Exploring a Dual Life Between China and New Zealand: A Chinese Woman Started Over Abroad

Staff Writer: Yiyi Xie
Image Source: supplied

Even while living abroad, many Chinese immigrants maintain strong ties to their homeland. That’s why you often hear people on social media saying, “The ideal life is spending six months in China and six months overseas.”

In New Zealand, many Chinese immigrants have embraced this “6+6” lifestyle—six months in New Zealand, six months in China—or even a “9+3” version, with nine months abroad and three months back home.

This week, we spoke to Wang Jiajia, a Chinese woman who is just beginning to explore this way of life.

In Her 30s, She Chose to Start Over Abroad

Wang Jiajia, now in her 30s, used to live in Guangzhou with her 2-year-old daughter. One of her biggest headaches there was the water quality.

Her daughter had severe allergic reactions to the water, even after Wang installed filters. She continued to have rashes, even from drinking powdered milk made with filtered water, which left Wang increasingly worried.

She also grew concerned about the safety of her daughter's food, snacks, and the constant presence of additives. After her divorce, Wang quit her job to raise her daughter full-time, hoping to provide more attention and care. But these nagging health worries led her to wonder if it was time for a fresh start in a different environment.

Another factor was that, as a divorced woman in her 30s raising a child on her own, Wang felt there were limited opportunities for her in China. She began to think that perhaps moving abroad would give her a better chance at a new career and a new life.

Since her job allowed her to work flexibly and her sister had already been living in New Zealand for over 10 years, her family was fully supportive of her decision to move. Though Wang had visited New Zealand as a tourist, living there would be a completely different experience.

So, she decided to take her daughter and spend six months in New Zealand to get a real sense of what life there was like.

"You never really know which path is right for you until you try walking a few different ones," she said.

New Zealand: "Happiness in Its Most Tangible Form"

Wang’s sister lives in Christchurch, so after Chinese New Year, Wang and her daughter made the move there.

After living in the fast-paced city of Guangzhou, life in New Zealand felt almost unreal in its slow, relaxed rhythm.

Shops generally open around 9 or 10 a.m. and close by 4 or 5 p.m., leaving plenty of time for personal life. People here don’t fill their evenings with social obligations; after work, they go home to spend time with their families. Weekends are often spent relaxing with friends—stretching out on a patch of grass, soaking up the sun, or sitting on a park bench, enjoying the breeze as time seems to slow down.

In Christchurch, Wang frequently takes her daughter and nephew on walks around the neighborhood. Everywhere she goes, the scenery looks like a postcard, and snapping a perfect picture feels effortless.

Wang calls this kind of life "happiness in its most tangible form." She shared a comment from a fellow expat that resonated with her deeply:

"I’ve been working here, and my husband and child joined me for a month and a half. During that time, we took countless photos against New Zealand’s beautiful sunsets. Happiness feels so real here. I often dream of bringing my parents over one day to enjoy family dinners, drinks, and long conversations under the starry sky. It would be perfect."

This description struck a chord with Wang, whose own dream is to “live a slow-paced life in New Zealand with the people she loves.”

Even more surprisingly, after six months in Christchurch, her daughter’s persistent allergy problems had completely cleared up.

"New Zealand really is a great place to raise kids, and I hope we can stay here long-term," Wang said.

She’s also found that the natural environment perfectly complements her love for outdoor activities and marathon running.

With these factors combined, Wang is now more convinced than ever that New Zealand is the right place for her and her daughter.

"The Grass Isn't Greener"

"Life is like a besieged city; those inside want to get out, while those outside want to get in." After living in New Zealand for six months, Wang Jiajia feels she now better understands this idea.

She’s well aware of New Zealand’s imperfections, and she’s heard many complaints.

But her view is simple: there is no perfect place. Whether living abroad is "good" or "bad" depends entirely on the kind of life you’re looking for.

For Wang, New Zealand offers what she values most—clean air, safe food, and more time to spend with her daughter. She knows this comes at the cost of China’s conveniences and lower cost of living, but for her, it’s a fair trade-off.

“Living well, on your own terms, is what truly matters,” she said.

Wang recently wrapped up her six-month stay in New Zealand and returned to Guangzhou with her daughter, where they plan to stay for the next six months.

But returning to the fast-paced lifestyle in China, along with constant conversations from relatives about her divorce, remarriage, and work, has made her feel out of place.

She’s now planning to return to New Zealand around New Year’s. If possible, she hopes to continue her studies—she’s currently considering dentistry—because, in New Zealand, it’s never too late to start a new career.

In about a year, her daughter will be ready for kindergarten. At that point, the “6+6” lifestyle may be harder to maintain, but Wang hopes the “9+3” model will still be doable.

"In New Zealand, I’ve discovered a whole new way of living," she reflected.