I Just wanted to say hi!
We are thinking about emigrating to NZ (that's me, hubby, 2 teenage kids, 2 dogs and two cats!!!!)......and it's all running away with me!!! agghhh!! Am I completely mad?? Am I doing the right thing??
..........please be gentle with me I'm new here!

Just go and look at the place, visit it and see what it has for you. OZ and New Zealand can be quite different to what some anticipate, just go and have a look. If you cant all afford to go then send one person on a research trip. Love it or hate it, no money will be better spent.

Why NZ?

we are planning to visit in the next few months.....if I can find a dog-sitter! Hope to get a better idea then.

and Why NZ??? Because Canada can get too cold, and Oz has too many things that can kill ya!!!

That's why Aus DESPARATELY NEEDS more imigrants, the locals don't survive long enough to maintain the population.

Yes, well yes was our answer. It took a 30 second discussion to decide on NZ with me and hubby.
Been here only a short while, but LOVING every minute of it.

Gill and Rob

Only been in New Zealand for a few weeks. Seems like a lovely place to live (haven't started work yet). Cheap by UK prices but salaries are lower. Couldn't have afforded to move here and enjoy such quality of material things without capital to bring.

Kiwis are lovely people and have been invited to more houses than probably last several years in UK.

Come on a Recce and go to the places that you fancy moving too.
Roger

G'day--been here in Kiwi land for 22 years-came out when I was 42--biggest regret? Not coming out here earlier. Went back 3yrs ago to see my old Mum and sister. Saw all of the same old faces at the pub sitting in the same chairs. One even asked if I had been on holiday cos they had'nt seen me around! From what I saw in 8 weeks frightened the living daylights out of me-even a rat has enough sense to jump off a sinking ship-get out while you can. New Zealand has her problems, typical prattish politicians etc-but compared to Britain nothing major--usual PC idiots trying to make it compulsory for kids to learn Maori--we have a serious drug problem and an even more stupid Greenie MP saying legalise it--we even have a MP who is a bloody transvestite! Oh yes, do not think we are a tropical paradise--we have higher even temps than England and when it rains -look out. But you can walk into virgin bush -get lost for a few days/search choppers/etc BUT apart from scratches mossie bites there ain't nothing in there that can kill you apart from your own stupidity. Do a "Reccy" for at least a month mix with us "Natives" ask questions-"E"me if you want -no question is stupid if you don't know the answer!

Do you have some positive reasons for wanting to emigrate to NZ?

I mean reasons that aren't negative on other places - trying to escape Britain, dangerous creatures in Aus etc

I'm sure you do (and may have even more after you visit) but I think it's important people emigrate for positive reasons - and your answer to 'why NZ?' was interesting (even though you were (half?) joking).

When the going gets tough (and it will) you need to have some pretty sound positive reasons why you have chosen to emigrate to NZ.

But yes, you are doing the right thing (if it's what your family wants, and your reasons are sound!)

We've been here 13 years and totally agree with the above...wish we'd done it sooner!
MaryMc

Hi,
We emigrate in one week from today, can't wait, I would agree that you have to do a research trip, to get a feel for the country. Although like us where you live may depend on work. As for the cats we had intended to take ours until we found out it was going to cost the best part of a grand each, so they are going to childrens grans. All the best with what ever you do.

Arnolds

Well the first thing that struck us was of course the scenery and the general climate (although not so sure about all that rain!
) We love the sea, camping, walking and hill walking in this country, so we are outdoorsy types and are looking forward to living in such a spectacular part of the world. I have heard that the people there are very friendly which from what others have commented seems to be correct.
Of course we know it will not all be plain sailing and living there would be a lot different to a holiday but we are realists and try to plan for all eventualities. We are hoping that it will be a great environment for our kids to grow up (although by the time we get there they'll be 16 & 19, so they'll have done a lot already) but maybe they will have a brighter future than here in the UK.
Of course, as much as I am proud to be British, (which I truly am!)the main reasons for wanting to leave in the first place is because we're sick of the whole attitude to things here, the way everything appears to be going, and the general 'no-hope', miserable outlook of many people.
I am not really the 'pioneering type, and this will be an enormously brave thing for me to do, but as long as I know something about what to expect Ill be ok.........and once Im there, I'll go all out to make it work!
Thanks for all your comments.....much appreciated. Oh, and as for the cost of transporting my animals......GULP!!!

I didn't doubt your reasons for a minute, it's just sometimes I feel as if people pick countries at random simply because they don't like the UK, but you sound as if you really want what NZ has to offer.

In that case you are definitely doing the right thing!

My only reservations would be:

Taking your pets means you are committed to making it work in the longer term. If you're devoted to your pets (which you obviously are), it may make it difficult to return to the UK should you decide to after a couple of years. Just a thought...

Depending on what your kids want to do for careers, you should be aware that many NZers in their 20's head overseas to advance their careers. Just as many stay at home and have good careers, and many also return after a few years. Just something to bear in mind in case you would be distraught by your kids moving back to the UK for good in a few years time. (Them moving abroad if they are ambitious in a risk anywhere however).

sorry, I didn't mean to sound as though you had. It was a very valid point and I understood what you meant. I appreciate you making me think about it, which it did.

Yeah, the pets....hmmm....difficult one that! I know how much trickier taking them could make things, like you say if we should decide to return for whatever reason. Unfortunately for me I am very fond of them and can't see any other way but to take them with us. I don't know of anyone I would be happy to leave the cats with (or who could take them on) and couldn't possibly leave my dogs behind anyway....another reason for trying to be as sure as possible about going in the first place.

Any clues to how dog-friendly NZ is? Someone said that in certain parts they aren't too keen on them. Over here at the moment (in certain areas) it is becoming increasingly anti-dog. Are they permitted to be off lead in 'country' areas of NZ as long as they are well behaved? Obviously we have to take care around sheep (especially as mine are border collies) but because of that, mine are already used to being behaved off lead and under threat of death should they even look at a sheep!! lol

The kids too....thanks for pointing out about 20 somethings moving overseas. Yeah, always that chance they'd want to return, but knowing my two, I think as long as things work out for them in NZ, they will be content to stay, knowing already what is back here (well, I can hope at least! ) I am hoping that my daughter will be able to make friends by starting in '6th form' (year 12) over in NZ and working on the possibilty at the moment for my son to enrol at Uni there (keeping finger's crossed over A'level results as yet!)

I am always grateful for any ideas that come up....need to cover all the angles. There's bound to be things I haven't thought of or am aware of. so keep 'em coming!!

By the way.....how bad is that rain???

sorry, I also didn't mean to make it sound as though I thought you did!

I've never been a dog owner so can't really answer that. Someone else may know better than I, but I would have thought it was pretty similar to britain. There's plenty more space as well.

The rain depends on where you live. Some areas can be quite dry, but generally in the areas that it does rain a lot in it rains much more heavily than it does in the UK.

I'm talking horizontal driving rain, or rain where it rains solid for three days. I haven't really seen that here. It rained quite a bit when I lived in Cardiff, but never has hard and as for long as some rains I've experienced in NZ.