Am Loolah

Our first year anniversary got buggered up by daughter number 2 who broke her leg the day before it! But here we are another year on and this time no broken bones!!

As most people know (and are no doubt sick of) we love it here and it has worked out for us really well. We did research the area thoroughly and visit before settling on it and for us we wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Our only negatives have been pretty minor;

Not desperately impressed with the eldest daughter's school - but she's 16 and may have outgrown it anyway to be honest. If she chooses to look at "vocational" training instead we won't stand in her way. The primary school we have had the others at we probably wouldn't use for their intermediate stage for the younger two - you live and learn!

We are both currently not earning, and NZ is not a country in which you want to be applying for bog standard jobs with no Kiwi experience. And you soon get through your capital which isn't really for everyday living. But that's ok, we're setting up a new business and that's one thing that this country caters for very well. Less red tape, lots of help and advice (all free), mentors etc, etc.

We haven't done half the things or been to half the places we said we would - we just run out of time. You're not on holiday so all the mundane things and schooling tends to dictate the pace wherever you live. But the weather, beaches, scenery and social life mean staying home is always good anyway!

Our social life and the friends we have made here, both through work (I was working previously), BE and out and about have helped enormously in making us the happiest we have been for many, many years!

To those researching the move, don't underestimate the hoops you have to jump through to get the process sorted. Try not to stress about the length of time it's all taking - you can't control that, so why stress it?! If it's meant to be it'll be ...

So join me in a glass of Bolly (I'm not that broke ... yet) to many more happy years and to all the Ex-pats here and hoping to get here!

Batty

Haha your post's made me giggle AL. Love the bit about the bolly - know what you mean too Congratulations and good luck with the business - there are so many opportunities here if you've got the b***s to go for them

Am Loolah

Thanks very much!

luvwelly

Congrats..what's the new business venture or is it still under wraps?

Di and Ste

congrats!!!! That gives me an excuse to open the bottle of wine in the fridge and give you a toast

bourbon-biscuit

Congratulations Loolah- our second anniversay was bittersweet as we were crossing the Tasman at the time!

IRRVs next then

Wishing you many more happy NZ anniversaries

P2L

Happy Anniversary Caroline

We have been through soooo much of this journey together ( especially in the Kiwi Bar) and I am so gald that we have all gone the distance.

Here's to the next 2 years hun, may they be good ones for all of us and who know's maybe one day we will meet each other

Bolly for you and a Savvy for me please barman.....

Tomsk

Huge congratulations on the 2 year anniversary, and it's great to hear you still being so happy & posiive about your life over here.
Good luck wih the new business venture

lardyl

Congrats to you and yours Caroline!

Must say that had I posted on the same issue then it would have read pretty much the same, although MrsL is gainfully employed part-time and keeping us solvent

We beat you to the 2nd anniversary by a couple of months (on our hols at the time) and our very similar adventure was/is going so well that I've not posted for quite a while............

Here's to many more good years for us all

Ash1

God, has it only been 2 years. It`s felt like a hell of a lot longer than that.

Well done to you and Dave who I`m sure will be really chuffed at getting a mention on expats and well done to you for all the help and positive comments that you put into this site.
You`re my favorite fairy
So it`s time for a meet up in the school hols eh?
Ash

weejie

Congratulations to you all,glad to see you are still loving life in NZ even though things may not have gone how you planned re jobs but fingers xd for your new venture.

Phyl x

Am Loolah

Ummmm, go on then ...

Thanks all!

sparkie down under

Sorry Am Loolah, I don't know where you are, but we, (better bit and me), find NZ authorities attitude to SME's to be an absolutely disgusting one. Having run businesses in Wales and here I can honestly say there is a heap more help in Wales than there is here. Perhaps it's better where you are and good for you if it is, but an example for you.

I made a mistake on a GST return which I did on-line. I called them immediately to tell them. The mistake was in their favour, not mine, so if I shut my mouth I'd have been better off. Yet I was given the third degree and fined for filing an incorrect return. The fine was overturned on appeal but that's not the point. Where is the help there?

Anyway best of luck with your business.

CarolineSwan

congrats on your last 2 years, so glad they have been happy ones for you , sorry i took so long i mean to post every day i come on lol

some karma on its way

caz

Genesis

Well done guys!! I remember you coming here initially and all the pre arrival posts....all the stuff about how bad things had gotten your way..didn't you mention about things had got that bad kiddies prams were being nicked from front gardens..or am I going mad?