Living in Taupo, New Zealand
The Heart of the Central Plateau
Taupo sits right in the middle of the North Island, making it a perfect base for exploring the rest of New Zealand. Drive a few hours north and you’ll reach Auckland. Head south and you’re in Wellington. In between, you’re surrounded by forests, rivers, volcanoes, and farmland.
But you don’t actually need to go anywhere – the town itself is a hub of activity and beauty. At the heart of it all is Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand (and about the same size as Singapore!).
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| Map of Lake Taupo: Credits to andrewdc |
Everyday Nature at Your Doorstep
Living in Taupo means nature stops being something you “plan for” and simply becomes part of your routine. A walk after dinner becomes a lakeside stroll, watching the sky soften into shades of gold and pink. The mountains in the distance, sometimes capped with snow, feel like silent guardians watching over the town. Even running errands can feel magical when you see the lake's bluest waters, sometimes sparkling like diamonds under the sun.
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Nature isn’t a weekend activity here – it weaves into your routine. Swimming, biking, fishing, hot pools, or simply sitting by the water with a coffee all become part of everyday life.
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| Our favorite thing to do: hang out at the beach, read a book, walk along the pathways, and end the day with a dip in the water |
A Slower Pace of Living
Taupo moves at a different pace. It’s not that life is without its stresses – work still keeps us busy, and the to-do list never really goes away – but there’s room to breathe. Mornings aren’t swallowed by traffic, most shops close earlier, and there’s none of that constant city-rush energy.
Friends back in the Philippines often ask me, How do you survive when shops close at 4 pm? And the answer is simple: you adjust. You learn that not everything needs to be open 24/7. Pak'nSave closes at 9 pm, and that's all we need!
Weekends here aren’t spent wandering malls (we don’t have any) or racing through chores. Instead, they’re about being outside: hiking Mount Tauhara or the Tongariro Crossing, mountain biking around Craters of the Moon or Huka Falls trails, taking a leisure walk at the Botanical gardens, or easing tired muscles in natural hot pools after a long day. The outdoors isn’t an escape from life — it is life.
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| Evening walks by the lake |
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| Picnics/Dinners by the river |
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| Morning walks at Taupo Botanical Gardens |
A Community That Feels Connected
Taupo may be growing, but it still has that small-town friendliness where people greet each other and neighbours stop for a chat. You’ll start recognising faces at the supermarket, bump into friends at the Sunday Market Central, and even greet strangers with a 'good day' when you pass them on walking trails.
It’s not always glamorous. There aren’t endless restaurants, and nightlife options aren’t as wide as in Auckland or Wellington – but what you trade in variety, you gain in connection. There’s something comforting about knowing your neighbours and being part of a community where people genuinely look out for one another. What it lacks in big-city entertainment, it makes up for in community spirit.
Cost of Living and the Practical Side
Taupo isn’t the cheapest town anymore – house prices have risen as more people discover its appeal. Still, compared to Auckland, Wellington, or Queenstown, it feels manageable. Everyday costs like groceries are about the same as elsewhere in New Zealand, but what you get in return is priceless: less stress, more space, and the gift of being surrounded by nature.
Jobs can be limited in certain industries, but tourism, trades, and remote work are strong here. With reliable internet, more people are choosing Taupo not just as a lifestyle destination, but as a long-term home. It has become an appealing base for those seeking balance without complete isolation.
Why People Choose to Stay
Taupo might not have the bustle of big cities, but that’s exactly its charm. It’s a place where life feels more intentional, where you can reconnect with both nature and yourself. Children grow up riding bikes by the lake. Weekends feel like mini-holidays. Evenings are quieter and there’s room to simply breathe away from the chaos of big cities.
If you ever get the chance, don’t just pass through Taupo – stay a while. You might find, like I did, that it’s not just a destination, but a place to truly call home.
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If you’d like to read more about life in New Zealand, you can check out my other blog posts here.
✈From the Philippines to Aotearoa
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