[mark & Heather]

Hiya all,

We're new here, but after a thought that started 2 years ago now, we are finally moving out to NZ in August this year.
We managed to visit this time last year, a whirlwind tour which took us from Whangerei to Christchurch, while we tried to search for that place we really liked.
Well, there were loads of places, but something about richmond and nelson really struck a cord with us. Clean, beautiful, friendly people, fantastic beaches and just the feel of escaping the british rat race.
Anyway, I'm buying a computer franchise and while I do still have some reservations about the area and whether there will be enough work to make it a success, we're giving it a go, after all we can always up sticks and move to Christchurch or Tauranga etc if needs must.

As you can imagine, we are looking for loads more info on the place, so if anyone is in the Nelson area, please get in touch - it would be great to hear from you. Otherwise if anyone's got any further info, let me know !

Mark :nice1

[Angie and Mick]

hi Mark and Heather,
we are still in Endland however we also liked Richmond/Nelson area, we stayed at a camp site at Richmond and several campsites along the coast like your self thought the area was clean and friendly. Loved the beach on Rabbit Island. I will watch this thread with interest as I would like to know more about the area as well. I did get given a link by ..........however can not find it, gave some details. Could you let me know how you get on when you move to Nelson.
Thank you
Angie

[mark & Heather]

seems I might be out of luck !
thanks for the reply though. Are you planning to move out there at all ?

I spoke to a kiwi who called me from Tranzfers today, a really friendly guy who, when I told him I was going to Nelson, could'nt tell me enough about how the place was one of the best in NZ. One of the Migrant support chaps I've been mailing too called it the ' Premier NZ lifestyle location '. I guess its because its where the kiwis themselves seem to go on holiday in summer, thanks to all the national parks around there.

Come on guys...anyone going anywhere other than Welly, Auck and CC ?

Mark :cheers

[NoelMC]

Well we are heading to the Nelson area too.
Looking to go about this time next year when we have completed a house build in UK.
We have friends in the area so we have been over a couple of times to have a really good look.
I think you have made a good choice from all accounts the weather and lifestyle sound great.
The question we havnt yet bottomed out is where to settle, either Richmond or further out along the coast. Richmond has all the facilities but Mapua and Motuaka still appeal.
Great area, great seafood and great wine........ what else do you need!

Do a google search for Nelson NZ, or better still get google NZ as a favourite so you can start from the right place.

Cheers

Noel

[Juniper]

Anyone know about how long it takes to travel from Richmond or Nelson to Welly, via car/ferry?

[NoelMC]

Juniper

Nelson to Picton 1hr 35 mins by car, you need to add the sea crossing times onto this, either CAT ot Ferry. (from NZ AA web site)

Cheers

Noel

[Juniper]

Okay, looks like a 3-hr ferry crossing. !Gracias!

[backtonz]

Nelson is a dream location. It is difficult to describe how beautiful the region is. Also, in NZ if you have free time, you want to spend it outdoors and so the weather comes into play. Nelson Bays are protected from the cold and wet southern (Antartic) winds by mountains - so its sunny, dry and warm, great beaches, but at the same time less than 2 hrs from ski fileds. The area used to have orchards, but lots are being converted to wine. The world famous vineyards of Marlborough are about an hour away, so are Abel Tasman Park to the west and Marlborough Sounds to the east. Further out Golden Bay is fantastic, but very remote.

If there is nothing that needs you to be in the cities - there is no better place in NZ.

The crossing on the CAT is much shorter, less bumpy but more expensive.

[mark & Heather]

cool, thanks guys. I have actually been there, this time last year, so kinda know what its like, although we only had one day there on our whistlestop tour. We were looking for the the place we liked the most throughout NZ and Nelson struck the chord with us.
My own experience of the Cook straight crossing is a little different though ! It was a real nightmare, I have never been so ill ! 3 metre swells ( which I'm told is not too bad at all ) had me reaching for the sick bag several times. In fact we were sitting opposite 2 burly australian farmers who were also revisiting their lunch.
:)
We went on the catarmaran which we were told would be the best way to go, but the trouble with the cat is that the waves lift the front far off the surface and the ship then crashes down onto the sea with such a thump that the ship shudders unerringly. If you like rollercoasters, you'll love it.
Me ? I shall be taking the plane next time :D

[D&L+dog]

Hi Mark & Heather
We're new to the forum and you guys have prompted us to start. We are heading to Nelson mid/end Aug or early September as well. I'm a NZer, born in Nelson but moved away when 10 yrs old with my family to Auckland. We're daily readers of the forums - its amazing how much I'm learning about NZ or "home" and greatful for all the helpful tips from everyone about shipping etc. No kids but we are taking our dog, a 2 yr black lab with us. My husband does a bit of shooting and she's been training up for that, all that hard work and energy into her we can't leave her behind! I have been living overseas for just under 10 years in various locations (typical Kiwi traveller!), managed to find a husband along the way and are now living in his home town of Berwick in the Borders. I have extended family in Nelson and our closest friends decided they wanted to emigrated to NZ and left in March and have settled themselves in Richmond. NZ was their first choice over Oz (thank goodness!) and after us raving about Nelson and the surrounding area the husband secured an excellent job in short time (he is a high voltage linesman), got everything sold up here and off they went. They are now enjoying their new life their daughter (age 9) is settled fantastically into school and after about a month in school threw a birthday party and had 16 of her school friends turn up. She even is starting to speak "kiwi" and the scottish/borders drawl is quickly leaving her. My husband has PR already, and is an industrial electrician and has quite a few contacts for securing work when we get down there so fingers crossed for that.
Hope you enjoy your last few months in the UK, we're hoping we get a good summer and then get to enjoy an even better NZ summer after we arrive - we're already planning the first purchase after a car - a very large gas bbq! Do you have any contacts in the Nelson area? If not, feel free to Personal Message us and we can pass on our contact details to catch up or help you with accommodation or anything you need.
D&L+dog

[Angie and Mick]

I know what you mean about the crossing from Picton to Welly, we cross end of Nov 05 very choppy, I felt sick but was not however my 3 year old was and now when we talk about boats, says she does not like them as sick. She was also sick when we went on a small boat at Piahia going through the hole in the rock and dolphin watching, however was rough again.

