[Andy-Dee]

I have read all the threads on why people are leaving UK and all of the replies urging caution - which I think are really useful and helps to give a balance to the monumental decision we are all trying to make. However, I am interested to know why people love NZ and what is better there than here and why people will stay and not return - or why they will move on to the USA, OZ or someother destination.

It might help people to match their decison to their own individual list of priorites.

A & D

[Moorf]

Hi guys - I posted a longer reply to this initially (which you can see if you subscribed to thread and which I'll PM if you want to read it) but...

Well, after waking to emails like this....

Are you replying to it because I cant be bothered anymore?

:laugh who wants to bait the hounds first?

Well I'm lovin' NZ - and I PM'd you. Shame some people don't feel they can voice their opinions here anymore :mad:

H
x

[Singel]

Hi guys,
Quote:
:laugh who wants to bait the hounds first?

H
x
I love NZ cos' it is 23,000 km away from my in-laws :laugh (I think some people might be nodding their heads)

OK, joke aside................
We like the weather, do not need to drive in the dark to & fro work during winter (ooophs, I think autumn changeover to spring).
Where we live, the beach is within walking distance and most of the time, we have it all to ourselves.
We spend more time on outdoor activities, 10 mins drive and we are in the rural area.
The kiwis are very friendly and sociable, people say "hi" when they walk pass you.
We could afford a new build and a new car which make it very attractive and comfortable for us.
We live in a safe, peaceful and quiet neighbourhood (hubby and I do not like crowds).

This is the 4th country that I have lived and I would say that NZ meet my expectation of quality life.

:nice1

[wilson182]

I love NZ cause.....
I have made some great friends
The beaches are fantastic and you dont have to contribute a small mortgage to park.
Theres more for the kids to do, we can go on family days out and not spend a fortune.
I dont have to park three streets away from my house and carry home my weekly shopping any more.
We are no longer in debt.
I can afford to buy the type of house I could only dream about in England.

Its actually quite hard to list the reasons why I like it here, I just know I do. For me its ok, it wont be for everyone. I wasnt happy in England, I know that, and maybe I was ready for an adventure. I'm also a "glass is half full" kind of person, so maybe that helps, I will always try to look for the best in every situation. I haven't had the problems other people have had with schools, that probably helps too. I love living in Rangiora, the city I came from (portsmouth) is very densly (sp) populated, I feel that my daughter is having the kind of freedom that I had, and that feels good. Our life hasnt changed as radically as some peoples (Moorf and woz spring to mind, especially the home made cheese!!) but it has changed and for the better. I love having friends over for bbq's, I love taking Ems to the beach. There are things I dont like, and the hardest (but best) piece of advise I have had was from Avalon when she said "you dont have to like everything about NZ" I am happy to stay here....forever?? who knows, I hope so....
Debs

[Smiler]

Shame some people don't feel they can voice their opinions here anymore :mad: H

In a word, Sad.

My/Our reasons for lovin NZ....................not in any particular order.

Our ability to have easy beach/coast access within a short (500m) stroll of our house. Being the only people on the beach. Sitting on the beach and feeling like the only people in the world at that moment. No amusement arcade blaring out or the smell of kebab stalls.

Relatively safe area that we live in, there is petty crime all over, but I can walk out in the day and night here and feel safe, I don't have to drive with my car doors locked. I don't have oiks knocking on my front door asking me to fill a water bottle while they case the joint. No big issue sellers, no beggars blocking doorways. (Wellington's homeless at the last count was 27. I'm not saying that's good though).

The people are friendly, but again maybe I'm a giver there, I won't ignore the checkout girl. People say hi while walking. Neighbours pop by with a welcome when you move in and offer help. Shop staff ask if they can help you and often go out of their way to do so. I can park easily, often free, unless I'm in the CBD.

I love the changing weather, the amazing stars and rainbows, the difference in the light, being on the deck in a T shirt in mid winter.

The ability to see a band at a reasonable price and not spend 3 hours getting to the venue and 15 quid to park. The price of theatre tickets, free music in bars and restaurants. We ate last night as a very nice welly place for $45 inc drinks. We can travel easily to Pacific islands and explore more of what we want to see.

My circle of friends is becoming larger by the week. No queueing in shops (unless its Pak $ Scratch) bakery's, cafe's, nice little cinema's. I can see a doctor the next or same day even ( no 2 week wait) The dentist the next day )(no 6 week wait) and no I don't mind paying for a decent service, I think the health system is less open to abuse that way. Tradesmen that say "Hi I'm X, good to meet you' instead of a grunt. Ok I need to teach them some timekeeping skills though. :laugh


I could go on, but those off the top of MY head thoughts will have to do for now. I'm supposed to be doing our UK accounts, finishing off our UK ties, apart from family and friends of course.

Of course there are things I dislike here but we have no desire to go back, even for a visit. Now where's my rose tinted specs..................




Edited to include NZ wine, fantastic coffee and fush and chups (well the amazing availability of scallops or oysters and chups) I can't believe I left those off. :eek:

[Moorf]

So many similarities in loves, as there are so many similarities in the dislikes. As someone else said you can never please everyone and having had to say goodbye to a good friend last week who couldn't get past the homesickness, it's obvious different focuses come to the fore depending on your emotions. As someone who doesn't suffer from homesickness I still found NZ "tougher" during the last few weeks due to my bloomin' medical probs and even emailed my mother for a "virtual cuddle" which is something I haven't done since.. well.. probably something I've never done... :o

Here's the relevant bits from my earlier post...




