yjx1nt7

I m certainly NOT attempting to put anyone off NEW Zealand GS ,,In fact I feel NZ needs more professional people here to help their economy , ,
I am, in my short time here giving a frank view of how I feel,and what I ve experienced ,,
Is that not what the forum is for GS !!!
I DO realise how lucky I am for living by the beach and having a swimming pool, Alot of hard work was done in achieving those pleasures by the way BUT not all monetary things bring happiness

I hope my next thread will be more positive :
I stated that if I had read this thread before coming it would not of put me off..However
I know alot of ex pats whom would never think about returning BUT also others whos marriage has ended due to the pressures of emigrating
Some are returning because of the earthquakes,
Some due to the high cost of living and low wages ,
Some because they miss family and the realization of what they had in the UK was not that bad !!!
I really hope GS you have a more positive time in New Zealand ,
I ll be interested to read about you in 9 months !!!

geordielasstoo

We are basing our decision on where to live on the schools and as such I was very interested in your comments about schooling down there. Which school have your children been attending?

I have visited quite a few schools down there and we are currently undecided between Ilam School (known for its programme of extending children) or a country one over in Lyttelton. After lived in Tauranga and being so used to the close proximity of water I'm not sure about living in town but on the other hand we are keen to find a good school for our children.

I'd be interested in any feedback you have on schools down there and hope that you manage to find something more suitable for your family soon.[/QUOTE]

We have been here nearly 6mths in Chch and both of my kids are doing really well at school. They are 9 & 13 and go to Cashmere Primary & High schools. They were doing well in the UK and I was concerned about the effect the move here would have but they've taken it in their stride. I think it depends on the child ability as well as the schools rating. I would recommend both schools. We looked at Lyttleton as well and a lot of kids from round that way tend to move onto Cashmere High after the primary ones in the bays round there. Mt oldest has friends who live round that way and they have a school bus that does the rounds to take them to Cashmere High.

yjx1nt7

Thanks Bourbon-Biscuit that was really helpful I gave it to my partner to read,,, Put a lot of my feelings in perspective ,, I really hope I get though this and can become more positive about living in NZ l

Expat Kiwi

Me too, opinions often change after the honeymoon period wears off.

Half of Australia lives by the beach and has a swimming pool, it's so passe and taken very much for granted. So I know it's not the be all and end all, there's a lot more to life than the material things.

Good luck to you, it will come right for you I'm sure it will.

Pollyana

And a vast number of us over here rarely see the beach and still dream of access to a swimming pool that isn't filled with tribes of school children.
Wherever you are life is definitely about far more than the material stuff, its far more about peace of mind and feeling settled somewhere.......

GS.83

No not at all, I realise it is not all about that. I have a lot of sympathy for the OP, I was just pointing out that these problems could have occurred anywhere and the UK has its problems of its own.
Knowing people in NZ who have never experienced these problems I would say that this situation is not the norm and there were no mentions of any positive experiences in the OP.

I know it will not be all about nice houses with swimming pools as I will be unlikely to live that life anyway, but I also know that it will not all be about crime, bullying bosses etc..... everywhere has its ups and downs and I don't expect NZ to be any different.

GS.83

Apologies for the context in which you have taken my post and in which I way I must have written it. I suppose my comment in putting people off the country was due to it being purely a negative post when I was thinking surely there must have been some positives in there.

I'm sorry things haven't worked out the way you wanted and it does seem that you have had a very unfortunate time, I would just hope that your experience is not the general experience people have of NZ. I am prepared for ups and downs but not prepared for downs, downs and downs which concerns me slightly.

I really do hope things will pick up for you and I am sorry that I cannot offer more advice, I suppose that my situation will be different as moving over to work and take it one step at a time, rather than giving up my whole life in UK, having to sell a house etc and making the move permanently, with the decision I would never return. For that reason I suppose I may have been slightly ignorant in my views.

I will be more than happy to share my experiences in 9 months time and hopefully it will be positive, one thing is for sure, it will be different from my last 9 months, and I can only echo what you in that I hope your next thread will start out more positively

lardyl

Fully agree that Europe and the UK are going to be tough places to live in the next while. Talking to friends this afternoon, one an expat Swede and the other a Kiwi we thought that NZ should be a better spot for our kids over the next decade.
However, the fact people you know in NZ are still here means that their experiences, whilst valid, are not an entirely fair representation of the situation here for all people moving here from the UK. Many people I know have come and gone even in the best of times when the pound was high, they had cash and there was plenty of work in NZ.
If I were you I'd be thanking the OP for their opinions as they represent the other possible outcomes.
Way back 5 or 6 years ago, part of me wanted to shut the "negative" posters up as their experiences and views went against the "happy clappy" view that was so appealing and affirmed our decision to bring our young family to NZ. However, with hindsight, I am really glad of the debate on this board.

