Moving to New Zealand - Eagles to Kiwis

Episode DescriptionBuying a home in New Zealand is not the same as buying one in the US, and the biggest mistake is falling in love with a property before you’re ready to buy it. Christchurch real estate agent Grace Little explains how auctions, buyer’s agents, pricing, financing, and due diligence really work, especially for newcomers navigating the market.Grace shares why more than half of Canterbury properties may sell by auction, why auctions can actually offer more transparency than negotiated sales, and the preparation you need before bidding. You’ll learn why a lawyer, building report, insurance, finance, and LIM review must be arranged in advance, what happens when an auction is brought forward, and why a winning bid is unconditional. You’ll also discover:How to find and work with a buyer’s agent, often at no additional cost to the buyerWhy New Zealand’s rateable value, or RV, is not the same as a property’s market valueHow to research realistic prices using Homes.co.nz, OneRoof, and Trade Me insightsWhat “price by negotiation” actually meansHow much deposit buyers typically need, including the difference between 10% and 20%What American buyers need to know about AML requirements and proving the source of overseas fundsHow visa status affects your ability to purchase propertyWhat renters should prepare, including references and proof that they are reliable tenantsWhy school zones, sun orientation, and property location can dramatically change Christchurch home pricesGrace Little is a Christchurch-based real estate agent and sales manager with ten years of experience, managing a team of 18 at Harcourts Gold. She brings practical insight from helping local and international buyers navigate contracts, negotiations, and auctions, including bidding on behalf of clients.Whether you’re already renting in New Zealand, planning your move, or hoping to buy your first Kiwi home, this conversation replaces assumptions with a clear, practical roadmap. Listen before you attend an open home, make an offer, or raise your hand at auction.

Ashley shares updates from life in New Zealand, including what to expect from the country’s very different real estate system, how renting and buying work for newcomers, and why community becomes especially important when living abroad. She also covers Dunedin, tipping, driving rules, school sports, healthcare, ADHD diagnosis, elections, and upcoming questions for real estate agent Grace.In this episode:Ashley previews an upcoming conversation with New Zealand real estate agent and franchise manager Grace about buying and renting property.New Zealand typically has a selling agent rather than the separate buyer’s and seller’s agents familiar to Americans, and many homes are sold by auction.Foreign buyers may face restrictions, although exceptions can apply for investor visa holders, people with Kiwi partners, and certain other circumstances.New Zealand’s rental market can be competitive, making documentation and preparation important for newcomers.Ashley describes Dunedin’s mix of university, healthcare, hills, rural surroundings, and city conveniences, including Baldwin Street, recognized as the world’s steepest street.Community has become increasingly important to Ashley, from relying on other parents for transportation to finding networks of Americans in Christchurch.Unlike the United States, New Zealand generally does not use tipping, and advertised prices include the 15% GST.Driving between cities can involve narrow roads, frequent speed changes, towns along the route, speed cameras, breath testing, and expensive speeding fines.Ashley discusses the emotional difficulty of missing family weddings, funerals, and other major life events while living overseas.ADHD and autism diagnosis, medication, and related products appear to be receiving more attention in New Zealand, although Ashley feels the conversation is newer there than in the United States.New Zealand’s upcoming election, economic pressures, mail voting, and voting eligibility for residents are briefly discussed.Ashley mentions products she has been using or reviewing, including Goodfeels, Floradix, chlorophyll, spirulina, and Zivo Life.

In this episode, Ashley talks with Elsie, a speech-language therapist who moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Auckland with her husband, 13-year-old twins, two cats, and a dog just six months ago. They dig into what prompted the move (including political concerns after the 2024 US election and wanting a safer environment for their kids), how she navigated New Zealand's green list visa process as a speech therapist, and the wild logistics of relocating a family of four. Ashley laughed and related to the 19 suitcases, a shipping container, and pets that spent over a month in transit and quarantine (right down to hunting for baseball cleats and settling for cricket cleats instead, since baseball gear doesn't exist in NZ stores).The conversation ranges widely: the culture shock of a single, always-packed Costco versus Phoenix's abundance of them; navigating the healthcare system and wait times for procedures like mammograms; learning to drive on the other side of the road; and the food she misses most (Mexican food, real turkey, and pepperoni). Elsie also shares her surprising love of "90s-style" mall culture in NZ,It's an honest, funny, and moving conversation about the real parts of starting over in a new country, and the small wins that make it worth it.

What does it feel like when you're just 19 days away from moving your family across the world?In this episode, I chat with Tessa, a mental health counselor from San Diego who is preparing to move to the Taranaki region of New Zealand with her American husband and their adventurous four-year-old son.Unlike most of my guests, Tessa hasn't arrived yet, so we're capturing the excitement, nerves, and reality of the weeks leading up to a life-changing international move.Tessa also shares her unique perspective as a New Zealand-born Kiwi returning home with an American accent, while we compare life in California and New Zealand from customer service and work culture to playgrounds, schools, and making friends as adults.This episode is a snapshot of the "before" such as the anticipation, the planning, and the hope that comes with starting over in a new country.If you're dreaming of moving to New Zealand, this conversation will remind you that every big move begins with a countdown! Tessa will be back on once she is settled in :)

Ashley talks about the common feeling people have about wanting to move again and current events in NZ and Christchurch.