I guess I'm the only person living in new Zealand to answer (so far). First: "every paradise has it's flies". Good quote to remember! I wouldn't look to any government as a guiding light as governments change, sometimes rapidly. What's more important is the culture, people, environment, etc.
I emigrated here 40 years ago from the USA. I prefer the culture, attitude, lack of people, impotency of the government (gateway to Antarctica?). Nobody is looking to spend the $$ to conquer NZ because they can buy whatever they want cheaper than a military campaign to steal it. Few resources to covet unless you really like sheep. The north is somewhat mild, and the south quite cold (like Tasmania). There's still lots of areas where people don't lock their doors. Tolerance is high for different cultures and not too many people trying to sell you their religion. Big smiles when I think about the difference between USA politics and NZ. Can you imagine having a President of the USA who is a single unmarried mother?
The good bits:
1. Not considering itself the center of the know universe or the biggest and best at anything...except rugby.
2. Lots of pretty scenery and a huge coastline. Ideal for water sports, sailing, fishing, etc.
3. Lots of hikes, tracks, parks.
4. People relatively friendly and helpful, especially outside of towns/cities.
5. Good food, wine, and mostly very fresh fish, meat, veggies, etc. available year round.
The bad bits:
1. Housing in many areas is very expensive due to influx of population (mostly immigration) and the people buying housing instead of investing in other classes of assets. Starting to cause a divide between have and have nots.
2. Not as clean and green as supposed. Pollution from diary and other land uses is killing rivers, lakes and ground water.
3. Auckland is a festering heap due to poor planning and creaking infrastructure (water, sewers, small inadequate roads, etc.) It's grown too fast and is becoming an undesirable place to live due to crowding, traffic, etc. No vision for the future and no hope.
4. A poor attitude when it comes to land management with the mentality of "my grandfather" farmed this way so I will too". The forests were cleared for farming in the style of "Jolly Old England", except that it's steep land (unlike most of England) and subject to heavy rain with erodible soils. Much of the country's topsoil has already been washed into the ocean. A slow motion disaster.
5. It's a very active landscape geologically. In England or the USA it used to be (still is?) printed in the inside cover of phone books what to do in case of an Atomic Attack. In NZ it's Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions. The chance of a nuclear war can come or go with political situations. Earthquakes and Volcanic eruptions definitely will happen.
6. Wages are low compared to other similar western countries with the cost of living high (mainly due to housing).
If you can live independently outside of a big city and enjoy the "outdoors lifestyle" then it's pretty good. If you have an ordinary job and come from another western country it will be expensive and you're going to take a hit to your income.
Hope this helps.