James Cameron's Permanent Move to New Zealand: A Rejection of U.S. Political Climate
Canadian-born filmmaker James Cameron has made a decisive break from the United States, establishing permanent residency in New Zealand while delivering pointed criticism of American political polarization and what he describes as a rejection of scientific principles. The Oscar-winning director, known for blockbuster films including Avatar and Titanic, detailed his reasoning during multiple interviews, highlighting stark differences between the two nations' approaches to governance and public health.
Scientific Approach and Pandemic Response as Key Factors
In a recent appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Cameron explained that his decision stemmed primarily from observing how different countries handled the COVID-19 pandemic. "I moved because I wanted to live somewhere that actually believes in science and is sane," Cameron stated, contrasting New Zealand's approach with that of the United States.
The filmmaker noted that New Zealand had successfully eliminated the virus completely on multiple occasions during the pandemic, achieving a remarkable 98% vaccination rate. "This is why I love New Zealand," Cameron emphasized. "People there are, for the most part, sane as opposed to the United States where you had a 62% vaccination rate, and that's going down – going the wrong direction."
Long-Term Connection to New Zealand
Cameron's relationship with New Zealand extends back nearly three decades. He first visited the country in 1994 and immediately felt a connection, making a personal promise to himself that he would eventually live there. While he purchased property in New Zealand in 2011, it wasn't until 2020 that he made the permanent move with his wife, Suzy Amis Cameron, and their three children.
During his conversation with Bensinger, the director pushed back against the suggestion that America remains "a fantastic place to live." Cameron posed a rhetorical question: "Where would you rather live? A place that actually believes in science and is sane and where people can work together cohesively to a common goal, or a place where everybody's at each other's throats, extremely polarized, turning its back on science?"
Political Criticism and Trump Administration
Cameron's dissatisfaction extends beyond pandemic response to broader political concerns. In an interview with Paddy Gower's The F***ing News podcast nearly a year ago, the filmmaker called Donald Trump's return to office as the 47th U.S. president "horrific." He expressed concern about what he perceives as America turning away from its historical values.
"America doesn't stand for anything if it doesn't stand for what it has historically stood for," Cameron stated. "It becomes a hollow idea, and I think they're hollowing it out as fast as they can for their own benefit."
The director also addressed Trump's repeated threats regarding Canadian sovereignty during a recent press stop in Toronto to promote Avatar: Fire and Ash. "The Trump administration doesn't understand that we will not ever be the 51st state," Cameron told The Canadian Press. "We'll fight to the last man up here – and the last six-pack."
Quality of Life and Media Environment
Cameron highlighted additional benefits of his New Zealand residency, particularly noting the different media environment. He expressed relief at not having to see Trump's face on front pages daily, describing the constant coverage in U.S. media as "like watching a car crash over and over and over."
"I certainly feel like I don't have to read about (Trump) on the front page every single day," Cameron explained. "And it's just sickening. There's something nice about the New Zealand outlets – at least they'll put it on page three. I just don't want to see that guy's face any more on the front page of the paper."
While acknowledging New Zealand's natural beauty, Cameron emphasized that his relocation was motivated by practical considerations rather than scenery. "I'm not there for scenery, I'm there for the sanity," he concluded, underscoring his preference for what he perceives as a more rational and cohesive society.
The filmmaker's move coincides with the theatrical release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the latest installment in his groundbreaking science fiction franchise. Cameron had already been spending significant time in New Zealand while filming the Avatar sequels, but his recent comments clarify that his relocation represents a permanent lifestyle change rather than a temporary production necessity.
