Originally Posted by Am Loolah

We came April/May so Autumn here and I found we'd packed too many clothes for chillier weather so we had to buy shorts and t-shirts when we got here! Plus we took the kids out of school as soooo much cheaper to travel. The eldest's Headmaster refused us permission, so we wrote to him and told him why we were coming and he gave us his blessing then!!

You'd probably have to decide on areas yourself - we haven't done the South Island at all, we didn't have time to do Wellington or any of the West coast. We loved everywhere we visited and all you hear of my dulcet tones on the DVD's are "Oooo, I could live here ... "

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/index.jsp

http://www.campervan.co.nz

Plus I found the Lonely Planet guidebook and also the AA guide to NZ valuable. Perhaps you could look at getting along to one of the Expo's in Leeds or London next month with your Hubby and son, probably be quite valuable.

Originally Posted by big nelly

I am kind of looking at coming next summer, it gives us time to save enough cash to enjoy the holiday.... although i am now debating whether to come in the winter time then i suppose you get an idea of just how bad a place can be when it's grey and miserable.... torn again!

I've heard good reports about Singapore Airlines, so i think that will be my next port of call, work out the cost for the 3 of us then the camper van, the other 2 will love that!

I haven't really made a game plan about where to visit yet, so any reccommendations are welcome, especially for an outdoor man and son! both of who are football mad along with most other sports.

Have all your kids settled into the NZ way of life and do they miss anything in particular about their old life in the UK?

Originally Posted by Am Loolah

Does your Hubby read? I found "A New Life In New Zealand" by Paul Goddard and also "A Land of Two Halves" by Joe Bennett really fun reading about the country - both pretty light!

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Margaret Parkinson

My grandson was 14 when they went in 2006 and he took to it like a duck to water. I can recommend Singapore Airlines and the stopover at Changi airport is well worth the cost of the flight. We had a 14 hr wait between flights and used the Ambassador Transit Hotel. There are free trips into Singapore as well. It is absolutely awesome. Here are some photos:-

Originally Posted by Am Loolah

Oh family will come ...

Often uninvited ...

And stay for very long periods of time ...

Definitely try and get your hands on the Joe Bennett book - story of a Kiwi teacher who decides to spend a year back-packing around all of NZ!

Originally Posted by big nelly

I am a little worried about taking Luke out of school as he's 13 and just starting year 9 now, so by the time we want to come could be tricky for him unless we come in the school summer holidays?

Originally Posted by luvwelly

The school year here is different..it runs from February to December.

Originally Posted by big nelly

Margaret,

thanks for that, the photos are great! have you been to visit them since they've gone?
that's probably my husbands biggest fear... loosing touch with family and our son not seeing his grandparents.

Originally Posted by big nelly

A little, but it tends to be me that does the reading.... i have read emigrating to NZ by Steve something, which is brilliant. think i may try him on a travel guide or 2!

thanks for all your help, really useful info....

Originally Posted by Margaret Parkinson

They went August 2006 we flew 31st December for 4 weeks. Went again in Feb for another month and we are going again flying 22nd December for 6 weeks. We are spending their inheritance after all it was their idea to move to the other side of the world. My husband says if we were younger we would be there as well but we are both in our seventies so I do not think it would be possible. As for not seeing one another just get a webcam I will be like they are in the other room.

Bye the way I know my profile name is Margaret but I am known as June.

All the best

June

Originally Posted by nic.gem.soph

If he is anything like my OH, get Billy Connollys's DVD, "Too Old to Die Young" world tour, he does a tour of New Zealand (covers 8 episodes), absolutely hilarious and he (OH) took so much more in than reading a book!

nic

Originally Posted by The Jezzers

Hi, I took my family of 6 [2adults 4 kids] on a holiday last may in a motorhome around the north island. Everyone loved it so much we ar off to live the life in New zealand. We can't wait.Have just put in our application now we have to wait for the OK. You need to get him there.