[smitjo]

Yeah, but what are we going to complain about? The journo was doing his/her job, that's what they do, write stories that spark debate, discussion, arguments....some people agree with what has been written and others won't. I have to say that it was a very poorly written article but the pressures of finding a story to write about on a clearly dull day are evident! I'm afraid that's what happens with the press, they latch on to something purely for a good evocative story and nothing else - doesn't matter that it is one-sided (this is coming from a former journo!!). Selective reading is spot on Diny!

[zippygoblet]

Hmnnn...I'd have to disagree though. Of course everyone are entitled to their opinion but good reporting can be both sensational and fair. Sounds like an oxymoron but it's true! hehe...

It could start off like the article published, then go on to offer the other side of the story (ie how migrants love it here and their contributions etc) and I think it should also include the kiwis' opinions, both good and bad, about the migrants! Now that would make some interesting reading. The conclusion should be left hanging so that the reader can decide for themselves what they think. Actually, I think it could have made a great story, with great sound bites! Pity though, suspect they ran out of time to put together a great story.

As to what can be complained...although it sounds a bit cowardly, but personally, I think there's no point complaining, all it'd do is just get the writer into trouble! haha But it is one option amongst many, if anyone decides to pursue it. Either way, as someone mentioned earlier in this thread, the writer didn't give voice to the kiwis to respond to the migrants' 'complaints', now wouldn't it be interesting if it was intentionally left that way instead of slack reporting? That'd be really funny! :)

cheers,
zippy

[smitjo]

Don't think the writer would get into trouble - all stories are seen by the editor before they go to print anyway, so they will be fully aware of it. The writer isn't in the wrong - just wrote a bad article, nothing else. I think your proposed article would be a very interesting read and far more credible!

[K&CS]

I agree - I don't think the writer did anything wrong and I certainly wouldn't want to see anyone get into trouble! zippygoblet - that sounds like a really good article - good luck with it if you decide to do it!!

Kate

[Hannah]

This is all quite funny really.

All I'm pee'd off about is that they didn't take my masses of 'big it up for New Plymouth' postings and all my excited ramblings about coming back to NZ to offset the negativity. Would have been a good promo for New Plymouth (and I know the mayor would have fully supported that!).

Still, I've had my press presence this week - I appeared in the local rag running on a treadmill with 4 other people (well, not really running - the treadmill was turned off but we all posed like we were running) to promote something for work. My mates have spent the last 2 days laughing at me!!!

If the press is looking for dregs of info to fill their paper, I could send them my treadmill photo and story - really boring, but at least it doesn't slate the kiwis.

hannah

PS I love the kiwi sense of humour - who remembers that Tui(?) beer advert from the "yeah right" series which showed the foreign minister (or whatever his job was) with the slogan "Immigrants Welcome...Yeah Right". Caused a real stink in the local paper (about how it was insensitve to immigrants etc.) and local posters were ripped off the wall. I found I was wetting myself laughing every time I passed it. I drove down to Liquor King on purpose just to see it!!!!

[Tate6]

I think it is really sad. And I hope it doesn't make Kiwis have a bad or "worse" attitude toward immigrants. Maybe they will check out the website and see all of the positive things that are being said about NZ.

As an American dealing with the masses of immigrants coming into the US both illegally and legally, nothing perturbs me more than people coming here and then complaining about everything! Even more upsetting, not speaking English.....but that is another thread!!!

Terry

[K&CS]

to be honest, I doubt that many people even read it, let alone gave it more than a moment's thought. I'd be very surprised if one tiny article changed anyone's perception about anything or anyone!

[betty]

I just hope this article won't stop people on this forum from giving their honest opinions if they are asked.

I first found this forum in late 2004 and at that time this forum made NZ out as the land of milk and honey, nothing negative, period. The only thing this "blinders up, everything is wonderful" attitude did was set people like me up for a rude awakening when we got here. I think people on the forum were trying to be positive and enthusiastic, but they just ended up being misleading to people that really needed some concrete facts.

[Moorf]

I first found this forum in late 2004 and at that time this forum made NZ out as the land of milk and honey, nothing negative, period. The only thing this "blinders up, everything is wonderful" attitude did was set people like me up for a rude awakening when we got here. I think people on the forum were trying to be positive and enthusiastic, but they just ended up being misleading to people that really needed some concrete facts.

