James Cameron Opens Up About Moving to New Zealand, Calling the U.S. “Not Sane”

James Cameron has made New Zealand his permanent home, leaving the United States behind. The Avatar: Fire and Ash director explained that his decision was heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the way each country handled the crisis. He spoke about the move during a recent interview on In Depth with Graham Besinger.

Cameron revealed that he and his wife, Suzy Amis Cameron, decided to relocate their family full-time in August 2020. They had owned a farm in New Zealand since 2011, but the pandemic accelerated their plans to stay there permanently. He was blunt in comparing the two countries, saying that New Zealand’s approach to science and public health made the difference.

“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,” Cameron said. He praised New Zealand’s high vaccination numbers, noting a 98% rate during a critical time.

He explained why he chose to leave the U.S.: “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 and basically would be in utter disarray if another pandemic appears.”

When the host suggested that the U.S. is still a great place to live, Cameron challenged the idea immediately, interjecting with a sharp, “Is it?”

Cameron also made it clear that he wasn’t moving just for the scenery. “I’m not there for scenery, I’m there for the sanity,” he said. His connection to New Zealand goes back decades, first visiting in 1994 and immediately feeling at home.

“I made myself a promise. ‘I’m going to come live here someday,’” he recalled. Suzy was supportive from the start. “When Suzy and I were first getting serious, she said, ‘Fine, no problem.’ She was game,” he shared.

The move became permanent after filming the Avatar sequels. Cameron, now 71, remains one of Hollywood’s most successful directors, known for pushing technology and storytelling in films like The Terminator, Titanic, and Avatar.

His latest release, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is the third in a planned five-film series. It introduces a new clan of Na’vi called the “Ash People” and stars returning cast members Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña, along with Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet. Portions of the fourth film have already been shot to maintain continuity, with Avatar 4 scheduled for 2029 and the fifth for 2031.

Cameron’s family life is also important to him. He and Suzy, married since 2000, share three children. He also has a daughter, Josephine, with ex-wife Linda Hamilton. Suzy has a son, Jasper, from a previous marriage. Together, they are committed to sustainable farming and plant-based initiatives, reflecting their life in New Zealand.

Cameron’s move highlights his belief in science and stable governance. “I’m not there for scenery, I’m there for the sanity,” he repeated during the interview. The filmmaker’s choice to leave the U.S. has sparked discussion, with many curious whether others share his views on public health and societal stability.

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