James Cameron Criticizes U.S. Policies, Moves Family to ‘Sane’ New Zealand

James Cameron moves to New Zealand for sanity and safety, citing U.S. pandemic policies.

Pandemic Prompts Hollywood Director to Relocate

James Cameron, the visionary director behind Avatar and Titanic, revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic heavily influenced his decision to move his family from the United States to New Zealand. Speaking on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Cameron emphasized that the move was motivated less by New Zealand’s scenic beauty and more by the country’s “sanity” and approach to public health.

Cameron and his wife, Suzy Amis Cameron, had purchased a 12,000-acre farm in New Zealand back in 2011. While they originally planned to relocate after completing the Avatar films, the pandemic accelerated their timeline.

Health Safety and Vaccination Rates Influenced the Move

“After the pandemic hit … [New Zealand] had eliminated the virus completely,” Cameron explained. “They actually eliminated the virus twice. The third time when it showed up in a mutated form, it broke through. But fortunately, they already had a 98% vaccination rate.”

Cameron compared this to the United States, where vaccination rates were lower and declining. “This is why I love New Zealand. 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 the wrong direction. Are you kidding me?” he added.

A Choice Between Sanity and Polarization

Cameron weighed the options: “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.”

The director made it clear that his decision was about societal stability rather than aesthetics. “I’m not there for scenery, I’m there for the sanity,” he stated.

Environmental Concerns and Hollywood Influence

Beyond health policy, Cameron has long been outspoken about climate change. In a previous interview, he criticized former President Donald Trump, saying the country was “going backwards” without addressing environmental issues.

Cameron also highlighted the potential impact of his films, noting that Avatar had created awareness about climate change and alternative Earths: “Who’s to say we wouldn’t be going backwards even faster if it wasn’t for these films? There isn’t an alternative Earth without Avatar we can point to and say, ‘It made this measurable difference.’”

Legacy and Continued Influence

With a career spanning decades and Avatar holding the title of highest-grossing film of all time for nearly a decade, Cameron sees his work as being “on the right side of history.” He remains concerned about emerging global threats, including environmental decline, artificial intelligence, and the shifting dynamics of movie-going.

Conclusion:

James Cameron’s move to New Zealand reflects his prioritization of public health, science, and social stability over the scenery or fame associated with Hollywood. His decision underscores growing concerns among global citizens about governance, vaccination policies, and societal cohesion, highlighting how personal choices of influential figures can mirror larger debates on science, safety, and the future of communities.