Whilst I'm not posting here anymore I decided I had to reply as it felt like a smack in the face after nearly 3 yrs of posting on here.

Sorry if certain "honest opinions" didn't quite reflect your particular experiences, but please don't dismiss the opinions of some of those who DO think it's wonderful here as misleading.

People on the forum have posted their OPINIONS, take them or leave them, but don't try and tell us we were misleading or hyping up NZ, intentionally or otherwise.

Well, that's me done. I'll lurk from here on in and let the doomsayers have their moment. :roll

[Smiler]

I just hope this article won't stop people on this forum from giving their honest opinions if they are asked.

I first found this forum in late 2004 and at that time this forum made NZ out as the land of milk and honey, nothing negative, period. The only thing this "blinders up, everything is wonderful" attitude did was set people like me up for a rude awakening when we got here. I think people on the forum were trying to be positive and enthusiastic, but they just ended up being misleading to people that really needed some concrete facts.

If me posting my positive expericences of NZ is hyping it up in your eyes, tough poopy. :mad:

I'm not just trying to be postitive, I am positive and enthusiastic about this country. We're living here, contributing, integrating and enjoying every minute. NZ has been nothing but an all round brilliant move for us.

Nowwhere do I consider my posts or others to be misleading, I've posted honestly and fully about my journey to and in NZ. People have spent many hours/days/weeks/years on here writing about their experiences. They answer questions and give advice in the knowledge that we are helping people following behind us avoid the pitfalls and take advantage of the benefits.

Please don't dismiss my opinion just because it isn't the same as yours or you think it's misleading. It's my honest opinion and it's factual.

[Carol]

I'm with the last two posts......

My god - I sometimes wonder why I bother.........
:mad:

[K&CS]

Oh get real, Betty. People say things as they find them - whether positive or negative. People just give their honest opinions. Why on earth would anybody paint things as being rosy if that wasn't what they experienced? What would be in it for them? No-one's being paid by the NZ government to make NZ sound better than it really is.

An opinion is merely an opinion - no more and no less and I think anyone who decides to emigrate or not purely on what they read on a forum must have a screw or two loose!

[jess]

Thank goodness for Moorf, Carol, and Smiler, among others. I've read their posts since late 2004 (well I think Smiler joined a little later) when we were deciding whether to submit an EOI and visit NZ. I have found living here to be pretty much as they described it, both the good and the bad, and I love my life here.

I swear sometimes I read things about unfriendly kiwis or some such and wonder how I'm in the same country with the person posting. But that's because we all have different opinions. It's fine and necessary. It shows you that you don't really know for sure until you face NZ yourself.

What might seem to some as the forum becoming more realistic has seemed to me to be the forum gaining a larger number of members who perhaps have more issues with NZ than I do. I'll admit I sometimes find it a little bleak lately. But again - my opinion.

While we're championing the importance of having a full range of views and opinions, let's remember that the positive and enthusiastic posts add just as much to the spectrum as the worries of those who are unfortunately struggling with their new life.

I'll continue to be enthusiastic, while also pointing out our minor difficulties, because that's my experience. :D :D

[jo-and-jeff]

Before anybody else piles on betty, I would like to point out that it sounds as though she first visited this Forum right after it was started (start date appears to be late August 2004).

It seems highly likely to me that what she found was simply not a huge amount of information (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=24&page=11&sort=lastpost&order=&pp=100&daysprune=-1). At that time, the majority of the people posting were asking questions and were not actually here in New Zealand yet. So I can see why she might feel that the wealth of realistic information which is available now was rather lacking then.

I don't think there is anyone in this Forum who sugar-coats their posts; some people have had a fabulous experience with little to no downside, some have had a mixed experience tending mostly toward the positive, and for some it has been a really tough experience.

Good or bad, I want to hear it all, and I suspect that many of this Forum's participants share that philosophy.

And like betty and Louise, I hope that the fact that some people's quotes were printed in the paper out-of-context won't stop the members here from being honest and open about their experiences. I found this Forum a huge help during the run-up to our move, and one of the main reasons I still post here is in the hope that my information might benefit someone else in the same way.

Jo

[jubjub]

I would like to point out that it sounds as though she first visited this Forum right after it was started (start date appears to be late August 2004).

