Emigration to NZ
 

Hi there,

I'm seriously giving some thought to moving away from the UK for good. It's a real wrench in many ways as I've lived in Manchester my whole 33 years and have many friends and family here. I just feel it'd be a good thing for my family though (we have a 1 year old girl and another baby on the way :) ) for many reasons.

I'm an IT Manager for quite a large UK firm and it seems there's a real IT shortage according to the NZ government sites. I just wondered whether you guys could help me make my mind up. I'm really after safety and a good life for my family. Looking at the cities I'm leaning towards Wellington. What's the general attitude towards people who emigrate? Are they generally welcomed?

There's obviously so much to think about - I'd also be really interested to hear about the experiences of people who've done the same thing.

Thanks in advance for your kind replies.

Chris

Hi Model 500!

Right - there are people who think that NZ is the bees knees and tell you to get sorted and out there as soon as you can.

There are other people who will tell you that it is a crap place to live with low wages, high COL, no life, no culture etc etc etc

And there are other people who will say that some things are good and some things are bad, like anywhere and you won't know whether the good things compensate for the bad things in your own life until you try it.

We can't help you make up your mind, we can only confuse you more but hoprfully throw some nuggets of info your way in the process.

For the record, me, hubby and dog are heading for Taranaki very soon - can't wait, very excited and frantic at the moment!

Do a search on NZ and loads of information, opinions etc etc will come up.

Good luck!!

Re: Emigration to NZ
 

Hi there,

Having lived in Wellington for a few months with the wife actively looking for work, we found that there wasn't a lot to choose from...most of the work tended to be in the manual section of the labour force. Of course there are always exceptions, but we found a general disdain by agencies of potential immigrants seeking work on Visitor visa's. I repeat......This was mainly the attitude of agencies....employers were more open to the idea where there was a definite shortage, but had to be convinced that it was easy to obtain a work permit...

However, after much searching my wife found nothing following the loss of her first job offer (withdrawn when the prospective employer heard the Gen Skill route had been taken away ... Nov 12 2003...and a unique piece of bad luck for us). We considered a move to Auckland after 3 months, but the homesickness had become to great for her at that point, so we planned a return, and she's now back in the UK whilst I am in the US.

Wellington itself is nice, but has little to offer in the way of entertainment when compared to somewhere like Manchester (very much smaller). Sure Manchester has problems, but it's often easier and less costlier to move within the Uk to find a solution than it is to move 12,000 miles. For me, NZ was very spread out with not a lot going on.....sure some things are cheap, some things are not, and wages are lower etc so it all balances out. At the end of the day it's up to you...my only advice would be not to cut all ties with the UK as we did (rent out your house and furniture, put the car into storage etc, pets with friends)....we had to turn around after 4 months and the whole thing cost us £17,000 and a lot of personal stress....

For IT I would look towards Auckland as this is where you'll find most opportunities.

all the best whatever you choose, Rich.

As others say, you'll only know what it's like for you when you give it a go - most people say it's a better life for their family and kids. My husband and I have been here a couple of months and are loving every minute - yes there are things that aren't as good as the UK, but other things are much better. And how you deal with them depends on your attitude to change in general. For me it's no big deal. Don't ever expect it to be the UK, because it isn't.

We're living on the North Shore, just outside Auckland, so we're near the beach, have bought a lovely house and have improved our lot dramatically - just being able to afford a decent sized place to live in has made a huge difference.

I'm not sure what the IT industry is up to these days, Auckland is going to be a pretty good place to start if you're not sure where to go, but then Auckland is nothing like the rest of NZ. Having said that, there is loads to do nearby, depending on what you're into as well.

Cutting ties is a difficult one - we've sold up and gone for it, so don't have anything to go back to (other than family or friends), which makes us 100% committed to making it work here. Sometimes having a house etc back at home prevents you from making the commitment to stay, but it depends on whether you are serious about leaving your options open.

Anyway, everyone has different experiences - each one is personal, so difficult to generalise, but from my perspective I'd go for it!! we think it's fantastic over here!

Thanks for the replies, they do actually help regardless of the fact that I realise you have to really do it to know :)

Was particularly interesting to see two conflicting experiences. I'm a really positive person so tend to expect things to end up okay. Like I was thinking 'right, I should be able to buy a decent house outright with my £120,000 equity in UK property and it should be really easy for me to get a job'.

I'd have to make it work really as I'd be giving up a superb job over here and, if we go, we'd leave nothing here aside from family/friends.

