James Cameron, the legendary filmmaker behind blockbusters like “Titanic” and “Avatar,” shocked many fans when he moved his family and production operations to New Zealand.
But in a recent interview with Graham Bensinger, Cameron made it clear: his move wasn’t about stunning landscapes. It was about sanity.
“I’m not there for the scenery,” he said. “I’m there for the sanity.”
He criticized the U.S. for what he saw as a divided and science-resistant population.
“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?” he said.
A Longstanding Love for New Zealand
Cameron first visited New Zealand in 1994 on his way to the South Pole.
Bad weather delayed his trip, giving him unexpected time to explore the area around Christchurch. That experience left a lasting impression.
“I wound up exploring around the Christchurch area and just really falling in love with the country, the scenery, the people, just the kind of the way of life there,” he said.
Years later, the COVID-19 pandemic became the catalyst that pushed Cameron and his family to finally relocate full-time.
After buying a farm in 2011 and spending years splitting time between Malibu and New Zealand, the Camerons made the move permanent in 2020.
Praise for New Zealand’s COVID Response
He praised New Zealand’s COVID response, particularly its high vaccination rates and successful virus elimination efforts.
“This is why I love New Zealand. People there are for the most part sane,” Cameron said.
He compared the two countries by saying New Zealand functions as a place where people trust science and work together, while the U.S. is marked by division, constant conflict, and a tendency to ignore science, something he believes would cause serious problems if another pandemic were to emerge.
While calling the United States “a fantastic place to live,” he made it clear that he believes the country’s social fabric is fraying.
Life on the Farm
On his 12,000-acre New Zealand farm, Cameron is focused on sustainability and regenerative agriculture.
The farm is the largest producer of organic brassicas (like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale) in New Zealand, though Cameron is quick to note it’s a niche within a much bigger industry.
“In our niche, I think we’re significant. We supply supermarkets and restaurants, farm-to-table restaurants,” he said.
Going Plant-Based for the Planet
His commitment to the environment also shaped his decision to adopt a plant-based diet.
The turning point came in 2011 when his wife, Suzy Amis Cameron, asked him to watch the documentary Forks Over Knives. He agreed and was quickly convinced.
“I already knew all the sustainability reasons why we should eat plant-based, but I had sort of rejected it. Was like, I’m a man. I need my meat. Damn it,” he said, laughing.
But the film made him reevaluate that mindset. “Turns out you don’t [need animal protein] and in fact it’s unhealthy.”
Within days, the couple went 100% plant-based. Since then, Cameron said, the health benefits have been clear.
“I found this amazing surge of energy and healthfulness,” he said. “Aside from getting COVID, I really just never get sick.”
Hands-On Filmmaking With a Purpose
Cameron ties his energy directly to his lifestyle. Now in his 70s, he still insists on a hands-on approach to directing.
“Making a movie is a contact sport,” he said.
“I’m out there. I’m moving set pieces around. I’m helping move the crane… You got to bring the energy to inspire the crew. You set a pace for everybody. So I can’t flag. I can’t show up out of breath.”
For Cameron, the move to New Zealand, the switch to organic farming, and the adoption of a plant-based lifestyle are all connected.
They’re part of a broader push toward living intentionally, reducing his carbon footprint, and creating a future that reflects his values.
And in his view, New Zealand offers the environment, both literal and social, to do just that.
“United States is a fantastic place to live, but New Zealand is just stunningly beautiful,” he said. “I’m not there for the scenery. I’m there for the sanity.”
With a deep focus on sustainability and a sharp critique of modern American society, Cameron’s new lifestyle might seem extreme to some.
But to him, it’s a return to something simple: science, community, and purpose-driven living.
IMAGE CREDIT: ”James Cameron” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.