It seems highly likely to me that what she found was simply not a huge amount of information (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=24&page=11&sort=lastpost&order=&pp=100&daysprune=-1). At that time, the majority of the people posting were asking questions and were not actually here in New Zealand yet.


I think you have a good point there Jo, when hubby joined in about early 2005, he found that a large no of the folks on here were still in the UK and going through the same thing as him, and all of sudden we realised that about 6 months to a year later, the forum has had a major shift to the majority seeming to be in NZ, but again thats just our perception... ;)

[sarahw]

Jo you make a good point about Betty's post & I'm sure no offence was meant. However, I'm with Helen, Smiler & Carol & have also been posting positive posts about NZ for the last few years - for us too the move has been fantastic & we don't have a lot of the complaints that others have about NZ. It was a fantastic move for us & I wouldn't change a thing for the world.

You may think I'm looking at NZ through rose-tinted glasses but heck - rather be doing that than complaining about it!!

[jo-and-jeff]

I'm with Helen, Smiler & Carol & have also been posting positive posts about NZ for the last few years - for us too the move has been fantastic & we don't have a lot of the complaints that others have about NZ. It was a fantastic move for us & I wouldn't change a thing for the world.
That's great, but I don't think that you understood my post, which pointed out that Betty had a valid point-of-view, since at the time she first visited the Forum, the majority of threads consisted of people asking questions (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=24&page=11&sort=lastpost&order=&pp=100&daysprune=-1), and very few of the people who were posting were actually in New Zealand at that point (click that link and see for yourself).

No, I meant no offense by my post, and I can't imagine for the life of me why you would have taken any, since I validated the fact that some people's experience has been largely positive.

This Forum has only existed for slightly over 2 years. So you can see why I am quite baffled that people are claiming that they have been posting for 3 years or "a few years", and getting offended that Betty didn't feel that she was able to glean much realistic information from it in the very beginning.

You may think I'm looking at NZ through rose-tinted glasses but heck - rather be doing that than complaining about it!!
Good on ya. I don't think I said anything about "rose-coloured glasses" or passed judgment on anyone's point-of-view, but I certainly feel as though you are accusing me of critising you.

I encourage you to go back and read the last few posts in this thread. Perhaps you will see that what you thought was being said was not being said at all.

Jo

[spudulike]

You may think I'm looking at NZ through rose-tinted glasses but heck - rather be doing that than complaining about it!!

I'm not sure sharing experiences that are less than positive would constitute complaining. People need a wide range of views both the positive and negative to help make an informed choice about what is best for them and their personal circumstances.

I love NZ as a country as much as now as before we moved here. The fact we have two young children and are living hand to mouth is does not make me hate or blame NZ or the kiwi's but it does make me realise that this is not the best place for me and my family at this time in our lives - perhaps 5, 10 or 15 years down the line - but not now. Everyone has different family circumstances, differing amounts of money, different job prospects and so the list goes on......... These will affect how easily they settle in a country far away from everything they know to be familiar.

I think that to say if it isn't rose tinted then you're complaining is ludicrous and undermines the very essence of a forum such as this. I am always delighted when people post about how happy and settled they are in their new life here and it's wonderful that people can often struggle through difficult times and come through the other side. But please remember this is not how it is for everybody, not because they are whinging or making life difficult for themselves but sometimes just because it cannot be made to work - and potential migrants need to now about this too!!



Well, that's me done. I'll lurk from here on in and let the doomsayers have their moment. :roll

Moorf, please don't stop posting, you always provide great information which I would say more than 99.9% of members find useful :)


Rant over ;)

Louise

[JCM]

This Forum has only existed for slightly over 2 years. So you can see why I am quite baffled that people are claiming that they have been posting for 3 years or "a few years"...


The ENZ forum began in a different format in 2003. The current format has been running since 2004.

[Smiler]

The ENZ forum began in a different format in 2003. The current format has been running since 2004.

Thanks JCM, I was just about to post this;



No it's been longer than that.

There was a forum before this one, for some reason member dates were reset around mid 2004, I think when the new format came in.

Edited to say: that's why you can't search prior to that date, the format was reset.

[willsken]

And like betty and Louise, I hope that the fact that some people's quotes were printed in the paper out-of-context won't stop the members here from being honest and open about their experiences. I found this Forum a huge help during the run-up to our move, and one of the main reasons I still post here is in the hope that my information might benefit someone else in the same way.