To more fully answer your question. We love the space - we don't have to drive hours to get away from it all, we can ski/kayak/cycle/surf all within an hours drive. NZ is a beautiful place (yeah, ok, it doens't pay the bills but it lifts my spirit eaach day when i look out at the Alps) We love the people - after nearly 2 yrs we have a huge circle of friends and a great rural community life, I walk the dog along with no fear for my safety and people nod and wave as we walk through town - people have time for you and aren't superficial. Whilst the money is a lot less - probably a quarter of our UK income - we have downshifted and enjoy simpler things in life. We don't crave UK comforts - that's been a big help. Depsite the stats people throw around we feel safer in our home. Working here is more or less as itwas back in the UK but a little more laid back - this can be a pro or a con depending on your working style. You can live as rurally as you like yet still commute into centre of town (probably more Chch related). You can buy a few acres and live a great life without having to maintain a huge mortgage and two jobs and still be close to a town with all the benefits that brings (as in, not squirrelled away in some remote part of Wales/Scotland/France/Spain purely to "get away from it"). We'd have needed to win the lottery to have what we have here on one small income. I can go into a larger city - say Christchurch - and not trip over beggars or watch illegal immigrants spend my tax money in Next. I'm not fending off Big Issue sellers, spending hours looking for a parking space or paying another mortgage in parking fees. I don't queue for hours for the bank or post office. I can get a doctors appt the same day and they generally seem to give a monkeys about your condition. I can go and see a specialist within a week of my doctor recommending me. Okay - you pay - but if you're not at the doc's every other month then I think it's well worth the $50 for the

service.

Ohhh I could go on, but then I wasn't happy with the UK so perhaps it was easier for us to make the move without looking back. But, we're loving it here and have no plans to go back to the UK, or across the Tasman to Oz.

I hope I've given you a little idea of why we're here.

Let me balance it with a couple of things we don't like - the hoons (boy

racers) are a nightmare. Grocery shopping is expensive but I think that the overall standard of veggies/meat etc is great. Telly is crap but we watch so much less here it's almost a bonus!

[Smiler]

So many similarities in loves, as there are so many similarities in the dislikes. As someone else said you can never please everyone and having had to say goodbye to a good friend last week who couldn't get past the homesickness, it's obvious different focuses come to the fore depending on your emotions. As someone who doesn't suffer from homesickness I still found NZ "tougher" during the last few weeks due to my bloomin' medical probs and even emailed my mother for a "virtual cuddle" which is something I haven't done since.. well.. probably something I've never done... :o


A virtual hug from us too. ((((((((((((((Moorf))))))))))))))))))))

I suffer from missing Family and Friends sickness (not home sickness) as I am starting to feel like our house is more a home as in the place where we are living and settled, as opposed to missing the UK and the parental home.

I've never missed crisps or pot noodles and if I have craved something or needed something vital to my well being, I've done my best to find a NZ alternative.

[Singel]

Safe and carefree environment :raebanana

[Diny]

Am I having a blonde moment - where does the quote about baiting the hounds and not being bothered anymore come from - am I missing something.

I for one will always quote my opinions and will always be very interested in reading the opinions of others. What a chronic boring world this would be if we all agreed.

Reasons for loving NZ? There's so many things about NZ that I like, it's difficult to put my finger on individual 'items' - I think for me it's a mixture of lots of different things that make it work.

I can't honestly, hand on heart, say that I LOVE NZ !!!! I'm very very fond of it, I think it's a wonderful country and I'm more than happy to be here. I can also say with great certainty that if I hadn't married a Kiwi I very much doubt my feet would ever have stepped on NZ soil.

Some of the things that warm my heart about this place are ....... (in no particular order) .... the fantastic service we've had from the ANZ bank. The opportunity to invest in some extra property. The fish & chips. The scenery. The birdlife. The rivers (can't wait to get the kayaks out on them once the good weather arrives). The way we can take the 4WD along the beach for miles and miles without seeing anybody. The list goes on - just everyday life here is pretty good.

For me personally NZ doesn't offer anything (apart from the scenery and the quality fish & chips) that I didn't get in the UK. Moving here has been very much a sideways step, but with saying that I have to stress that we're happy here - it's a great place. There's no way this will be a permanent move for us - as a country there's just not enough to 'push my buttons' - but while we're here we're having a blast. It's a move that we will never regret, and whether we stay for another year or another decade, each and every day here will be a good one - we're the kind of family that will make sure of that.

And yes, Avalons advice that 'you don't have to love everything about NZ to make it work' is THE best I've ever heard. I'm sure those particular words of wisdom will be repeated many many times in the future on this forum.

It most certainly IS OK not to like everything about NZ, the same as it's perfectly OK not to hate everything about the UK.

IMHO the UK and NZ hold equal footing, but if I was being asked for a preference with a gun to my head then the good ol' UK would come out on tops.

Diny

[gil]

Am I having a blonde moment - where does the quote about baiting the hounds and not being bothered anymore come from - am I missing something.

I for one will always quote my opinions and will always be very interested in reading the opinions of others. What a chronic boring world this would be if we all agreed. Diny

Diny, I think the quotes mentioned were referred to as emails received by the Moderator (OK, Moorf), hence we haven't seen them on the forum.

Secondly, I agree that the opinions of others are always interesting, sometimes funny, surprising, shocking, irritating or offensive, but usually interesting. However, I don't always find that differences of opinion relieve the boredom. Personally I feel it can be just as boring to have people ding-donging back and fore saying "Well, I think THIS" and responses saying "Ha! Well I think THAT". A bit of harmony and agreement goes a long way in my book.

But then, that's just my humble opinion! :nice1

Gil
PS Sorry to have hijacked the thread Andy Dee. I can't contribute to it in a proper way as I have not yet been there, but just want to say what a great thread it is. Really good to hear all the positives and it does kinda redress the balance!

[bob_the_engineer]

I guess many of the reasons I genuinely do love living here have just been covered, so I’ll talk about the food, and the in-laws.

