Re: Hello and help
 

how old are your kids, most ex pats kids I know here love the place

racism, just ignore it, its not personal its more legal / treaty based stuff that makes the news
In my 6 years here I have never been on the end of any racist comments and I dont know anyone who has.
let it all go over your head and leave it for the politicians to sort out

Re: Hello and help
 

I have not forgotten my good man.

Just waiting for the time, which will happen eventually, when I'm down your way!

:beer:

Re: Hello and help
 

I work in Palmerston North and live in Wanganui. I do the 150km round trip Monday to Friday. An hour and five minutes drive in the morning, and an hour and ten minutes drive in the evening. In Britain I walked to work in 25 minutes, but apparently, I'm living the dream in New Zealand.

A tank of petrol lasts 4 days. That's right, I get 600km out of one tank of petrol. Good job petrol is cheaper in NZ than Britain. That makes no difference to me as I buy so much of it. It would probably be cheaper for me to buy expensive petrol in Britain and use less of it compared to how much petrol I buy and use presently.

A tank of petrol in Britain would last me 2 - 3 weeks. Just now I'm filing the car's petrol tank up with petrol about twice a week. Guess what ? We use the car at the weekend too.

Good luck with you move, OP. Anything you want to ask me, please feel free to.

Re: Hello and help
 

Just a comment from me about children settling in. We have 2 (girl 10 and boy 13). Girl wanted to come, boy didn't. 6 weeks on... they both love it. Love the schools, huge circle of friends, always out and about. Both have been asked the question 'do you like it better here than the UK', both answered yes.

Re: Hello and help
 

3 paragraphs all about the huge commute. You can't choose where the work is but 50miles each way is a heck of a commute by car (I used to do it).

I found it gave me good "me" time with the radio/music and prevented me landing home with any of the days angst so I found upsides. Still glad I don't do it though.

Re: Hello and help
 

Be flexible. Somethings will be as you imagine/expect, many will not, but mostly it will be OK. Try not to replicate your UK life in every detail but use your previous interests as a starting point. Remember life in NZ is still life, and life has problems - many of which could/would have occurred wherever you were.

Re: Hello and help
 

glad that they are enjoying it, 6 weeks is a very short time though, hopefully they continue in the same vain

Re: Hello and help
 

Hi everyone and huge thanks for all your replies :)

A few answers for you all....

yes I have the kids fathers written consent to take them to nz
the kids are 6 and 4
my new partner cant come to the UK as his partnet would not give consent for him to take their kids

I have no intention of giving up my nz passport

I have agreed with my new partner that I will give it 12 months and if my kids dont settle...we head back to the UK.

Im not looking for easy street...just a happy friendly place to work hard and enjoy my family life.

oh...I have a temp work visa :)

Anyone near Palmy????

Re: Hello and help
 

I'm at work in Palmy right now as I type this. I live in Wanganui which is about 75km away.

Good luck with your future endevours.

Re: Hello and help
 

Hi Snap Shot.....its a daunting prospect for sure as well as exciting. My kids are my main area of concern. Im so hoping they cop with being away from their dad and vice versa. I seem to worry more than he does though.

Re: Hello and help
 

I don't have kids. Hope you all settle ok.

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Thanks.....so do I :$

Re: Hello and help
 

Although the comparison between mine and your life situations around our respective moves are quite different, I too have the same plan Z, as underlined above.

I didn't leave the UK, it's more came/went to New Zealand. I didn't depart the UK because of anything other than seeking out a different opportunity in NZ. I wouldn't have any qualms living back in the UK if I had to.

It really helps me to know that if things were dire in New Zealand that I have a more than satisfactory back up plan in going back to the UK. It's resulted in giving me the mindset that when things go awry I can ask myself "Is this situation so bad you need to return to the UK?" - invariably so far the answer has been "No" and the problem usually gets resolved.

Re: Hello and help
 

Our kids are pretty happy here. I believe we are giving them a better childhood than they would have had in the UK - that's really why we are here, and possibly the basic reason for a lot of families. Without kids you'd have to have other reasons to move to NZ from UK. My brother enjoyed the sports - he got into triathlon, swimming and kayaking. I don't know if younger single people would get as much from it as parents do (in terms of family life).

Re: Hello and help
 

:sarcasm:

Like they don't have triathlons, swimming and kayaking in the UK ... :o