Why NZ?
#16
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Re: Why NZ?
You strike me as a strong woman. Here's the deal, pack everything up, book the taxi and while the yellow cab is idling outside you ask your husband, 'Well, you comin' or not?' Some need a gentle prod, others figuratively need an axe handle upside the head.
Good luck.
#17
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 93
Re: Why NZ?
Apart from the heat,size ,and beasties. To us that was enough ,then we watched that film "wolf creek" Couldnt believe that they found that guy,and let him off. No-one knows where he,s at. Hopefully he,s not moved to N.Z. I found that one scary film.
#19
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Re: Why NZ?
Maz:
You strike me as a strong woman. Here's the deal, pack everything up, book the taxi and while the yellow cab is idling outside you ask your husband, 'Well, you comin' or not?' Some need a gentle prod, others figuratively need an axe handle upside the head.
Good luck.
You strike me as a strong woman. Here's the deal, pack everything up, book the taxi and while the yellow cab is idling outside you ask your husband, 'Well, you comin' or not?' Some need a gentle prod, others figuratively need an axe handle upside the head.
Good luck.
#20
Re: Why NZ?
I reckon it is b'cos most people just think Australia automaticlly when they think emigrate.
#23
Re: Why NZ?
Oz? They are bloody ageist, aye?? I had no idea I was too old at 46!!!!!! NZ has a cut off of 55 I think. So I could not have gone to Oz even if I wanted to!!! There is the thing that NZ generally seems a slower way of life..except maybe for the really big cities.........life here in Palmy is sooooooooooooooo slow its bloody marvelous...NZ is working for us here because it is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo different from what we left behind..inner city Northampton. May aswell be the third dimension in the Galaxy of Zarkle its so different.
I like a change I do..apparently its as good as a rest. Which is nice.
#24
Re: Why NZ?
I agree - its almost a part of the British psych that you dream about a move down under to beaches, barbies and mates. But if you read their boards for a while you see there are just as many disillusioned peeps as in NZ, sometimes moreso, often because of the conflict with the okker personality and the sometimes bigger culture shock.
Dreams are often best left inside your head....
#25
Re: Why NZ?
I agree - its almost a part of the British psych that you dream about a move down under to beaches, barbies and mates. But if you read their boards for a while you see there are just as many disillusioned peeps as in NZ, sometimes moreso, often because of the conflict with the okker personality and the sometimes bigger culture shock.
Dreams are often best left inside your head....
Dreams are often best left inside your head....
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: napier, NZ back to Freo in 2008!
Posts: 244
Re: Why NZ?
We are the minority, ever looked at the viewing figs NZ v OZ? Right now we are 35...they are 215 or thereabouts.
I find it amazing (I know some think its obvious, crap wages, poor housing, damp, cold etc etc!!) that NZ is so less enticing than Oz.
We went for NZ as I can't stand silly heat, I think a trip to Wellington is big bananas (2hrs) and Oz is so mind blowingly huge it would seriously phase me. I went there 15years ago for a drive about on the East coast..loved it, but its waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too hot for me. Kate has an aversion to nasty creepy crawlies AND SNAKES!!!! I am scared shitless of sharks, pathetic or otherwise..don't think I could get in the salty stuff these days.
We are very happy with NZ and believe we made the right choice. I know some jump ship and go west to OZ.
So why did you go for little old NZ then and not Oz???????
I find it amazing (I know some think its obvious, crap wages, poor housing, damp, cold etc etc!!) that NZ is so less enticing than Oz.
We went for NZ as I can't stand silly heat, I think a trip to Wellington is big bananas (2hrs) and Oz is so mind blowingly huge it would seriously phase me. I went there 15years ago for a drive about on the East coast..loved it, but its waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too hot for me. Kate has an aversion to nasty creepy crawlies AND SNAKES!!!! I am scared shitless of sharks, pathetic or otherwise..don't think I could get in the salty stuff these days.
We are very happy with NZ and believe we made the right choice. I know some jump ship and go west to OZ.
So why did you go for little old NZ then and not Oz???????
However I have to say for anyone doing the "uerr which one to apply for?" I would say to definatly have a good look at NZ.. Its beautiful, the weather is better than the UK, there is less of all the poluting factors and generally Ive found it to be a friendly and interesting place.
I consider its far more picturesque than Australia, the houses are way more beautiful than the majority of the bloody ugly Australian ones (there are exceptions) the weather is great for doing things such as cycling, stomping, fishing etc where as in Australia it gets bloody hot for much of the day much of the year.
Add to that the beasties argument and Im almost questioning why Im going back... (You DO have venomous Red Backs here though, I know cause the antivenom is in the fridge at work!, although apparently they are not as dangerous as the bitey little biters in OZ)
Then the beer and wine is cheaper although generally food is v. expensive comparitvly.
I reckon it all just comes down to why you wanted to migrate in the first place and what it is your needing for your new life to make you happy.
For us it was reduction of working hours from 70 to 40 per week, at the time we couldnt afford house in the area we were living, but bought one a few years ago in Fremantle (thankyou higher beings for making us buy then!!) which is now out of reach of your average middle income earner.
AND the sunshine, and ocean with sandy beach at the end of the rd, simple stuff... Since then there have been lots of other things that have indeared us and made us think of Australia as home, although I love NZ it will never be the place whihc makes my heart dance.
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Tauranga
Posts: 56
Re: Why NZ?