Hi
 

Hi,
We're like yourself just on the road. We live in Devon some would say wow but we hate it,Torquay has deadful drug problems & we've decided the UK is just a pub culture now & basically want more for our kids.My husband works for Social services here &is on 33k has just been offered a job in Nelson @ half that salary!
But we feel a life style change is what we want & money doesn't come in to it for us ,we will prob have about 140k to buy a property with.
Basically NZ doesn't get involved with wars
Is a very green country
Is more family orientated
Friendly people
Beautiful wideopen spaces
less traffic
Have you tried this site www.*****.co.uk it's not quite as negative as this site!
Good Luck

Thanks for the site, looks really useful if not a little biased :)

With me it's kids that've really done it. Just can't stand to think of my daughter growing up round here.

Good luck to you too.

Hi Model,

We went out with exactly the same attitude as you have now...it's our experiences in NZ that have made us feel the way we do now. I gave up a successful business to transfer it to NZ, my wife gave up a great job...we put all our eggs in one NZ basket and even took the cat with us.....however, after my wife had a job offer withdrawn when the GS category was removed (at this point we had spent on a car, furniture, new rental etc), it set us back. I don't know if it was becasue it was the interim between GS and EOI coming in, but she had some really negative contact with agencies and employers. In the end we decided we had more to come back to in the UK.m We both wished we had moved to somewhere tht wasn't Wellington though after seeing places like Tauranga and Napier.

best of luck whatever you choose, Rich.

Re: Hi
 

I think its great that you are prepared to take the leap. I'm sure with your outlook you will do well. I would like to take issue with a couple of things you've said though.
NZ does get involved with wars. Not on a major scale because it simply can't afford it. The Airforce is a shambles etc. But the SAS are very active fighting alongside British and American troops.
The traffic in Auckland is at virtual gridlock and rivals anywhere else in the UK. Of course this isn't true of many other parts of the country.
The drug culture in NZ is rife and the police spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with drug related offences. Heck, in some North Island schools they drug test their pupils!
I'm sure your husband will be busy working for CYPS over here. Their workload is stifling.
I'm curious to know what makes you think it is more family orientated?
Don't get me wrong. I'm sure you will be happy here. But your post reads like you think NZ has none of the problems you are keen to escape. It does.

Gladrags, I agree with you in principle about NZ having the problems that the UK has, but I believe that you are exaggerating a little.

"The traffic in Auckland is at virtual gridlock and rivals anywhere else in the UK. Of course this isn't true of many other parts of the country" ?? really, when was the last time that you were in the UK? I really cannot believe that you think this is true. Auckland has its traffic problems but to compare them to the South East of England is laughable. I arrived in June of last year and am still waiting to see the famous Auckland traffic. I think that Aucklanders think that they have it bad, but if they moved to a more heavily populated country they would be astounded.

"I'm curious to know what makes you think it is more family orientated?"
We have found that families are more likely to spend time together and go on holiday together, even when the kids are older. Kids are treated with greater respect here and are encouraged to be more independent. Kids in schools are not ashamed to admit that they want to do well and most parents that we have come across are actively involved in their kids schools.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm sure you will be happy here. But your post reads like you think NZ has none of the problems you are keen to escape. It does."

Yes but not to the same degree that the UK has. The drug problems that you speak of are centred around particular well known areas, that someone with 140K GBP to spend will not buy in.

Guitar Doctor - I think that every one has now heard youre whine, you didnt enjoy it and it cost you alot of money get over it for god's sake.

Hi Bladesman. Granted I don't live in Auckland but I have driven there on several occasions. There is a serious problem that cannot be so easily dismissed in my opinion. And that of others.

Gridlock's problems worth week off every two months

28.10.2003
By STUART DYE
Auckland's traffic gridlock costs the workforce the equivalent of a week's holiday every two months, according to a new report.

The region's 566,000-strong workforce spend an average of more than an hour a day stuck in traffic, says a report by the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

The congestion cost to the economy is often quoted as $1 billion a year - a figure taken from a 1997 study, but the actual figure today is closer to $4 billion, says the association.

"Costs like these are why we need far more urgency over addressing Auckland's traffic," said EMA chief executive Alasdair Thompson.

"They're the sort of costs that can be reduced to everyone's advantage. Any reductions go straight into all our bank accounts."