I for one have encountered several of the issues that the OP mentions. I know many other people who report similar things, very poor management, blatant racism (involving Pomms, islanders, Maori, "asians", etc, etc) along with a resistance to accept and embrace new ideas.

However, there are ways to overcome some of these problems, particularly the workplace ones - as it's so easy to set up your own business here. That's what I had to do.

Anyway I wish both you and the OP all the best and that your adventures in NZ work out happily.

yjx1nt7

Thank you GS,,
I wrote this thread the day my handbag was stolen and car was vandalized and to me it was like a smack again in the face,,
I have now calmed down,,
Looking back honestly and talking to my friends we have experienced alot of bad luck since arriving,, However I have now found a better job with a more professional organization,, My partner has also settled with a reputable engineering company . My kids DO love it here::
Yes,, it has been the hardest time of my life adjusting and having to cope with our personal experiences of New Zealand,, And yes this could of all happened in the UK,,
But what you need to know is that you become very vunerable and frustrated the first few weeks or months after the initial high of being in New Zealand. Due to the fact ,, you don t know how things work or where to get the simplest of things,, So everyday things that you would just do or take for granted in the UK take twice as long or you just can t do or pay over the odds for.. That has been an issue with every Ex pat I ve encountered ,
Sometimes these frustrations can build up and can grind you down that some days you just have enough and want to return to the familiarity of what you know
Iwish you luck GS

waikatoguy

As a matter of fact, NZ has the highest swimming pools per capita ratio in the world.

Edit : According to some sites, and then others say Oz ... not important ... carry on ... as you were.

GS.83

That's excellent news, hopefully everything will continue to turn around for you and I look forward to reading your updates in the future!

Thanks for your wishes, fingers crossed things will go to plan

chippy64

I am sorry you are having it so tough too . However, a lot of what you are unhappy about is also true of the UK. Vandalism (think riots recently as well), awful problems in the NHS and in private care homes for elderly and disabled, where people are left to starve, beaten or abused.
Our schools are hit and miss and the way the school system are constantly having to change policies, qualifications etc means that most are confused. There has been a 'spate' of Nursery staff imprisoned for abusing very young children in their care....and the list goes on.
What I'm trying to say is that nowhere on this earth is Paradise. However, it is up to each individual person as to where they perceive the closest to this is. My men have been in ChCh since October last year and wouldn't change it for anywhere else. Who knows, a few years down the line they may change their mind, just as we decided we no longer wanted to live in the UK!
You have given it a chance, in your opinion and now it is your decision what you will do next and where you will do it.

moonie2011

Just a thought for you in the area we live, Devon, which is seen as a nice area, you will not get a officer to visit for a burglary, the cuts they have made are so drastic it is affecting everything. This can only lead to less arrests & prosecutions and more confident criminals!!

Debbie2NZ

But what you need to know is that you become very vunerable and frustrated the first few weeks or months after the initial high of being in New Zealand. Due to the fact ,, you don t know how things work or where to get the simplest of things,, So everyday things that you would just do or take for granted in the UK take twice as long or you just can t do or pay over the odds for.. That has been an issue with every Ex pat I ve encountered ,
Sometimes these frustrations can build up and can grind you down that some days you just have enough and want to return to the familiarity of what you know
Iwish you luck GS[/QUOTE]


I wholeheartedly agree with the above statement. (Apart from the initial high, didn't happen for me, well, was visiting the in-laws in Auckland !) For example I tried to register at one of the Doctor's practices in town here in NZ. I got turned down for the first two as their caseload was full. I sat outside in the car and cried. No doctor ? Was I some sort of leper ? I found a doctor that was taking new patients - surgery hours 9 to 5 with an hour for lunch, yes really. At least we've got a doctor now. An initial health screen appointment with the practice nurse followed by an appointment with the doctor are now scheduled. I accept these will cost as we live in NZ. Money for old rope as it's at the surgery's request. Yes we have health insurance but no, routine doctor's appointments aren't covered.

love30stm

Ignore that twat 'justcool' he obviously has some problems with his life and shite! all his spare time is talking shite to people on here feel sorry for the old codger

Sorry to hear about your problems as soon as we get citizenship we are gonna look at Oz