New Zealand vs. Canada (which is better?) 

I have lived half my life in Canada and half my life in Australia. I recently spent 2 weeks on holidays in the South Island of NZ and absolutely loved it! It's like Canada smooshed into a smaller place. The only downside I found was the cost of living is higher there. Petrol is about a dollar more in NZ than in Australia, so if you are touring by car, that's a lot of money. I would love to live in NZ though. Very beautiful and laid back.

I’m from British Columbia and found New Zealand to be so similar! As someone coming from Vancouver, visiting Auckland felt just like home!

Brittany you are a wonderfully articulate communicator. I would watch any travel experience you had to share.

Great vid! My best friend has moved to Calgary from the UK and I’m moving to NZ at the end of this month! Enjoyed this watch 😊

Best explained 👍👍

Awesome thanks Brittany for the tips

Thank you for your very incisive and pointed comparitive analysis. I particularly loved that you were able to pick on the very subtle nuances that define the "true quality of life" in the ethnography of a culture. The colder and more extreme weather in Canada I guess, makes the culture more materially focused, while NZ's milder moderate weather seeds a more rounded balance amonst inhabitants and more nature oriented. Very valuable content, I subscribed and hope to watch more of your articulate videos. You are clearly born with a penchant for vlogging. Much Love and Light Angel, Godspeed.

Thanks very much Brittany.. Very good n detailed comparison u have presented.

Great video! You nailed it about the drinking culture in NZ. I personally moved from NZ to Australia for better buying power with the dollar and a better wage. Middle of summer is intense but thats when you fly to Japan for their winter! I would like to Visit Canada at some point it appears to be a larger more grand scale version of the South Island of NZ.

29 years in Canada. 1 in New Zealand. Canadas Superior. Both great countries with neither being a bad choice but thinking with my head made me realize moving back to Canada was the right choice. For now at least. If you were someone who was rich and money wasnt an issue I'd actually push you towards NZ but for an average person earning 35-100k Canada is the far better option. Its already hard enough to pay your bills and put a little away these days the extra stress of earning way less just isn't worth it. I like how you mention living/working in New Zealand is severely different than traveling. This couldn't be more true. I traveled around for 3 months and it was the most amazing experience in the world that I'll never forget. I also worked 9 months full time at the same profession I have in Canada and I have to admit it was kind of depressing. I was taking home 50-55% of what I was used to.

Lots of great info Brittany!! It’s nice to know some of this stuff before my move to NZ

NZer here. I've been to Canada twice and loved it (my mother was Canadian). I loved the mountains and prairies! The wildlife too - especially moose - I *love* moose!

Love your video and love all of the information! Thanks so much! That’s very true of the words. ❤❤ And nowadays, with the influx of people, probably it’s difficult to find a job in both places I guess. 😢

Waa!You narrate wonderfully.

Thanks for sharing🙏

In NZ you can pick and choose the temperature by adjusting the exposure you have to the sun and wind. The wind is freezing in the summer but the sun is scorching. After dark im allways cold in NZ in the summer cos used to the sun in the day keeping me warm. I also found this in Australia as well where you get both the hot air and the strong sun but you still notice the sun go down like in NZ. Your right about the healthcare, its a lot more private in NZ than what ppl think. Its a hybrid system and it still costs you to do to doctors etc. There is still the safety net for hospital worthy dramas unlike the US but you will pay for doctors visits and especially dental care. Im sure Canada is better for dental care especially for toothache as you guys have much better access to natural pain relief than in NZ. And for that reason i totally agree with you regarding the attitude in NZ regarding mental health etc etc... i dont have many friends here and ive lived in NZ most of my life. I have tourettes syndrome and that puts even more of a wedge between me and other ppl not just socially but employment wise too. I mostly work by myself and for myself due to maltreatment at my previous job. When you work for yourself you can take as much time off as you like! You het paid better than slaving for a boss alongside other boozing cretins and virtue signallers who show their true colors once the cameras are off them and their not on instagram haha. I like your comparison. There are certainly pros to living in NZ. The isolation comes in handy if anything crazy happens in the Northern hemispheare especially with WW3 but only if NZ keeps out of the melee.

