James Cameron has revealed that his decision to relocate permanently to New Zealand was motivated by far more than picturesque landscapes. The acclaimed filmmaker said his family’s move in 2020 was influenced by the country’s calm social environment, trust in science, and effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking onIn Depth with Graham Besinger, theAvatardirector said, “I’m not there for scenery, I’m there for the sanity,” while reflecting on why New Zealand felt like the right place to call home. Cameron first visited the country in 1994 and said he was immediately drawn to its culture and values, promising himself that he would eventually settle there.
The director explained that discussions about relocating had begun years earlier and that his wife, actor and environmental activist Suzy Amis Cameron, was supportive of the idea from the start. However, as their family grew and their roots deepened in California, the move required more careful planning. “AfterAvatar, we said, let’s make this happen,” Cameron recalled.
Cameron purchased a farm in New Zealand in 2011 and spent several years travelling between the US and the country before the pandemic accelerated their decision. In August 2020, the family chose to settle permanently.
Praising New Zealand’s pandemic response, Cameron highlighted its early elimination of COVID-19 and high vaccination rates. He contrasted this with the situation in the United States, criticising political polarisation and declining trust in science. “This is why I love New Zealand,” he said, noting the country’s cohesive approach and science-driven policies.
The filmmaker also raised broader concerns about social unity and preparedness for future global crises, questioning whether highly polarised societies could respond effectively to another pandemic