The food, wow. The area I live in is called the fruit bowl of NZ, but even so I’ve been to other parts of NZ and I don’t think its just the area where I am.

If you like what I think would be described as “old fashioned English food” then you will love the food here. There are even takeaway roast dinner shops. You could say a pork chop is a pork chop, trust me it isn’t. The seafood is astonishing, fish and shellfish. The olives are out of this world (even if you don’t like olives then just try them here, you may change your mind). Buy local olives and not the ones in jars……….I have to add here I like beetroot too, I used to have to boil my own in the uk (LOL anyone in NZ will know what I’m talking about)

Curry was a bit confusing until a waiter explained to me that if I say English or Indian before Hot, Medium or Mild and add not kiwi to that I’ll get what I want (this actually works really well “Vindaloo, hot, Indian hot not kiwi hot”,, gorr then your in trouble). A bonus is cheese nan!! only a few Indian restaurants in the UK seemed to do this, they all seem to do it here.

I really don’t understand why the kiwis aren’t really really really fat (I’ve seen them eat, they should be the size of a house! Conversely, skinny )


Wine, it’s really funny, may of those expensive OZ wines are bargain basement stuff here (yayhay). The variety and quality of NZ wine is amazing, it’s not expensive and you can drink it sat at a table next to the vine it grew on.

The in-laws

Well I thought I’d left them a long way behind, on the downside the bu**ers keep turning up for holidays. I’m not exaggerating, I see more of them now than I did when we lived a couple of hundred miles away!…….I guess you can’t have everything.

Yes of course I was joking when I described my in-laws as bu**ers (I have to say that, MIL may read this LOL)

Bob

[Diny]

Secondly, I agree that the opinions of others are always interesting, sometimes funny, surprising, shocking, irritating or offensive, but usually interesting. However, I don't always find that differences of opinion relieve the boredom. Personally I feel it can be just as boring to have people ding-donging back and fore saying "Well, I think THIS" and responses saying "Ha! Well I think THAT". A bit of harmony and agreement goes a long way in my book.

But then, that's just my humble opinion! :nice1

!


Thanks for that ... why do I feel I've had my wrists slapped ??? LOL

[gil]

Can't imagine Diny, can't imagine :laugh

Gil

[zardell]

Shame some people don't feel they can voice their opinions here anymore :mad:

H
x


Yes, Moorf, it is a shame, but by the same token would the 'hounds' on this forum who are hungry for genuine information and guidance really benefit from the 'bait' that the replies from these "Can't be bothered" forumites may contain ?

I think not.........

Julie

xx

[Diny]

Hey Gil ... empty your inbox - trying to send a PM but it says you're overloaded !!

[katandbob]

Hi, As I have only been here 2mths I havent experienced a NZ summer, but after the UK winter we had, if every winter is like the 2mths we have had so far, the weather would be the first thing I like about NZ.
even though we live at the bottom of the sth island, its only the houses that make it seem colder, but once we have our own home, I will be nice and toasty on the cold days, but even on the cold days you can get out and about, and do something, not spend a dollar (well except for diesel)
The scenary is spectacular, we have spent the whole day exploring, and the beaches we came across were deserted exept for one or two people...way way up the beach, but when you do meet, they are friendly, say hi, look you in the eye....Offer you their table, in the sunshine, as its the best seat in the resturant, and they will be going soon....we did the same when we were finished, and a cute 2yr old and her family sat down and enjoyed the sun/view and great seafood! It felt real good inside, to pass on the friendliness that we had been offered an hour before.
(oops..waffling, but do you get what I am trying to say....its OK to be nice in NZ...in the UK you'd be considered strange!)

I love the fact that you can ride in the reserves, join clubs, You name it you can probably find it in the area where you are living.

I cant wait to own a few Chooks, or sheep or HOPEFULLY a horse...one thing that I couldnt afford to do in the UK.

The adverts..................they are so funny, I will probably get fed up of them when I have been here a year! But the Kiwis speak their minds!

I love the fact that I can get from home to the centre of town in 8 mins but that the amount of traffic is zilch down our street, that I can see mountains and hills.....I lived in NE Lincolnshire which was FLAT! Ok Invercargill is flat, but it has hills/mountains in the distance.

That I can fly to Chch for $104 in 1hr 30mins....or drive through fantastic countryside to it in 7/8 hrs. I hated travelling to places in the UK....Used to get lost all the time.......here you start driving....and follow the signs!

well thats what I love so far...oh and I love the dark chocolate!...i think its called whitakers or something....yummy

[zardell]

What a wonderful post Kat.

I am so pleased that you and Rob are enjoying life in NZ and that you have found your happiness.

Good luck to you.

Julie

xx

[gil]

Just cleared it, should be OK now
Gil

Hey Gil ... empty your inbox - trying to send a PM but it says you're overloaded !!

[Diny]

[QUOTE=katandbobits OK to be nice in NZ...in the UK you'd be considered strange!)

[/QUOTE]

Ahh come on now !!!!

Diny

[katandbob]

Ahh come on now !!!!

Diny

Well, you may have lived in a nice friendly village in the UK Diny, but where we came from being nice got you nowhere!

yes theres nice people everywhere in the world, it just seems theres loads in Southland!

[wilson182]

:laugh

[Moorf]

Believe me, no-one was more pee'd off than me this morning when I opened my PM's/emails. :mad: Why? Because having seen that thread the night before I decided not to bother posting as I think my views on NZ are pretty much known but I figured there'd be an interesting thread forming - but oh no, there's more activity in my inbox than on the forum. :uhoh

TBH some of the emails I received were pretty humorous and I actually took the "baiting the hounds" comment, from a popular forumite I should add, to be quite funny too - we all know from other threads that these topics bring about strong opinions. If anyone has taken it upon themselves to identify with that then that's their lookout.

