For me it's a cool job in Auckland. What worries us is the distance and the logistics of bringing over our entire family... I can see myself working there, bringing over the family, and then loosing my job e.g. because of some recession and not find another job in the grace period.
eh, I left for some complicated personal reasons. I wrote a post about it if you're interested: https://khanism.org/perspective/minimalism/
edit: my visa was still good though; could have easily paid to get my work to residence or full residence visas. Kinda wish I had. :-P
P.S. Avoid Wellington if possible, it's an earthquake mega-disaster waiting to happen.
What, just like California?
I would highly recommend Wellington if you do software, are entrepreneurial, or you are sociable.
It is the most cosmopolitan city, the friendliest to foreigners, the friendliest to all ages (because so many people move there to work, and it is the only major city in NZ with a city centre based on walking).
Just my opinion as a well travelled NZer. Yes, an earthquake would wreak havoc, but I think the positives well outweigh the risks.
> What, just like California?
I tend to think like the parent, so am curious where our imaginations diverge. Basically, I'd worry about a violent enough earthquake that lots of people/supplies immediately need to be moved in/out, but their movement is impeded by the geography. It seems likely that the two roads out of town would be impassible (isn't one on land that lifted out of the water in a major quake?), and the airport and waterfront are mostly on reclaimed land so will likely need substantial work before boats/planes can operate.
It's a lovely city though - second best in NZ to Dunedin!
Wellington is hosting KiwiCon later this week too: https://www.kiwicon.org/
1. Don't work in old buildings - especially hipster brick ones. (Maybe if they have added steel structure that looks ridiculously oversized: see Dux Central, what was Twisted Hop in Christchurch).
2. Avoid living on hills with unstable geology.
3. Avoid living in old apartments that are not up to 100% earthquake code.
Liquifaction really isn't as big an issue as you might think.
Anecdote: my parents are on top of the 7.2 Darfield quake, my sister's is very close to the 7.8 Kaikoura epicentre, and I live in Christchurch.
These seem to do ok and have been tested on some decent shakes, unlike some of the new code-compliment buildings. Chimneys are a notable exception.
For me the best places in NZ for weather are Nelson, or North of Kaitaia (the winterless North, although rains).
Getting hired is hard, but not impossible. The unemployment rate is sub 4% these days.
If you're concerned about your employability, perhaps email Xero/Vend/Flux Federation/Catalyst IT/Intergen/Datacom/Trade Me/Weta Digital/... and explain your situation?
If you're willing to work with recruiters, the team at Talent Army are bona fide good.
Have a look at the residency points calculator and see how many you get: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-...
The 2016 earthquake also showed that despite efforts to earthquake-strengthen buildings in the city, it's still very vulnerable to earthquake damage.
And tsunamis.
But I don't mind loosing my job for a while. We would mind having to leave the country and move back halfway across the planet after having brought over our family.