When you’re moving to New Zealand from the United States , the first year is often a whirlwind. There’s the visa paperwork, the packing, the goodbyes, and the sheer adrenaline of starting over.
But what happens next?
That’s the question we wanted to answer when we caught up with NZ Ahead community members, Will and Ira.
We first spoke to them just over a year ago when they were living in Palmerston North. They’d arrived from America with their young daughter, Vera, and they’d already been through the wringer.
Their initial move took them to Invercargill. It didn’t work out. They lost money. They’d spent their savings. Will had gone back to school. Ira was juggling two jobs. They were in survival mode.
Now, two years in, they’re living in Auckland. Will is a qualified teacher. Ira has kept both her remote jobs. Vera is thriving at school. And their residency has just been approved in principle.
This is their story—a story of grit, adaptability, and what it really takes to build a life in New Zealand. If you’ve been wondering whether living in New Zealand is worth the struggle, Will and Ira’s answer is honest, raw, and ultimately hopeful.
And if you’re worried about the downside of moving to New Zealand , they don’t shy away from the hard parts.
For those just starting out, our guide on how to relocate to New Zealand covers the first steps.
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Who Are Will and Ira?
Will and Ira met in Ukraine before moving to the United States. They’ve always been travellers—people with an adventurous spirit and a willingness to try new things.
They moved to New Zealand two years ago with their daughter, Vera. Their motivation? Slowing life down.
“We were wanting to slow life down a bit,” Ira says. “We were thinking about different areas to be in America, and we realized that we actually wanted to settle someplace else.”
They’d lived in Ukraine, so they knew they wanted something more global. New Zealand fit the bill.
But the journey wasn’t smooth.
The Invercargill Chapter: When the Dream Doesn’t Work
Their first stop was Invercargill. Will had a job offer. They packed up their second-hand car, their daughter, and—famously—their glass jars, and drove south.
The job didn’t work out.
“The major reasons were that the employer was wanting previous experience more than willingness to learn,” Will says. “So that was cut short. It was really sad. It really hurt.”
They’d spent their savings. They were in a new country with a young child. And now the job was gone.
For those facing similar setbacks, our guide on mistakes in New Zealand can help you avoid common pitfalls. And if you’ve experienced a nz visa denied , remember that there are always other pathways.
The Palmerston North Chapter: Starting Again
From Invercargill, they moved to Palmerston North. Will enrolled in teacher training at Massey University. Ira found two jobs—one in timetabling at the university, one in retail. Vera settled into school.
“People in Invercargill were talking slack about Palmerston North,” Ira says. “But we came in and people were the absolute best.”
Will completed his graduate diploma in teaching. He walked the stage in May. He’s now provisionally certified.
For those navigating the visa process, our guides on new Zealand skilled migration visa and new Zealand work visas explain the pathways.
The Auckland Chapter: A New Opportunity
When Will started looking for teaching jobs, he had options. One was on Waiheke Island—a small, remote community. The other was Westlake Boys, a prestigious school in Auckland.
He chose Westlake Boys.
“It was a very hard choice,” Will says. “They offered me a full schedule, a digital technologies class, my own classroom with a beach view. But we knew more people on the North Shore. We needed to prioritise connections.”
That decision has paid off. The faculty is supportive. He’s teaching high school boys. And they call him “sir.”
“I’m a real teacher now,” he says. “It feels like I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
For those considering where to settle, our guide on cities in New Zealand compares different regions. And if you’re choosing between islands, our guide on new Zealand south island or north island is essential reading.
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How Did They Find a Rental in Auckland?
Moving to Auckland meant finding a new place to live. They needed somewhere close to Will’s work and Vera’s school.
They found it through Nikki at As the Kiwi Flies. If you’re renting in NZ , her service is invaluable.
“She helped us out,” Ira says. “Moving within New Zealand to Auckland was also very beneficial to have Nikki. She did great.”
They prioritised walkability over perfection. The house is old. The shower barely drips. The bathroom has four different tiles. But the location means they can walk Vera to school and Will can walk to work.
“We specifically chose this place,” Ira says. “It has the location we wanted. It’s not the perfect house, but we wanted to make that priority.”
For those searching for a home, our guide on buy a house in New Zealand covers the process. And if you need temporary accommodation while you find your feet, our trusted house sitters guide can help.
What’s It Like Being a Teacher in New Zealand?
Will loves it. He teaches maths, statistics, and digital technologies. It’s an all-boys school, which was new for him.