Julie - actually yes, I do think people would gain insight from those that now can't be bothered - they can't be bothered not because they don't want to help others but because they don't feel their views are valid or are subsequently drowned out by those in disagreement, ripped apart and told they're wearing rose tinted specs (which I actually find quite offensive myself) - I'm not backwards in coming forwards so you get to hear my views like it or not, but some people do actually find some replies to their posts intimidating and tend not to bother posting again in the future. No, it's not my lookout and no, I'm not a moderator anymore but people do tend to confide in me regarding this sort of thing and I personally don't like to think people think that of this forum, as I'm sure we all don't...

I think Gil hit it on the head - it's the "I think this" "I think that" that gets a bit repetitive, and probably more so as people like me who can't keep their mouths shut tend to constantly answer the same questions with the same answers - but I'm not sure how you can escape that on a forum with new people coming onboard everyday.

Ho hum....

[zardell]

[QUOTE=Moorf]
TBH some of the emails I received were pretty humorous and I actually took the "baiting the hounds" comment, from a popular forumite I should add, to be quite funny too -

I'm sorry Moorf, but I don't find that comment remotely amusing - whoever the forumite was that said it or however popular they may be. I personally find it quite offensive.





Julie - actually yes, I do think people would gain insight from those that now can't be bothered - they can't be bothered not because they don't want to help others but because they don't feel their views are valid or are subsequently drowned out by those in disagreement, ripped apart and told they're wearing rose tinted specs (which I actually find quite offensive myself)


Nobody like to feel that their views are unworthy or invalid. Any post, positive or negative should be welcomed on this forum, whether other forumites agree with it or not. As far as those that can't be bothered to air their views on this forum are concerned, if I misunderstood their reasoning's for not wishing to post then please accept my apologies - maybe you could have made that point a little clearer in your initial posting.





[I] tend to constantly answer the same questions with the same answers - but I'm not sure how you can escape that on a forum with new people coming onboard everyday.

Quite right Moorf.....agree totally with that comment and I was under the impression, quite wrongly as you have pointed out, that this was the 'can't be bothered' crowds reasoning.


[QUOTE]

Julie

xx

[Smiler]

[QUOTE=Moorf]
TBH some of the emails I received were pretty humorous and I actually took the "baiting the hounds" comment, from a popular forumite I should add, to be quite funny too -

I'm sorry Moorf, but I don't find that comment remotely amusing - whoever the forumite was that said it or however popular they may be. I personally find it quite offensive.

[QUOTE]

Julie

xx

I'm not having a blonde moment, I must just be thick, because I didn't understand it at all.

[katandbob]

Mmm must have missed something here?

well off to bed, as I have to get up again and go to work.

I still log in and use the information I read to help me in our resettlement process, as we dont have any support elsewhere, and Moorfs opinions are very helpful to me...

cheese making sounds a challenge....for the future!

So I hope that what ever went on, you don't stop voicing your opinions.

Nite

Kat

[zardell]

[QUOTE=zardell][QUOTE=Moorf]
TBH some of the emails I received were pretty humorous and I actually took the "baiting the hounds" comment, from a popular forumite I should add, to be quite funny too -

I'm sorry Moorf, but I don't find that comment remotely amusing - whoever the forumite was that said it or however popular they may be. I personally find it quite offensive.



I'm not having a blonde moment, I must just be thick, because I didn't understand it at all.




Well, lets put it this way (and again I will stand corrected) I feel like I am one of the hungry for information 'hounds' that is judged to take any 'bait' that is offered.

Julie

xx

[Moorf]

Well, lets put it this way (and again I will stand corrected) I feel like I am one of the hungry for information 'hounds' that is judged to take any 'bait' that is offered.


Why?


I think you're missing the point and I have just had to clarify this myself to make sure your take on it wasn't correct - it's not. It's not aimed at everyone who is looking for information - quite the opposite - it was actually a reference to a fair number of people on the forum who appear come down on positive posts like a ton of bricks - I posted that comment because I agree with it. Seeing as you aren't in NZ I can't think how that woud include you.

Huge apologies if you felt you were being singled out.... you quite simply weren't.

[Andy-Dee]

Dear All
Thanks for all of your comments - we can only type as we find. As new members to the forum we felt that the majority of comments were biased towards the negative and we just wanted to post a thread that was more positive - thats why we asked for reasons to love NZ.

From our perspective - we have achieved that with these generous posts from the majority of members - the others we were already aware from other posts which we have found equally helpful.

Life's an adventure - and we are going for it anyway, our view - rather we travel the road (whatever the direction) and learn than stay at home and wonder.

Thanks again
A & D

[Diny]

- but oh no, there's more activity in my inbox than on the forum. :uhoh

..

Well I know exactly how you feel there - in the last hour I've had more PMs than the rest of the week added together !!!!!!

[Moorf]

I rest my case......

[Diny]

Life's an adventure - and we are going for it anyway, our view - rather we travel the road (whatever the direction) and learn than stay at home and wonder.

Thanks again
A & D


This is so very true !! Ask your questions, listen to the answers, filter out the relevant bits and go for it !!! You owe it to yourself to give it a try. Good luck.

Diny

[zardell]

Why?


I think you're missing the point and I have just had to clarify this myself to make sure your take on it wasn't correct - it's not. It's not aimed at everyone who is looking for information - quite the opposite - it was actually a reference to a fair number of people on the forum who appear come down on positive posts like a ton of bricks - I posted that comment because I agree with it. Seeing as you aren't in NZ I can't think how that woud include you.

Huge apologies if you felt you were being singled out.... you quite simply weren't.



OK Moorf....lets me start again here, because we are so much at cross purposes.

