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James Cameron Confirms US Departure for New Zealand 'Sanity'
Acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron has publicly confirmed his permanent relocation from the United States to New Zealand, citing America's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and what he describes as extreme political polarisation as decisive factors.
'Everybody's at Each Other's Throats'
In a revealing interview on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, the director of Avatar and Titanic explained his move was fundamentally "for the sanity" offered by New Zealand. He contrasted the two nations sharply, portraying the US as a place where "everybody's at each other's throats, extremely polarised, turning its back on science".
Cameron elaborated that New Zealand's cohesive, science-based approach during the pandemic solidified his decision. "New Zealand had eliminated the virus completely. They actually eliminated the virus twice," he noted, praising the country's 98 per cent vaccination rate compared to what he cited as a declining 62 per cent rate in the US at the time.
A Long-Planned Relocation
The director's connection to New Zealand is not new. He first visited in 1994 and "ended up falling in love with the way of life". This affinity led him to purchase a farm there with his wife, Suzy Amis, in 2011, maintaining a trans-Pacific lifestyle for years.
However, the global health crisis acted as a catalyst. "Then we were shooting in New Zealand. We came back for Christmas and then Covid hit and we didn't get back down there," Cameron recounted, referring to the production of Avatar: The Way of Water. The logistical challenges prompted a final family decision to relocate permanently in August 2020, just months after the pandemic began.
Controversial Entry and Broader Celebrity Exodus
Cameron's move involved navigating strict border controls. He and 55 crew members received special permission to enter New Zealand for filming while its borders were closed—a decision that sparked controversy among local businesses struggling with immigration restrictions.
His criticism of the US political climate is particularly pointed. He previously described the country under Donald Trump's presidency as "like watching a car crash over and over" and had even withdrawn an application for American citizenship after George W. Bush's 2004 election victory.
Cameron is part of a notable trend of high-profile figures leaving the US. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel obtained Italian citizenship, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres moved to England's Cotswolds with wife Portia de Rossi, and Rosie O'Donnell relocated to Ireland. All three have linked their decisions to Donald Trump's re-election in November 2024.
When interviewer Bensinger suggested the US remains "a fantastic place to live", Cameron pointedly questioned, "Is it?" He emphasised that his priority was not scenic beauty but societal cohesion, stating firmly, "I'm not there for scenery, I'm there for the sanity."
