After landing in New Zealand, foreign migrants typically comment about the friendliness of Kiwis, the cleanliness of the city, the beauty of the nature and the safe, relaxed nature of society. New Zealand is also one of the few genuinely “kid friendly” countries in the world. Job seekers have said these to me this week after landing in New Zealand and the same things were said also last month and last year and during lockdowns and before lockdowns for many years prior. New Zealand hasn’t changed.

During lockdowns, the reputation of New Zealand has been tarnished and dragged through the mud. In many cases, this is deserved. However, policies from our government don’t reflect the New Zealand society. I can offer proof of this statement based on what incoming migrants have been telling me.

I can respect the opinions of people who have been financially and professionally harmed by the bad polices of our government during lockdowns. But who is really to blame. It was a tiny few people in certain government departments who created and enforced bad policy.

New Zealand is still the best country for all those reasons that people have always loved about New Zealand. Those things have remained remarkably constant for many decades.

In my opinion and based on the informal opinion polls that I receive from new migrants; New Zealand is still the best country for all those reasons that people have always loved about New Zealand. Change is always happening, but those things have remained remarkably constant for many decades.