NZ versus Aus
Sep 20th 2010, 11:26 am
#106
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 371
Re: NZ versus Aus
Neither Australia nor NZ are that young that they shouldn't have any history. Where are the buildings of 100/200 years ago?
When we went to Sydney we looked forward to visiting the 'historic' area around the Harbour Bridge....can't remember what it's called off hand...but was disappointed to read in the museum about how it had all been destroyed.
Same here ....In Auckland musuem discovered how a pub remained the same for many years but despite many protests about preserving it, it was just pulled down.
Perhaps because they are new countries they have no interest in history. When my son was in his UK school, at the age of 7yrs he learnt about the Great Fire of London.Here he has had to choose,as an option, to study History in Yr11 (when 15yrs). It is unusual for History to be chosen as a subject. I work as a teacher aide in a primary school and have done so for a few years now.They have only once had History as a topic and that was the Egyptians. They never even study their own history.
When we went to Sydney we looked forward to visiting the 'historic' area around the Harbour Bridge....can't remember what it's called off hand...but was disappointed to read in the museum about how it had all been destroyed.
Same here ....In Auckland musuem discovered how a pub remained the same for many years but despite many protests about preserving it, it was just pulled down.
Perhaps because they are new countries they have no interest in history. When my son was in his UK school, at the age of 7yrs he learnt about the Great Fire of London.Here he has had to choose,as an option, to study History in Yr11 (when 15yrs). It is unusual for History to be chosen as a subject. I work as a teacher aide in a primary school and have done so for a few years now.They have only once had History as a topic and that was the Egyptians. They never even study their own history.
I live in Sydney near an area where there is an old industrial brewery and has been derelict for years. It is now being torn down and replaced with modern skyscrapers and will generate thousands of jobs and lots of taxes and land sale revenue for the Govt.
Basically in lots of cases heritage causes stagnation and a limitation of modern land usage.
Oh sure they may be nice and attract tourists, BUT economically they are better off being redeveloped for modern usage.
Sep 20th 2010, 2:12 pm
#107
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: NZ versus Aus
Neither Australia nor NZ are that young that they shouldn't have any history. Where are the buildings of 100/200 years ago?
When we went to Sydney we looked forward to visiting the 'historic' area around the Harbour Bridge....can't remember what it's called off hand...but was disappointed to read in the museum about how it had all been destroyed.
Same here ....In Auckland musuem discovered how a pub remained the same for many years but despite many protests about preserving it, it was just pulled down.
Perhaps because they are new countries they have no interest in history. When my son was in his UK school, at the age of 7yrs he learnt about the Great Fire of London.Here he has had to choose,as an option, to study History in Yr11 (when 15yrs). It is unusual for History to be chosen as a subject. I work as a teacher aide in a primary school and have done so for a few years now.They have only once had History as a topic and that was the Egyptians. They never even study their own history.
When we went to Sydney we looked forward to visiting the 'historic' area around the Harbour Bridge....can't remember what it's called off hand...but was disappointed to read in the museum about how it had all been destroyed.
Same here ....In Auckland musuem discovered how a pub remained the same for many years but despite many protests about preserving it, it was just pulled down.
Perhaps because they are new countries they have no interest in history. When my son was in his UK school, at the age of 7yrs he learnt about the Great Fire of London.Here he has had to choose,as an option, to study History in Yr11 (when 15yrs). It is unusual for History to be chosen as a subject. I work as a teacher aide in a primary school and have done so for a few years now.They have only once had History as a topic and that was the Egyptians. They never even study their own history.
Last edited by fish.01; Sep 20th 2010 at 2:16 pm.
Sep 20th 2010, 4:23 pm
#108
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 49
Re: NZ versus Aus
Hi,
We are the Bryar family and until recently were looking at emigrating to NZ. But it seems the more we have looked into it and read on the forum the more a daunting prospect it has seemed ie the lower wages and higher cost of living. We are now looking at Aus and would like anybodys input of why we should choose it before NZ.
We are the Bryar family and until recently were looking at emigrating to NZ. But it seems the more we have looked into it and read on the forum the more a daunting prospect it has seemed ie the lower wages and higher cost of living. We are now looking at Aus and would like anybodys input of why we should choose it before NZ.
Sep 20th 2010, 6:55 pm
#109
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 14
Re: NZ versus Aus
Thanks all for the erm....well lets call it a debate...a bit heated at times but very constructive lol !
Its been enjoyable reading the comments and has been very informative of peoples views. We have looked in depth at both places and i'm sure they both have there pro's and cons. We are sure both places are beautiful in there own right and a lot I suppose depends on what type of lifestyle you want. we will make our decision based on what we believe is best for us and your input has been helpful.
Oh....and yes...we will let you know where we decide again.
Thanks again
Its been enjoyable reading the comments and has been very informative of peoples views. We have looked in depth at both places and i'm sure they both have there pro's and cons. We are sure both places are beautiful in there own right and a lot I suppose depends on what type of lifestyle you want. we will make our decision based on what we believe is best for us and your input has been helpful
.Oh....and yes...we will let you know where we decide again.