We love this vlog, Brittany! Great points.👍 I'd swap the lifestyle and climate in Canada for NZ in a blink of my eye.❤ Ottawa gets incredibly humid and hot in the summer, and the winter, with the wind chill factor, can be bitterly cold, making it tough to go out🥶. The positioning of Ottawa in the Valley contributes to these extremes. Climate, prices, and the cost of living are shifting globally, making life challenging everywhere these days. Tx again for a great vlog. Lots of love 💖💖💖

This video helps me a lot as I am planning to move to Canada , thank you so much Brittany.

Thanks for the comprehensive comparison. Love it!

That's for you for this video ❤

I'm a calgarian looking to move to Auckland, super helpful vid!

Nice video! I don't think it's fair to compare Auckland home prices with Calgary's though. Auckland is more like Toronto or Vancouver of New Zealand. On a related note I think Canada is a bigger economy than NZ so it is probably easier to get higher paying jobs.

That's lots of inside. Thanks so much

We recently spent almost 3 months living in Hamilton, NZ. We found the people there to be wonderful. We joined a church and made a ton of friends, so much so that it was really hard to go back to the USA. I don't drink alcohol either.

Great !.. I myself lived in Canada 25 years and was happy with the cold. Was exactly wondering how would I compare with New Zealand.. You gave perfect answers to that and added precise points. But, Hey I had opportunity to live in Istanbul, and found more central, temper climate and location wise somehow closer to everywhere. TBH, cheaper and safe(if You don't drive). Work is a bit troublesome here, has to be a remote or GIG jobs of sort.. Thanks for the beautiful views and comments to compare to us on these two wonderful countries. Good luck

It's not often New Zealand gets commended on its weather 😆 I like your frankness Brittany. I think they're two very desirable places to live but its obvious that Canada has a lot of advantages being in the Northern hemisphere and with more opportunities for individuals seeking generally higher incomes. I've always thought it takes a little bit of eccentricity to emigrate to New Zealand - on paper there are other places that make more sense. However, I think some people just enjoy the (fanciful) idea that NZ is peaceful and far away from all the world's problems.

Thank you for sharing

Thank you for this easy-understanding video. Since you mentioned the sun is very strong in NZ, is it good to just wear sun-protecting clothes instead of sunscreens? Because I really don’t like wearing sunscreens..

Hello it's me (again) your new subscribers. Thank you so much for the video, it's really useful. I never been to both countries but I've been to the US (most people said that US and Canada quite similar 😅). I'm from Indonesia (one of South Asean Country). Do you think which one better between Canada and NZ in terms of continue study especially in Master Degree with a scholarship for international students? Thank you in advance 🙏😊

Based on lifestyle and weather I think I would choose New Zealand, but being further away from family would be a challenge. Canada would be a lot closer since I have family both there and in the US.

I really wanna live in both countries, each one has its own particularities and I love it.

Interesting video

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience, I enjoyed your video, I found the categories you compared relevant for people who are contemplating a move in either direction or those who are here just out of curiosity. What I really appreciated was the way you presented a balanced view that was informative. Well done. I've always felt New Zealand is the Canada of the South Pacific and very content with it.

As a born Kiwi, I can confirm a few things about NZ: although it didn't used to be, today cost of living is very high (groceries, electricity, rent, buying a house, petrol), although real estate cost lowers a lot the farther you are from main cities. Public hospitals are excellent for life-threatening emergency care, such as heart attack etc, but if your condition means you aren't going to die today, you could wait months, even years for treatment publicly. Yes the sun is fierce, you burn easily so cover up or become a pink lobster, and skin cancer is a big thing here, I can confirm this personally - wear a hat! I have never thought much of employers here in NZ, but hearing that in Canada you only get two weeks holiday and might get sacked for going on holiday, that is truly shocking! I still want to visit Canada one day, but as a tourist :-)

As a kiwi, I couldn't deal with the weather in Canada screw that. I find South Island winter cold enough.