Jo



Sorry to jump in here but please read the thread again. There was a huge downer by some people on the Kiwis and some of those quotes were not taken out of context.

[K&CS]

Maybe there wasn't so much information around in 2004, but that isn't what Betty is saying. She is actually saying that this site misled her and seems to be implying that her decision to come here was based on this forum, which she appears to resent.

As Nicola said, the issue here was never that people shouldn't say they are unhappy with certain aspects of NZ life - what I objected to was that I thought this particular thread was quite nasty to Kiwis as people. That's all.

Anyway, we're going round in circles I think. We all seem to be at cross purposes and arguing with each other but I think we're all arguing about different things! I don't think anyone has said anywhere that they want people to stop saying negative things about their lives in NZ, if that is their experience!

Over and out

Kate

[jo-and-jeff]

Sorry to jump in here but please read the thread again. There was a huge downer by some people on the Kiwis and some of those quotes were not taken out of context.
The thread consisted of people speaking about their own personal experiences, not claiming to have omnipotent knowledge of the thoughts and habits of every single Kiwi, as the story implied. Should we all have to preface every single statement with "This is just my experience, but..."???

I don't think so. That's a given in this Forum, or at least it ought to be.

And really, for those of you "non-complainers" who keep complaining about the posts of others that you perceive to be negative, when you get to such a post or a thread... STOP READING!

And, while you're at it, stop criticising those people for posting their open and honest opinions and experiences. There are a lot of us here who are glad that they are willing to do so.

Geez. I left the U.S. to get away from people who wanted to tell me what I could say and how I could say it, and who would persecute me if I didn't comply. I never thought I'd have to deal with that here.

Jo

http://www.darkfriends.net/misc/EmoticonOhNuhHuh.gif

[willsken]

No one is saying what you can and can't say. In MY opinion and like you, I have one, there is a very fine line Jo between bluntness and being plain rude.

[jonSE]

Interesting reading the follow on from the 1st few posts

Betty has been a member since June 2005 - it says so in her signature thingy at the top. - Forum hasn't changed since late 2004 IIRC.

Most folk, I think, try and keep up to date with their profile about where they are located (Note to self must change mine so it says I was in NZ for 18 months)

I defy anyone to think of 10 good and bad things about where they live now or lived last - the bad list will get filled first.

Heinz Beanz in OZ taste exactly the same as in the UK wether English recipe or not. All I now need to test is if they taste the same when my mum cooks beanz on toast for me - the acid test.

[willsken]

Maybe there wasn't so much information around in 2004, but that isn't what Betty is saying. She is actually saying that this site misled her and seems to be implying that her decision to come here was based on this forum, which she appears to resent.

As Nicola said, the issue here was never that people shouldn't say they are unhappy with certain aspects of NZ life - what I objected to was that I thought this particular thread was quite nasty to Kiwis as people. That's all.

Anyway, we're going round in circles I think. We all seem to be at cross purposes and arguing with each other but I think we're all arguing about different things! I don't think anyone has said anywhere that they want people to stop saying negative things about their lives in NZ, if that is their experience!
Over and out

Kate

100% completely and utterly spot on!!! :clap :clap :clap

[lynchpin]

i find it uplifting to read the posts of many of the ENZ members ... people like smiler, sarahw, jess, jubjub, carol and many others who have travelled half way round the planet and are making the best of things ... despite the fact that things haven't always gone right. i also value the ability of nearly everyone on the forum to say what they think ... good or bad ... and cope with differences of opinion in a measured way. please don't let that change. even though i don't post much i feel like i'm a member of a friendly community and, in today's world, that's a valuable thing to have. so i'm looking forward to reading more about new new zealand ... the good and the bad ... from all those people who i may never meet but I feel so well disposed towards. thanks everyone.

[jo-and-jeff]

... there is a very fine line Jo between bluntness and being plain rude.
Yes, there is, and for every individual, that line is in a different place.

What I object to is someone insisting that other people's lines should be fixed at the same position as theirs.

Jo

[willsken]

Sorry, who's insisting? I insist on nothing, I'm merely saying I find the tone of some of your posts rude.

