Go West … to the Edge

“There is another great shining land out there across the Pacific, far from the madding crowd. And it is all the things the Golden State once was. Onward then, to the New Eden, the New California!” LA Times feature takes an in-depth look at the increased US migration to NZ, particularly by Californians. The never before seen influx of Americans is being hailed as an economic godsend, the chief industries affected being film, property development, and viticulture. Interviewees who have adopted NZ as their home are unanimous in their praise; Wellington: “I’ve never been anywhere so small with so much artistic expression,” Marlborough: “There are very few times when reality is better than the fantasy, and it has been here,” Karikari: “the temperatures and wide, sandy beaches are on par with LA, yet the population and ecological balance are in league with northern Maine.” The new frontier is not 100% open though with some local “Not In My Blue Yonder” doubts from the edge.