Originally Posted by kshurey (Post 8458640)

Me and kiwi wife moved to nelson Jan 2007, after 18 months realised it wasn't for us. Like a lot of NZ it is cliquey, and remote, not to say expensive.

We now live at Snells Beach about an hour north of Auckland. Beautiful spot great neighbours and for us probably as good as it gets. So why am I bored and frustrated with life here ?

Trying to start a business is much more difficult than the UK, trying to open biz accounts with companies is like pulling teeth.

People NEVER respond to phone messages or emails.

If people are putting a few bucks in your pocket they seem to think that you are their bonded slave !

The food and construction industries are each run by 2 cartels who fix prices across the board I've encountered 900 % mark ups on building materials personally !

Roads are frequented by morons who can't drive but think they can.

The media seem to be in the pockets of big buisness therefore none of the above is ever broached by the likes of 'Fair Go' instead they go for the small fry.

House construction - what a joke, they sell glorified garden sheds for 6 figure sums and they cany even keep the rain out !

Leaky homes - came about because of the greed of big biz and the ineptitude of government - of course everyone is denying responsibility in true kiwi fashion.

Sport - very popular, because there's bugger all else to do !!

Insurance companies - excellent at taking your money and finding ways of not paying out on claims.

Customer service - an alien concept here.

Clean Green NZ - total bulls**t, if there's a buck to be made then it WILL be made just see what happens with the mining.

Fishing - stocks are rapidly decreasing so get out there while you can !

Pig hunting - it's what the hillbillies do when they've run out of relatives to beat up or rape.

Domestic violence - NZ is up there with the best of em.

All Blacks - how can the best in the world never win the world championship ?

I know I sound negative but I've found NZ to be like a dumb blonde, great to look at but very little else.

I'm giving it 2 more years, if it doesn't improve for us then its back to the traffic jams, bombers and civilisation !

Originally Posted by janeyk (Post 8819791)

life is strange we are now back in NZ its not perfect but its the best for us at present there is expensive areas in both countries my line of work as an accountant in Health in the UK is now impossible to get a role and 6/7 months out of work as the main bread winner has taken a serious dent in our finances.
The UK is very poorly at present and will I think get worse maybe a double recession with no work and living of house deposit savings I was not entittled to any benefits but how much longer could we go on! My son was bullied at school and all the reasons we went back did not pan out, So we have decided to try again in a different location and look with fresh eyes, yes housing can be poor here yes a lot of the same but a great deal higher proportion of detached housing compared to the UK, New houses in the UK at not always wonderful too, you only have to watch homes from hell to see that! The sections for new houses in the UK are postage stamos so what is the complaining about.
Auckland has more historic buildings than Wellington but as the OP said it is a newer country, There is a more outdoor life equivlaent to the med where in the UK can you sit out in mid winter in a light top enjoying a coffee! yes we have rain but i would rather that than snow that the country grinds to a halt, we also need it!
there is good and bad in both and its a case of enjoying life where ever you are!