Unless you lived in Auckland, the largest city here, there is nothing like "traffic" even remotely like what we know as such. That is a beautiful thing! It isn't hard to be close to work, I could walk and now, there literally is no commute. (Confession though: I was spoiled from Ventura, had it set up similarly, was 3 miles from my office).

"Points" refers to the immigration process. You apply and are accepted or not based on a points system (very fair) that considers age (as with all other First World countries but ours, wonderful benefits they need to protect and selectively decide who gets), ability to contribute to what is needed (green list need jobs, education, etc), health (how much of a burden to the healthcare system might you be, as harsh as that sounds, fair question). Like I said, I just barely squeaked in with age (had 2 weeks, and the window would have closed), and remember, this is a country with only 5 million people half the size of California. They must be selective and it should be hard. However, it is worth it. I went through 4 (at my expense, no small thing) specialists that immigration asked me to, addressing issues I had (old injuries, issues women have in their 50's). You realize immigrating to another country just how entitled you have been and have internalized that no matter how much you think you haven't. 😊 It's a good growth experience.

You might see where there are jobs right now for your profession, just to get an idea of what regions you might be living near. Also look at climate data for various parts of each island (north and south). Most Americans here (and majority I would say are us Californians lol) live in North Island, but you'll be bound by where the job is first for your initial work visa (why I'm in Wellington, though that will be changing). New Zealand spans a wide range in latitude from subtropical to subantarctic but there are microclimates also that are dramatically different around regions. Blenheim, a town in the Marlborough Sounds of South Island, for example, is very warm, sunny though isolated, yet not too far away on the West Coast, in Greymouth, it can rain like crazy and be completely different. Same here on North Island.

As far as jobs go, government work, which is how most of us started in health care (like Public Health), is very hard to get a job in right now thanks to a currently right wing Prime Minister and a few others who gutted new jobs, cut others (though this will be temporary). There are private groups that provide healthcare services of all kinds here, however, like Habit Health (a large, country-wide, multi-system health group).

That's a lot, but hope it's helpful! I would advise, as others likely have, hiring an immigration consultant (not cheap, but worth it), and I could recommend mine highly. Helps especially with special situations like your son's.

Happy to help with questions! Best to you guys!