Just one more thing:

If you can afford it, you can get medical insurance in New Zealand, and that will pay for a good standard of private healthcare. If you can't, the healthcare system here is, in our experience, very good, with a good network of general practitioners whill refer you appropriately, and although the range of medication is not as wide as in the UK, we've not ever been put on a waiting list. The bottom line is that in New Zealand you will still receive decent healthcare if you lose you job. In the US, you won't.