“In America, if you have a single-sex school, it’s private,” he says. “Here, it’s very common. There’s a little less behaviour management, but they’re more academically minded.”
He loves the pace. He loves the banter. He loves the connection.
“I had a great period six just now,” he says. “Maths period six is terrible. But we’re joking around with the kids, we’re having fun, we’re getting some math done. There’s a buzz in the room.”
For those considering a career change, our guide on healthcare New Zealand jobs for US citizens shows another pathway for professionals.
How Is Vera Settling In?
Vera is now nine. She’s been to three schools in two years. And she’s thriving.
“We tried to make it fun,” Ira says. “We went and got a sushi dinner. She pressed the accept button on the job offer.”
They’ve had honest conversations about moving. They’ve acknowledged that it’s hard to leave friends behind. They’ve encouraged her to stay in touch with friends from Palmerston North.
“She wrote off those friends because it hurts,” Ira says. “But we drove halfway to meet up with them. And she was like, ‘Whoa.’ I think her world has broadened a little bit.”
Will and Ira are proud of how resilient she’s become.
“She’s had an adventure with two beautiful parents who have brought her to this fantastic country,” Liz told them. “It’s going to stand her in good stead for the rest of her life.”
What Was the Hardest Part?
The hardest part wasn’t the job loss. It wasn’t the money. It wasn’t the moves.
It was the pressure. The constant uncertainty. The feeling that they were dragging Vera through something.
“There is a side of us that can’t stop thinking that we’re dragging Vera through something,” Will says. “But we didn’t really have much of a choice. That’s life.”
They’re still healing from those wounds. They’re still recovering.
“Are you happy?” Liz asked.
“Yes,” Will says. “But it’s yes with a big asterisk. It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done. But we’re grateful.”
What About New Zealand Residency?
They’ve just been approved in principle. After two years, they’re finally residents.
“It feels like the ground’s under your feet,” Ira says. “I can’t believe it’s been two years in the making.”
For those on the path to residency, our guides on the New Zealand Age waiver visa and how to immigrate to nz over 55 cover alternative pathways.
And for those considering a move with a partner, our new Zealand partner visa guide has you covered.
What Advice Would They Give Americans Moving to New Zealand?
On integrating:
“You can’t rely on keeping your home country connections,” Will says. “You have to make that active decision to integrate. To make friendships. To build connections.”
On where to live:
“Don’t just pick a rental based on what’s hyped,” Ira says. “Feel it out. Have Nikki go look at stuff. Prioritise what fills you up every day.”
On mindset:
“Just because you move to New Zealand doesn’t mean it’s going to fix your problems,” Will says. “It’s going to make it harder. If you’re not prepared for that, this isn’t the fix.”
For those planning a visit before moving, our guide on best time to go in new zealand and new zealand in november can help.
And if you’re dreaming of a road trip, our guide on campervan in new zealand covers the essentials. If you’re just visiting, our guides on Hobbit tours in New Zealand and car rentals in nz are worth reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to feel settled in New Zealand?
A: It varies. Will and Ira are two years in and still feel like they’re healing. But they’re content and grateful.
Q: Is it worth it?
A: Yes—with an asterisk. It’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done, but they’re grateful for the life they’re building.
Q: What about children?
A: Vera has thrived at all three schools she’s attended. Kids are resilient.
Q: What if the job doesn’t work out?
A: Will and Ira moved, re-skilled, and found new jobs. You can always try another way.
Q: Is it hard to make friends?
A: Yes, especially for introverts. But the community, the workplace, and the Kiwi way of life all help.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Will and Ira’s Experience |
|---|---|
| Initial job | Didn’t work out in Invercargill |
| Re-training | Will completed teacher training at Massey |
| Current jobs | Will teaches at Westlake Boys; Ira works remotely |
| Residency | Approved in principle after two years |
| Vera | Thriving at school, resilient, happy |
| Advice | Integrate, prioritise community, and don’t expect New Zealand to fix your problems |
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If you’re moving to New Zealand from the United States , you don’t have to do it alone.
Your next steps:
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Head over to nzahead.com/free for our free 5-day video guide on life in New Zealand.
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Join our private NZ Ahead community on Slack for support from people on the same journey.
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Explore our guides on move to new zealand and moving to new zealand from the uk .
And if you’re wondering is new zealand a nice place to live or why move to new zealand , Will and Ira’s story offers an honest answer.
As Will and Ira’s story shows, it’s not always easy. But it’s always worth it.
Kia kaha. Stay strong. Stay true. Be brave—because brave is unbeatable.