Oz just didn't appeal to me. We got the idea to emigrate here after watching a "Get a New Life" kind of programme. I never ever felt the urge to move to any other countries that may have been featured.
Got to say smaller and less poisonous creepy crawlies are a bonus too.
Jo
Got to say smaller and less poisonous creepy crawlies are a bonus too.
Jo
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 266
Re: Why NZ?
Having lived in both (Auckland and Sydney) I think Oz is more what most would be migrants have in mind when choosing to move away from the UK. By this, and I am generalising, most are looking for the sun, sea and sunshine lifestyle and Oz has a climate far more in tune with that type of lifestyle. Agreeably for some it is too hot, but the majority of Brits seem to love roasting themselves in the sun, and after 30 odd years being deprived of much sun other than a 2 week holiday abroad, most don't think of the potential downside to the heat. Alot of people are put off by NZ's climate and the high rainfall.
Oz also has a higher profile than NZ so more people are aware of job opportunities and the lifestyle opportunities, whilst NZ to many is largely simply a place they've heard of.
I also think that for most Brit migrants Oz is easier to adapt to than NZ. NZ is harder, things are more expensive, houses are colder, and suddenly lots of the things we take for granted are a daily struggle in NZ.
Oz also has a higher profile than NZ so more people are aware of job opportunities and the lifestyle opportunities, whilst NZ to many is largely simply a place they've heard of.
I also think that for most Brit migrants Oz is easier to adapt to than NZ. NZ is harder, things are more expensive, houses are colder, and suddenly lots of the things we take for granted are a daily struggle in NZ.
#29
Re: Why NZ?
Interesting thread. We are currently looking at the pros and cons of NZ and Oz. We were looking at the NZ Immigration website last night and read this (quoted from here - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/settlementpack/):-
Hardly positive, or is that really what life is like in NZ
New Zealand is a small and distant country. For those accustomed to larger, more metropolitan societies this can come as a shock. Of all New Zealand’s cities only Auckland with a population of over a million, about 25% of the national total, would qualify as a major city. For many migrants, our other centres have more the feel of a country town and provincial towns often seem more like villages. If you love big city life, these features will not appeal. Our smallness is also reflected in other ways. The range of consumer goods is more limited and prices are sometimes higher. When compared with larger developed economies, New Zealand wage scales are also lower. This has to be kept in mind when comparing living costs which must be measured in terms of your New Zealand not your current salary. The opportunity to develop highly specialised skills is more limited. Standards tend to be more uniform, with few schools and no universities comprising an elite.
Although new technologies are constantly making it easier for us to keep in touch, quick overseas trips are not an option. Our closest neighbour, Australia, is still three hours flying-time away and overseas travel remains costly and time consuming. Divorce rates amongst migrants are high and distance from family and friends is often a contributing factor. If family and friends are important to you, this is something you’ll need to weigh carefully before choosing to settle here.
New Zealand is a new society. Although Maori settlement of Aotearoa goes back almost a thousand years, the cultural roots of other New Zealanders go back little more than 150. A rich sense of history and tradition is something you will not find here. Freedom from the past can liberate but for some,thjs lack of history can engender feelings of isolation and loss. As a new country we also have our own way of doing things. Our housing is lightly constructed and employs different materials and styles. Two-storey houses, double glazing and central heating are uncommon and construction is generally of wood or manufactured materials. Our roads are usually limited to two lanes and in the country often have a gravel or metalled surface. We are also a do- it-yourself culture. If you want things done about the house, you must generally do them yourself. Home decorating and renovation is a national obsession and you’ll need to take a hands-on approach to most things. Domestic servants are not available and status counts for little. As a New Zealander you will be expected not to stand on your dignity and ‘muck in’ like a good Kiwi, whatever the occasion.
Although new technologies are constantly making it easier for us to keep in touch, quick overseas trips are not an option. Our closest neighbour, Australia, is still three hours flying-time away and overseas travel remains costly and time consuming. Divorce rates amongst migrants are high and distance from family and friends is often a contributing factor. If family and friends are important to you, this is something you’ll need to weigh carefully before choosing to settle here.
New Zealand is a new society. Although Maori settlement of Aotearoa goes back almost a thousand years, the cultural roots of other New Zealanders go back little more than 150. A rich sense of history and tradition is something you will not find here. Freedom from the past can liberate but for some,thjs lack of history can engender feelings of isolation and loss. As a new country we also have our own way of doing things. Our housing is lightly constructed and employs different materials and styles. Two-storey houses, double glazing and central heating are uncommon and construction is generally of wood or manufactured materials. Our roads are usually limited to two lanes and in the country often have a gravel or metalled surface. We are also a do- it-yourself culture. If you want things done about the house, you must generally do them yourself. Home decorating and renovation is a national obsession and you’ll need to take a hands-on approach to most things. Domestic servants are not available and status counts for little. As a New Zealander you will be expected not to stand on your dignity and ‘muck in’ like a good Kiwi, whatever the occasion.
#30
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Nearly there
Posts: 427
Re: Why NZ?
Interesting thread. We are currently looking at the pros and cons of NZ and Oz. We were looking at the NZ Immigration website last night and read this (quoted from here - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/settlementpack/):-
Hardly positive, or is that really what life is like in NZ
Hardly positive, or is that really what life is like in NZ
New Zealand is a new society. Although Maori settlement of Aotearoa goes back almost a thousand years,
you want things done about the house, you must generally do them yourself.