zealand, on the other hand, made a treaty with the Maori, and later made great headway on the legal rights of the indigenous people (Maori is an official language of New Zealand and there is a TV channel in Maori, more than can be said for Australia's poor indigenous people which are marginalised and live predominantly in desert colonies.)

Australia is really right wing in government, while New Zealand is really left wing. Australia is stubbornly traditionalist, they're still holding off gay marriage and it looks like it's going to be years before some smarter politicians get into government because there certainly aren't any now. They see themselves as a Chrisitan nation, while New Zealand is very secular in comparison.

Australia is polluting not only their own country, but New Zealand as well. I'm not kidding you, take a look at this:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/2007/2001651.htm

New Zealand has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and has a nuclear ban. They didn't join the unjustified Iraq war (unlike Australia). They have great social policy compared to Australia, the Australian government puts all their energy into economics and forget about social policy, then wonder why crime, illegal drug use, unemployment, suicide and corruption all occur at higher rates per capita than in New Zealand.

Finally, New Zealand is a beautiful country. everyone knows that. New Zealand also has closer remaining ties with the UK compared to Australia, which is a plus for you.

Answer 3

I think you would be very wise to buy a ticket, come to Australia and spend some time around the country and then move on to NZ and have a look around there too.

Australia and New Zealand are unique countries with unique culture and also with a shared history especially during sport competition and times of war!

I have lived in Australia twice, this being my second year of my second visit. There are several fantastic aspects of Australia, Australians and their culture but also several frustrating things. Sadly, I would say Australia is becoming a 'mini me' of America (though the Americans I live with will tell you America is so much better than Australia..lol).
Australia is the most urbanised country in the world so the cities are particularly crowded, roads a busy - but if you love the compact and crowded feeling of living in a city, then go for it, Australia is the place to be for that!

I would say NZ is far more developed in its sense of identity and culture. Kiwis are kiwis - regardless of their european or maori/polynesian background. The marrying of the maori and european culture is far more advanced than that of the white Australian and Aboriginal person. Granted their are issues from time to time but there is not the same oppression as there was and currently is in parts of Australia between the white and the Aboriginal.

That said, the best way to determine where you settle is to actually take a couple of months out and come to visit.

Answer 4

Well, that really depends on your criteria and who you ask :-)

Weather:
If you like it really hot to tropical in the summer - go to Oz.
If you like a moderate climate like 5-10°C in Winter and 25-28°C in summer come to New Zealand

"Natural Risks":
Quite some poisonous & deadly animals in Australia. Snakes, Spiders, Jellyfish, Octopus and probably sharks if you're a surfer. These things might be important if you have kids.

New Zealand has no deadly animals and hardly any poisonous animals. Just 1 spider which only gives you an itch or makes problems when you're allergic to it.

Lifestyle:
I never lived in Aussie but NZ is pretty relaxed. Everything is more laid back. Less people in NZ - 4,5Mio and AUS ca.20Mio. If you're an urban citizen and love big cities...well NZ basically has 3 bigger ones: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. In Australia you got Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth...

Nature:
Definately New Zealand. AUS has some nice spots, no doubts but also a lot of pen space and desert. I've never been to a country with so many vegetation zones and a great variety of landscapes. You'll find areas which will remind you of Scotland, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Central Europe and the Tropics. Incredible!

Cost of Living:
NZ is cheaper but you usually also earn less than in AUS. If you bring money with you, it's probably more worth in NZ.

Answer 5

I don't think there are countries which are "better" than others... they're just different and depends on your interests, tastes, habits.

My bro has lived in Australia for the last 4 yrs and he says it's the best place in the world to live...... he lives in Sydney so there are several things to do, places to visit nearby, etc. Weather is also acceptable (we're mexican so go figure, he wouldn't be able to live in a place with way too extreme temperatures).

I have a good friend living in NZ since 3 yrs ago. She also says that the life is great there, very quiet, the weather not being so terrible, wonderful landscapes, job opportunities, etc. Language is the same so that's not an issue. NZ is quite smaller than Australia but then again, you'd be very close to Australia if you moved to NZ so you could travel around it as well. So I think it just depends on how easy finding a job and decently priced housing will be, because otherwise I think they're quite similar (weather, language, friendly ppl, landscapes).

Good luck!

Answer 6

As an aussie who has moved to nz i would definitly say new zealand.

New zealand is green and clean and you always feel like your on a holiday here. New zealand is more relaxed than australia and the people here are friendlier.

Australians can be rude, ignorant and pretty much no it all loud mouths.

Most things are cheaper in nz exept for houses.

I would say nz is in between england and australia. It has an english atmosphere eg. buildings, but with all the benefits of oz, eg. good shops, food ect.


Definitly move to nz, you will make the right choice

Answer 7

New Zealand has similar weather to the UK, which might be a deciding factor in a move to Australia instead.

Answer 8

I'm a New Zealander whose done the Australia thing
as well & whilst there's pros & cons to both I'd chose
New Zealand hands down.

Answer 9

Oz is great but NewZeland is by far the better country for Brits.
Its just like home. has a good rainfall and snows in the south during winter.
The sheep are friendly and the wool is of very good quality.
The beer is warm and you can get british ales in all the local pubs.
Oz is hot hot hot.
You get more for your NZ dollar too.
Rugby is the favourite sport and we have the best team in the world to date.
If your skilled in the building trade give us a go.
See you soon.

Answer 10

Both countries have each own unique qualities.

From Australia an airfare is average $240 (Brisbane or Sydney to wellington or Christchurch) so best to visit both.