I moved to New Zealand

New Zealand has been a huge part of my life story since 2018. It was the first place outside of the States that felt like home away from home. It's a place that's inspired me as an artist, and shaped me into the person I am now.
And finally, after years of hard work, a global crisis, and many sleepless nights, I packed up my life in Seattle, and moved to Wanaka - a small mountain town that serves as the gateway to the Mount Aspiring and the Alps.
This is the story of how I got here.
---
Filmed on a Canon EOS R5 + Canon C70
www.kylekotajarvi.com || @kylekotajarvi || Contact: [e-mail]

[@andreakumerich9026]

Welcome to my land. Your love of our land resonates through your photography. I changed from city life to rural life just before lockdown, made so many new friends & if you can walk along a country road, hear more birds than cars, forget about your phone for hours at a time, then all is well. Be blessed.

[@kanabhprates2103]

Good for you man! Wish you luck in this new home. Live well and in peace.

[@lh6135]

Kyle, can totally relate to how you feel. Before Covid, family and I would visit South Island 2-3 weeks every year since 2002. After the borders open, we spent 3 months in NZ, country is rugged and beautiful, most importantly, the people there are not materialistic, they appreciate and enjoy nature. Have a great year and look forward to your vlogs. btw, was so peaceful to watch you dealing with the sandflies in your previous vlog

[@anjabarugh2110]

So sick! We all hope you stay forever in this piece of paradise!

[@NguoiBenTreONewZealand]

beautiful video Kyle, i moved here 16 years ago as an international student, fast forward, 16 years later i am still here. New Zealand is home

[@sifurbo]

so happy I found your channel, your work is amazing!

[@zachwiegert2079]

I dream about visiting/living in Wanaka pretty regularly and this video definitely elevated that dream even more.

[@harrisoncandlin]

Makes me tear up mate. This is beautiful... so happy for you

[@jared2232]

LOL good luck leaving Kyle. This place has a funny way of embeddeding itself in your soul forever. We're the same age and I've done a fair bit of traveling and this is the only place I think about day in and day out. I lived on the South Island for a year in 2015-2016 using the WHV. I got pulled back to Canada for school with full intentions of returning to New Zealand right away but life happened and things didnt go as planned. I now have my dream job with wicked pay, a house etc and honestly I would give it all up in a heartbeat to return. Best of luck on your stay enjoy every minute of it im sure you'll create some amazing memories!

[@datractor]

Welcome back mate, enjoy our beautiful country

[@dononbass]

Welcome! And you're right - Wanaka is pretty special. I hope you enjoy and find a way to stay!

[@ash.walton]

Great to have you here dude. These videos are always such an awesome addition to my mornings. Can't wait to see what the summer brings you.

[@laaven]

I am really happy for u man. But honestly for the quality of your video with those amazing shots, I really hope this video blows up and your subscriber count blows up!! I can't wait to see what's next.

[@jaramtata6592]

Kia Ora Welcome , hope you both a lovely stay in Aotearoa

[@ADPvisuals]

Congrats on the move man, can't wait to see the content you put out showcasing one of the most beautiful places on earth🤙

[@graemerobertson7159]

Very nice photography. Welcome, & hope things go well for you two!

[@trimulareddysumanth8265]

All the best Man! 🤩

[@t.dezeeuw]

Love it! Very inspiring.

[@human52]

Welcome aboard and the videography is spot on!

[@crissonfilm]

Congrats! Wish you all the best for this new adventure 🤙

[@ursul7024]

Well done, NZ will definitely fulfil your hunger for photography and sparkling videos. Love your work.

[@craigbutlandphotoandfilm]

So stoked you made the decision man, keen for some adventures if you are 🙌🏼

[@bellafranxismedia2988]

This is fantastic! SO inspiring, cant wait to see more of your journey!

[@ethanlewis5645]

Dude this is amazing! I'm travelling through the South Island in January, I can't wait to see Wanaka!

[@mehdiz1052]

cinematography on this video is breathtaking.

[@southernaspectnz]

Good move! Welcome to Wanaka.

[@isaacpeterson_films]

Amazing bro!!

[@vsksf]

Kyle, as a Kiwi born and bred ( and quite a long time ago ) who has become extremely disillusioned with my country , I thank you for this video. Recently I have started watching many and various videos/youtubers who post about NZ whether as tourists or new arrivals trying to find some "encouragement" to stay and this helps.. Outstanding videography by the way... Nga mihi.

[@beautifuldestinationunveiled]

Your voice is perfect match for Your cenematic videography. After watching your video, I decided that I must visit South Island of New Zealand once in my life.

[@lee215]

Welcome back. I'm looking forward to more vlogs. The scenery you captured was absolutely beautiful.

[@ArtraLife]

Awesome shots 😮😮

[@ajbroo]

Nice will be sure to holla when I’m in Wanaka. Such a nice place there

[@denisetewhata2513]

Good for you, Welcome to Aotearoa NZ, Kia Ora ❤️

[@ottiey1346]

Wow, can't wait to visit in 4 weeks. I'll be spending a year travelling this amazing country. Amazing shots Kyle!