[jo-and-jeff]

Sorry, who's insisting? I insist on nothing, I'm merely saying I find the tone of some of your posts rude.
You're certainly entitled to feel that way, but why do you feel compelled to post it in this Forum? To tell me that you think I should conform to your standard of politeness? Isn't that the point I was just making?

Jo

http://www.darkfriends.net/misc/EmoticonOhNuhHuh.gif

[willsken]

I love NZ as a country as much as now as before we moved here. The fact we have two young children and are living hand to mouth is does not make me hate or blame NZ or the kiwi's but it does make me realise that this is not the best place for me and my family at this time in our lives - perhaps 5, 10 or 15 years down the line - but not now. Everyone has different family circumstances, differing amounts of money, different job prospects and so the list goes on......... These will affect how easily they settle in a country far away from everything they know to be familiar.

Louise

Louise I welcome posts where people finding life hard are sharing that with us. It's helpful and helps keep our feet where they should be! Thank you I have read all your posts with interest and I have learned from you.

I feel that I have to, for the last time, post on this thread and say It is not this I object to. It's the SWEEPING statements that were made.

[willsken]

.:roll

[Debbie P.]

The implication seems to be that some of us may be basing our decisions on whether or not to move to NZ on the views of forum members who have already gone there.

While I enjoy reading about the positive experiences (and commisserate about the negative ones), I accept that these are all opinions and my own experience may be completely unique. I would be very concerned about anyone who made such a big decision based on the experiences of Smiler, Carol, Sal, Helen, Diny or anyone else!

And IF I did base my decision on this forum and then discovered NZ was a mistake, I certainly wouldn't be blaming 'over-positive' posts, which is what Betty appeared to be doing. Equally, I wouldn't blame negative posts if I changed my mind about going there - I'm not that weak-minded! I agree with Louise - we're all too different to compare like with like. But, as Nicola said, sometimes posts CAN sound a bit sweeping.

Some time ago someone said (was it you, Diny?) that NZers (& Ozzies) have a tendency to whinge about life in the UK - wouldn't it be great if we could find a forum that demonstrated that - do you think the Herald would print it?!

[wilson182]

This forum crashed way back in 2004, which is why a lot of peoples joining date is set to Aug 2004. And its true, in the begining there were very few in NZ, most of us were still in the UK. Therefore, our experience at that time was very limited.

Im MY Opinion, I dont think reactions to posting positively or negatively will put people off posting, but what would put ME off is if I thought for a second that peoples posts would be blamed for someones bad experience in NZ - which to me, is what Betty was doing.

[Carol]

At this point .....

Can I just say that we all join forums for a variety of reasons.

I found this forum approximately 6 years AFTER I moved to NZ.
So it goes without saying - I'm not on here to access information about emigrating.
The main reason I post on here is to offer any help I can to prospective migrants. Why I would attempt to mislead them is beyond me.

The other thing I want to say is....
I have "met" many wonderful people on here.

You make your own luck......if I hadn't been prepard to put my hand up and say "sure - I know something about that can I share it with you" I would never have "met" these lovely people.

A handful of them have become very trusted close friends..... which is a huge bonus.
Not something the Herald would be interested in publishing at all - but never-the-less- a very important aspect of my experiences and life here.

Life here in NZ is not a bed of roses....... it never has been - it never will be.
But it is what I want for me and my family at this moment in time - and is WELL ahead of what I could have offered them living in the north of England - despite the fact that I still love it there.

You dont HAVE to read these posts....you can only base your opinions on your own experiences.

[spudulike]

Louise I welcome posts where people finding life hard are sharing that with us. It's helpful and helps keep our feet where they should be! Thank you I have read all your posts with interest and I have learned from you.

I feel that I have to, for the last time, post on this thread and say It is not this I object to. It's the SWEEPING statements that were made.

Hi Nicola, I have read your posts and completely understand your point - my post wasn't intending to dispute it in the slightest :no I was simply responding to a post made by Sarah that she would rather put forward a rose tinted view than complaints - I just think it is unfair, unrealsistic and not at all helpful. I did quote her post directly to avoid confusion but obviously failed dismally :uhoh

Sorry for the confusion.

