[Jo Jo]

I've just come across an article in The Daily Telegraph about emigrating to NZ from the UK - you can find it here. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/main.jhtml?xml=/education/2008/03/29/fanewzealand129.xml)

(I don't think this has been posted before, but if it has then please accept my apologies.)

[Jo Jo]

Right, just read it properly - it's quite interesting, but there were some bits that made me laugh out loud, e.g. the author, when weighing up the pros and cons of the UK and NZ says, "There's Britain with its high taxes, impending credit crunch, street crime, poor schools, absurd property prices, jammed motorways and rickety rail services; or there's New Zealand which, from the children's point of view especially, seems unimaginably safe, clean and free by comparison."

The latter part of that sentence is, of course, true for many, but not all, parts of NZ. But I think he might be surprised by the taxes, impending credit crunch, property prices (if he hasn't got a lot of equity to invest) and rail services in NZ! (God, I miss trains!)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticising NZ at all, just the journalist. He should have done his homework!

[AndyR]

Nice Article! enjoyed reading it. Mainly because it paints a nice picture about how friendly and sociable people are where they settled. Its what I miss from how i remember things were in my childhood...people helping out their neighbors and friends...dropping in for chats. It must be a good 8-10 years since our neighbors dropped around for a chat.

[Carey]

The bit about 6 months when it's pitch black by 4 0'clock worried us!

It's not, is it?

[JandM]

The bit about 6 months when it's pitch black by 4 0'clock worried us!

It's not, is it?


I don't think that's scientifically possible! - days shorten and lengthen progressively, even if at a certain place on the shortest days, nightfall comes at 4. (And it's not much later than that in southern England in midwinter.) In Auckland in August/September last year, nightfall was at 6 p.m., and very rapid - no twilight to speak of.

[Alan]

Have a look at http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunrise.html it will help set you right.

[incredible hulse]

Right, just read it properly - it's quite interesting, but there were some bits that made me laugh out loud, e.g. the author, when weighing up the pros and cons of the UK and NZ says, "There's Britain with its high taxes, impending credit crunch, street crime, poor schools, absurd property prices, jammed motorways and rickety rail services; or there's New Zealand which, from the children's point of view especially, seems unimaginably safe, clean and free by comparison."

The latter part of that sentence is, of course, true for many, but not all, parts of NZ. But I think he might be surprised by the taxes, impending credit crunch, property prices (if he hasn't got a lot of equity to invest) and rail services in NZ! (God, I miss trains!)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticising NZ at all, just the journalist. He should have done his homework!
A good read. Quite interesting to follow the link to the blog where he indicates the article was written some time ago, and how now, after living here a bit longer, despite still loving the place he's realised the cost of living is quite high.

Only other point surely he could have driven about 15 miles out of London to show his kids some cows ! :D

[Pip]

Thanks Jo,

an interesting article. Appreciate you posting...

[tea drinker]

Hi Alan
like the world clock website link
Thanks