We have now been here a full year and a bit, and cannot believe how fast it has gone in some ways, and so slowly in others. When we look at what we have done, we can't believe we have been here only a year. We try to make the most of all of our spare time, and are still in awe of the beauty that surrounds us.
We love the different seasons, and the flowers, birds and scenic differences in the landscapes have been so lovely. I am amazed because I never really noticed my natural surroundings when in the U.K., but here I take everything in.
We have parakeets in the trees at work, in comparison in the UK it was just pigeons. I exclaimed how gorgeous the parakeets were to work colleagues and they said they were pests and they shoot them!! I couldn't believe it - I responded in the UK we would be chasing after them to put in a cage. Funny old world ......
We still go on long walks and have been around and about as much as we can. Driving to Auckland only takes a few hours, and yet people think we are mad because we have been just for a 'run out'.
My other half is more 'kiwified' than me, and has felt the cold this winter (it has NOT been cold - he's just Mr Softy) and he has moaned about the traffic (there is NO traffic in comparison to the U.K., not even in Auckland). He wore shorts until May and is now back in shorts, although he does get a few weird looks. I think it's funny seeing people I work with in 'big' coats and scarves, and they think I'm weird in either a 'mac' or jacket. They thought I was ill when I wore short sleeves!
We have got a good group of friends, and the girlfriends I have made through work, and the netball, have filled a gap from those we left behind. I still miss my UK girlfriends so much, but I have had a few girly nights out here, and have a few more to look forward to. Our friends are a mixture of expats, Kiwi's and Ozzies, and our circle of friends is growing all the time.
When we first arrived we wanted a house by the beach, but we have also looked at rural - ohh I soooo wanted chokes, and a dog, and a horse, and to live in the country with a drive-on tractor - UNTIL a big reality check made me realise I am still a townie, and I now love it where we are … half way to rural and half way to beach.
We have also bought a section (a bit of land) and will hopefully have a house for christmas. We would NEVER have been able to do this in the U.k.
My 16 year old (nearly 17) has had waves of liking it here and hating it. He has seen his friends in the UK leave school & go to college etc and he does get homesick. We have told him that when he is 18 (next year) he can make his own decision, but he does talk about wanting to do a business degree and he still wants a dog, so we listened and work through it, and realize that whatever will be will be.
My daughter year has just celebrated her 13 birthday and what a difference to last year. She had celebrated her 12th birthday in the U.K before we left last year, and we were in Auckland recovering from jet lag and trying to cheer her up. I felt so sad for her and guilty. She said NZ was a 2 out of 10 for ages and only a 2 because we were here. Now it's a 10 and she had a great birthday with lots of friends and a girly sleepover. She has made friends at school, and enjoys playing netball. She has sleep overs, and does all the things she did in the U.K., except now it includes beaches and outdoor activities. She has started to ride again and spends her free time at the stables, and I am dreading the 'can I have a horse' discussion.
We have lots of mum and daughter time which we did not do in the U.K., and I am making the most of it whilst it lasts.
Me and the other half have lots of our more time together as well. Being here has really strengthened our family. We still have our moments, like any couple, but usually he sees sense and agrees I was right all along.
We keep in touch with friends and family in the UK by Skype, and email, and I love hearing their news. They ALL tell us we made the right decision, which helps. It is hard when special celebrations are happening and we aren't there, but we always send our love and they know we are there in spirit. I think it is harder for them.
I think it is so easy to be too busy, but for me it is so important to keep in touch, and we all make every effort. I"m sue it's not sometimes appreciated when I get them up at 7.00 to speak with them in the morning, especially when they have been out the night before!
Many of our friends have been on summer 2 weeks jollies and are now depressed waiting for another year until their next one. So it's strange for them to hear that we haven't had the need to go on holiday because people come here for their holidays, so we feel we are very lucky living in paradise!!
It hasn't all been easy and at times, especially with the kids, we have wondered if we did the right thing, but the longer we are here the more it feels right! Yes the salaries are so much lower than the UK, and the prices of some things are higher, and choices of shops and products are limited. New Zealand is the same as other countries and has crime issues, and other crap BUT I'll have it here any day.......with bells on.
Articles 
We have now been here a full year and a bit, and cannot believe how fast it has gone in some ways, and so slowly in others. When we look at what we have done, we can't believe we have been here only a year. We try to make the most of all of our spare time, and are still in awe of the beauty that surrounds us.