With an average pay rate of $19.41 an hour, the time spent getting to and from work is worth $11 million a day, $55 million a week, or over $2.7 billion a year, according to the EMA study.

On top of the opportunity time lost, Auckland's motorists use around 110 million litres of petrol and 500 million litres of diesel a year.

These add a further $1.45 billion to transport costs.

The report says that of $50 spent on filling a petrol tank, $27.25 will go in Government taxes and fees but only $6.95 will be spent on roads.

"No wonder Auckland's roads are jammed," said Mr Thompson.

The EMA says the study is further evidence that funding must be given, and work started on, several major transport projects and scores of smaller ones throughout the region.

Officials in Wellington are working with local body representatives from Auckland on a package of solutions which it is understood includes regional fuel taxes, toll roads, congestion charging and a handout from central Government.


As for drug use. Well it has long been accepted here by the Police that is their single biggest issue. I am well aware that it is not on the same scale as the UK. But I don't think that's the point. I am simply suggesting that it exists and is a problem.

UN highlights NZ drug use
Sep 25, 2003


A United Nations report shows the use of amphetamine-type drugs in New Zealand and Australia appears to be among the highest in the world.
It found New Zealand's use is higher than the United States or Britain.
Australia has the highest level of ecstasy abuse in the world.
The report says 3.4% of people in both New Zealand and Australia take amphetamines.
Earlier this month, another United Nations report rated New Zealand third highest among developed nations for child abuse and neglect.
Around 10 children die of maltreatment in New Zealand each year. That figure is four to six times higher than the average for the leading countries.
Some police and social workers say that the issue of child abuse and neglect is linked to drug use.
Statistics show that crime linked to the production and use of amphetamines, rose by nearly 30% in 2002.
New Zealand First MP Craig McNair said the government must do more to stop drugs. "While the Government sits on its hands New Zealand has chalked up another odious international rating as one of the world's highest users of methamphetamines.
The effects of these drugs on crime and violence have never been clearer but it is like we have given up the fight," he said.
National Police Spokesman Tony Ryall said the government's soft-on-drugs approach is not working.
"Most amphetamines in New Zealand are manufactured here by the drug dealing gangs," said Ryall.
Former TV3 newsreader Darren McDonald boasted that he read the news while high on drugs. He admitted conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and offering to supply Ecstasy.
Ryall said the problem stretches across all social classes.
"Earlier this year, I visited a drug treatment clinic and met a former senior company executive who used to smoke P each morning in his locked office. He told me he would search the streets of Auckland in the early hours for methamphetamine and eventually began drug dealing to pay for his habit," says Ryall.

Forgive all the cut and pastes but I do think what is said has relevance.
I can't prove or disprove your views regarding kids any more than you can but we too have children and our experiences are perhaps different to yours.
Finally. I was back in the UK recently and come from the South East. I know what it's like there.:)

Fair points, I believe that what I said is still valid. The roads in Auckland do get busy, I commute 50K's a day and it takes me 40 - 50 minutes. I think that it has once taken me over an hour. Probably not the worst commute in Auckland but they all count. From what I can make out, the report that you quote is from an NZ source, this confirms what I said in my post about kiwis complaining about traffic when they have little comprehension on what gridlock is. If you have recently been to the south east of england then you know that moving anywhere between 7 and 9:30 and 4:30 and 6:30 is a no-no. The same cannot be said for Auckland.
Yep a big problem with P, but it is confined, not everywhere like in the UK, where I lived in the UK was not rough, but we regularly found used syringes lying around. What is worrying is the increase in violent crime due to the use of P, confirmed today by the sentencing of the man convicted of the killing of a six year old girl while high on P.
I suppose that what we are saying is the same but with a different slant. Yes there are problems but I believe that they can be much more easily avoided in NZ than they can in the UK.

Hmm, seems my comments have been taken out of context, for a change...not!.....Occupational hazard of posting a negative comment about the so-called paradise of the south seas...(yeah right, no problems in NZ at all)... I'm just trying to highlight the fact that NZ is not perfect, the job market is not especially buoyant and it can go wrong if you put all your eggs in one basket. A positive arritude, determination and cash in the bank are not enough in itself to make it work out.

P is a major problem in NZ...where else in the world is the sale of cold remedies restricted?

And if you compare the number of cars travelling to the same destination in the UK, I think you'll find it's far higher than Auckland, thus when you average the number of vehicles in the UK travelling to a singular destination against these in NZ, I think you'll find the traffic situation is worse in Auckland......i.e if it takes 1000 NZ cars 1 hour to get to Auckland from 25 miles away, and it takes 3000 UK cars 2 hours to get into London from 25 miles away, the traffic flow on the UK roads is actually higher.......

