Steve Gurney, the nine-time Coast to Coast winner, said he had shifted to Queenstown because his Redcliffs home remained red-stickered and red-zoned as a result of the February 2011 earthquake.
''The Canterbury earthquakes have been stressful for many people who haven't had claims resolved.
''It's totally out of our control and one thing I've learned about stress - you have to separate what you can control from what you can't.
''The move makes perfect sense - my brand matches and integrates so well with Queenstown the adventure paradise, and, with an increasing number of conferences visiting, it's a great place to base myself as a motivational speaker.''
Of the shift to Queenstown, Mr Gurney said he could not believe he ''didn't do it years ago''.
''It's reduced my stress levels and I'm very happy living in an adventure playground where there's easy access to the mountains and wilderness.
''Most importantly, the people are awesomely friendly and I have heaps of friends here.''
As well as his prowess in multisport and adventure racing, Gurney is an inspirational and sought-after motivational speaker, sharing stories in his trademark humorous style.
He tells audiences about contracting leptospirosis while in the jungles of Borneo, recovering and going on to win even more effectively in his sport.
The disease is commonly transmitted to humans through water contaminated with animal urine and can cause meningitis, liver damage and renal failure.
Mr Gurney has also written two books - Eating Dirt and Lucky Legs - and regularly addresses national and international audiences as a motivator and team builder.
Although he had retired from competitive professional sport, Mr Gurney said he continued to train every day and entered as many events as he could.
''I'm not racing to win any more.
''For me, it's more about encouraging others to come through and to build my work with businesses.''
