WHERE'S BEST TO LIVE IN NZ ETC PART 7 !!

[frikonastick]

Come oooonnnnnn MNHQ, where's our medal

I tried to buy calamine lotion and got a (gentle) telling off from the pharmacist. Apparently it's not the done thing any more, and causes scarring. So I'm loaded up with something made from pine tar, an anti itch cream and astounding from a pharmacist I think instructions to use the anti-histamine that has been prescribed to DD2 for her allergies.

I have had chicken pox, and my immunity was checked two years ago when I was pregnant with DD2, but I'm itching all over in sympathy with DD1

Yeah I got told calamine lotion is no longer recommended. I was prescribed (for dd1) Pinotarsal (?) which you put in the bath to help with itching. Sounds like you already have that. Hope she's not too itchy.

Two momentous occasions in the sibble household today. First, the beginning of the school hols and the dss cousin is coming to stay for the first time. Hope it all goes well as it's a long drive back to Whangarei with him! Second, ds1 had his first shave this morning. Where did my baby go, he's not even a 'big boy' he's a young man who shaves. All a bit scary really. He is horrified that I took a photo. I have had to promise not to show it to anybody and is threatening to delete it from my phone but I tried to explain I have first bath, first day at school, first day at high school, first birthday party , first everything photos so I have to have one of his first shave Anyway, might use it at his 21st haha!!!

Aw Sibble. That's very sweet. Hope you've saved the photo now somewhere he can't get it. He'll thank you in the long run.

DD1 being amazing (especially as she's usually so energetic and anxious - bad combination for quarantine!). I'm wondering if I can put some of it down to the pinetarsol - DH has had her on a regime of 2 to 3 baths a day in it, and there's a lot less complaining about itching than I expected.

I remember when my brother shaved for the first time, it was a big occasion! He would have loved a photo though I recon

That's so sweet sibble.
I will do the same!

Hope dd is on the mend wss.

I was just dropping older kids off with mum ( oh, mum's here!) when ds1 puked in the back.
Poor thing had been complaining of feeling unwell and has barely said a word since :( hate to see them poorly.

Anyway, not great timing as we have tickets to see Wicked tomorrow.
Ds1 didn't want to go, so he was supposed to be staying in Daddy's office (watching Thomas with headphones on!)

Not sure what will happen now...blooming typical!

I've been looking forward to Wicked for weeks.

Hey ho.

Hi all...
Sorry to barge in on your thread but you seem like the ladies to ask about all things NZ!
We (myself,DH,DD1 aged 7 and DT's aged nearly 3) are considering making the move your way in the next year, so would be really grateful of any advice you can offer.
I have visited on a brief 3 week trip in 1999 and did the whole kiwi experience thing travelling between Auckland and Christchurch before travelling to oz. DH has never been but is fairly widely travelled and willing to take my word on what an amazing country you live in :)

We both work in healthcare- I am a sonographer and dh is a psychiatric nurse with specialist skills in dementia and end of life care. I have been in contact with agencies and done preliminary paper work and there doesn't seem to be a shortage of work opportunities for me (sonographer on essential skills list). I think I would be the main visa applicant as DH profession just been removed from list (although I am hoping he would still be able to get work).

A few practical questions...am I right in thinking that most of you on the thread live in Auckland? Remember visiting wahieke island angrybeaver what a beautiful place to call home!

I have a good friend who lives in Christchurch and she is obviously keen for us to be close to her but I have my reservations- I believe many people have relocated- honest opinions welcomed!

We are planning to come on a 2 year visa (not at this stage planning a permanent move although we are open minded). Am I right in thinking that we would have to pay towards dd's schooling as an international student?

Also wondering rough ideas of costs off shipping stuff out?? Am again assuming it is still going to be cheaper than buying goods in NZ even if only for a couple of years. I was thinking we could buy some cheap ikea flat packs before coming and ship it out and then can always sell on if we come back to the uk rather than having the costs of shipping back??

I can probably negotiate some costs into my contract if working in private practice but not really sure what I actually have to factor in. What are child care costs like for the younger one's? Are they any less crippling than the uk?

At the moment I work freelance/locum part time and DH works full time but depending on salaries/job opportunities this might be the reverse.

Have loads of stuff to ask but I can't think what at the moment!!

Many thanks in advance :))

Hi elizabethsmum!

You shouldn't have to pay towards schooling if you are on a work permit, your children would be considered domestic students as far as I know.

I'm not sure about Christchurch. I've heard mixed reports - I have friends who are originally from there and who can't wait to get back. I have other friends who don't intend to go back again. My parents visited there last January and were quite shocked at the condition of some of the main areas. I don't know, maybe someone else has better advice.