No doubt this will wind up the "NZ is perfect" crowd.

Rich.

try Devon in the summer
 

Hi,
well we're not moving to Auckland so traffic won't be a problem! I am aware the grass isn't always greener. But we hate Devon(originally from Yorkshire) We have found people to be a lot less! friendly. The traffic is a nightmare from Easter to September Iwork@Torbay hosp & it takes me 1hr to go 6 miles then when I do get there I cannot park!
We are prepared to give it ago if it doesn't work well so be it.But I really think the uk is just becoming a pub culture! That's my opinion!

Re: Hi
 

Dear All,

I am currently back home in Auckland on holiday and would like to put my 2 cents in to this debate because I have been dropping my dad at work in the city every day for the past 2 weeks and I agree the traffic is a lot heavier than it was 6 years ago when I lived here however the maximum 25 mins it took from St Heliers to the city was nothing compared to the minimum 1 hour I drive every day in London from West Hampstead to London Bridge -and its costs a fiver! at least Auckland has a city bypass on the motorway

Much appreciate the reply Bladesman. Quite right to. My original point was merely to remind/warn the poster that there are socio/economic problems here too. I have no doubt they are aware of this and in no way should that stop them giving it a go:) . The Coral Burrows murder was truly tragic...the pathetic sentence more so.:mad:
Take care.

Re: try Devon in the summer
 

Good on ya!:) I'll drink to that!

Bad argument, what is the use in having a slightly better traffic flow if you have x20 more cars on the road? People are bothered by how long thier journey takes, not how many cars can make the journey.
NZ is not perfect, but does offer a (IMO) a better lifestyle of work hard and play hard.

I suppose it depends where you are positioned in the traffic jam.......I dont think it's 20 x the number of cars either...slight exaggeration.

Yup, thats your opinion...personally, Auckland would be the last place in NZ I'd go...Wellington would be the second.....there are far nicer places to live in NZ. MUch the same, there are far nicer places to live (and cheaper and less crowded) in the UK than London....it still seems that most people's idea of the UK is the South..there are other areas you know! Still, I suppose a lot of people think Auckland is NZ, so it goes both ways.

The UK offers as much as NZ in the way of lifestyle, it costs in both cases....the only time you gain is when taking over the uk £'s to convert to $NZ. When these funds are all gone, the reality of lower pay etc si what you are left with. In this instance, there's really not a lot in it, IMO.

Rich.

agree with 100% on your last point - not a lot in it - the 'lifestyle' benefits on either side depend on your personal taste.

Your points about auckland and wellington are valid, but of course it's no good living in some of the other parts of NZ if you don't have a job. Auck and wgtn (&chch) remain the major employment centres. It's a sad fact of the world that the worst places to live are often cities - with city problems - but also with the jobs.

Auck or Wellington are two of the first places in NZ I would think of living - as I know the chances of me getting a job and living amongst people & amenities that suit me are greater.

HI JandJ,

This is very true of anywhere....I suppose it depends on your career or line of work...I have the fortunate ability to work pretty much anywhere that's not too remote. I agree that it is very much a fact of the world that cities provide the employment, yet are not the best places to live...London is an absolute prime example of this......don't get me wrong, if it was Auckland or London, I'd choose Auckland. However, if it was Edinburgh or Auckland, I'd take Edinburgh....so it depends on choices available through line of work etc. I loved parts of NZ that weren't Auck or Well, but it is true that my wife would no doubt have struggled to get work outside of Auckland had we continued to throw money at the problem...

If people can buy a house outright in NZ or the UK, they are in a very good position in both countries.......the lifestyle is down to personal choice.....if you like sailing, then Auckland is cool, if you like riding motorcycles, then North Wales (close to where I lived) is a better place.....it's all about people being into different things.....

Some seem to think that NZ is a perfect place though...it's not IMO, but neither is any Westernised country in the world...the UK has probs, the US has probs, NZ and OZ have probs...all relative to the size of the population and economic factors of the country. However, if people can secure a job, buy a house outright, settle in a chosen country without homesickness and enjoy the lifestyle, then more power to them.....if not, then it can be an expensive gamble.....it's up to them. A positive attitude, money and determination don't guarantee success though.

Rich.

