7 Welcoming Towns to Retire in New Zealand

New Zealand, an island country with just over five million people, is an ideal destination to enjoy a blissful retirement. The country is beautiful, relatively laid back, and peaceful, and most importantly, it is a developed nation. Yet, retiring in this beautiful country requires picking some charming and welcoming towns that fit the prospects for a perfect retirement destination. Thankfully, these towns tick all the boxes for a great retirement, such as low population, slow-paced life, low crime rate, affordable housing, access to healthcare facilities, and a good population of seniors. Saying goodbye to full-time work life and seeking the ideal destination for a peaceful retirement, here are seven welcoming towns in New Zealand to call home.

Kerikeri

Kerikeri is one of the most historic towns in New Zealand and an excellent place for retirees with a soft spot for history as it is regarded as the oldest-founded European town in the country, established in 1822. With 29% of its populace above 65, a low crime rate, and fair price tags on average homes, retirees can quickly settle in this pretty and laid-back historic town. Some of the town’s historic attractions retirees would love include - the Kerikeri Mission House, the standing building in New Zealand; Stone Store, the oldest stone building in the country; and St. James Church, built in 1878. Interestingly, these historic structures overlook the Kerikeri River, making them more visually stunning. Moreover, the town is home to one of the oldest fruit trees in the country - the Pear Tree. Aside from history, Charlie’s Rock Waterfall is a natural attraction in town that requires only a 30-minute walk, which will be duly compensated for with a swimming hole to ward off the heat. Elsewhere, art lovers have Little Black Gallery to explore and admire local creativity.

Clyde

Clyde is a retirement-worthy town in Central Otago, close to Alexandra and bordering the Clutha River. It has a low population of just above 1,000, which makes for a serene and less chaotic environment with a low crime rate. Housing comes at a decent price as well, and nature is just at the town's corridors. Seniors would love it here, with approximately 30% of the population above age 65. When it comes to things to do, retirees can always visit the Clyde Cinema to enjoy an epic movie or head to the Clyde Village Vineyard for a wine-tasting experience. In the outdoors, laid-back and scenic areas are offered on the Clutha River, while Lake Dunstan is great for boating and fishing activities. For history enthusiasts, The Clyde Historical Museum is always a delightful stop to cherish a bygone era through historic photos, exhibits, and gold mining stories.

West Port

West Port is a quaint, lovely town on the West Coast of the South Island and the oldest European settlement on the coast, founded in 1861/1862. This historically charming town lies on the mouth of the Buller River, where it draws retirees close to nature. Housing here is almost a steal, with the average home of three to four bedrooms costing around $470,000, while its approximately 4,200 population accounts for serenity and low crime rate. For retirees here, the nearby Buller River is a top recreational spot for kayaking, boating, and canoeing. Nearby Cape Foulwind, Tauranga Bay features a fur seal colony to admire and take photos of, with views of the ocean and waves crashing onto rocky shores. Also, the nearby Carters Beach is a fine spot for sunbathing, picnicking, and swimming. History lovers can always learn about the area’s coal mining history at the Coaltown Museum and how it relates to the town’s development. For some entertainment, the NBS Theatre offers thrilling shows and performances.

Masterton

Masterton is one of the larger towns in New Zealand, but it is quite peaceful and welcoming and features a significant population of seniors. Ideal for retirees, the town’s crime rate is on the low and reducing every year, while housing options are less pricey (compared to larger cities in the country), with an average home price hovering around $550,000. With these great conditions in place, retirees can always chill at the Queen Elizabeth Park by the Waipoua River and ride a miniature railway or hike around its lake or through its beautiful gardens. Henley Lake Park is another scenic outdoor recreational hotspot in town featuring the visually enticing Henley Lake, with trails around it to stroll and spots for picnics on the lush green lawns with lake views. Meanwhile, the Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History is an amazing spot in town to delve into the region’s glorious past and art heritage with over 4,000 objects. For premium movie entertainment to get lost in thrilling moments, the Regent 3 Cinemas is highly recommended.

Alexandra

Alexandra is a low-populated town in the Central Otago region by the banks of Clutha River, with nearly 30% of its population above 65 years or older, making it a retirement-friendly town. Even better, the crime rate is low, and access to healthcare is impressive for seniors. Plus there are many things to see and do in town. First off, the Clutha River is a scenic delight for nature lovers, and strolling around it can be mentally refreshing and physically rewarding. Retirees can also delve into the town's gold mining history at the Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery, which is also a great place to admire local artworks. Moreover, the museum is within Pioneer Park, a premier recreational spot featuring beautiful gardens, playgrounds, and picnic spots. Seniors are also welcome to visit Grey Ridge Vineyard, one of the town's many vineyards, to explore and sample different wines.

Greymouth

Greymouth is a naturally scenic town on the West Coast where 20% of the town’s population is over 65 years old, the crime rate is low, and its median home price is around $430,000. On the side of activities, the town invites art lovers to explore mind-blowing exhibits at Leftbank Art Gallery, notably the Pounamu Collection, featuring carvings made from hard stones. Beach lovers can head to Rapahoe Beach to relax, admire the ocean, bask in the sun, and promenade on the sands. Also, retirees can take the approximately 11 km Point Elizabeth Walkway that begins from the beach and bypasses old gold mining sites to a jaw-dropping clifftop overlook with striking landscape views. For some more history, the nearby Shantytown Heritage Park is a must-visit to see the replica of a 19th-century mining town featuring gold panning activities.

Coromandel

Retirement in Coromandel is a blissful experience worth having. Besides the high population of 65-plus residents and the slow-paced atmosphere, the town is close to nature, with many beaches, coves, and forests to explore. Retirees can spend an entire day at Hot Water Beach, digging their pools and enjoying warm baths inside. Additionally, you can hit the Coromandel Coastal Walk to explore the beaches and charming coastal scenery of the town. For kayaking and diving lovers, the nearby Cathedral Cove is the perfect spot to visit. For more excitement, retirees can book the Driving Creek Railway tour, sometimes for an hour-long ride on New Zealand’s only mountain railway that journeys across bridges and through tunnels as it offers impressive sights of islands and forests.

Why These New Zealand Towns Are Ideal for Retirement

Retirement can be a misery or a heaven-on-earth experience, depending on the location. While New Zealand is, by far, a peaceful and blessed country to retire to, some towns are more perfect for seniors and retirees than others. The reason is that retirees have special needs like seamless access to healthcare, a company of fellow retirees, more intimacy with nature and history, and, of course, a peaceful environment. These towns tick all the boxes and provide a haven for seniors to spend the remainder of their work-free lives in joy, peace, and comfort.