Hi, there are quite a few threads about moving to NZ on here as it there seems to have been a mass exodus (or masses of people considering, if not moving over the past year or so).
We moved 6 years ago. I'm in Auckland which although only an hour by plane is very different to Wellington. Anyway...........
Minuses...(lets get them out the way first
Don't underestimate the distance. It is only 24 hours by plane but x 2 12 hour flights on your own (DH doesn't come back with me) is not fun. I have done the trip about 4 times now.
If you are close to your family, don't underestimate how hard it is. You can't pop home easily when things good or bad happen. My family missed the birth of ds2 who ended up in special care after my caesarian birth. I had no help and dh went back to work the next day. I missed the birth of my neice and the funeral of my gran last month . You can't just pick up the phone because of the time difference.
We are lucky that we can afford the flights, I know many who can't.
Wellington is notoriously windy. I have a friend 'giving it 2 years' there at the moment. The winds have taken their toll and she's probably going home next year. If she could move to Auckland, she would, but can't because their jobs are solely Wellington based.
NZ is very different to the UK, language, people, work ethic. It's hard to break into circles but this could be the same wherever you moved even within the UK.
Crime, social issues, the recession, etc etc all exist here too.
It's a long way from anywhere, I miss Europe and it's buzz, architecture etc..
The cost of living is high, don't be fooled by converting sterling to dollar, think one pound equals one dollar and you're pretty much on par with the cost of living. E.g a loaf of bread $4-5, a whole chicken $12, my weekkly fruit and veggies alone $70, phone bill monthly including calls to UK $150-200.
OK with those out the way the pluses....
After 6 years I wouldn't move home. I've got used to it here and now love it. It's home.
We live on 11 acres, with a huge lap pool, spa, 4 acres of native bush (no snakes, spiders as in OZ ).
The boys attend the local state school 105 pupils, 5 classes, teachers aid and parent helpers. Education great at their age.
They live the life children should lead, no pressure to have gadgets, clithes etc etc...lots of outdoorsy things, after school sport. Ds2's day care is fantastic.
W're 35 mins from Auckland central, 10 mins from beaches. Yesterday we travelled 1 1/2 hours to surf beach, caught crabs, played tennis, surfed, built sandcastles, caught up with friends, had fish n chips dinner then returned exhausted home, jumped in spa to watch the stars then fell into bed. DH is in Brisbane for cricket and rugby jolly!!
We had a fantastic week in Fiji this year. IMO far more relaxing that jostling for sunbeds in Spain or the Canaries
I don't know what else to add..other NZ'er help me. It's hard to quantify except although the list of minus' is long the quality of life here eventually does outweigh them. I also think it depends on where you are from and your circumstances. I moved from London and the slow pace of life here was a killer. I occasionally fly to Melbourne or Sydney, run wild through the shops in a frenzie, sit in cafes, mingle and hang out with commuters in rush hour to feel the buzz - very weird I know . I've recently met somebody who moved from rural norht of England and she's slotted in with no problems. No different to being at home and parents visiting for 3 months shortly. Mine are yet to visit .