New Zealand has been a place to emigrate for British families for a long time. The housing market has seen sustained growth over the past five years - with the push for home ownership in the domestic market being very strong. The country is culturally very similar to the UK - perhaps even more so than Australia - and the weather can be glorious in their summer (particularly in the north). The South Island has spectacular, jaw-dropping scenery - beautiful fresh air and rugged fjords and mountains. Mount Cook is very high - 3764 metres (over 12,000 feet). There are many places of interest - the hot springs and mud pools of Rotorua, the art deco town of Napier, the capital Wellington and a real piece of old England - Christchurch. Lonely Planet : New Zealand Beautiful images of New Zealand Ask a Professional There are investment prospects in New Zealand, but it is essential that you seek independent expert professional advice before undertaking any property purchase. There are lots of things to bear in mind, including local laws and regulations, taxes, surveyor's assessments of the building, financial currency exchange, dealing with interbank transfers, volatility of the housing market, etc. etc. Any property purchase is a major undertaking. It may seem obvious but it's well worth going on holiday to a country several times to see if you like it. Surge in Interest The interest in purchasing property abroad has increased at an amazing rate in the past five years, fuelled in the UK by a booming domestic housing market making overseas properties seem good value for money. Also, TV programmes like Channel 4's `A Place in the Sun' have made everyone realise that owning a property abroad is no longer just for the rich and famous. People are interested in purchasing a home overseas for a variety of reasons - enjoyment, investment, buy-to-let, a new life, retirement, and more. All links and text on this site have been provided for information purposes - they are not recommendations.