That totally sucks.
It's quite funny as NZ'rs prefer bigger continents. Most desired destination is Great Britain, Europe and possibly US. The isolation/remoteness and mainly slow pace is the main reason why the young people leave, and these things is the reason why I stay.
It is expensive to live here from what I am told, but as I very rarely travel I cannot do any comparisons. My wife likes to travel and her convincing me to get on a plane where it is quite possible it will fall out of the sky at any moment ain't gonna happen :-)
I enjoy overseas travelling though online bloggers. Hiking locally in NZ is just as adventurous.