Louise :)

[willsken]

Louise, I realise you weren't responding to me directly. :yes You highlighted your situation and the point I was making is I welcome the chance to read about your circumstances. I am trying to say (badly) that there are negatives for a lot of people who move to NZ and in sharing these situations with us you help us make the move with our eyes open. So no apology is necessary at all! :D

[veronica]

Hiya, just want to add my twopence hap'ney worth.
each of us who comes here has their own experiences and (hopefully) we all write about them honestly. I have noticed some of the really rose tinted posts come from people who have visited but not lived here. And some of the most positive posts are from people who have not been here before. thats a slightly different reality and can give a slightly skewed impression.

The other thing that must be taken into account is that sometimes when you have a dream or strong idea on something you are not prepared to see anything that contradicts that view. when others say things that don't fit your picture, its glossed over,not read thoroughly and dismissed, after all it can't be right, it doesn't fit. Its something all people are guilty of and some more than others.

I was on the previous incarnation of the forum, and on both that one and this one there were certainly negative posts, I know cos I wrote some with negative points., and I certainly spent a lot of time advising people to take off the rose tinted specs. (just in case this gets picked out and printed in the paper I said lots of good things too :-) )

There are always going to be points of view that differ and the best thing anyone can do is to read them and see what is on the middle path between the two.

I don't read every thread on here, I pick and choose and try to go on the ones where I think I can contribute positively, so theres loads I miss but on the whole I can remember reading far more good about kiwis than bad.

[Hannah]

D'ya reckon they'll close this thread down, or 'locked' or whatever it is? (well that has happened before with the steamy threads!!!!)

For anyone in the UK thinking about emigrating and looking on this forum for supporting information I'd suggest a recce before, and a long term 'living there' recce if possible. If that's not an option I'd say go with an open mind. Having done the long term recce thing and now planning to go back permanently I'd give one piece of advice on how to prepare yourself - realise that you can't be prepared! (that's just my point of view of course!)

One of my earlier posts when I arrived in New Plymouth was titled 'assume nothing'. I read this forum to death before I turned up in New Plymouth, and I read New Zealand books, searched the internet, spoke to mates living in NZ already.....hell I'd even been on holiday for 5 weeks around NZ.....yet I felt no more prepared when I arrived there that if i'd dropped out of Mars. That feeling of 'oh my god what have i done' persisted for 2 months for me - and I knew I was going back to the UK after 6 months!!!! Yet I grew to love the place and after 6 months was devastated to leave. Some people just turn up, get off the plane and slot straight in. Reasons for our differences in settling are not always obvious - it's not always about money, family or whatever. Sometimes it's just us, and no forum can ever change that.

For good solid information that is practical and accessible, a good laugh and an insight into the lives of different people who emigrate, why they do it, how it works out etc. then this forum is priceless!!!

hannah

(by the way, i think i've been posting for 18 months - 2 years and still don't know how to put smiley faces and bananas on my posts. It's becoming a bit of a complex for me now, i feel like a failure of modern society.... :-(

[MB]

:o Second time recently I've done this, but:

*snip*.

I meant what I just posted, lengthily, but I've decided to think again before posting it. Sorry if anyone's responding: the post was up about 5 minutes.

[spudulike]

(by the way, i think i've been posting for 18 months - 2 years and still don't know how to put smiley faces and bananas on my posts. It's becoming a bit of a complex for me now, i feel like a failure of modern society.... :-(

You should have them all displayed on the right hand side when typing a message - just click on one. It won't show the face when you click on it though, it will just say, smile, frown etc but the actual face will show up on your message once you press submit reply.. :D

Louise :)

[jo-and-jeff]

i think i've been posting for 18 months - 2 years and still don't know how to put smiley faces and bananas on my posts. It's becoming a bit of a complex for me now, i feel like a failure of modern society.... :-(
You'll want to click the "Post Reply" button under the last person's post, instead of just posting your message in the Quick Reply box at the bottom of the thread page.

When you click the "Post Reply" button, a new page comes up, with a box in which you compose your text.

http://www.darkfriends.net/misc/JJ/ScreenNZ.jpg

To the right is a box of emoticons, and you can click on one of those to insert it into your text (click "More" to see the rest of the available emoticons). You can also or instead apply an emoticon to your whole post by clicking on one of the selections immediately below the text box.


You also have the ability to apply formatting such as bold, italic, and underlining to all or parts of your text: just hold down your left-click mouse button and highlight the words you want to format, and hit the appropriate format button (B, I, or U).

