The best places in New Zealand to be a digital nomad - after Aussie holiday favourite changes visa rules
Travelling the world while working and earning money to fund your trip sounds like the dream, right?
The New Zealand Government has announced it is relaxing visitor visa rules to allow tourists to work remotely while in the country.
Travellers will be allowed to stay in New Zealand and work for clients or companies based overseas, without breaching visa conditions, for up to 90 days.
But as some popular destinations like Queenstown already flooding with tourists, so where else should you go to be a digital nomad in New Zealand?
This story was originally published by Stuff and has been reproduced here with permission.
Taupō
Taupō was named one of the 'most welcoming' communities on Earth in Booking.com's 2025 Traveller Review Awards, based on more than 360 million reviews from around the world.
There are many cafes and lots of accommodation to cater to travellers needing to work while seeing the sights. Destination Great Lake Taupō general manager Patrick Dault said: "There's a bed for every head in Taupō and a warm welcome for everyone."
Taupo is ideal for visitors who are on more of a budget to take part in tourism activities. Many of the top things to do are free, like swimming in Lake Taupō, visiting Huka Falls, walking in Tongariro National Park and biking the Great Lake Trails or the Tongariro River Trail.
Taupō is also close to Rotorua and Hawke's Bay so you can make the most of weekends and go for a short roadie.
Best for: nature lovers
Wānaka
This town in Central Otago is an adventurous remote worker's dream. Being a popular tourist hub, Wānaka has excellent internet and co-working spaces like The Cell.
Wānaka also featured on the 2025 most-welcoming places list. Not only are the locals friendly but there are many other travellers in town trying out the skifields, the hikes and admiring the lake views, meaning you're sure to meet some interesting people.
Take a 40-minute boat ride from downtown Wānaka the island of Mou Waho and try to find the "above average" view that Stuff Travel reporter Alan Granville is not allowed to pinpoint.
Drive an hour and you'll be in Queenstown so you can enjoy more of this stunning region.
Best for: adventure seekers
Lyttelton
Lyttelton is a great place for creative folk as the charming port town has a strong arts and music scene.
It is just a short drive to Christchurch for co-working spaces and urban conveniences. You'll want to come back to the Banks Peninsula each day, though, for its stunning harbour views, bays, walking and cycle trails. Bridle Path is popular for its views across the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps and then Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula. Or take a 15-minute ferry to Ōtamahua/Quail Island, once used as a quarantine facility for people with leprosy, and tackle the trails there.
Best for: creatives
Christchurch
According to TradeMe, the Garden City is the cheapest major city in New Zealand. Christchurch is a great place for city-loving digital nomads.
The city has a growing tech and startup scene post-earthquake reconstruction and is close to the Southern Alps, has lovely beaches and national parks.
Being a city, it has everything you need to work and then enjoy your relaxation time with a stroll through Hagley Park or out in the nightlife.
Best for: city-slickers
Kerikeri
In the winterless north, Kerikeri is sunny and mild year-round. The main street, with its hanging floral baskets, is a lovely place to stroll and find a cafe to perch at or walk to one of the co-working spaces too.
The area is known for its local produce so you can spend your time trying the local berries, wines and chocolate in between meetings.
Kerikeri Mission Station and the some 200-year-old Kemp House and Stone Store are two of New Zealand's oldest buildings and are close to the 27-metre-high Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa) - the most famous of the five waterfalls on Kerikeri's network of walking tracks.
The town is also a great place to base yourself if you want to explore the beautiful Bay of Islands, Paihia, Russell and Waitangi, or venture further north to Mangōnui and ultimately Cape Reinga and the beaches along the way.
Best for: food and nature lovers
Motueka
Close to Nelson, this region has one of the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand. When you're not working, the Tasman region is a perfect base for Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park and Golden Bay adventures.
You can also find some fairly cheap hostels here if you're really trying to stretch out your trip. The local library and cafes offer wi-fi where you can work in peace.
Best for: outdoorsy creatives and ocean lovers
Napier
Napier has wineries, eateries, cycle trails and Art Deco galore.
There are several co-working spaces where you can hire a desk if you need some serious working time otherwise the many cafes in the main streets are a great place to stop in for a coffee, a bite to eat and some emails.
Napier is also a jetting-off point to Gisborne and Palmerston North if you're after a change of scene.
Best for: Food and wine lovers