We stayed at a camp site very close to Richmond town, walking to the main street passed what looked like a lovely school Richmond school. Has any one any knowledge on the schools in the area and does it depend which school you can attend on the catchment area.

We have submitted our EOI still waiting. If we do not hear something in the next few months then will start looking at the jobs. I have seen them advertised in the area however not sure how often they would come up. I am a Social Worker presently work with children and families. OH a planner, Production/route planner, although experience in both food and drink industry.
:) :)

[mark & Heather]

hi angie..did you stay at the richmond top 10 camp ? thats where we were based for a few days. We toured down to Nelson lakes and as far north as Kaiteriteri beach, but now looking forward to seeing Abel Tasman when we finally get out there and more of Nelson, such as Rabbit Island. I'm also curious to find out what the cinema is like in Nelson ! A multiplex too by all accounts.
I don't know much about the school in Richmond, but I contacted one in the Nayland area of Nelson and they sent me a load of info if you're interested. I can mail it to you if you wish. Lots of useful stuff, dates, class sizes, fees etc.
Just PM me if you wish :)

[Angie and Mick]

Yes we stayed at the Top ten site. We called at Rabbit beach, very long and only about 6 people on it. Enjoyed it on the sands. Showers and Other facilities there. We also went to Kaiateri... camp site oposite the beach. Loved the area.

[bevsere]

Yo y'all.
Interesting posts.
We live in Mapua , extremely close to Nelson and have been here for the past two years.

Tahunanui is a more family friendly beach. Rabbit Island is closer to us but the under current , I feel, makes it a less friendly swimming beach.

Tasman is easy , just a half hour drive to Marahau and then start walking.
The lakes are great and we even have our own Ski field. Rainbow.

There has just been a report in the local paper about the schools in the area. A decile report. Does that help anyone ? I have a copy.
I know that many UK parents/friends here [ we have no kids] buy in extra academic tuition for their kids.
Remember , the schools here ask for donations . Donations are really compulsary.

Richmond is a built up conurbation. All facilities are to hand and this reflects in the real estate prices.

The little cinema in Nelson is perfectly fine and shows any of the latest movies available.

[mark & Heather]

Hey bevsere, thanks for the reply. Its good to hear from someone in the region. We've heard about Mapua and its all nice comments. How are you finding it ? I notice you have been there for almost 2 years or so, how have ou settled in ? Did the kiwis accept you ok ?
As you can imagine, loads of questions, only 2 and a bit months left now, so looking for as much info as poss.

Oh, and I really can't wait to get out of britain !

Mark

[Angie and Mick]

Yo y'all.
Interesting posts.
We live in Mapua , extremely close to Nelson and have been here for the past two years.

Tahunanui is a more family friendly beach. Rabbit Island is closer to us but the under current , I feel, makes it a less friendly swimming beach.

Tasman is easy , just a half hour drive to Marahau and then start walking.
The lakes are great and we even have our own Ski field. Rainbow.

There has just been a report in the local paper about the schools in the area. A decile report. Does that help anyone ? I have a copy.
I know that many UK parents/friends here [ we have no kids] buy in extra academic tuition for their kids.
Remember , the schools here ask for donations . Donations are really compulsary.

Richmond is a built up conurbation. All facilities are to hand and this reflects in the real estate prices.

The little cinema in Nelson is perfectly fine and shows any of the latest movies available.

Hi
Did not know about the current at Rabbit Island, we only paddled.

What is the decile report? If it tells me about the schools in the area then would be interesting to read. Can I access on line?
Another point to ask, how long would it take to drive from Mapua to Nelson?

Thanks
Angie :)

[Angie and Mick]

Found some links for Nelson area on different facilities etc.

More information on Nelson
http://nelson.net.nz/ All you need to know

http://www.tdc.govt.nz/ Richmond's local council

http://www.taslib.govt.nz/ Our local public library

http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/ Nelson City Council

http://www.nelsonnz.com/nelson-richmond/ Nelson and Richimond

http://www.portnelson.co.nz/ Port Nelson

http://www.harlequin.co.nz/nelson/ A guide to Nelson

http://www.nmdhb.govt.nz/ Nelson Hospital

http://nelsonschoolofmusic.co.nz/ Nelson School of Music

http://weather.nelson.co.nz/ Whats the weather like?

http://www.nelsonlakes.co.nz/ Nelson Lakes

http://www.nelsonconnect.co.nz/ Employment, Housing and Activities

http://athletics.nelson.co.nz/ Athletics - Lets go for a run!

http://www.thesuter.org.nz/intro.html The Suter Art gallery

http://www.new-zealand-immigration.com/ New Zealand Immigration - Help and information.

http://www.fishbizzare.co.nz/ Nelson waterfront - Eat and look at the view!

http://www.nelsonparagliding.co.nz/ WOW what a view!

[bevsere]

Hi !
We are in Mapua . Have been in the Nelson area for just over two years now and can safely report that its a great place to live.