Thanks again
Sep 20th 2010, 7:38 pm
#110
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Pirongia
Posts: 211
Re: NZ versus Aus
]'m glad we've been of some assistence and I'm sure we will carry one this one. It's been of interest to a lot of us. Especially me,who is in NZ but thinking we would be better off in Oz.
Ah yes....it's called 'the rocks'. It was still there but not what we expected. Besides it was so hot I could barely put one foot infront of the other that day and was sweating buckets. Plus the kids wanted to stop every two minutes for a drink.
I'm glad you had the opportunity to study history. As you can gather I love it.It's here in NZ it seems ignored.
From my teenage son's point of view, there is a one day concert,here every year and they struggle to get bands and to sell tickets. He has seen,advertised on the internet, a huge concert over in OZ where all the big metal/rock names are playing and tickets for Melbourne are already sold out and this is for next year.
Ah yes....it's called 'the rocks'. It was still there but not what we expected. Besides it was so hot I could barely put one foot infront of the other that day and was sweating buckets. Plus the kids wanted to stop every two minutes for a drink.
I'm glad you had the opportunity to study history. As you can gather I love it.It's here in NZ it seems ignored.
From my teenage son's point of view, there is a one day concert,here every year and they struggle to get bands and to sell tickets. He has seen,advertised on the internet, a huge concert over in OZ where all the big metal/rock names are playing and tickets for Melbourne are already sold out and this is for next year.
Sep 20th 2010, 9:59 pm
#111
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Sep 21st 2010, 1:50 am
#112
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: NZ versus Aus
]'m glad we've been of some assistence and I'm sure we will carry one this one. It's been of interest to a lot of us. Especially me,who is in NZ but thinking we would be better off in Oz.
Ah yes....it's called 'the rocks'. It was still there but not what we expected. Besides it was so hot I could barely put one foot infront of the other that day and was sweating buckets. Plus the kids wanted to stop every two minutes for a drink.
I'm glad you had the opportunity to study history. As you can gather I love it.It's here in NZ it seems ignored.
From my teenage son's point of view, there is a one day concert,here every year and they struggle to get bands and to sell tickets. He has seen,advertised on the internet, a huge concert over in OZ where all the big metal/rock names are playing and tickets for Melbourne are already sold out and this is for next year.
Ah yes....it's called 'the rocks'. It was still there but not what we expected. Besides it was so hot I could barely put one foot infront of the other that day and was sweating buckets. Plus the kids wanted to stop every two minutes for a drink.
I'm glad you had the opportunity to study history. As you can gather I love it.It's here in NZ it seems ignored.
From my teenage son's point of view, there is a one day concert,here every year and they struggle to get bands and to sell tickets. He has seen,advertised on the internet, a huge concert over in OZ where all the big metal/rock names are playing and tickets for Melbourne are already sold out and this is for next year.
To be honest you can get the same impression when you go anywhere as an outsider until you find the right people that suit you. When I lived in England the vast majority of people I met wandered past beautiful old buildings with barely a glance. I had to hunt for those who were interested.
I think as an outsider you tend to mix with different people to those you might have at home so the new people may not have the same interests as you - you can wrongly ascribe this to the country as a whole rather than the fact you haven't found your niche yet.
Last edited by fish.01; Sep 21st 2010 at 1:53 am.
Sep 21st 2010, 2:15 am
#113
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Pirongia
Posts: 211
Re: NZ versus Aus
Trouble is I'm still still trying to find my niche after nearly 7 years. But that could be my fault. My husband always says that I have a very negetive view of life here, right from the start, so perhaps I haven't tried as hard as I could.
Examples of what I used to do back in the UK? Well I was a founder member of a Writers Group. There is one here,a small fun social group,but they meet on a Tuesday morning when I work. I used to show deerhounds. With the small population here, the entry is so small that even the most popular breeds in the UK are non-existant here or you can get one entered.Not much fun to win with nil competition. I was a member of the local pub quiz team and we travelled to compete against other local pubs. Well pub life,in general, is severely lacking. Etc. Etc.
Examples of what I used to do back in the UK? Well I was a founder member of a Writers Group. There is one here,a small fun social group,but they meet on a Tuesday morning when I work. I used to show deerhounds. With the small population here, the entry is so small that even the most popular breeds in the UK are non-existant here or you can get one entered.Not much fun to win with nil competition. I was a member of the local pub quiz team and we travelled to compete against other local pubs. Well pub life,in general, is severely lacking. Etc. Etc.
Sep 21st 2010, 4:25 am
#114
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: NZ versus Aus
Trouble is I'm still still trying to find my niche after nearly 7 years. But that could be my fault. My husband always says that I have a very negetive view of life here, right from the start, so perhaps I haven't tried as hard as I could.
