New Zealand’s beautiful, unspoiled beaches, warm weather and friendly, English-speaking people make it an ideal choice for escaping harsh North American winters. And thanks to a dramatic shift in currency exchange rates, U.S. dollar holders have almost 40 percent more buying power in New Zealand than they had a year ago.
In addition to great countryside and beach lifestyle options, New Zealand offers something else that sets it apart on the world stage and makes it an especially interesting option for a retiree with a particular hobby: world-class fishing. Since American angler Zane Grey described the Bay of Islands as the “Angler’s El Dorado” it’s been widely recommended as New Zealand’s top fishing destination. In addition, other less recognized locations in Northland boast great fishing, plus the potential for short-term rental of your property when you are not using it.
New Zealand is one of the least densely populated countries on earth. With about 15 people per square kilometer, it’s half as dense as the United States on average. This is a country with elbow room. It’s also one of the safest countries in the world, as well as one of the least corrupt. Transparency International’s corruption perception index ranks New Zealand as the second least corrupt country in the world (after Denmark). By comparison, the United States is in a four-way tie for 17th place.
The culture is hard working, honest, modern and forward looking. New Zealand was the first place in the world to give women the vote in 1893, and the country elected its first female Prime Minister, Helen Clark, in 1999. Plus, New Zealand feels familiar to North Americans. It’s an English-speaking country with a lot of shared cultural norms.
The climate ranges from warm sub-tropical in the north of North Island to a cool, temperate climate in the far south, with extreme alpine conditions in mountainous regions.
One of the country’s greatest appeals, thanks to its 9,300 miles of shoreline and thousands of lakes and rivers, is its fishing. Here are five top picks if your dream retirement features a rod, reel and fishing line.
1. Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands is studded with sheltered beaches, wineries and colonial era towns. It’s also one of the three biggest game fishing areas in New Zealand, renowned for the quality of its marlin fishing, but also a great place to fish for snapper, kingfish and hapuku. Record breakers are caught here frequently, making this a popular fishing destination among both New Zealanders and fishermen from around the world.
It’s possible in this area to purchase a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with tropical landscaping and a swimming pool located just across the road from the beach for the equivalent of $200,000 or less at the current exchange rate. These apartments often come with onsite managers, making it easy for overseas owners to manage and rent out their properties.
2. Whangaroa Harbour. Whangaroa Harbour is best known for its sport and game fishing charters, but you’ll also find good small boat and land fishing. This could make a great part-time retirement base for avid fisherman. However, because this area is off the tourist route, there’s less demand for short-term rentals. If being able to rent your place out when you’re not using it yourself to generate cash flow is important to you, you might consider other locations first.
Popular in Whangaroa Harbour and other locations away from cities and main tourist areas are cottages known as “baches.” These are usually basic houses, but they can be luxurious. You could buy one in Whangaroa Harbour at the current exchange rate for $200,000 or less.
3. Doubtless Bay. Doubtless Bay is situated on the east coast of the Northland region, northeast of Kaitaia. With a warm sub-tropical climate, 45 miles of unspoiled coastline and an abundance of safe beaches, Doubtless Bay is a vacation paradise and an ideal base for a holiday house in Northland.
There is good all-around fishing most of the year (from small boats and on land). The area includes Mangonui Wharf, famous for the schools of kingfish that pass during the warmer months as well as kahawai, snapper, John Dory and the odd bronze whaler shark. These are often caught off the wharf itself.
Another appealing community in the area is Coopers Beach, offering a relaxed lifestyle and access to Doubtless Bay.
4. Ninety Mile Beach. Renowned for spectacular sunsets and boasting one of the best left-hand surf breaks in the world, Ninety Mile Beach on Northland’s west coast could be described as a beach-lover’s paradise. The beach is 64 miles long and you can drive on it almost the entire distance.
Famous for its large numbers of snapper, trevally and kahawai, Ninety Mile Beach hosts a five-day fishing competition once a year in late February or early March. Hundreds of anglers surf cast from the beach hoping to catch the biggest snapper, a delicious white-flesh fish found in New Zealand waters.
Prices here can be slightly lower than in other prime fishing locales. A brand new three-bedroom home only minutes to the beach and Ahipara golf course is on the market for about $170,000.
5. Tutukaka. This is another major center for sport and game fishing. Bordering the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, Tutukaka is best known for its kingfish, kahawai and snapper. In addition, mako and blue sharks are abundant, and the marlin population is healthy during the summer months.
This is a high-end area. Luxury houses with sea views start from around $750,000. A less expensive choice would be to own a unit in an apartment complex. This way, you can still enjoy the views, but without the big price tag or the maintenance worries.
Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group .
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An Angler’s Retirement in New Zealand originally appeared on usnews.com
