[Amerikiwi]

I`ve been living in Auckland for the last 20 months, and have yet to meet another American... I know there aren`t many of us in this part of the world, but would like to hear from others to compare notes and possibly arranging a meet up. Anyone out there who`s interested? :cheers

[mechidna]

I sent you a pm.

Michele

[clg]

I am way down in Welly but would like to if not for the little drive! We have met a few americans here but not many. I work with some which has been the main source but seems like a decent # around welly. I have met more people from the UK, lots of them around.

If any americans in Welly want to meet up let me know!

Chris

[Amerikiwi]

My partner (starting to talk like a kiwi!) and I have actually been talking about taking a trip down to Wellington... she has a daughter living there and I`ve never seen it. So if there are enough Americans interested in meeting there, I`m sure we could arrange something. Or Auckland, as well, if there are others in the area.

[Amerikiwi]

Thanks, Mechidna... got your p.m. and sent you a reply.

[CricketLover]

I'm new to NZ (just 10 days)!!
Just came over from Arizona. I am north of Wellington,and I know there are a couple of Americans from the forum also in Wellington.
My bosses wife is from Ohio. I haven't met her yet.

Let me know if you decide on a get together.

Rosemary

[Park City Partner]

Hello! I have been here just over a week now. We are living in the Northshore, Glenfield to be specific. I would be game for a meet but have to go back to the states from March 11 to April 20 to take care of a few loose strings. Let me know what works and I will be there!

[Amerikiwi]

Hi Park City ; ))
Well, at least I know there`s ONE other American living in the Auckland area!! I`m busy the next couple of weekends, so it might be better to plan something around the end of April? If you`re returning to Auckland on the 20th, you`ll probably be feeling a little jet lag on the 22nd (Saturday), but how would April 29th work out for you? Might even be able to find a few others living in the Auckland area by then. Just let me know and we`ll go from there.

[pineapplehead]

There is the American Club and the American Women's Club in Aukland. They have websites and links throug the US embassy website. Or try www.americanclub.org.nz.

In Wellington, there is an American Womens Association that meets monthly for social events, too.

If you have the time, these groups are a good way to connect with other Americans. We went to a big Thanksgiving dinner with the group in Wellington, and met a lot of great people.

[Park City Partner]

Hmm, let me check my busy schedule..Yup the week of the 29th would be fine...I don't quite have a life here yet so my schedule is very open. My partner Andy is in school at AUT (Paramedic Program) so he might not be around but I am certainly available and would love to meet some folks.

And thanks pineapplehead for the info on the clubs!

[tigerlily]

Pineapplehead, I just wanted to say I love your name. Totally funny to my husband who grew up in Hawaii.

[pineapplehead]

Hi Tigerlily and other forum members,

I'm not from Hawaii, but a native Californian. My husband/partner is third generation California born. A real rarity.

I like your name too. They have so much green in Washington USA, that you should feel right at home when you finally make it to NZ.

And I never really introduced myself to the forum, but we have been here about 6 months. I moved to Wellington from Los Angeles. My OH is "clg" who has been a forum member for ages, both researching prior to our arrival and posting of our experiences here. He found out so much on this forum about cities, housing, electricity, purchases, etc that we were really prepared when we came. Thanks forum members!

I have been reading the forum only since I arrived. Prior to that I was working, with very little time to read anything. But checking the forum is now a regular thing for me and has helped with culture shock, knowing that others are going through the same adjustments. So I will try to post more often about NZ experience. Cant help much with the immigration process q's, though.

So as a thanks to those sharing experiences and adjusting to new life, I'll share something I received in an email from a mentor of mine. About moving and adjusting to life in NZ:

Your experience is REALLY NORMAL!!! It probably doesn’t seem like it on days when the minutes and hours drag on. The “norms” of our culture is what fills the gaps normally. So, when you are in a new culture, those gaps are just, well, gaps… Since everything is new to you, you don’t have the “normal” to fall back on. It’s exhausting no matter how wonderful and idyllic the place is. When you’ve been there for a year, you will start to remember “last year, when we had this experience the first time…” and after two years and three years, it will just get more and more normal.

I also recently visited the immigration exhibit at Te Papa, and funny how immigrants from 100 years ago said similar things to what we are saying today upon arrival, that everything seemed so foreign and backwards. But NZ had so much to offer people who were starving and out of work, living in poverty. My family has it so much easier than those who traveled for months on ships (I wouldn’t have survived the motion sickness). And we came for adventure, so new discoveries, new ways of thinking and doing, are all part of the fun.

Good luck to those in process...

Teresa

[Park City Partner]

Ah LA! Before moving to Park City I lived in LA for about 10 years. Thanks for the note about "normal". My normal is so drastically different at the moment. I went from a very busy life running my own business to acting as shuttle driver for my partner to and from school and in between trying to get things at the house set up...internet access, tv, etc.

Each day gets a bit easier as each day a new comfort of everyday life appears...just got DSL at the house so now I feel really connected! next stop skytv....and then hopefully one day our container will actually arrive (long story posted in another thread).

what is it they say? One day at a time.

[Going2NZ]

Howdy folks!

Better late than never I guess...I don't check the forum as often as I used to with all the cool things to do here.

OK, basics: Wellington by way of Texas (and yes, there is a village missing it idiot there but that's another post). I'm an Army brat so not really "from" anywhere but have lived east coast, west coast and third coast plus a bit overseas prior to NZ. Been in Wellington for 5 months and love it. It did take me longer to find a job than I hoped. I had an offer in Dunedin within a couple of weeks but realized it wasn't where I wanted to be. Too cold and isolated for my taste. Its not easy to adjust but its not insurmountable either. There were a few times that Smiler (Deborah) had to threaten to throw herself in front of my plane if I tried to leave. Since I came ahead without my family it was probably tougher than it needed to be. My recommendation: come over as a family OR find someone/anyone who has/is going through the same emotions to keep you sane. Truly, I credit my sweet husband and Deborah both with keeping me moving forward.

Right now, my fur kids have gotten out of quarantine, my husband will be here in 2 weeks ;-), I love my job and I can't imagine going back to the States for a loooong time if ever except for visits.

OK, enough rambling. If any Welly Americans want to get together or we plan a meet elsewhere, sign me up. Any questions, please ask.

Cheers!

[jess]

We will arrive in Wellington on April 6, but will obviously be in rental hunting mode for a bit. And visiting the pup in quarantine in Levin. Once we are out of a hotel we would be glad to be part of a meet up.

Thanks,
Jessica

[khhill]

Hi all! I'm not in Auckland or Wellington but if you're ever in Dunedin let me know. Just moved from Phoenix. My husband and I are both studying for Masters degrees at the University here.