[kimbers]

Hi,

I have been interested in emigrating to New Zealand for quite a while now! There's so many questions i have to ask but obviously dont want to overload people with these and i'm sure alot of them have already been asked on here, so i'll make sure i have a look around first! Just to intoduce myself, i'm 25 and a Diabetic Retinal Screener/Grader working for East Lancashire PCT, my OH is 20 and a qualified PLumber, hoping to be gaining his Gas qualifications soon! We are looking into moving over to NZ within the next 5 years hopefully before i reach the grand old age of 30 and hopefully before any mini me's come along :-) I've always wanted to bring my children up in NZ rather that England, we're hoping to get away to NZ in the next couple of years so we can plan out which area we would rather live in etc, just want to know if anyone has any tips for the process of looking around and deciding on an area as we are starting from scratch and haven't really got any ideas as of yet! Also just wondering if anybody knows of any other DR screeners out there? i know its probably a long shot but no harm in trying! And is there anything that my OH would not to do or get to make finding a job as plumber/Gas servicer etc any easier?:cheers

[StevieD]

Welcome to the forum Kimbers!!! There will be loads of help on here I'm sure, can't answer you myself, (too busy getting my bags ready for my flight tomorrow!) as I don't work in these fields, but you can do worse than think of moving down here.

Steve

[Red Devil]

Hello and welcome to the forum :nice1

Based on your fields of work, you should have no problems at securing offers of employment and best of luck on that score.

With regards deciding on an area... I don't think you can beat arranging a 'recce' trip asap and seeing the country in it's full glory. We did just that in April... we're in our mid 30's and have a 5 year old son and still managed to comfortably tour both the North and South Islands to get a general feel for the country, so based on your wipper snapper ages you should easily take that in your stride ;)

We found Google Earth is good for 'surveying' the country and getting a general feel for the things... if you zoom close into areas you have blue dots for photos of the immediate area and pink dots for a general overview. Then I guess it's a case of deciding on a region, using the internet and researching your preferred location. It all depends on what you're after though... are you the outdoor adventurous type and prefer the mountains, etc. or do you prefer the coast and beaches. Like I say though, a 'recce' trip is highly recommended... it was of huge benefit to us and money well spent.

Good luck with everything and enjoy :D

[snailandthewhale]

Hi & welcome Kimbers
There is a big Diabetic Retinopathy Screening programme in NZ. I think diabetics are supposed to be screened every 2 years and retinal complications are much more widespread in Māori and Pacific Island peoples. They've put a lot of cash into it.
If you're not in a hurry, you could browse the DHBs vacancies at your leisure, you might eventually spot your ideal job...
Good Luck

[Leanne]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
:)

[slider]

Hello, and welcome to the forum :)

[dilanium]

Hello, welcome to the forum, and good luck with everything!!

:)

[victoria24]

greetings my hard rockin north westerley amigo

[JandM]

Hello, and welcome.:)

[babscat]

Hi Kimbers
We live in E Lancs too and are waiting to join my daughter in NZ in 2 years time. We have already had a 6 months visit.
My son teaches plumbing and gas at Burnley College but may eventually follow his sister.
Ufortunately there are lots of hoops to jump through before UK plumbers can work in NZ without supervision, but other people on the site have managed it! You could try searching the forum for their experiences.
Hope it all works out for you.
Barbara

[dusk]

hello :)