Aotearoa's isolated position at the bottom of the world - so isolated, in fact, we continue to be left off maps - does have its benefits: for example, an expert has previously hailed Australia and New Zealand as the safest places to be during nuclear war.
But according to one British mum, the prospect of a safe haven amid warfare isn't alluring enough to convince her to make the move, despite her husband's "increasing concerns" about the threat of war.
The woman took to the parenting platform Mumsnet to share her conundrum last week, explaining that her husband is becoming increasingly paranoid about the possibility of conflict in the UK and as a result, wishes to uproot the family and relocate to New Zealand.
She added that amid the current global unrest, he views New Zealand as a safe place to escape to - despite the family not knowing anyone in the country and their young son starting school in September.
Annie Jacobsen, a US investigative journalist and the author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, has previously claimed that Australia and New Zealand are among the safest places to be living amid nuclear war, largely due to their agricultural resources.
Writing under an alias, the woman revealed that her husband has even been offered a job in New Zealand, although she is currently unemployed.
"DH [dear husband] wants to move us all to NZ because he's had a job offer and he's increasingly concerned about the threat of war (we are in the UK)," she wrote.
"We have one DS [dear son] who is just about to start school in September and is currently getting settled into the idea/going to taster sessions.
"I'm not currently working. I was self-employed previously. I've had a look online and it seems like DH would get the visa for the job offer and we could apply for a NZ Family Visa and try to get residency once there, but I'm unclear about whether I'd need to work to hold that visa.
"I'm not against working at all and we agreed I'd pick up my self-employed business again when DS goes to school but I don't think that would be an option under the working requirements there," she said.
Despite her husband's reassurances that the company would take care of the administration involved, the woman admitted that she believes his "anxiety about the world" is driving his "sudden" decision-making.
"DH keeps saying the company would sort it all but I think it's such a sudden huge decision and I'm worried that he's just forging ahead with it because of his anxiety about the world situation," she continued.
"We've never even been to NZ. We don't know anyone out there; I don't know anything about it or the schooling system. It's so far away as well we wouldn't be able to see friends and family regularly. I'm worried about how DS would adapt.
"I'm not enthusiastic as you can tell but DH thinks it's a smart move. AIBU [am I being unreasonable] to want to dig my feet in about this and say no?"
However, the response from fellow forum users was decidedly mixed: while many said moving across the world seemed like an extreme measure, others encouraged her to take the plunge and embrace a new experience for her and her family.
Those against the move pointed out that if the couple were to ever separate or divorce, it could make life very complicated - particularly with a child involved.
"My main worry would be that if you ever split up and you want to go home you wouldn't be able to take your child/children," one reader weighed in. "There was a really heartbreaking thread on here a few years ago from a woman in that position. And I've seen one a few years ago from a woman in Australia too."
Others acknowledged that depending on the package being offered, it seemed unlikely the company would take care of all the family's needs - while several more raised the issue of hardly ever seeing family and friends.
"Expat package - go for it. Being employed as a local - think again," one suggested.
Her husband's mental health also came into question, with some advising he see a therapist, doctor or counsellor to help address his anxiety before making such a life-altering decision.
"Sounds like he should address his fears with calm and logic, rather than drag his family to the Southern Hemisphere in a panic. I wouldn't want to go," one said, while a second agreed: "I think he needs therapy for his anxiety rather than move you all to the other end of the world."
"I would actually be quite concerned for his behaviour. It is very extreme to move to the other side of the world on a whim, especially to a country you've never even been to," a third chimed in.
A fourth noted it would be rash and possibly disastrous is she were to move countries with a "pretty unstable" husband and no support system to lean on.
"Give yourselves 12 months. Look into and go on holiday to explore the areas. If you both want to move still, then go ahead."
Those for the move heralded Aotearoa as a great place to raise a family and encouraged the woman to embrace the opportunity, noting it could lead to an improved lifestyle for her and her son.
Adding to her post in the comments, the woman said she was concerned too much time on TikTok could be to blame for her husband's anxieties, adding: "I don't know if he's spent too long on TikTok, where it seems to be a constant stream of discussion, or where it's coming from.
"I have gently suggested his fear might be out of proportion to the threat and that if something did happen, no country that supports Ukraine/is part of NATO or allied with NATO countries is going to be untouched or uninvolved.
"It's grim and I wish it wasn't happening, but I don't think a knee-jerk life-changing decision is the way forward here."