Hi, Donna,

My wife and I are thinking of going for broke and cutting all ties like you. What I'd like to know is, what is it about NZ that you think is so great.

Gazzauk

I reckon living in NZ can be a lot like living in Cornwall. Ocean, coast and beaches never far away (QT excepted!). Green, mild often damp weather, towns not much bigger in feel than Truro (AKL excepted!). Not overcrowded with people or traffic (AKL and Cornwall on a hot summer bank holiday excepted!) Food not that different to the UK except it's better and cheaper and there's more seafood available. Jobs - slightly better than Cornwall in most fields. Cheaper to buy a good second hand car and a lot cheaper to run it and insure it. People - up to you, a lot of emmets fit very nicely into Cornwall

Oh Don why did you have to compare it to Cornwall ;)

I lived/survived there for 4 years. Cambourne. My neighbours wouldnt give me the time of day for the first 3 years (bloody emmets) and I get on with anyone.

It did seem to be a small minded place. I went to buy a TV once from a shop in Helston. I asked the guy "if they had any stores up north". "Oh yes" he replied " St Austell". I guess I asked for that. :D


I was a lot younger then so maybe my outlooks changed :)

Hope the weathers better also. It was either raining or about to rain, a complete grey mist covered it for most of the year. We are either going to Tauranga or Whangarei so hopefully it will be different.

Gotta give a go though.

Take care

Jack

PS Apparently Cambourne is quite a nice place now. Must have knocked it down and started again with it :D

Some might find much the same in NZ - can be very parochial, I get the impression the friendships formed at school are still generally going strong at 40 and 50 and outsiders are outsiders. Lots of clubs and masonic activity...I reckon some might feel a bit cut out at first.

Well I'm socialable so will just have to see.

What you been upto lately Don?

Found anymore interesting things about NZ?

Jack

We're heading back for the summer in a week or so - therefore we had to sort out getting our house rented out etc (first viewer took it!), incl the big clean up.

Just kicking out heels a bit, nice dinner at Southerner's last week (cheers, S!), yellow eyed penguins at secret beach on Friday (saw 15), Dunedin has got a summer festival going on right now so looking at various bit of that. Saw the Timebuster in the Octagon yesterday - 6 guys and 6 gals racing round the Octagon at 10 am, trying to beat the 10 chimes of the clock, cracking race! :) :)

In the news - Don Brash (leader of National Party) getting majority public approval in the polls for his proposals to treat allNZ'ers as equal and cut out special treatment for Maori...hmmm, could be worth a thread...

Heh, here's a thought. Don't live in Auckland then!

Comparing NZ to UK is irrelevant, they are two entirely, distinct, individual places!

Where we are traffic is minimal/non existant depending on time of day. Childcare is good but we never had children of this age anywhere else so can't compare that.

You can drive anywhere and keep a constant limit speed.

We are made to feel very welcome and 50% of the people at Pay Centre are English anyway which is good.

Plenty to do if we fancied travelling into Christchurch but having small children we prefer the beach and walks near here although they have the Lollipop’s Playland. Chipmonks, etc which are good.

Great wine (NZ white Ozz Red's).

Seems to have a problems with Methamphetamine or P as it is called but heh, so do most places. You need to lock yourself away to escape that anywhere.

I also love the UK, especially for it's close proximity to Europe (mainland). And intend to switch between the two once the kids are older.

Like I said NZ and the UK each have good and bad points. Tale the ones you want. As for us, we are pleased and privileged to have the opportunity to live here.

You can feel a little cut off and make sure you are financially secure as you will never see the 'wood for the trees', because you will be too worried about afording anything.

I agree with all these statements. I can see myself spending time in both countries once the kids are more independent.

Comparing a specific big country (UK) vs a specific little country (NZ) is often counterproductive. Deciding that you want to live in a small country, and then asking yourself which country that should be is a bit more logical (IMO).

By the way, size in this context is to do with population, economy, infrastructure etc, not physical landmass; ie. Australia is a small country for the purposes of immigration.

We liked Whangarei a lot and your money goes far. NZD400K will definitely get you a big patch of land and an OK house (eg 12 acres and 3 bed modern) as that's what we nearly bought, saw a few like that.

Great for gardening and agriculture.

Gateway to Northland/ Bay of Islands.

Great climate (warm all year) but wet, tho' the rain comes in big bursts not constant drizzle.

Not a bad option if job suits.

Cheers Don.

