Great that you have the opportunity to study abroad, and agree, having all of that space and freedom to breath, really broadens your experience base.
NZed is like that though, in many ways I regard it as a whole country based on Victoria in Aus lol, or Melbourne being a bit of an extension of Nzed, suprizingly similar in many visual/societal aspects.
I miss that pure "freshness" in food produce, restaurants that ethically wouldnt dare use MSG, long scenic " WRX drivers roads", Dad's® pies and a properly expressed coffee
.
You'll like Wellie, especially if you love coffee, New Zealands best cafe is located there, Fidels, ( one of the best in the world ), in charismatically vibrant Cuba Street, being a uni student, you'll get to know that area quiet well. Not to mention, Oriental Bay, scenery thats postcard perfect.
Man, it would be excellent to be in Nzed after the new year, but due to work schedule , we won't be heading home to visit the reli's this festive holiday.
Yeah, they have a couple of English stations in HK, and its the local music I am most disgusted with lol. Beijing blows HK away for musical depth and variety, the heavy metal/hard rock scene is huge there. Bands are so much more experimental in PEK, much like how they are back home.
Maybe having access to space to reherse is the main issue, HK is a bit mean spirited in that regard, space = $$$. Bands that start out, rely heavilly on a bit of charity in the begining, until they can make enough money to remain viable.
Cheers
Best Cafe in the known universe. 