Examples of what I used to do back in the UK? Well I was a founder member of a Writers Group. There is one here,a small fun social group,but they meet on a Tuesday morning when I work. I used to show deerhounds. With the small population here, the entry is so small that even the most popular breeds in the UK are non-existant here or you can get one entered.Not much fun to win with nil competition. I was a member of the local pub quiz team and we travelled to compete against other local pubs. Well pub life,in general, is severely lacking. Etc. Etc.
Examples of what I used to do back in the UK? Well I was a founder member of a Writers Group. There is one here,a small fun social group,but they meet on a Tuesday morning when I work. I used to show deerhounds. With the small population here, the entry is so small that even the most popular breeds in the UK are non-existant here or you can get one entered.Not much fun to win with nil competition. I was a member of the local pub quiz team and we travelled to compete against other local pubs. Well pub life,in general, is severely lacking. Etc. Etc.
Sep 21st 2010, 8:52 am
#115
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Sep 21st 2010, 10:28 am
#116
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: In the middle of the continent
Posts: 2,405
Re: NZ versus Aus
Well, maybe you should asked the Chinese what they consider big. I think you would have to take all the inhabitants of Australia, put them into one city and that might be a big city in China
Sep 21st 2010, 4:12 pm
#117
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 49
Re: NZ versus Aus
]'m glad we've been of some assistence and I'm sure we will carry one this one. It's been of interest to a lot of us. Especially me,who is in NZ but thinking we would be better off in Oz.
Ah yes....it's called 'the rocks'. It was still there but not what we expected. Besides it was so hot I could barely put one foot infront of the other that day and was sweating buckets. Plus the kids wanted to stop every two minutes for a drink.
I'm glad you had the opportunity to study history. As you can gather I love it.It's here in NZ it seems ignored.
From my teenage son's point of view, there is a one day concert,here every year and they struggle to get bands and to sell tickets. He has seen,advertised on the internet, a huge concert over in OZ where all the big metal/rock names are playing and tickets for Melbourne are already sold out and this is for next year.
Ah yes....it's called 'the rocks'. It was still there but not what we expected. Besides it was so hot I could barely put one foot infront of the other that day and was sweating buckets. Plus the kids wanted to stop every two minutes for a drink.
I'm glad you had the opportunity to study history. As you can gather I love it.It's here in NZ it seems ignored.
From my teenage son's point of view, there is a one day concert,here every year and they struggle to get bands and to sell tickets. He has seen,advertised on the internet, a huge concert over in OZ where all the big metal/rock names are playing and tickets for Melbourne are already sold out and this is for next year.
Nov 1st 2010, 10:22 am
#118
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Omokoroa
Posts: 36
Re: NZ versus Aus
we are currently living in nz last 2 years, we now have a job offer with sponsorship in perth, we are really keen to go, only problem is my very elderly father is here with us on a 6 month visitor visa, 3 months in, has he got any chance of coming with us on a visitors visa out there on a 6 -9 month type thing if we are on sponsorship?
also, my understanding is that you become residents 2 years in to the 4 year sponsorship, what happens if you lost you job after 3 years?
Cheers
also, my understanding is that you become residents 2 years in to the 4 year sponsorship, what happens if you lost you job after 3 years?
Cheers
Nov 1st 2010, 9:51 pm
#119
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: NZ versus Aus
we are currently living in nz last 2 years, we now have a job offer with sponsorship in perth, we are really keen to go, only problem is my very elderly father is here with us on a 6 month visitor visa, 3 months in, has he got any chance of coming with us on a visitors visa out there on a 6 -9 month type thing if we are on sponsorship?
BB
Nov 1st 2010, 10:45 pm
#120
---
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,994
Re: NZ versus Aus
On a more serious note though NZ does have several small towns that are really lovely with a fantastic lifestyle, you've just got to know which ones they are! Cambridge and Havelock North are two I know of, though they are both very "expat" so it depends if this bothers you.
NZ has a few draw cards that Australia doesn't, imo. The education system here, though lacking in some aspects (I concur with kentishlass' noting of the absence of history and as time goes on I become more and more NCEA sceptic) is generally excellent in the primary years- especially so in the affluent rural and semi-rural schools where kids can get an education with a freedom very hard to obtain in the UK. The Oz system was not so much to my liking and yes, as I was considering teacher training in both countries I spent time looking behind the scenes as well as bearing my own kids' experiences in mind.
It's temperate. The climate here can feel rubbish when you're renting a typical crap house but if you can build or buy something decent it's a very "get out there" climate with long warm summers and mild winters (obviously with some variation depending where you are). You rarely need air-con, which I think is a bonus because I don't like it.
Outside of Auckland we don't have the suburban sprawl that plagues most the places habitable in Australia. On the other hand we do a good line in run down country towns and cities that are really towns. I think if you fancy "lifestyle block" (or life sentence block) living, it's kind of more doable in NZ due to climate, costs etc.
Um, we've got great coffee
We've moved UK-NZ-Oz-NZ and if I'm very honest I *still* am not 100% crazy about NZ but it's more than 'fine for now', though I could see my kids wanting to go to uni in Australia as they both talk about it very fondly as they visit rellies there often and have happy memories of their time there, though they love NZ too.