How is it there ? Are earthquake and food (and mosquitoes in the bushes) as bad as the rumours say ? (serious question about the first 2)
Food - groceries are pricey! It was surprisingly expensive given the lower wages here. CA seems to be catching up though!
Mosquitoes - comparable to LA, less than Sonoma County. Smaller too. But here on the South Island we also have sandflies. They vary by region. West Coast has them bad in some remote spots.
The food is generally excellent in urban areas - cafe culture rules for those who can afford it.
Main issue is cost of living - housing and food costs are kind of silly relative to average income.
Mosquitos are really not an issue - people up north might have a different experience, but from Auckland on down, no one needs screens.