I live in Quebec, near Montreal. We do have a 2 speed health care now. Nowadays, it's very hard to find a doctor for something that is not urgent unless you're ready to pay. Heck, you might have to pay just to get the appointment! And the waiting time is awful! So I believe NZ is better in that regard. Also, 2 weeks vacation is the minimum that the law prescribes, but many companies offer more. Personnally, in the company I work, I started with 3 weeks, got a fourth one after 1 year and a fith one after 5 years. Many big companies offer similar conditions. And for being fired for taking you vacation, unless you go AWOL, that won't happen. And if it does happen, it's illegal. So on this point, I give the edge to Canada.

So much insights

That's a great video! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think you went a bit too hard on Canada in certain aspects. 2 weeks of vacation is indeed the minimum mandatory allowance but most people get at least 3-4 weeks. I think one thing that NZ gets you over Canada is the ability to become a Kiwi and have an option to live/work in Australia if you choose to. So basically have more options.

Hi such an accurate video ❤

Canada is much closer to the rest of the world. Going to the US is a couple hours drive away. Flying to Europe from Toronto is mostly less than 8 hours flying time.

I've been in New Zealand for the past 6 years. I find it like a little village. less tech with fewer jobs.

Climate, new Zealand. Everything else, Awesome Canada!!!

Little update as of Dec 14, 2023. Canada is implementing a free public dental plan rolled out in phases for those without private insurance.

Compare cost of living in Canada vs new Zealand vs Australia vs Philippines

I feel Canada would win if it wasn't for the crazy winters, ultimately I think the real winner here is Australia lol.

I've never heard of anyone waiting 6 hours to see the doctor, I wait usually between 30 - 45 minutes, mind you I do have to book a couple of days in advance, but that's because he's very popular. The sun can feel like it's cutting you like a knife due to the ozone hole, SP50 sunscreen is recommended. Personally I love summer, my favourite time of year.

Love living in Canada, but the weather is no joke. Where im living in Alberta, we get the worst of both lol. Ive seen -56c with windchill, only to hit +44c 6 months later. A 100c temp change is the difference of boiling and freezing water 😅. The coldest Air temp ive been in was -52. That plus 44 was air temp too, the feels like was something like +48.

Lovely video

Very nicely done video. Many Thanks Brittany...!!! I feel from this video that New Zealand has a better quality of life. I agree that healthcare is a nightmare in Canada and also the vacation time way less in Canada. I take a balanced life any day of the week..!!!

this was helpful as someone from Okotoks Alberta who is thinking of moving to New Zealand. When going to new Zealand for the first time, do you recommend someone travel/explore or start right away with a holiday work visa? also so far we have had a pretty chill winter no snow in Okotoks/Calgary yet!

The citizen of New Zealand can work remotely to US Companies to make much better wealth and life.

Vacation in Canada depends where you work but minimum is 2 weeks. For Government jobs it is 6 weeks vacation per year.

Canada has a large territory but new Zealand had limited territory both these countries I love it also Australia someday I will visit these places I'm from Philippines

I don't mind leaving in any of the country❤

Being from Scandinavia.., and been living in both the States and Canada. Vancouver has a Great Vibe, but it's a dog eat dog mentallity when it comes to the work situation . On top of that Vancouver might be the most depressing rainy place on the planet. New Zealand has more in Common with Iceland and Scandinavia. On many levels.

New Zealand is a beautiful country with friendly people but the tax rate is much better in Canada 🇨🇦 (I’m a kiwi)

Hi Brittany, are you still in NZ! I'm from Hawai'i and would love to host you on the South Island

Hi I live in NZ and am looking to move to Canada but the reason the sun is stronger is because there is a big hole in the Ozone layer above NZ and Australia

That is so true about Nz work culture... I migrated from India, and we also share similar vacation styles to America you have to beg for holidays there.. here my manager comes to aftet year of work and told me to go for holidays 😂😂 like it is Mandatory

Good point. We have a terrible drinking problem in NZL. Many alcoholics and depression/suicide is common amongst teenagers as their is little to do. It’s a great country if you’re into the outdoors but lacking if you’re into pubs, clubs and concerts.

I still can’t decide 😢

Are houses in new Zealand also cold proof like Canadian houses which have pre installed heaters?

Will you explore the Cook Islands? Australia seems like a obvious choice.

