British Expats - thinking of moving Oz to NZ

G`day all

Moved to Australia back in 2004 loved living here but as the parents back in the UK get a bit older we feel the pull to go back and spend some time with them and let them enjoy there grandson before everyone gets too old.

Before going back to the UK we are thinking of spending a year or maybe two on the South Island. Posting this up here because I found this site a valuable tool for information prior to our move to Aus. None of us have ever been to NZ either.

We currently live in North East Victoria having moved from North NSW just over a year ago. With Falls Creek and Hotham ski resorts on the doorstep plus the many climbing and mountain biking options the big draw card for NZ is the outdoor lifestyle.
Ideally love the idea of living in Queenstown/Wanaka area but not sure what the job situation is like.
Main thing is we are not too far from the ski fields (within an hour) also don't mind driving an hour to work so open to suggestions out of the main cities.

The wife and I both just hit the big 40 and we have a boy age 7, all Australian citizens so no dramas on the visa front. Wife and I are both registered nurses so should be straight forward registering with the nursing council and hopefully finding work.
We have only rented in Australia and plan on shipping personal stuff back to the UK and selling the rest. Will still have to ship bikes, snowboards, surfboards and other bits to NZ but will look to rent furnished or buy cheap/2nd hand when there.

the aim is to have a bit of an adventure before returning to the UK.... couple of snow seasons, have a crack at some mountaineering and ice climbing (always been on Mrs L`s to do list) and hopefully give us some food for thought on where to return too after our 4-5 years back in Blighty.

Hopefully be in NZ by the end of 2014, advice on areas to consider, shipping Oz to NZ, nursing employment agencies, things to bring/leave are welcome.