Moving to New Zealand!

[Snowoctopus]

We are moving to New Zealand later this year with our toddler. All advice welcome! My partner is a Kiwi and we plan to live in the south of the north Island.

Any advice at all would be very helpful 😊

I moved here four years ago with my then 2 year old DD (and now have one more DD and baby DS). We live in Auckland so slightly different than further south but you’ll love it. The weather, beaches, parks are wonderful for kids and it much easier to meet new people when you have a child. Trademe.co.nz is the best site for second hand furniture, rentals, even cars if you need. Kmart is probably the best for new cheap homewares or kids stuff and they deliver anywhere. If you partner’s a kiwi you’ll probably have some family help too to get settled in. If you’ve got any questions I’m happy to help! It’s a beautiful country and I really love living here.

Thanks so much for your reply, that’s really helpful. It’s great to hear so many positive things!

NZ is amazing, lived there (first in Christchurch, then Central Otago) in the 90s and early 2000s, my exp was a Kiwi and my DD was born there. Worth to suffer 5 years with ex to live in NZ

Have managed to go back twice since I moved back to the UK (was there last year), aah brought back so many happy memories. Just such a breath taking country, Kiwis were so welcoming, still have a couple of good kiwi friends after all these years.

Healthcare system is a bit to be desired as GP appointments are costly and there isn't a lot of support for children with SN (esp if your in the regions - DD is dyslexic). But DD went to a rural school briefly which was pretty cool, so much better than the rigid schools in the UK.

And NZ seem to have the best Prime Minister what I would give to trade her in for May

I am wanting to move back now

Thank you, that’s great to hear!

I used to live in nz with dp and ds.
Personally I didn't like it. All jobs seem to be located in Auckland with a few in Christchurch. Properties are both expensive and hard to find because of that.

Houses do not have central heating or insulation and a lot resemble little sheds.

Nz has high levels of teen suicide, poverty, homelessness, domestic and drug abuse and racism too. I found kiwis very welcoming to my face but never invite outsiders to events, tea etc. (Generally they don't like
Immigrants)

If you get into trouble financially you will not be able to get any help ( such as benefits) from the government as a non citizen.

Dp is Aussie so it was easier to move there as a family. There are also problems with contaminated water ( cow 💩 leaking and draining into rivers) and air pollution. Groceries are expensive and also bills and day to day living. It's also as wet as Ireland ( I've lived there too) and it's all rugby, rugby, rugby.

If you're into extreme sports the safety record is also bad with lots of accidents happening.

With ds, I found nz schools to be behind what he had learned in Britain.

It has beautiful scenery but not somewhere id want to live permanently.