That's why I mention that it's very biased by my 'European culture' sense - old villages, medieval castles, places you read about in the books etc. In NZ, the oldest building has less than 200 years.

Of course, the Maori culture is amazing and I'm eager to learn more about. It's just that I feel like my kids will miss something I had the chance to experience.

If you get the chance, have a look into some of the battles that happened around the country. You can go to many of the sites and key locations extremely easily. They often happened in such recent history that the effects are still relevant today. For example, being able to stand in the room where the battle of Gate Pa was planned and dinner was eaten, then see the site a few KM away gives a good perspective.

Regardless of where you raise them there are experiences they will miss by living there, and experiences they can only have by living there. I can only speak for myself but I wouldn't fret over it.