[Martina]

Thought it was time I introduced myself having been a watcher for over a year. I have gained enourmous amounts of knowledge from the forum which has helped me immeasurably with my journey towards living and working in
New Zealand.
I am 47 years old and after working for Somerset Fire Brigade for 22 years decided 4 years ago I wanted to retrain so I went to university and
trained to be a midwife (direct entry). I was not thinking of it leading me to working in New Zealand but following a holiday 18 months ago travelling
North and South Island for 5 weeks, fell in love with the country and people and looked into the possibilities.
To cut a long story short I have just qualified and have been offered a job
as a LMC midwife in Alexandra, Central Otago which I have accepted.
I hope to start in May if my NZ registration comes through in time.
I have 2 grown up children, Victoria 26 and Aidan 24 who are not coming but are supportive of me. Who knows they may change their minds after visiting, although my daughter is a city girl at heart and lives in London.
I am going over on a years working visa initially applying for work to
residence as soon as I get there and having my medicals etc then.
Thanks for all your invaluable advice and I hope I can now have some imput into the forum threads.
Regards
Martina Gray
Kingston St Mary
Somerset

[dilanium]

Congrats on the job offer and welcome to the forum!

[IanW99]

Thought it was time I introduced myself having been a watcher for over a year. I have gained enourmous amounts of knowledge from the forum which has helped me immeasurably with my journey towards living and working in
New Zealand.
I am 47 years old and after working for Somerset Fire Brigade for 22 years decided 4 years ago I wanted to retrain so I went to university and
trained to be a midwife (direct entry). I was not thinking of it leading me to working in New Zealand but following a holiday 18 months ago travelling
North and South Island for 5 weeks, fell in love with the country and people and looked into the possibilities.
To cut a long story short I have just qualified and have been offered a job
as a LMC midwife in Alexandra, Central Otago which I have accepted.
I hope to start in May if my NZ registration comes through in time.
I have 2 grown up children, Victoria 26 and Aidan 24 who are not coming but are supportive of me. Who knows they may change their minds after visiting, although my daughter is a city girl at heart and lives in London.
I am going over on a years working visa initially applying for work to
residence as soon as I get there and having my medicals etc then.
Thanks for all your invaluable advice and I hope I can now have some imput into the forum threads.
Regards
Martina Gray
Kingston St Mary
Somerset

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Really liked Alexandra when we visited last year, hope you like it as much.

One question though, when you arrive in NZ on a work visa, why are you then going the WTR route, why don't you go straight for PR?

Ian

[Martina]

Thats what I meant Ian.
Still get a bit confused with the different routes
Martina
x

[IanW99]

Thats what I meant Ian.
Still get a bit confused with the different routes
Martina
x

:nice1

Ian

[jackie m]

Welcome to the forum Martina:clap
Jackie

[benandclare]

Welcome to the forum :cheers

[lockstock]

Hi and welcome fellow Somersetonian! We're from Bridgwater/Middlezoy/High Ham/Curry Rivel/Langport and Somerton - at various times. We've been in NZ a week now. Good luck with your journey.

[aggelon]

have been offered a job
as a LMC midwife in Alexandra, Central Otago which I have accepted.
Martina Gray
Kingston St Mary
Somerset

Whoa! Spooky, we came from Stogursey and are in Lawrence.
I guess they could have been closer but not much.

[Martina]

Hi lockstock, I am not far from Bridgwater just over the hills and I like the Somerset levels a lot. How are you settling in?

Hi also to another fellow Somersetonian - Aggelon
How do you like living in Lawrence? I haven't been there but see it is quite a small population - about 500, is that right?
I like village life, Kingston St Mary has a population of approx 1,000 thats why Alexandra appealed to me and I loved the scenery in the Central Otago area.
Regards
Martina

[Lupin]

Hi there- we were from Taunton and our dd attended K-S-M school for a year. Congratulations on the job offer :)

[shakyle2906]

Wow Martina, what a lovely story!

Good on you for 'taking the plunge', you wont be disappointed, couldnt ask for a nicer country to come to. We have been her 9mths and absolutely love it!

Good luck with the mover, the new job and settling in!

Sharon
xx

[Den]

Hi Martina, we are also in Somerset at the moment, wish you all the best for the future, you did not mention if your emigration would be for you alone, if it is I take my hat off to you as I know I would not be able to do this without the love and support of my OH. (The fact he is a kiwi helps too)

[Martina]

Hi Den,

Yes, I am going it alone. I have been divorced for several years.
It is difficult at times not having anyone to share the journey with but I am fairly independant and am so excited about both my new job and new country.
My son who is 24 was initially going to come with me but has changed his mind.
He has to do what he thinks is right for him but I am hoping he changes his mind when he visits. Him and my daughter and daughters boyfriend are all coming for a 3 week holiday my first christmas there.

Regards,
Martina
x

[Den]

Wow! well done Martina, good on ya! I too have 2 x sons that will be staying in the uk. The older is 24 and settled with a partner. They will visit in a few years time. The younger one I hope will visit with a view to staying in the future. My parents are intending to come over for our first xmas and in the future to avoid UK winters, so who knows. We can only hope. I am sure that if I don't go I won't know.

[dblake78]

Hurrah for Somerset! My wife and I are in Weston-super-Mare and are hoping to get over on a WTR later this year!

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your plans!

[aggelon]

I would have thought Alexandra would have felt like a bustling metropolis compared to Kingston St Mary. Lawrence is a lot like Stogursey in a lot of ways but with more shops and cafes. (Although Stog 20 years ago was about the same they've all closed since then)