The Forum software will automatically make a hyperlink if you post a URL, but if you want to post a URL and give it your own label like this:

Emigrate NZ forum (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/index.php?)

You click the little button with the globe and the chain links, type the text for your label, click "OK", and then put in the URL and click "OK".

You can insert a picture into your post the same way, by clicking the button with the mountain and sun on it, and then supplying the URL for the image (it will end with .gif, .jpg, or .tif) you want to insert.

If you want to include part of someone else's previous post in yours, instead of clicking on the "Post Reply" button, click on the "Quote" button right below their post. This will bring up the reply page, with their text in the box, and you can cut out (erase) the parts of their text you don't want to include.

If you want to be notified by e-mail anytime someone else posts to this thread, you can pull down that option under "Thread Subscription" in the "Additional Options" section.

There is more in-depth information on posting tips and tricks in the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_vb_read_and_post) (and there is always a link to the FAQ at the top of the Forum page).

Hope this helps!

Jo

[betty]

I'm sorry if I offended anyone, it was not my intention. And I appreciate all of the hard work people have put in to maintain this forum for the last few years. I do think it's valuable.

[veronica]

hey Betty you don't have to apologise, you are as entitled to say what you think as much as anyone. We all have our steamed up moments on here.

I want to second hannahs statement:
"For good solid information that is practical and accessible, a good laugh and an insight into the lives of different people who emigrate, why they do it, how it works out etc. then this forum is priceless!!!"

its worth its weight, warts and all.

[sarahw]

Hey - I think you mis-read my 'rose tinted' comment - I actually meant that some people may THINK my view of NZ is rose tinted - BUT - I'm not posting positive things to be unhelpful, unrealistic OR unfair!!! or to mislead people. Its because this is how I see NZ - its my point of view - which, I thought was the purpose of this forum??? I don't post negative things because there are not really any negatives for me here - I have a wonderful life here - I don't see that as unrealistic - its very real to me!! We are very comfortable here & haven't really experienced anything bad - again, this is why I mentioned that some people may think of my view as being 'rose tinted' - as for my comment about preferring to be that way than to complain - I have NOTHING to complain about!!! Others are experiencing a harder life than we are here - so they have every right to complain, but some people will complain no matter how good they've got it. All I was saying is I'm not one of those people & would rather you thought of me as 'rose tinted' than being a constant complainer about every difference between NZ & my home country.

Some people will love NZ, some people will hate it, some will say its wonderful & some will say its awful - I can't tell you which camp you're going to be in, but I'm just one of the ones that loves it here, so I post from my point of view which happens to be a Positive one. Simple as that. I'm sorry if my positive opinion of NZ after living here a couple of years has been unhelpful to anyone or has offended anyone... if that's what my posts are doing I might as well stop now!!!

I post on here to be helpful to people who are looking to move over here since I had so much help from forumites when we were moving over - I don't know what I would have done without the advice & help from people on this forum - especially, I might add from Moorf.

[kiwidebs]

Some people will love NZ, some people will hate it, some will say its wonderful & some will complain about it

Which pretty much sums it up. Some people are 'glass half full' and some are 'glass half empty' people. Some like marmite, some like vegemite. Wouldn't the world be boring if we were all alike. I also think alot of the negatives seem worse when you're feeling homesick and looking at life back in the UK (or the US or Canada, or the Phillipines, or whereever else in the world you have come from) with those good old rose tinteds. Or maybe it's a case of when you miss the familiar, the unfamiliar isn't a good substitute.
And isn't it funny how much controversy a poorly researched/written/presented newspaper article has caused.

Debs

[Babette & Andy]

Well said Debs!!

Babette

[jo-and-jeff]

Hey - I think you mis-read my 'rose tinted' comment - I actually meant that some people may THINK my view of NZ is rose tinted - BUT - I'm not posting positive things to be UNHELPFUL!!! or to MISLEAD people...
If your post is a response to mine, 1) it's possible, 2) it's possible, and 3) I don't think anyone believes that is true of you, or of anyone else here.


We did our best to make sure that we didn't come here with rose-coloured glasses, and this Forum was a huge help in that regard.

We crunched numbers again and again, because we wanted to make sure that we wouldn't be struggling financially after spending so much money on the move and on having to buy new cars, even if I weren't able to get a job right away. People who were willing and kind enough to post actual figures for salaries and expenses here made that determination much easier for us.

