Dave1892

Hi Everyone. First post ever although I've been reading the forum for months.

I'm possibly coming out to Christchurch/Wellington for a Reccie for two weeks at Easter. Question is do I bring my wife and kids (7+5) with me? It's a long way but if I'm going to drag them out here I want to make sure they are happy too. I'm possibly going to be submitting a LTBV depending on what I find (I know this is a specialist visa with loads of hassle etc) so I'll have plenty of work to do whilst I'm here.

Any advice from those who came on a Reccie first would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

Ps The thread was meant to say "wife and kids on Reccie" not "wife on kids" although presumably that would be cheaper!

MOSO

I would say definitely yes if you can afford it! I went out with my husband to Wellington for a reccie last Feb. The kids (who were coincidently 7&5 at the time) coped brilliantly with the flights - they just plugged themselves into the inflight dvds the whole time! While my husband was off doing interviews etc, we looked round areas/shops/schools which the kids found really useful. My (now) 8 year old was horrified about leaving her friends when we initally told her but now she's perfectly happy to go and see her 'NZ friends'. Both kids were even invited to try out one school for the morning which was fantastic for them and reassuring for me that I think they'll settle okay when they get there.

We spent one week doing reccie things and then drove back up to Auckland for the 2nd week via relatives in Gisborne and stopped to do the touristy things in Rotorua so made a bit of a holiday out of the trip too.

Good luck!

Tomsk

It's only my opinion and of course a lot demands on your particular circumstances and finances, but I'd say if you can, bring them, and make a holiday of it for them as well. It's so much easier if you all know what the end destination is when you're going through the whole immigration roller coaster ride. I for one (as the accompanying wife) was so pleased that we all did the recce together so that when I was tearing my hair out with with uncommunicative NZIS and several gallons of Jeyes fluid I really could see what we were aiming for, not just some unattainable dream. And, if they hate it....then at least you've had a good holiday and you know not to stress and stretch yourselves by pursuing the dream.