[dragonfly]

Hi All
This is my first visit but OH (lifestyle permit officer) has been quite active.
I was born into an expat community (india) and then family relocated to ecuador. My Mum was obviously there too but now seems to have forgotten the benefits we enjoyed.
If we can get her on our side life will be easier and quieter so are there any thoughts out there about....
the future prospects of the kids being able to afford housing (horror stories of Kiwis emigrating due to house price inflation)
If number two child (14) carries out his threat and flies home on his 18th birthday will his qualifications count for much here?
Plenty more to follow for Granny but now,one for me alone: we already have a boat which is as big as i feel happy with, would we have to pay duty if we shipped it out?
TTFN
Rob

[andreamatt]

Hi Rob

Sorry no nothing about boats.

Like you part of my childhood / schooling was spent abroad (Hong Kong). My mother was so upset to leave HK go back to the UK and was v. depressed living back in Devon. I think she can see why we've come out here but still has a hard time with it - I long to be able to install my parents in Wellington!

Best of luck anyway

Andrea

[willowshouse]

Just a quickie ..

House prices are out of reach for first time buyers in a lot of countries .. UK included. There will always be 'something' they can do .. buy a do-up, choose a cheaper area etc etc etc. I wouldn't see this as a NZ specific problem. IMO these stories are just there to rattle people's cages .. it must have been a dry news day!

Qualifications will depend on whether he sits the standard NZ NCEA exams or if the school you choose offers the Cambridge exam which is being offered more now. Again, it is not an insurmountable problem .. and there is always the chance that he may actually like it here! Having said that, he would probably head back for his big 'OE' anyway :yes

Good luck with it all.

Dawn