With the exception of the ADHB putting Jeff's company out of business, we haven't gotten any real surprises since we've been here, and that's mainly a result of our 3-week recce — and the realistic information we've gotten from other contributors on this Forum.

With a couple of very notable individual exceptions, we have found Kiwis to be extremely friendly, helpful, and welcoming. People in the U.S. can often be more closed-off or distant (and often, for quite good reasons) but here there's much more of an open, trusting atmosphere (I do worry that Kiwis sometimes get taken advantage of because of that, and as a result, that those characteristics will eventually become greatly diminished).

We love it here, and I don't think that's due to rose-coloured glasses, it's due more to the fact that much about this country suits us. This is a fabulous country, and in just the last couple of months we've gotten to: do a harbour dinner cruise
see a huge sculpture exhibition
do a tour of wonderfully-landscaped gardens
see the Int'l Flower Show and taste lots of gourmet goodies
go to an olive festival (!)
go to a music and arts & crafts festival
see an All-Blacks test (complete with throat-slitting haka)
go kayaking for the first time
go day-sailing on a yacht in the Bay of Islands
take a dinner cruise to Haruru Falls
take surfing lessons
do wine-tasting (lots of wine-tasting!)
There are many more interesting things to see and do just in the Auckland area than there were in the last place we lived.

At least a couple of times every week, when we're driving somewhere, or doing something, or just sitting on the deck, one of us will look at the other and say "Yep. We live here. Isn't that so cool?"

I'm sure that the facts that we're both very independent and used to relocating have made it easier for us; it's not as hard to let go, if you've had to let go before.

And yes, things are very expensive here, and there are still some things that frustrate us from time to time, but overall, it's been a great experience so far.


Now, if I could just figure out this nutty system of government.

What I really need:

http://www.darkfriends.net/misc/JJ/Humour/ForDummies.jpg

[sarahw]

Jo I really liked your last post & my post was not directed at you it was in answer to Louise who made the comments that I and others like me are being unfair and unhelpful by posting positive posts about NZ. I think I have been misinterpreted as a liar instead of someone who gives my honest opinion which happens to be on a positive slant because NZ has been great for us. Sure like anyone I miss good gravy & sausages ;) but apart from the small stuff that we post on here about in jest, there's nothing bad that I've experienced here.

I'm not saying its been all skipping around in daisies - I've worked almost full-time whilst also studying full-time for a year to finish my degree and then immediately went through a heck of a lot of medical treatment as well as a medically & emotionally devastating (as well as expensive!) time for my husband & I, but... what we found from all that is that our workplaces, and our friends here were so supportive & helpful, both Kiwi and immigrants from all over the world have been wonderful - they rallied round like I would never have expected after only knowing us a year or so.

We too didn't come over blinkered about our move to NZ (thanks to this forum & speaking to aquaintances/friends who had moved to NZ) - we also did intensive number crunching & research on the place, what life is really like here etc. even down to a reccy trip spending the whole time (apart from the 2 interviews!) going to open homes, checking prices in supermarkets, whitewear stores & clothes shops etc., checking out areas, amenities etc. asking locals opinions & making huge lists of pro's & con's of moving vs staying in UK.

For us too this has been the right move & its worked for us (and I'm glad to hear it has for you too Jo).

[spudulike]

Jo I really liked your last post & my post was not directed at you it was in answer to Louise who made the comments that I and others like me are being unfair and unhelpful by posting positive posts about NZ.

Did I really say that positive posts about NZ are unhelpful? I think if you go back and re read my post you'll find that not only is this not the case but that I actually wrote how much I enjoy reading about people's positive experiences. I actually responded as you had put you would rather post a rose tinted view of NZ than complain all the time, I don't think you explained that this is because you have nothing to complain about! I think if your life is wonderful then that is great and I apologise that I have misinterpreted your comments.

I get the feeling that this thread would be better left as there is an awful lot of misinterpretation and confusion which is resulting in heated debate/argument!

Louise :)

[sarahw]

I certainly agree with you Louise about the misinterpretation etc. on this thread & I didn't mean to misinterpret anyone any more than I'm sure anyone wished to misinterpret me. Will be very happy when this one is dead & buried!