Emigrating Britons find New Zealand a place like home

The New Zealand south island city of Christchurch has emerged as the new hot-spot for immigrating Britons to that country. Immigration experts has theorised that the similarities with towns like Cambridge and Bristol are the reason for the new trend.

The city itself is famed for its churches, a stunning medieval town square and even a river Avon where punting is the norm. The city was named after one of its founders who had attended Christ Church in Oxford and is overlooked by green fields and the snow-capped Southern Alps.

According to New Zealand census data over the past five years there are now three suburbs from Christchurch in the top ten destinations for British migrants; Selwyn, Port Hills and Waimakiriri. In all of these suburbs the British were the largest migrant group.

New Zealand’s largest city Auckland is still the top destination with traditional harbour side electorates such as the North Shore and East Coast Bays being preferred. Statistics also revealed that most Britons choose to live outside of the CBD in major cities, instead preferring to reside in hill-top or beachside suburbs with views and access to the ocean. Many also take advantage of the relatively orderly public transport system which allows children to commute easily to school. Most have plots of land far larger than back in the UK and many expats dabble with farming, fruit-growing or wine making.

UK immigrants lead all nations moving to New Zealand, comprising 17% of the total number. China is second at 13% ahead of South Africa (11%) with Fiji and The Philippines both at 8%.