[@bittersweet340]

Awesome cinematography... Hope u find ur passion and happiness in Islands of Aotearoa.

[@TheHungryCubanAdventures]

Good luck on your next adventure

[@louistata4712]

Absolutely love this I'm a kiwi been living in the cook islands for the past 2yrs ,this just made me miss home soooo much thankyou bro much appreciated Te Haere nga toa Ataahua ❣️

[@chevydoitzKiwiVerrer]

Kia Ora 🙌😊 Nau Mai Haere Mai. 💜🤍 Beautiful video/cinematography 🙏❤

[@rowannorton4722]

Beautiful video bro I'm moving back to nz in May. it's a magical country, the best place on the planet.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Welcome, I hope you'll love it here. So happy you've chosen te waipounamu to live in, us South Islanders, think it's the best island. Wānaka and Otago are particularly beautiful, apart from fantastic stone fruit, excellent red wine and the best pinot grigo, there's some really interesting terrain. Loving the aerial shots, it's easy to forget how beautiful it is.

[@joyatodd]

Excellent photography. Definitely not point-and-click tourist shots. i can see you are mountain oriented, but our coastline and islands are fabulous too.

[@drthomason7043]

Your photography is epic Nau Mai Haere Mai

[@Phoebelyn1211]

We are a naturalized American citizens who is planning to live in New Zealand for good. We want to give our children the best life. NZ here we come!

[@peterclay2800]

Welcome home bro...

[@rafaelprates7823]

What is the camera used in 0:36? Or is it just a digital effect?

[@misterabroad123]

Wow that footage is top-notch. The contemporary landscapes and vintage film look. Did you film from an airplane or drone?

[@kyleandmelissabrandham5348]

If you haven't already go see the blue pools really great spot

[@einara.7956]

I’m planning on living at least a year in NZ at some point, this video is truly inspiring man

[@shazza160]

Well if you think it’s all like this vid you’re in for a shock.

[@einara.7956]

@@shazza160 Live in Norway so I know it's not all like that. But in the end it's what you make of it

[@shazza160]

You’re dreaming if you think this is what is the real NZ looks like. We have filthy rivers from over stocked dairy farms . These are tourist photos.

[@ands55]

I wish I could live in the South Island instead of Auckland. Out of curiosity, which lenses did you use for Milford Sound? Your videos look stunning!

[@Saintel]

Where did you get that recliner in the left background?

[@deankumeroa1515]

Welcome to aotearoa heaven. Mate .

[@erikbertelsen1]

What Camera did you use ?

[@johanmeischke9189]

Kia ora ( hello) haieri mai (welcome)

[@cassandrawood6339]

I'm from Seattle and got a visa to move to New Zealand this January! I really want to have access to things like a climbing gym, but also outdoor adventures! I was thinking about living in Queenstown. Since you lived there for a while, is it a place you'd recommend? Or any tips?

[@stephenlennon7369]

Too expensive living in Queenstown

[@peterclay2800]

Better off grabbing a van and living out of a van and traveling through the country

[@RCKennington]

Travel around and see what suits you and your work situation. If you don't mind city living Christchurch has access to beaches and surfing and you can be in mountains within hours. If you lived in Takaka Golden Bay area there is no climbing gym but there is Paynes Ford minutes from town where lots of people rock climb and you can have a a swim at the same time.

[@hongkongfueynz3071]

Queenstown is ridiculously expensive, it’s ok for a quick visit, but if you are going to live there you will need A LOT if money.

[@Andy_M986]

Have a look at the lesser known coastal towns down past Christchurch, still not too far from QT, and probably cheaper to live in. You won't be too far from the Alps.

[@tonybird4633]

Welcome home

[@jamieukulele]

R u still there?

[@ajdesigns6979]

Welcome you remind me so much of Alexander Ayling he's Americian living in NZ too think you two could be buddies you even look abit alike and have the same taste in woman lol

[@karyleianawildernesscapes]

Forgive the noob question: Why was it the last year of eligibility for a NZ work visa? Are they not accepting any anymore? I went to NZ for the first time Dec 2017-Jan 2018 & it quickly became a foundational moment in my life & I've been wanting to go back ever since! Either max out my time on my US passport (3 months) or apply for a Visa.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

No. Not being stopped but, the working holiday visa is age restricted so, l image he was about to become too old for that particular visa. 😁 This from NZ Immigration website; "Working holiday visas are available to young people, usually aged 18 to 30, but 18 to 35 in a select few countries. They let you travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or 23 months if you are from the UK or Canada. If you apply for a 23-month visa, you must provide a General Medical Certificate." Good luck.

[@johanmeischke9189]

Yeah keep in mind a holiday is in essence a break from reality. Keep ya feet firmly planted. NZ has its issues, utopia doesn't exist. For all of that have a ball