logo

  New Zealand Immigration Guide









shakyle2906
7th April 2008, 08:18 PM
Cant believe it, we have been here one year this week!

Actually, 1 year today we flew from Heathrow.

Looking back, we both have agreed it was one hell of a plunge, but we are so so glad we made it. We went through so much heartache, especially with parents in law, arguements, disagreements, but it has been worth it.

Even after a few months here, we felt like it was home, and settled to buy the house we are in now last July, 3mths after arriving. We were quick to buy as we wanted to settle, especially for our son who was just 4.5 when we came over, and soon called NZ 'home' and the Uk ''the UK' and not home!

We both have very good jobs, jobs that we both enjoy, not fantastically paid, even though hubbys profession(joinery) was in the skilled trade and on the list of jobs in demand. We have also made some great work colleagues!

Our son, Kyle, is now 5.5 and has settled in wonderfully at school and his new life. Last week we attended a 'learning journey' or parents/teachers meeting as we would call them in the UK. We were told he is top of the class in maths, and not far behind in his english, writing and spelling. He is comfortable to talk every wedenesday, with ease as part of the class 'news'. He is popular and very well liked in school, even by the older children. He is even enjoying after school care, which he had never even done in UK, being looked after by parents in law.

It was difficult at christmas not having family around, and birthdays have also been difficult, but we have got through, having each other is what matters the most. It hit me hard a few weeks ago on what should have been my mums 65th birthday had she been alive, not being able to get to her grave hurts a lot, but i have bought myself some flowers on such occasions to let her know i am thinking of her!

We have done more as a family in the last year than we ever did. Saturdays in the UK consisted of hubby working and me stuck in house with Kyle, and sundays doing housework, cooking the sunday dinner and sitting in the house. Here, Steve still works on a saturday whilst i sort the house and stuff out, and most sundays we are out and about. We are a much closer family than we ever were.

Things have got better with parents in law, they have gone out and bought a laptop and skype us twice a week, MIL reguarly looks at our blog which is always kept up to date and they seem much happier. My family i am lucky to say have always been 100% behind us! In 2 weeks time, my sister and her hubby come out for 3 weeks and i just cant wait to hug her. Already thinking of ways to hide her passport so she doesnt have to go back.........but thinking of the goodbyes already!

Do we have any regrets ? Not at all, only that we didnt do it sooner!

Heres to the next year!!

Sharon
xxx

benandclare
7th April 2008, 08:28 PM
Good on ya Sharon..........:cheers

JandM
7th April 2008, 08:28 PM
:) Congratulations!

StevieD
7th April 2008, 08:29 PM
Good post guys, congrats.

pinkpiggy
7th April 2008, 09:48 PM
Glad to hear all is well Sharon. :clap

Asli&Mark
7th April 2008, 10:27 PM
Hello Sharon,
When you are trying to settle in time goes so quickly. and here you go 1 year already gone. It is great to see you are happy and not having any regrets
Hope you have many healty and happy years here

Asli

Familyofmonkeys
7th April 2008, 10:31 PM
What a nice happy post :)

dusk
7th April 2008, 11:17 PM
Happy emigrating anniversary :)

glad things are working out so well for you and hope you have many more years of the same :D

dilanium
7th April 2008, 11:21 PM
:)

Hongi Hicker
8th April 2008, 02:28 AM
:clap Nice one

lockstock
8th April 2008, 07:24 AM
Glad to hear you've settled and enjoying life.

bartons
8th April 2008, 08:23 AM
You must be pleased your son calls NZ home!
Nice post, you sound happily settled.

JayBee
8th April 2008, 08:39 AM
Amazing what a difference a year can make. Keep on posting - it's so good to hear what it's like on the other side!!

Kiwi-In-Texas
8th April 2008, 08:56 AM
Good to hear you have had a great first year in New Zealand...May you have many more happy years in NZ.

Suzanne.

beccalou
8th April 2008, 08:59 AM
Nice to see that you are enjoying life in NZ. Congrats:)

LesleyS
8th April 2008, 09:09 AM
Sharon....how wonderful that the last year has flown by so quickly with all your hopes dreams and expectations happily filled. Looking forward to receiving your posts when your sister arrives.....

Much love xxx

marcia
8th April 2008, 10:31 AM
Brilliant update! Heres to the next year :cheers

Enjoy your sisters visit - its so great that they can come and see where you are now - makes it much easier for them to picture in the right place later when you chat!

mgbridges
8th April 2008, 10:34 AM
Sweeeet! Congratulations on a great first year and long may it continue for you all. :nice1

Anneliese

zardell
8th April 2008, 11:09 AM
:clap :clap :clap

Julie

xx

Georgebulldog
8th April 2008, 01:08 PM
Great post Sharon :clap
Hope your having a glass of sparkly to celebrate :cheers

thezorbster
8th April 2008, 01:19 PM
Congrats on your first year, you all seem settled and happy.:cheers

peebles16
8th April 2008, 05:13 PM
Congrats on a lovely post and first year down many, many more to go :D :D

Karenx

djchicane
9th April 2008, 07:09 AM
fab post Sharon, I am still ticking boxes in the UK... I am leaving from Heathrow on Monday 21st April :)

shakyle2906
9th April 2008, 07:11 AM
fab post Sharon, I am still ticking boxes in the UK... I am leaving from Heathrow on Monday 21st April :)

Thats strange, my sister flys out on that day from Heathrow to come and visit us for the first time..............she has a 9pm ish flight ?

Sharon

djchicane
9th April 2008, 07:15 AM
ahh, is that with Qantas? Have used them for my last two reccie trips, and they used to head out from Heathrow between 9 and 10pm, however, this time around I am going Singapore Airlines on the new A380, 11:50am flight I think, have a day in Singapore then arrive in Christchurch 9:30am on the Wednesday morning... arghh! Pleased to hear your journey over the last year has been successful :)

shakyle2906
9th April 2008, 07:08 PM
ahh, is that with Qantas? Have used them for my last two reccie trips, and they used to head out from Heathrow between 9 and 10pm, however, this time around I am going Singapore Airlines on the new A380, 11:50am flight I think, have a day in Singapore then arrive in Christchurch 9:30am on the Wednesday morning... arghh! Pleased to hear your journey over the last year has been successful :)

She is flying Air NZ.
Coincidence same day though!
Sharon
x

Genie
9th April 2008, 09:44 PM
What a lovely post Sharon. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and heres to many more happy years : )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15