The comment ' :laugh who wants to bait the hounds first? ' I personally took offence at.
I took it (rightly or wrongly) to reference the non NZ resident contributors on this forum to be hungry 'hounds' scouring this forum for information and that they would happily grab onto any piece of bait that was offered.
When I read that you thought the comment amusing, I'm sorry, but looking at it from my point of view, I simply could not understand why. You have just never struck me as a vindictive kind of person ( and I'm sure you're not)

No Moorf theres is no need to apologise to me, because I certainly did not feel singled out, in fact quite the opposite.

I can only re-iterate what has been said on this forum many times......because we only read the written word and we therefor cannot hear the intonation of the voice, many sentences are misunderstood.

That seem to be the point in case today I think.

Julie

xx

[Moorf]

Julie - no worries - when video-forums come along we'll be able to see the horror in other peoples faces as a quip goes down like a lead balloon and hear the silence when a joke turns sour! Altho I won't be posting at 11.40pm on a Sunday night in a stained t-shirt and bobble hat either :o

[zardell]

Julie - no worries - when video-forums come along we'll be able to see the horror in other peoples faces as a quip goes down like a lead balloon and hear the silence when a joke turns sour! Altho I won't be posting at 11.40pm on a Sunday night in a stained t-shirt and bobble hat either :o



Hee-hee....And I won't be getting cross whilst trying to roast a leg of lamb next Sunday morning......I promise. ;)

Good night - God bless,

Julie

xx

[Diny]

Hold on .... I've just remebered another reason why I love NZ .....

It's brings out the best in people !!!!!!!!

http://tcwozere.co.uk/smileys/girl2.gif

[willsken]

Dear All
Thanks for all of your comments - we can only type as we find. As new members to the forum we felt that the majority of comments were biased towards the negative and we just wanted to post a thread that was more positive - thats why we asked for reasons to love NZ.

A & D

I wasn't going to add to this thread until I read this comment.

I love being a member of this forum and it has helped the whole process of moving enormously and I have made some very lovely friends.

BUT on the days when I struggle and feel low I don’t even log on. The whole point for me is to be reassured that my family will be OK and I find it a great pity that some members don’t post because of all the reasons mentioned earlier, it’s such a shame. While we need to know all the pitfalls…. and I’m sure there is no one out there who doesn’t want to hear them… we want and need to hear all the good stuff to! Please keep posting!! :)

[Andy-Dee]

Hi Nicola
Sending you a personal boost. Keep your pecker up.
A & D

[willsken]

Hi A & D

Thank you. I have to say though, apart from selling my little car I am having a very very positive week! Full of the can't wait to go feelings.

This was brought about by going for a walk to the local mountain and being greeted by the picture below. WHY! this place is not easy to get to, it's not just off a main road... someone had to have gone really out of their way to dump this rubbish :mad: There were pages of porn mags flying around.... nice thing to be greeted with on a family walk! To top it off even when we got to the top of the mountain there were beer and cider cans every where.

Probably in the wrong thread (why leaving the UK would be better... but)

[StevieD]

I can't stand litter - sad isn't it Nic? :(

[Lupin]

Yes, that's something we suffer from round here. Unless you go miles off the beaten path many local beauty spots have burnt out cars and piles of rubbish festering.

This thread makes me want to sob a bit because I would so hate it if this supportive forum put even two feet in the same direction of that 'orrible "other" forum.

When I first started reading this forum I did sense an imbalance toward negativity about NZ....not in the number of posts made that are negative, but that it seemed more acceptable to post negative "bare all" posts than positive. As time went on I wondered whether maybe the negative posts just stood out for me more because they illuminated some of my worst fears or whether many of the peeps who migrate and would post positive posts are actually too busy having a blast. So I joined and have found this forum awesomely supportive towards those right at the just considering stage and those living in NZ for 10 plus years and also some really genuine support for those that didn't find NZ to be their home after all.

I'd love to read more posts from people waxing lyrical about NZ though and I don't think it's something to feel modest about doing an NZ Emigration forum.

[zardell]

Just thought I'd share......

I received mail earlier today from a lovely lady who used to be quite a regular 'poster' here on the forum until she actually arrived in NZ.

She said that she didn't post on the forum as much as she used to because she has moved on into the 'Living It Zone' and that she is very happy.

Lets hope we can all move on to the Living it Zone, whatever country we live in.


Julie

xx

[Oregonkiwi]

I saw that this thread had 39 replies and thought, yay! Lots of people talking about what they love about NZ!
sigh....

However, I am interested to know why people love NZ and what is better there than here

I'd love to read more posts from people waxing lyrical about NZ though and I don't think it's something to feel modest about doing an NZ Emigration forum

ok then.
Coming at this from a kiwi-going-home perspective, and from the US not UK, some things I love about NZ are (in no particular order)
- don't have to drive for hours to get to the beach
- I won't keep worrying that an accident or bad illness will bankrupt us (American health care costs! :wah )
- it will be nice to have a Prime Minister who seems like a sensible person that you would want to spend time with, rather than ... well I think we all know how the Americans leaving the US feel about Bush ;)
- feijoas, manuka honey, pav, ginger crunch, tamarillos, date scones....
- when you get out of Auckland Airport, the air and the light feel like New Zealand
- ponga, nikau, kauri, rimu, renga renga, kawa kawa, pohutukawa petals making the sand crimson at Christmas, tui feeding on flax nectar
- tui, kereru, fantails, kingfishers,...
- the pretty money
- walking up Mt Eden, looking out over the beautiful city towards both harbors, then walking down into the volcanic crater

well I could go on and on but a certain short person is crying "I want cuddle mama".
Avril

[Smiler]

Just thought I'd share......

I received mail earlier today from a lovely lady who used to be quite a regular 'poster' here on the forum until she actually arrived in NZ.