I agree that our drinking culture is disgusting here in nz.

The weather here in NZ is amazing. Its shit as in Wellington though😂 you need to move to Motueka dude👍

How is job market of Lab chemist in newzealand?

6 months of winter, you wish ... snow starts in September and ends in April (maybe). I always joke most of Canada has 9 months of winter followed by 3 months of mosquito season lol. Also Auckland is more comparable to Vancouver or greater Victoria area in terms of quality of living and weather than Calgary (which is a dry empty prairie at an elevation of 1000m above sea level)

I do not quite agree with your health care comment. In the last couple years, I have no problem getting prompt healthcare service in Toronto area. In general, I am able to get treatment from specialist within 2 months time frame.

in my city, people hold an umbrella under the sun in the hottest days of summer. Both men and women do this. If in New Zealand I choose to use umbrella to protect myself from the scorching sun, would I be seen as a weirdo?

As a Doctor my income would be better in Canada than New Zealand .

I’ve never tried crate day…but I’m still hoping to 😂😂

Bare in mine that Auckland is nothing like any city in Canada. that's 1million for a shitty house Auckland is the worst place to live, Wellington is one of the best cities in terms of the major cities. Or small towns if you want something with a slow place like Tauranga. Auckland has a lot more jobs but it's way to expensive.

neazealand the best for me

NZ: Weather and Cricket.

The fact is people living in New Zealand are much happier and nicer than Canadians. You have mass drug use and people moving or wanting to move out of Canada in large numbers. Even the weather in New Zealand is way better than Canadian weather.

I love living in Canada

I would rather live in New Zealand

There is no comparison. New Zealand wins every time.

We also have a LOT of sheep

Just one main comment in defense of civilized New Zealanders. The crate day thing is recent invention, instigated I believe by a radio station shock jock and as an avid conservationist and wildlife advocate, I, and many others consider it an abomination in every way, shape and form. Drunken hoons killing unhatched or barely hatched chick's in their nests as they career around riverbeds or beaches on motorbikes is not a generally favoured pastime by most, but people, and birds end up paying for the carnage! Otherwise don't know much about Canada except that Dad's sister emigrated there and he came here, so have quite a few rellies most of whom I have never met, so serendipitous where you end up eh!

nz could have joined oz when we federated ,but, they chose not . so this is what happened , poorer economy ,smaller population , beautiful scenery but no big exports . the oz dollar is stronger and wages are much higher. now a poor cousin.

They said that NZ doesnt have land predator like snakes, how about in Canada?

Newzeland and Australia 🇦🇺 Better. Than Canada 🇨🇦

I think Australia is best in terms of weather living cost housing anything😂

New Zealand is far better? You know why ? There is No Trudeau and Singh

2 weeks leave, it’s just too little

No snakes in New Zealand.

❤

New zealand is a rip off and lower pay . Prices have not radically dropped in Auckland

Not all people drink in this country

Then come to Australia. You get the best of both worlds. Problem solved.

3:02…NZ has a big hole in their ozone layer, causing too much heat…

Canada way better than new zeland

New Zealand looks lovely, but it's soooooo far away from Europe.

Its so funny watching this as an american where time off isnt even a given and healthcare is already a nightmare. Im watching this thinking, "I see either as an absolute win" XD

as a north american i should think at some point you've been to the states and to say canada goes "way up" and "way down" i can only assume you've never been to arizona or death valley in august. but yer definitely right work/life balance in the states and canada both is sickening. i have had jobs where i was called a "clock watcher" and made to feel bad simply because i wanted to actually go home once quitting time rolled around. the old cliche we're supposed to "live to work" rather than "work to live". north america is paradise fer corporations because unless you get lucky they're required to do the bare minimum fer employees and, fer the most part, you are considered expendable and replaceable. makes me wanna barf. either way if yer canadian or new zealander and you do any amount of international travel i'd guess yer "sentenced" to always being mistaken fer another nationality.

One huge advantage of Canada is that there are many more sophisticated and intelligent women like you living there (from the perspective of a single guy like me).

Canada really really suck

I had a good childhood blessed in Aoteroa

Australia > All