Thousands of Americans consider move to virus-free New Zealand

[Larissa]

Americans visit Immigration NZ website every 30 seconds
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12351693

More than 250,000 Americans have investigated whether they qualify to move to New Zealand since the coronavirus pandemic took hold this year.

A Kiwi demographics expert says the spike in interest from United States citizens reflects a failure of the American political and public health system, and disillusionment with the leadership of United States President Donald Trump.

"Middle class, professional America is saying, 'Well, where do we go for our own safety and the safety of our families?'" The pandemic has so far infected nearly 4.5 million Americans and claimed 151,000 US lives.
New Zealand now has just 23 active case, all in managed isolation, and has recorded 22 deaths.


Related: forbes.com: Travel Website Rates the United States the second worst place in the world to raise a family. (Mexico was dead last.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2020/07/29/best-worst-countries-raise-family/#7df728117bec

[BigmanPigman]

1. Does NZ have beach-going anti-mask partiers?

If they don't I bet a lot of sane people from San Diego would like to sign up for a one way ticket to NZ. I just read this from a local paper...what can be done about this problem if the people won't comply?

https://obrag.org/2020/07/big-party-breaks-out-in-parking-lot-of-ob-with-no-masks/

[meadowlander]

3. Masks never got to be an issue here

because community transmission was contained by the first lockdown.

If people don't want to wear masks, fine. The alternative is a seven week long total lockdown where the police will arrest you if you leave your house for anything other then buying groceries or going to the drug store.

That's what we did. If people think wearing a mask is an imposition on their God-given liberties wait until it escalates to an unstoppable public health catastrophe and then enjoy the actual lockdown which will probably last twice as long as it needs to because of all the yahoos.

What pisses me off is all the people who come to New Zealand knowing they're going to have a two week quarantine and then try to break out of the hotels to go to the liquor store.

This has really shone a light on the boundlessness of some peoples' stupidity and selfishness.

[BigmanPigman]

4. I bet they would go out and break the rules

even if they had alcohol at the hotels. Some people just like being asses I think.

[canetoad]

10. You've done well in NZ

On a micro scale, Victoria Au. is having a serious second wave centred on Melbourne and metro area which has now re-entered lockdown.

I'm in a country town two hours away; we know who the strangers in town are. I wish they would just stay at home and not put the rest of the state in danger.

Personal observation; older folk have been wearing masks for weeks, without it being compulsory. Younger people seem to think they are invulnerable and it's making me angry.

[ibegurpard]

2. Lol

What hubris. New Zealand isn't just going to admit a bunch of Americans whonwant to emigrate.

[Captain Zero]

5. New Zealand probably can get all the immigrants it wants from Norway

Because no one from Norway is going to come here.

[Hekate]

6. Bar the door, guys. We Americans got ourselves to this fubar point in our society, & we have to fix

... it — and in some cases, die trying.

I’ve had many reasons for not wanting to leave the US since BushCheney were installed in the WH, most of them boiling down to not wanting to leave my family behind, and a belief that we could fix this mess.

I also had many arguments with my husband over this issue. Ultimately we got Obama, and I would have really felt bad if I had missed his 8 years.

Now — well now it’s too damn late for us because we are 72, and because godsdamn Trump has made Americans into international social pariahs.

New Zealand is a small country compared to the US, and they have their own indigenous people among their citizens, none of whom need to be swamped by a big influx of Americans.

Stay home and resist!

[catsudon]

7. gee how soon did people forget

Christchurch mosque shootings...

new zealand have a lot of guns

[teach1st]

12. Since that shooting...

New Zealand passed a ban on most semi-automatics, although efforts may have stalled.

[captain queeg]

8. I don't think they'd want us

I looked into it awhile back. I think of you were serious the best bet would to have a certain profession. They list the more desirable ones on their website about immigration, I can’t remember the specifics. Just like everywhere, if you have the right kind of knowledge it helps. Maybe it’s easier to just retire there or something short of full time residency. They’re probably more open to someone who is not going to take jobs from residents.

[brooklynite]

9. Not easy to go...

My SIL and family moved there 10 years ago (and subsequently became citizens); you need to show work skills that they actually need.

[canetoad]

11. Shepherds? nt

[Maru Kitteh]

13. Hey! I am one of them. I'm eligible for permanent residence

And NZ is on the short list if you-know-who gets back in.