10 Best Places for Families to Live in New Zealand

If you're dreaming about moving with your family to New Zealand and haven't decided where to live, here are some of the best places for international families to live in New Zealand.

Auckland

Auckland is a great place for international families to live, offering a wide range of activities and facilities that cater to all ages. For children, the Auckland Zoo and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium offer educational and interactive experiences. The Auckland Museum also has a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. The city is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Auckland Domain, the city's oldest park, and the expansive Cornwall Park, which offers picnic areas, walking trails, and a working farm. For athletic facilities, the Auckland Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Tepid Baths and the Albany Stadium Pool. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Auckland Kids Football Club and the Auckland Junior Cricket Club. With its combination of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Auckland provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

Wellington

Wellington is a fantastic place for international families to settle, offering a plethora of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the Wellington Zoo and the Space Place at Carter Observatory provide educational and interactive experiences. The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa also offers a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. Wellington is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Wellington Botanic Garden, which features a playground, duck pond, and picnic areas, and Zealandia, a wildlife sanctuary with walking trails. For athletic facilities, the Wellington City Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre and the ASB Sports Centre. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Wellington Junior Football Club and the Wellington Junior Cricket Club. With its blend of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Wellington provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a good place for international families to reside, offering a diverse range of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the Canterbury Museum and Orana Wildlife Park provide educational and interactive experiences. The Air Force Museum of New Zealand also has a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. The city is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, which features a playground, duck pond, and picnic areas, and the expansive Hagley Park, which offers walking trails and sports fields. For athletic facilities, the Christchurch City Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Jellie Park Recreation and Sport Centre and the Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Christchurch Junior Football Club and the Christchurch Junior Cricket Club. With its mix of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Christchurch provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

Hamilton

Hamilton is an excellent destination for international families, offering a variety of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the Waikato Museum and Hamilton Zoo provide educational and interactive experiences. The museum also offers a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. Hamilton is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Hamilton Gardens, which features a playground, themed gardens, and picnic areas, and the Lake Domain, a large park with walking trails around the lake. For athletic facilities, the Hamilton City Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Waterworld and the Gallagher Aquatic Centre. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Hamilton Junior Football Club and the Hamilton Junior Cricket Club. With its blend of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Hamilton provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

Tauranga

Tauranga is an ideal choice for international families, offering a wide array of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the Tauranga Art Gallery and Marshalls Animal Park provide educational and interactive experiences. The gallery also offers a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. Tauranga is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Tauranga Domain, which features a playground, botanical gardens, and picnic areas, and the Mount Maunganui Beach, a popular spot for swimming and surfing. For athletic facilities, the Tauranga City Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Baywave TECT Aquatic & Leisure Centre and the Mount Hot Pools. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Tauranga Junior Football Club and the Tauranga Junior Cricket Club. With its mix of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Tauranga provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

Napier

Napier is a fantastic place for international families to settle, offering a plethora of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the National Aquarium of New Zealand and the Faraday Centre provide educational and interactive experiences. The aquarium also offers a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. Napier is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Anderson Park, which features a playground, botanical gardens, and picnic areas, and the Marine Parade, a popular spot for walking and cycling. For athletic facilities, the Napier City Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Onekawa Aquatic Centre and the Bluewater Stadium. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Napier Junior Football Club and the Napier Junior Cricket Club. With its blend of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Napier provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

Nelson

Nelson is a great destination for international families, offering a diverse range of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the Nelson Provincial Museum and Natureland Wildlife Trust provide educational and interactive experiences. The museum also offers a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. Nelson is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Tahunanui Beach Reserve, which features a playground, botanical gardens, and picnic areas, and the Centre of New Zealand, a popular spot for walking and hiking with panoramic views of the city. For athletic facilities, the Nelson City Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Riverside Pool and the Nayland Pool. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Nelson Junior Football Club and the Nelson Junior Cricket Club. With its mix of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Nelson provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

Dunedin

Dunedin is an excellent place for international families to live, offering a variety of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the Otago Museum and the Toit? Otago Settlers Museum provide educational and interactive experiences. The Otago Museum also offers a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. Dunedin is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Dunedin Botanic Garden, which features a playground, botanical gardens, and picnic areas, and the Tunnel Beach Track, a popular spot for walking and hiking with stunning coastal views. For athletic facilities, the Dunedin City Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Moana Pool and the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Dunedin Junior Football Club and the Dunedin Junior Cricket Club. With its blend of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Dunedin provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

New Plymouth

New Plymouth is a great place for international families to reside, offering a wide array of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the Puke Ariki Museum and the Brooklands Zoo provide educational and interactive experiences. The Puke Ariki Museum also offers a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. New Plymouth is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Pukekura Park, which features a playground, botanical gardens, and picnic areas, and the Coastal Walkway, a popular spot for walking and cycling with breathtaking coastal views. For athletic facilities, the New Plymouth District Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre and the Bell Block Pool. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the New Plymouth Rangers AFC and the New Plymouth Old Boys' Rugby Club. With its mix of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, New Plymouth provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.

Palmerston North

Palmerston North is a great destination for international families, offering a diverse range of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, the Te Manawa Museum and the Lido Aquatic Centre provide educational and interactive experiences. The Te Manawa Museum also offers a dedicated children's area with hands-on exhibits and activities. Palmerston North is home to numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the Victoria Esplanade, which features a playground, botanical gardens, and picnic areas, and the Manawatu River Pathway, a popular spot for walking and cycling with stunning river views. For athletic facilities, the Palmerston North City Council operates several family-friendly pools and leisure centres throughout the city, including the Freyberg Community Pool and the Lido Aquatic Centre. There are also numerous sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Palmerston North Marist Junior Football Club and the Palmerston North Boys' Cricket Club. With its blend of educational, recreational, and athletic opportunities, Palmerston North provides a welcoming and engaging environment for international families.