She said that she didn't post on the forum as much as she used to because she has moved on into the 'Living It Zone' and that she is very happy.

Lets hope we can all move on to the Living it Zone, whatever country we live in.


Julie

xx

Thats great that she is settling in and living the life she wanted, as most of us are. :nice1

But if everyone came here and got on with living and didn't pass their opinions or thoughts on, places like this forum and this thread would have died a quick death. No one would be answering the many important questions that go beyond shipping quotes and ITA's. It does get repetitive answering same old, same old, sometimes, but with new members joining, this 'living the life' info can only be updated and refreshed for others to digest and use as they see fit.

You'll never avoid all the pitfalls this life can bring, but with people giving freely of their time and answering (what may seem to others like dumb) questions, people can gather a wealth of knowledge about the journey they are making in their life, some of whom have to come to NZ without the benefit of a reccie trip.

Just to add, you can't see my face or hear me say that, so please know it's a thoughtful observation for this early in my day. :)

[zardell]

Ooooh yes - you are so right Smiler.....

It would be lovely to read some more posts as to why people love New Zealand.

Julie

xx

[K&CS]

Well, here's my list if I manage to get through it with a mad baby crawling around a very un-baby friendly lounge (put the axe down, Alex!)

I love being able to sit on the beach on a winter's day with the kids paddling in the sea (even if it does end up snowing the next day!). I love it that if I wake in the morning feeling down or homesick, I can look out of my window and see the sun rise out of the sea, and instantly, I feel better. I love taking Alex for a walk down the esplanade (can never feel down when I'm by the ocean). I love that I can drive for an hour, and I'm surrounded by lakes and snowy mountains. Last weekend, Craig took our eldest up snowboarding and I took the other two down to the beach and we sat there for ages. I love the big skies and the brightness and intensity of light (ok, they probably mean the same thing) and that you have to have your sunglasses with you all the time - even on a rainy day! I love the washing lines (ok, you'll have to bear with me here - it's a bit of a strange obsession of mine). I love drying my clothes on the line in the middle of winter. I love the fact that we can afford the sort of house we could never get in the UK. I love the fact that estate agents phone you while you're in the middle of your list and now can't remember what you were going to write next (I was on a roll then...) I love the more laid back way of life, kids are always out playing rather than sitting in watching TV, people are so friendly and helpful (the number of complete strangers that tried to get our car going yesterday when the battery ran flat). I love flat whites, tim tams and the wine. This is by no means a definitive list, but I must rescue Alex before he ends up in the fire.

I was the same before I came out - once I'd committed, I needed to be reminded of the good things about NZ so that I could remember why we were putting ourselves through all the stress and heartache.

IMO (don't you just hate that?? There's another site I'm a regular on - non immigration related - and people use IMO or IMHO at the start of a sentence before they rip other people to shreds), it's worth all the hard times you have to go through to get here, but you'll just need to decide for yourselves. As others have said, it's not for everyone, but it's definitely for us!

Good luck to anyone embarking on this whole crazy adventure!

Kate x

[Diny]

Avril ...... I'm with you on the Tui's ... just love them. We have a huge gum in our front garden which is home to lots of them. The house we live in is called Tui Cottage .... just great.

[Diny]

Oh ... and something else (I think they'll just keep coming to me on a day to day basis) ....... signs outside shops requesting you to remove muddy footwear ..... and then seeing a couple of pairs of workboots left on the pavement. Laughed out loud the first time I saw that, it's now just another part of NZ life (and I've even done it a couple of times myself).

Diny

[Avalon]

This thread makes me want to sob a bit because I would so hate it if this supportive forum put even two feet in the same direction of that 'orrible "other" forum.
.

If that ever happens - you will hear me screaming and banging heads together :laugh

(Not a comment directed at anyone - but there is a reason I spend way too much of my life on THIS forum).

[Avalon]

Just thought I'd share......

I received mail earlier today from a lovely lady who used to be quite a regular 'poster' here on the forum until she actually arrived in NZ.

She said that she didn't post on the forum as much as she used to because she has moved on into the 'Living It Zone' and that she is very happy.

Lets hope we can all move on to the Living it Zone, whatever country we live in.


Julie

xx

Wow - wish I could do that somedays. But then I am living it - I just also try and help others live it too. And most of the time - Im really happy to do that.







But there honestly some days, that like those whose contacted Moorf, you do have to wonder if your posts are going to critisisised. And I also do seem to end up saying the same stuff over and over (Im surprised anyone reads it anymore - I feel like I must be boring everyone by now).

It can be hard to give your opinions - somepeople dont like hearing them, wtether they are good or bad. Ive had some rather unpleasant things said to me and about me on here, and it can be exceedingly painful.

While no one gets to see the smile that comes with a wittisism that doesnt translate - also no one gets to see the hurt and tears that can be caused when things get personal. If I have caused offence - I have apologised. I very rarely get that back when on the recieving end.

I love New Zealand. I love living here, and even posting on here. Ive made some wonderful friends, and Ive learned to accept that I can make my home where I need to. And that what ive gained in NZ IS worth what I gave up in England. If by giving an opinion and telling people what I find here, I can make it a bit easier for someone else to settle, then I will. But its not always easy to do that.


I hope that makes sence - its a bit rambling to me - but im that way out today.

[Avalon]

Why I love NZ-

Its not Australia :)

Been there twice in the last month. Boy am I glad I didnt want to live there.

Its expensive (as in it makes NZ look cheap), and they REALLY do NOT know how to make coffee. (Need a shuddering smiley again).

