We visited NZ in mid 70’s. We spent three weeks touring both Islsnds by car. Hit all the high spots. It was fantastic. Considered moving there,we had enough money to buy a nice house on the water in Bay of Islands the only thing that stopped us was the socialism. I also had a good job lined up but the economic out look was bleak for others. So,e times I still regret it.
It’s really too bad it didn’t work out for you. You would be miserable now.
My Dad met a NZ colonel during WW II in the Pacific and he wanted Dad to become his business partner in NZ after the war. Dad turned down the offer but did visit him in NZ in the mid 60’s and was happy that he hadn’t moved down there because he saw how socialism was taking hold.