They’re dubbed ‘Trumpugees’: the growing number of wealthy Americans packing their bags and heading to New Zealand, desperate to get away from what they see as the chaos of a second Donald Trump presidency.

But for many, the fantasy of a peaceful, liberal paradise on the edge of the world is fast colliding with reality, and it’s not always pretty.

High taxes, homesickness and culture shock are quickly dousing the dream for some new arrivals who are now asking, ‘Was it worth it?’

Since Trump’s triumphant return to the White House in January, there’s been an uptick in Americans relocating to New Zealand, the leafy, scenic island nation often portrayed as a firearm-free ‘progressive utopia.’

New Zealand’s coalition government in February loosened the rules for its so-called ‘golden visa’ scheme, offering residency to wealthy foreigners in a bid to boost a flagging economy.

The new rules, which took effect in April, cut investment thresholds, English-language requirements and the amount of time applicants must spend in New Zealand to secure residency from three years to 21 days.

Immigration New Zealand says the scheme has attracted 215 applications, representing 695 people, under the new rules.

More than half are US residents. The rest come from China, Hong Kong and several Asian and European countries.

For many Americans, New Zealand looks like a dream getaway from the tumult of a second Trump administration 

Nearly 700 people have applied under the updated golden visa scheme, more than half of them from the US

Before the changes, the visa attracted 116 applications over 2.5 years.

Stuart Nash, a former Labour Party minister, who now runs immigration and relocation consultancy Nash Kelly Global, says US transplants eschew their Republican president’s war on wokery.

‘Donald Trump is doing a lot within the domestic political spectrum that makes a lot of people who we’re talking to feel uncomfortable,’ Nash told the Daily Mail.

‘They’re not particularly happy with the direction of the country. We don’t ask their political affiliation, but you feel that most are from the East Coast and the West Coast.’

America’s culture wars, together with real-life conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, make New Zealand an attractive destination, says Nash.

Transplants appreciate its stable democracy, independent judiciary and safe banking system as well as the country’s famed mountain scenery, tasty cuisine and outdoorsy lifestyle, he adds.

Under the new rules for the Active Investor Plus scheme, applicants can apply under the ‘growth’ category, which requires a minimum US$3 million investment over three years.

An alternative, the ‘balanced’ category, requires a minimum US$6 million investment over five years.

Applicants range from wealthy US businesspeople to tech entrepreneurs and creatives.

Some seek a getaway home for a few weeks every year while others are laying down roots, says Nash.

Popular destinations include Auckland, the ‘cool capital’ Wellington, or outdoorsy areas such as Tauranga, Marlborough and Wanaka.

But once they get there, some quickly tire of the outdoorsy options and regret their choices

The harborside city of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty region is a popular destination for newcomers to New Zealand  

But the dream of escape is not coming cheap. Once they arrive, expats quickly learn that life in New Zealand isn’t all sauvignon blanc and scenic hikes.

First, there’s the tax shock.

The rules vary, depending on how much time expats spend in New Zealand, but golden visa beneficiaries can expect to ultimately hand over 39 percent of their global income.

‘We are not a tax haven,’ says Nash.

‘We are not a tax haven,’ says Stuart Nash, pictured

Then there’s the isolation.

Flights to New York or London can take more than 20 hours, and supply chains mean everything from medicine to designer clothing to iPhone repairs can be delayed or difficult.

Though New Zealand is a nature-lovers’ paradise, some newcomers describe boredom at the lack of a varied cultural scene – folk music nights in Christchurch are a far cry from Coachella.

While New Zealand has long marketed itself as clean, green and inclusive, some US transplants are discovering a more complicated picture.

The country is grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, a housing shortage, and tensions over indigenous rights, free speech and climate policy.

The new government, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, has rolled back some progressive policies, sparking accusations of ‘Trump-lite’ tendencies – much to the chagrin of those who thought they were fleeing conservatism for good.

It is not the first time New Zealand has lured Trump-weary Americans and other rich foreigners seeking to make New Zealand their refuge at a time of societal upheaval.

After Trump’s 2016 election, the country’s immigration website recorded nearly 2,500 percent more traffic.

New Zealanders lay out the ‘Kia Ora’ welcome mat for visitors, using a local Maori expression

Golden visa applicants range from wealthy US businesspeople to tech entrepreneurs and creatives

After the supreme court decision removing abortion rights, New Zealand’s immigration site visits quadrupled to 77,000. After Trump’s 2024 election win, New Zealand’s property market saw a surge of interest from the US.

Luxon’s right-wing coalition government loosened visa rules in a bid to boost the country’s economy, which has struggled to exit the Covid-19 pandemic and shrank in 2024, due to high interest rates and unemployment.

Earlier this year, New Zealand’s government also relaxed other more restrictive visa settings to attract so-called ‘digital nomads’.

In a statement last month, economic growth minister Nicola Willis said so far the visa could represent ‘a potential $845 million of new investment in New Zealand business.’

‘New investors don’t just bring their dollars to our shores, they also bring skills, knowledge and experience that will drive future economic development,’ Willis said. ‘It’s a win-win.’

Not all newcomers are unhappy, of course. Many say they’re enjoying the slower pace of life, the stunning landscapes, and the friendliness of locals.

But others, especially those used to the fast-paced comforts of American coastal cities, are having second thoughts.

For now, the exodus continues. But as more Americans learn the hard way that paradise comes with fine print, the Kiwi dream may lose a bit of its sparkle.