[sizzlingbadger]

Reason to love NZ ... because you can walk into your local community store one evening with just pyjamas and slippers on and not get laughed at or sent to the loony bin :nice1 (and no it wasn't me :laugh )

[Smiler]

Reason to love NZ ... because you can walk into your local community store one evening with just pyjamas and slippers on and not get laughed at or sent to the loony bin :nice1 (and no it wasn't me :laugh )

:laugh reminds me.......... in the post office today the guy in front had bare feet, in this tiddling down rain. :confused:

[sizzlingbadger]

:laugh Excellent, a bit like my youngest who walked around last winter with bare feet

[StevieD]

Been lurking and reading with interest. I think the crux of the matter is that no matter what, there are always newbies who come on here, who don't have the time to trawl through the pages and pages of old posts - even doing a search can be laborious - and when a title such as this thread shows, it is bound to be read by all and sundry. So, I think for any of us to remember how we felt when we first set foot into this forum would go a long way to banishing any thoughts of keeping quiet for the sake of upsetting others. Everybody who sits and give their time to inform others of their experiences have to be applauded - and as one who hasn't yet made it, I do thank all for their time and consideration, not just a select few. It is a forum after all, a place of opinions, and what may be right for some may not be right for others, let us not forget that!

[jubjub]

:laugh reminds me.......... in the post office today the guy in front had bare feet, in this tiddling down rain. :confused:

Was he wearing shorts too, I quite often see that round here..

In fact, the other say I was out for my walk round the fitness trail, it was not the warmest of days, and three blokes all ran by, with nothing on but speedos :confused:

[Moorf]

Did you catch up with them? ;)

[jubjub]

Did you catch up with them? ;)

Nah, they weren't worth it..... :p

[Lupin]

feijoas, manuka honey, pav, ginger crunch, tamarillos, date scones....

Hey Oregonkiwi, you forgot Boysenberry ice cream :)

[pleccy2000]

Just read the entire thread. I value everyone's opinions, nobody should be beaten-up for doing this.

Thank to to all the regular forum members like Avalon and Diny and Morf and Veronica (is she still around?) who's posts I always enjoy reading.

[smitjo]

I have to say that I don't actually know what I would do without this forum, it has helped me through some really tough times and I've found everyone very supportive. I can't say that i have been a member for very long but am glad that I have been able to read both the negatives and positives of NZ - it certainly hasn't put me off wanting to emigrate but I feel that I'm more prepared now knowing the 'bad' experiences that people have had (as well as the good). We have taken everyones comments on board, maybe some of them we haven't agreed with but we are all different - it is up to every individual on here to either take them in or treat them as a 'life experience' and move on.

I would also like to reiterate what pleccy2000 said and thank all the regulars - what a wealth of knowledge you all have and thanks for everything. :clap

[Angie and Mick]

Hi all
I really enjoy reading all your posts, keep then coming. :cheers
It is great to hear everyone's views on NZ and I hope it will help me look at NZ objectively however at the end of the day I believe it is what you want out of life and are willing to put into it, which will decide whether you make NZ home. As the song said, 'where ever I lay my hat it's my home.' (I hope)





Angie.

[adamsat]

reasons for loving NZ:

You can park outside your local supermarket towing a trailer with a live pig in it and no one bats an eyelid.
The boys toys are great (chainsaws, ride on mowers, jet boats)
If you reply to the question "What are you doing this weekend" with "picking up a new ram" this is accepted as normal behaviour.
The space
The lack of people
The sheep ;)

[Diny]

Swandri jackets !!! Especially those that were made in NZ. Mark's had his for years and it's still 'doing the job'.

Diny

[kiwidebs]

You can park outside your local supermarket towing a trailer with a live pig in it and no one bats an eyelid.


Might be a few eyelids batting up here in suburban Auckland. :laugh

[mossum]

I have to say that I don't actually know what I would do without this forum, it has helped me through some really tough times and I've found everyone very supportive. :clap

I could'nt agree more !!!! There have been some very very dark moments in our immigration process & I really believe that we would have given up had we not been able to get some good sensible & solid advice from those who post on this forum .


(((((((((((((((((((((((((( group hug ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

vic x

[GeordieLass]

I have spent just three short weeks in NZ and am moving because my kiwi boyfriend is desperate to go home. I'm in a different position to probably the majority of people here who are planning their trips because I do love the UK and while I am looking forward to the big move, I don't have a rose tinted view of what it's going to be like once I get there. I find the posts in this thread enormously helpful because they remind me why I'm doing it (besides the whole true-love thing natch!) when I'm lamenting what I'll leave behind.

So, based on my limited experience the things I think I will love about NZ are:

Whittakers Peanut Slabs and Cadbury's Pinkies - who needs Galaxy when you have these babies?!

Hagley Park in Christchurch - we have great parks here in London too but you have to share them with thousands of other people.

The glaciers - I didn't get a chance to visit last time I was there but, glaciers - cool!

Learning to snowboard in the winter and all the other outdoorsy things that take too much of an effort in the city, like cycling, walking, swimming etc. I may even get into horseriding again.

Volcanoes and earthquakes! A little danger is good for the soul! I'm excited at the prospect of seeing all the geothermal goings on in the North Island and generally exploring the country.

Seeing the sun in winter!

And I will probably miss:

Clubbing - London is amazing if you like your nightlife. I will sorely miss Hed Kandi nights at Pacha and the local bars around Clapham and Brixton that play funky house and let you dance on the tables with a BIG smile on your face. I will also miss being able to hop on a plane to Ibiza for the weekend, although i think my liver will not!

The multiculturalism of the place. Not being able to get an authentic British curry, or go to the Notting Hill Carnival, or see not-very-convincing transvestites walking down the street in the middle of the afternoon in a miniskirt and red stillettos*.