Once we sell the house and clear up our little work problem then I will go out and have a look around.

Whangarei does sound nice what with the climate ect.

Jack

Re: Emigration to NZ
 

Re: Emigration to NZ
 

I stufft that one up dont know how. Read the bottom part of the above letter. Catherine

Well, i have lived in Wellington for the last 18 months. Neither my hubbie nor me had any problem getting jobs - him as a resaercher and me as a lawyer. i have since trained as a teacher and again have found lots of work. kiwi employers like a REALLY positive and can do attitude - or perhaps we have both been really fortunate.

i find that there is lots going on in Wellington - live music, bars, places to eat, events and so on. Cost of living is about the same as the UK when you balance costs with low wages.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you want anything more specific.

Yes thanks for that Miss B, I think the financial issues can have an enourmous impact on a persons perception of a place and perhaps this is one of the main reasons with GD is so negative. Add various other problems and you will are bound not to have a fond memory of that place even if it looks quite idylic.

I have been offer a job in Wellington and the money is similar to what I was on a few months ago here in the UK (before my recent pay rise) so I should not be worse off. Plus we hope to take some equity when we sell (not yet though) so I hope will be able to view, without the financial perssures, Wellington for what it is.

Rob

Hiya all, for those of you thinking about it, you'll only ever really know by trying it.

I was living in Hampshire with my wife and our 1 year old son a year ago. We were earning great money in UK but since we had become parents, money wasn't the point anymore. The whole point of being parents for us was to give our son the best that we could. We could have given him a fair bit in the UK, as money gives you choice. We lived in a nice area which was getting more problems and we were just sick of the rat race and the constant politics that seem to just follow you around at work and home.

In November 2002 we decided whilst in Tenerife on holiday that we would do it. What the heck, go for it, we really felt we had nothing to lose, even to the point that if it didn't work out we would have spent a fair bit of money (that was recognition for you Guitar Doctor) as if it isn't for you, it will cost you, time and money.

We went for it, I'm 35 years old, and in my family I am 3rd priority. My son and wife and their happiness, safety and the chance for them and me to live in a beautiful country was worth the risk. We were fortunate that I had a good job offer, Specific Work Permit came through in 8 days and we sold our house quick and all our furniture, and cashed out of the UK with £145k.

We've been in Christchurch now for 6 weeks and everything has gone to plan so far. We've been lucky along the way, but mostly we did a lot of research and planning, used this website a lot, talked to friends and relatives and to be honest did everything we could to MAKE it work for us.

Life is so short, I'm only 35 and the years are flying by, we had nothing to lose really, money comes and goes in life, it gives you choices thats it. It doesn't buy you happiness, you don't laugh and smile when you've got money in the bank.

I'd always prefer to be happy and healthy and know in my heart that I had TRIED to do the best for my family, whether it works out or not.

If you want to know more, ask away.

Darren.

Great post.

Glad its working out for you and yours :)

Keep posting from time to time so we can see how you are getting on:)

Re cars and traffic - with my wealth of experience now having been here in New Plymouth for two days (!) - I was talking to a guy who moved down here with his family from Whangarei and he says his kids keep asking where all the cars and people are!!

Which indicates that Whangarei is a LOT more busy that NP - and NP aint busy not by a long shot - went into the shopping centre yesterday (Sat) and it was great - no big crowds or anything.

If you can, can you get some photos ect. and post em? :)

When you get time give us a full review on the place, likes/dislikes ect. :)

Now go to the beach :lecture: :D

Re: Emigration to NZ
 

Well my family and i are in the same boat fed up with the way this place is going,in fact we ain`t that far from you, we live in Runcorn. I have lived in this dump called home for the past 39 yrs and its time to pack up and ship out.

Now unfortunately i am not in the same employ as yourself but am employed in Transport (HGV Driver), i have trawled the net for info on New Zealand you know all the usual stuff and have been quite surprised,in fact i have been able to fix up an interview over here in UK with a firm from NZ (need the sponsorship) if things go my way then hopefully will see summer out here then get to NZ for the start of theirs.

We are doin exactly like you goin and never to return. I think you have to give it a go and i mean 2-3 years not 6-12 months like some. I have a friend who lives in Christchurch and she says she won`t come back for anything.We have a young family and like you probably want to give them a better start to life than what this shithole has got to offer.

I know this has not givin you an insight to NZ but i just wanted you to know that someone who is just down the road from you is thinking on the same lines. KB