Originally Posted by scracha

If your kid's at all academically bright then there's no way I would bring him out to NZ at 14. The education system is a shocker here.

45K is do-able in Auckland BTW but only if the missus works or you have a very small mortgage. Otherwise I'd honestly forget about it.

Originally Posted by scracha

If your kid's at all academically bright then there's no way I would bring him out to NZ at 14. The education system is a shocker here.

45K is do-able in Auckland BTW but only if the missus works or you have a very small mortgage. Otherwise I'd honestly forget about it.

Originally Posted by Genesis

You are right mate!!! NZ aint perfect but people do seem to be very different in a very positive way over here from what we left behind. I don't wanna to a downer on the UK but where we live in Palmerston North we have in one foul swoop, cut out ALL the crap from our lives that we had to endure in Northampton. For us and our 3 kids (under 6), living in Palmy it borders on perfection. As does generally living in NZ. We think it is heaven by comparison to our old UK life. We have utterly everything we want right here.
Palmerston North has a very undeserving poor reputation. I am the type that demands alot from life..so do my kids..we have been here 18 months and I never ever get bored...theres just tooooooooooooooooooo much to do. I woke up today and the fresh sweet smell in the air its almost indescribably wonderous..the bird song..the view of the ranges...God it is perfect here. Died and gone to heaven...I mean Palmy!!! You have much to look forward to Stevie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Batty

I agree Genesis. My husband has a 10 year old neice who has ADD and she gets marvellous help. The one thing I've noticed here is that nobody is afraid to get up in front of a crowd to speak. None of this 'oh I can't do that - someone else go first' thing. Children have to speak in front of their class on a particular subject on a regular basis. I'm constantly blown away by how well they communicate with adults - not precocious (sp) but with confidence.

Originally Posted by sky

The education system is fantastic over here, I was a little concerned when we first arrive because my middle son was about a year in front of his class mates.
But I was soon reassured when he came home from school every day the happiest he ever has and his confidence has soared, he will do talks without a moments worry infront of several classes something he would never have wanted to do in the uk.
The schools are fun and sporty and healthy for the mind and also the body over here

Originally Posted by Genesis

One assumes you have an intimate knowledge of our system to make such a sweeping statement??? If NZ can't educate its kids then bring it on. I have never met such a bunch of charming, confident, thoroughly nice teenagers in my 48 years of life. It must be the crap education that they have to endure.
You also intimate by your statement that the average kiwi is thick (they must be because of the shocking education)..I have never met so many people with PHD's (most of them kiwis)..again must be that crap education!! Kiwis are as well educated as any otherr western country.

Stevie....bring your child over.....................everyone says that UK education is better than NZ....I don't know if thats true..but in my 18 months here I think that something must be right because kiwis as a group of people come over as well educated.......the contry is full of bright people.

Okay, I am 14....NZ or Bletchley????????????....errrr, now thats a hard one. Surfing, skiing, tramping, endless deserted beaches, endless sports or having proximity to Milton Keynes.

Originally Posted by Stevie1963

Hi there, Thanks for the advice. I will keep my thought to myself. We don't intend to buy a property until our permanent residency is accepted, so initially the mortgage wont be a problem. Like you say if I can't up my salary where I am I can always look elsewhere in the future. I was in shock a little last night having received my employment contract by e-mail and just read it. I felt like all our plans had been dashed but having slept on it, I don't feel so bad today. Especially having ventured into our local town (Bletchley, Milton Keynes) and seen the way people act with no respect for others or property made me feel that I want to get out of this country at any cost as it is only going to get worse and not the sort of environment that I want me Son subjected to. New Zealand watch out, here we come

Originally Posted by Ian & Sharon

Don't worry about it. Just a quick post as we have a open home soon.
Arn't open homes poo

Originally Posted by Stevie1963

Hi there, Thanks for the advice. I will keep my thought to myself. We don't intend to buy a property until our permanent residency is accepted, so initially the mortgage wont be a problem. Like you say if I can't up my salary where I am I can always look elsewhere in the future. I was in shock a little last night having received my employment contract by e-mail and just read it. I felt like all our plans had been dashed but having slept on it, I don't feel so bad today. Especially having ventured into our local town (Bletchley, Milton Keynes) and seen the way people act with no respect for others or property made me feel that I want to get out of this country at any cost as it is only going to get worse and not the sort of environment that I want me Son subjected to. New Zealand watch out, here we come

Originally Posted by poppets

i apologise for turning this thread into a bit of a battle (for the want of a better word) , & i hope that you & Ian can accept my apologies , I wasn't intending to distroy his opion, to which every one is entitled. I think its best if we leave this thread alone & let anyone who has any other comments to post
many thanks & best wishes

Originally Posted by BEVS here

There was no other agenda within my post . You are right Poppets. It was about previous posts , one of which was your own. It wasn't a direct pop at any one person either. As Steve 1963 gleaned, I just didn't want folk - in particular would-be migrants to think wrongly of him. I was simply wanting to say that Ian is a worthwhile poster and deserves a 'fair go' without being told he has a 'down' on NZ . That's it. Straight as it is. Nothing else.
Its just so easy to knock a post like Ians that may say it is expensive here, or that wages are tough, houses expensive etc. I felt the urge to stand his corner , if you like because I've seen many of these posts and posters pulled apart for their comments.

Sky is on my ignore list these days because I feel that is for the best, however I have seen her post via a quote. Wish I hadn't, but too late now !

Sky
Once again ,thank you for your enlightening comment. Something of the same standard to forum users that has had you banned elsewhere .
The only forum interaction I have had with you of late was on here, and it was to politely ask you to continue pointing would-be migrant plumbers in BEVS direction, as there is no reason for you to stop doing that. For that I have been subjected to several personal comments & slurs both here and elsewhere. That has, lately, included a calculated comment regarding my missing brother which could only have been posted with a view to cause hurt.
Even then, without the facility of the ignore button which we have here , I have been able to let your more unpleasant comments pass me by.

My post was not about you. It just wasn't. There was no inference, innuendo or otherwise. Those types of posts, I leave to you.

It was all about Ian being given a 'fair go' here .

As I have stated elsewhere recently, you have simply underlined , once again, why we decided to call it a day with your goodself along with Debs70 & that it was the right move.

Originally Posted by thebears

Really?

On what grounds do you support this allegation

The majority of us with Masters and PHD (and from both NZ, UK, Europe and US institutions) laugh uncontrollably at your small mind
(and yes actually my wife is a biochemist (having specialised in rocket fuel).)

Originally Posted by scracha

Err..was a secondary teacher but you've obviously got more experience of the education system over here. Majority of teachers (and parents I speak to) feel the same too. Although I disagree with private schools in principal there's no way I'd send kids to state funded school here.