I don't find childcare hugely expensive. We use probably one of the more expensive crèches and we don't live in the cheapest area and it works out at $67 a day, getting cheaper after they turn 3 as there are free hours. But then, my previous experience at this age is of the Irish situation where it worked out at closer to $100 a day! The "in-home educator" system (like a childminder) is definitely cheaper and can be very good if you find someone that suits (DD2 has allergies so I'm a bit neurotic and none of the good ones near me had the hours that suited me, but I wouldn't rule it out)

Hope that helps!

Hi, Elizabethsmum

I don't know if school is free on a work visa or if you pay international fees - Ministry of Education website may have some info?

Also don't know much about life in Chch at the mo, obviously the big quakes have stopped but I think a lot of the damaged areas are still to be rebuilt, so there is competition for housing as there's a bit of a shortage. This makes housing more expensive, though of course Auckland is by far the most expensive place for housing.

Childcare costs drop at age 3 as the govt subsidises 20 hours a week so you pay for extra hours on top of that. For an example, 2 centres near me - over 3s are $23.50/day, $118/week at one of them and $32/day, $135/week at the other. We're a little way out of central Auckland though, inner city daycares would prob be a bit more expensive. Porse organise in- home childcarers and also offer the 20 hrs subsidy.

With your occupations there should be many different locations you could find work in, just depends where you want to be!

Hi elizabethsmum, on a work permit you don't have to pay international fees, just the same as kiwis.

many thanks for your replies- good to know about the schooling- had got a bit confused by it all!
have a telephone interview sometime next week so will no a bit more then, as it obviously depends where the jobs are! am open minded where we would go to some extent- have my friend in Christchurch and another in Wellington but will wait and see what happens with the interview (which is for an agency which would hopefully have a number of opportunities available)
would ideally like to be reasonably close to beaches and within a hour or so of one of the larger cities if possible. is the climate generally a lot warmer in the north than the south island?

The North is more consistent with temperature, hot summers and relatively mild winters (although we do get the odd frost). It does snow central north island. The south is hot in summer and cold in winter. I live near Auckland as I don't like the cold, I have friends who live south island as they love the change of seasons and like skiing etc... in the winter (whereas I fly to the Islands

Hi elizabethsmum

I pay $205 a week for 4 full days of nursery for my 4 year old in central Auckland. It's high compared to some but it has been such a great place that I don't really mind it tbh. It has been like another family for her and she has always loved going.

I would consider going straight for PR rather than getting work visa's. There are two main reasons. Firstly, it is a major expense and admin stress doing all the forms so avoid doing it twice if you can! You have to re do medicals etc which is costly. The second reason is security tbh. There are cases of people who have arrived on work visa's but been denied PR. Sometimes professions get taken off the lists and sometimes they develop a medical condition- or even just put on weight and fail on BMI. It would be heart breaking and expensive to have to leave after two years.

Your right justa- they must have changed that cos we when applied they were only valid for 6 months.

You're....

I think we're about to launch into round 2 of the pox. DD2 grouchy, feverish and complaining of being sore without being able to tell me why... and all conveniently probably 10 days since she was exposed....

I knew I should have put gin in the supermarket trolley this afternoon!

vvv that sucks.

You may remember earlier this year I blanched and froze some corn on the cob while it was cheap (bit of an experiment), well we ate some last night and it was great. Ds1 commented it was better than usual as softer to eat. Will definitely do it again at the end of this season.

That's a great idea Sibble - we only have a small freezer though so not lots of room to store corn. We had our first bbq since last autumn last night and some barbecued corn on the cob would have been lovely.

Vvv - we thought we were getting chicken pox here but it seems not to have materialised.

In typical Irish style we reacted to the bit of sun today by buying sun hats, sandals (specials on in the Warehouse for anyone who is as over enthusiastic as us!)and having a barbecue

Still no spots. Alternating between grumpy and clingy one minute then full-on comedian happy mode the next. Head wrecking. Especially considering a draft of my dissertation is due tomorrow and I'm insanely behind - and was counting on my usual 4 hours study time that I get on Mondays.

I hope she gets better and it is just another big not CP Vvv.

Sibble- you've just reminded me I need to plant corn! There is nothing quite like corn on the barbie straight from your own garden.

I've had another solo weekend as DH is away in Europe again. DD has cried twice today and keeps saying how much she misses him which is horrible. She said I made it the worst day ever. I took her to the beach, play park, for a fluffy, to see a pals cat and for a walk in the park. The tantrum was cos I wouldn't take her out on her bike too.

Sigh. I'm obviously a terrible mother.

The last three/four days here have been spectacular weather. Beautiful perfect days :-) spent them mostly on the beach!