Moving to New Zealand - Eagles to Kiwis

Check out Utsab's YouTube channel and his socks story: https://youtu.be/pJEGUHKO-g8?si=86jnTnLja_rzz4Dm

What does it take to build a life across three countries, several New Zealand cities, and a childhood where the village phone was a two-hour walk away? Utsap shares the journey behind his move from Nepal to New Zealand, and why the biggest lessons he brought with him have nothing to do with technology. Host Ashley talks with Utsab about growing up in a mountain village without electricity, where families bartered food, neighbours gathered around the only television, and a trip to the hospital could mean carrying someone for miles.

At 16, he left for the city. Years later, he came to New Zealand as a student, worked his way toward residency and citizenship, and made a difficult choice: giving up his Nepalese passport. You’ll hear how he navigated life in a new country, from the shock of realizing Kiwi English didn’t sound like the English he knew to discovering the quiet, space, and safety that now make New Zealand feel like home. Utsap also shares why he opened a Moroccan restaurant in Kaiapoi, what he misses about Nepal’s festivals and community, and how he stays connected to his home country from afar.The conversation turns to raising kids, independence, and the value of learning to adapt. Utsap’s perspective comes from a childhood spent exploring, observing, and figuring things out for himself. His advice for anyone moving to New Zealand - or trying to make a big change - is summed up in one memorable image: life is a marathon, not a 100-metre race.For anyone considering a move to New Zealand, curious about the lives people leave behind, or looking for a reminder to slow down and keep going, Ashley and Utsab offer a warm, honest conversation that stays with you.

Episode Description

Buying 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 buyer
• Why New Zealand’s rateable value, or RV, is not the same as a property’s market value
• How to research realistic prices using Homes.co.nz, OneRoof, and Trade Me insights
• What “price by negotiation” actually means
• How 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 funds
• How visa status affects your ability to purchase property
• What renters should prepare, including references and proof that they are reliable tenants
• Why school zones, sun orientation, and property location can dramatically change Christchurch home prices

Grace 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.

Jonathan moved to New Zealand in 2018 - not exactly by plan. He came for a training, met someone, and one thing led to another. Now six months into Christchurch after years in rural North Island, he's still making up his mind about small city life after Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago.

In this episode Jonathan and Ashley get into the things Americans don't always expect — the lack of billboards and freeways, the tall poppy syndrome, the moments of surprising conservatism sitting right next to genuine community warmth, and what it feels like to live somewhere so safe you forget what you left behind. They also talk about diversity in schools, the Jewish community (or lack of one), the best red meat you'll ever eat, and why New Zealand might just be the safest place on earth - earthquakes aside.

Honest, warm, and wonderfully unfiltered...just like this podcast.

This week I'm joined by Karl, an American who moved from Portland, Oregon to Christchurch in 2015 and never left. Eleven years on, he shares what it's really like to build a life here, from arriving on a work visa (and shipping two dogs through the blood-tests), to raising two Kiwi kids, to re-entering the dating scene in Christchurch after experiencing a divorce after moving here. Karl also shares his perspective as a Black American in Christchurch, something listeners have specifically asked to hear.

We get into the stuff people actually want to know: why it's so hard to break into the "Christchurch club" and how Karl found his people through expat meetups, what work-life balance and four weeks of annual leave actually look like, grass-fed everything, freezing old houses (new build = warm, trust us), cheap golf, and healthcare, including the difference between a $50,000 C-section bill in the US and a $50 home birth here.

Whether you're planning your move or just curious about life on the other side, Karl's take is honest, relaxed, and full of practical advice, including why your five-year-old might end up scooting to school alone.

Ad information for this episode: Hypernatural - HyperNatural

Discount code for 16% off - AshleyNZ

Most newcomers to New Zealand discover a vibrant, bustling city full of surprises, yet many are caught off guard by how lively Christchurch truly is. From unexpected community events to the rapid pace of adoption of AI in local businesses, there’s more happening here than meets the eye. In this episode, Ashley sits down with Si Thu who’s navigated the intricate pathways of relocating from the UAE and Myanmar to Christchurch. He also lived in the US for his university studies at Wharton. He shares firsthand insights into the skilled migrant visa process, pet relocations involving direct Emirates flights, and the subtle cultural shifts that come with building a new life. You’ll learn the real behind-the-scenes of bringing pets into New Zealand, including quarantine procedures, paperwork. We delve into the quirky differences between local transportation and lifestyle choices, from ride-sharing apps like Didi and Uber to the surprising popularity of car-free living among young families. Discover how the Kiwi city’s endless calendar of events -concerts, theatre, art shows, and sports defies expectations and creates a lively, dynamic atmosphere. You’ll also hear about the rise of AI adoption here because Si Thu is an expert and tutors Ashley. Why does this matter? Because missing out on these nuances may mean staying disconnected from opportunities that could transform your experience here. Whether you’re planning your move or already living in New Zealand, understanding Christchurch’s energetic pulse and its embrace of technology can open new doors for growth, community, and adventure. If you’re considering a life change or eager to explore the real Kiwi experience beyond tourist spots, this episode is packed with practical tips, surprising insights, and personal stories that will inspire you and maybe start planning your own adventure in this vibrant, ever-evolving city.

Use Ashley’s discount codes – AshleyNZ

In this episode, Ben, who recently made the leap from Colorado to Christchurch, shares the unexpected joys and surprises of his journey, from navigating visa pitfalls to rediscovering a laid-back, community-focused lifestyle. Ben brought his wife and two teens with him on this adventure.

Discover how planning, curiosity, and a willingness to adapt can open doors to a new world! Ben's story peels back the curtain on what it really takes to relocate abroad, from downsizing from a 4,000-square-foot home to a fully furnished rental. Ben talks about the adaptability required to thrive without a car in Aotearoa New Zealand.

You'll learn about student visa pathways and how they can effectively lead to work opportunities, and the importance of seeking expert advice to avoid costly mistakes. Ben also shares fascinating differences in sports culture and why rugby here is less intense and more community-oriented, and how casual sports and outdoor activities foster genuine connections.

Ben is taking full advantage of Christchurch's new One Stadium and the local love for live music, food markets, and outdoor adventures. Ben is the perfect guest for aspiring expats, adventure-seekers, or anyone considering a fresh start.