I won't miss my horrendous commute, but I will miss random weird things on the tube: man looking shifty and embarrassed, alone - presumably on his way to a fancy dress party - dressed as an elf; a steel band travelling together and deciding to give fellow passengers a free concert; a carriageful of strangers playing keepy uppy with a balloon (that one didn't happen to me but I have it on good authority that the balloon didn't touch the floor of the carriage for about ten stops!).

*A true event, not lifted from Little Britain!

[Diny]

Brilliant post Geordie. I too am a person who came to NZ more because my Kiwi hubby wanted to return home, rather than wanting to escape the UK (which is a place I love and will always be No.1 with me).

I'd spent many holidays here before we emigrated over a period of 20 years so I too felt like I had a 'well informed' idea of what the country was like. I also feel that if you have a partner who's a 'local' and over the years you've heard all their stories about home - both good and bad - you can't help but come out with a very balanced view.

This in no way makes us more qualified - but maybe it means that when reality strikes (both positive and negative) we're slightly less 'surprised'.

Diny

[jess]

Great thread! (Well it seems like two threads entertwined - lists and forum issues - but both are great reading.)

Some things I love about NZ after 4 months here (moved from the US):

The enourmous clouds and changing skies that seem impossibly big. How can it seem so much bigger here? NZ ideas about foreign policy (even if the foriegn affairs minister is loopy). Seeing people in the grocery store in slippers and beat around clothes - thus feeling like I could turn up in sweats to grab some milk and not be a social leper. The park land all around - flat grassy reserves with children's playgrounds, woodsy reserves between streets, wildlife sanctuaries, vast side of a mountain bush walk reserves with cottages all set up for you well back in the bush. Those cottages with their woodstoves and wood stacked up for you because someone followed the instruction on the sign and replaced the wood before they left. "Tree and a bench" signs along the road; the one near our rental has a picnic bench, a portable toilet and a couple of chickens that are always hanging around for some reason. Deserted beaches and the affordable cost (outside of the big cities) of living right near the sea. My neighbors out digging up mussels for their dinner at high tide or clipping the puha thistles from my yard (with permission) for a traditional Maori meal. The fact that people actually take to the streets in Welly and protest about things, and it's taken in stride and sometimes actually seems to affect things. Palm trees. Sunsets over the water (I was an east coast girl in the US, and sunsets are so much more convenient than sunrises!) People taking their shoes off before going into each other's homes (is it just me - I see that a lot here, and not just at homes for sale). The lack of paperwork involved in getting our mortgage. Healthcare withouth the insurance. Theatres and cafes in Wellington. People not always asking me what I do for a living when they meet me. Roses and other flowers blooming in my yard all winter long! The Vodaphone mayfly commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0gdQ03RbUQ)...

:D

[Diny]

Vodaphone mayfly commercial is brilliant ..... I just love the music. Anybody got any idea what it is?

As for the chickens wandering around the road side picnic area. There's a place not far from Himitangi and Foxton beach just like that. It's abit too far north to be classed as Kapiti coast though so I doubt we're talking about the same place. Always makes me smile when I see them.

Diny

[jess]

The mayfly song is called "The Love Song" by K-OS. It has lyrics though, unlike the commercial. You can hear it here (http://youtube.com/watch?v=JsMUHtzWp3M&mode=related&search=k-os).

[Cardy]

I like how freindly it is the landlady put us a new shower in for us and then brought flowers and invited us to dinner for the inconvenience!! people always seem to have time to talk. We have been to more dinner parties in 5 months here than in 5 years in uk. When you visit attractions the prices are a lot cheaper than england for families. Interviews in your t shirt and jeans .
Business is conducted more friendly went into westpac and were just talking to the lady for 30 mins about nothing in general nearly forgot what we went in for. Only bad experience my first job which i have now left ,starting new one on monday the 14th cant wait seem a real nice bunch..Cardy :)

[Diny]

Thanks for the link. What a shame the music is spoilt by that ************ rap chant rubbish.

[Singel]

We went to Bay of Plenty over the weekends and love it :clap

What a view .......... Mt Edgecombe in the background :nice1
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b47/Singel8/20060812-161332.jpg

[Singel]

We went to Bay of Plenty over the weekends and love it :clap

What a view .......... Mt Edgecombe in the background :nice1
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b47/Singel8/20060812-161332.jpg
Ohhh............ Tauranga seems to be growing fast and sprawling (saw famland coverting to many new houses)

We passed the coastal town of Matata, was told that once there was a lovely lake there and due to the horrible flood in May last year, now the lake look like a swamp land .......... sad isn't it :no
http://www.ebop.govt.nz/CD/MatataTauranga-May-2005.asp




Just a sharing..............

[southparkers]

Hi All.

Ive just read all this thread adn it makes me quite sad.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont stop expressing your wonderful Views Opinions Ideas.
As Im not very good expressing mine (stay at home work from home mum, now brain dead),Its great to read everyone else's.
I found this forum purely by accident while Googleing curtains(which i make),and it has been a mine of imformation as im sure it has been for all the other people who are going through the process, members and stalkers alike.
I would never have known about Shipping companies(who to avoid
Letton Percival, Stocking up on meds,Eva Airs Buisness class,Rust, pine cones,Maf fees?. Houses , Rentals, Hotels , Motels, Planes trains and automobiles. Tax forms,Nationwide. etc etc etc...
All the everyday things that no-one tells you about.

I Thank you one and all.

I know it must be very boring to keep repeating yourselves over and over , but with a selection every 2 weeks there are new people coming on this forum continuously who like me have never been to NZ and quite frankly havent got a clue.(Apoligies to thoughs that have).
I havent been happy with this country for a long time and I cant wait to get there Good Bad or Ugly

In the meantime Ive got your posts to read and you pictures to drool over, I Know we are going to love it there.

So please keep ranting and rageing making me laugh and making me cry.and to hell with the others.

Thats my opinion and Im sticking to it.

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

April