Opinion: How will American Kiwis survive and thrive in the next Trump presidency?

Many 'American Kiwis' – those of us originally from the United States (US) who are dual citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand – feel overwhelming grief bordering on despair at Trump’s win and impending presidency. I was shocked at Trump’s win in 2016 but came to think of it as a unique situation: the backlash from white conservatives at having an African American president for the previous eight years, the lure of a Washington outsider who was a (seemingly) successful businessman, Russian interference and more.

It seemed impossible that he could be elected again. He was no longer an outsider and he had a track record as president. We witnessed the mountain of lies, the chaos, the disastrous COVID-19 response, the attack on the Capitol and the ongoing grift. We saw the constant overpromising and under delivering - Mexico paying for the wall, a healthcare plan to replace Obamacare, and the ever elusive 'infrastructure week', to name a few examples. We knew about the impeachments, the criminal convictions and the likely convictions to come. We saw Vice President Harris dismantle him convincingly on the debate stage.

And still, he was elected for another term. A criminal, a con man, arguably a traitor and inarguably a cruel and morally bankrupt person won not just the Electoral College as in 2016, but also the largest number of votes.

One thing we know from the first presidency is that there will likely be more of us here. As Stuff reported, Americans searching 'moving to New Zealand' spiked immediately after the Trump victories in 2016 and 2024. In 2016, most didn’t make the move; the despair over politics may not be enough to motivate people to leave their home, community and jobs. However, 2025 and beyond might be different.

Writer and TikTok host Melissa Cox, author of So, You Want to Move to New Zealand: An American's Comprehensive Guide to Relocating and Adapting to Life in Aotearoa, confirms that since the 2024 election there has been more urgency in queries she’s received from her audience about leaving the US. Cox says that the urgency is often not about Trump per se but specific policies Trump’s administration seems likely to push – such as a national abortion ban – or situations he is likely to make worse – such as gun violence. She says many people have a red line in deciding whether to make the move – that is, a specific change or threat that makes remaining unbearable.

Those of us already here have some difficult choices. Psychologists talk about three different ways of responding to stressful or problematic situations: emotion-centred, appraisal-centred and problem-centred. These are useful for thinking about the dilemma we face.

People use emotion-centred strategies in finding ways to directly manage emotional reactions to stress. For example, practicing meditation or putting more time into activities that bring joy or fulfilment. Personally, I’m planning to spend a lot more time in nature in the coming months and putting more energy into organisations I belong to that nourish my spirit: the Auckland Unitarian Church and Essentially Men.

Appraisal-centred strategies are about changing how you think about a situation, for example distancing yourself from, or seeing humour in, a situation. Some friends have said they will disengage or avoid news about US politics. Some admitted to looking forward – with a sort of wicked sense of satisfaction – to the impending chaos likely from Trump’s policies and actions.

However, most people I’ve talked to described their intention to engage in problem-centred strategies, those that focus on addressing the root causes of a problem. While many are tempted to withdraw from politics, most talked about redoubling their efforts or changing tactics, but still 'staying in the fight' – learning from the loss and channelling their anger and disappointment into positive action.

We all recognise that New Zealand has its own problems. Many Americans living here talked about focusing more energy into local and national politics in New Zealand, because, especially in the current political climate, we know we are not immune from the same authoritarian, racist, misogynist, xenophobic, anti-environmental and anti-science forces that have driven the Make America Great Again movement in the US.

While Trump’s presidency fills many of us with dread, it also compels us to reflect on our values and the ways we can make a difference - both in the US and in our adopted home. We can fight for justice, advocate for progress and build a community of solidarity that transcends borders. The challenge before us is huge, but maybe our distance can give us some clarity. As the saying goes, “You can’t control the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

Originally published in The Post.

Professor Ted Zorn, originally from the US and with dual New Zealand-American citizenship, is a Professor of Organisational Studies at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.