People & Places
A good life in Hawkes Bay
When she lived in Stockport, Angie Banister read Emigrate New Zealand and dreamed of making the move Down Under
Angie tells us now about the three happy years she has spent in Hawkes Bay with her family
We are a family of four: myself, my husband Steve, and our sons Tom, 18, and Paul, 16. We chose New Zealand as my brother has lived here for 25 years and when we came to visit him for the first time in November 1999 for six weeks. As soon as we got back to the UK we began making enquiries as to how feasible it was to relocate.
We really didn't consider any other country at all. New Zealand was our one and only choice. We decided to leave the UK because we had become very disillusioned with the 'old country' (and still are). We felt that we were giving our children a better chance in life and they could then choose for themselves where they wanted to be in their adult life.
Also, we ourselves wanted to have a different way of life after being in the same place and job for almost 30 years, so we were delighted to settle in Taradale, which is in Napier, Hawkes Bay.
In terms of the emigration process, we didn't have jobs before we arrived, but we emigrated before the new Skilled Migrant Category came into place which puts much more emphasis on having a job or job offer. However, Steve is a painter and decorator and found work immediately. He was snapped up by a local firm and is still working for them, and enjoys the different environments he works in here as opposed to the City of Manchester. He started work about six weeks into our arrival as we wanted to have a proper look around the place and do some investigation work on areas to live, schools and so on. Fortunately, the week we arrived in New Zealand was School Open days and so we were able to check them out for ourselves and as a result the boys started school after two weeks of arriving. I started work in January 2004 at a lawyer's office as a receptionist, although I have recently changed my job to a telephonist working part-time for the local college, Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) here in Taradale.
Back in the UK, I was a telephonist working for British Telecom for 30 years. Initially, there was no major culture shock, and we have all adjusted very well. I think it takes time to adjust to a whole new life. We didn't know what to expect at all but we were all very positive that it was what we wanted to do, including our children, so we have made it work and had no regrets at all along the way. We have worked through any difficulties we had although nothing too major – apart from Tom breaking his leg playing soccer and Paul gashing his leg playing touch rugby – but the level of healthcare we received was very good in both instances. The local transport is not like we were used to in the UK. In fact in the Napier area it is pretty non-existent after 5pm! However, in places like Wellington and Auckland it is exceptionally good and clean. We had read before getting here that Kiwi drivers were the worst in the world and have found out for ourselves that this is completely true. Also, you only have one choice of one road to use if you are travelling any distance in the UK: we now have a choice of A-roads, B-roads or a motorway! But the scenery is amazing as you drive.
Another reason we probably didn't experience too much culture shock is the fact that New Zealand is full of friendly people. We were made to feel very welcome indeed, and had no problems in that area at all. New Zealand reminds us of Britain as it used to be, children are polite and helpful and the place is spotlessly clean. Parks are looked after and respected by the community. We think it is a safer place to be. Everyone is so friendly, and there are a lot of Brits here so you find yourselves being drawn to an English accent and striking up friendships. We now have many friends from different parts of the UK and we all have something in common – relocation!
I think the more time goes by the more we think of New Zealand as home. We have to pinch ourselves sometimes as we can still feel like we are on holiday at times, especially with the weather and living by the sea and having some gorgeous beaches to just drive out to at the weekend in the summer. We still have a lot to explore of our new home but Britain will always be our homeland. Apart from family and friends, there are a few other things I tend to miss from Britain. Although the shops are nice in Napier, it is a small place and I personally miss having the choice of the big stores. I hate to say it but I wish Marks & Spencers would move out here! Napier is expanding all the time and I can see some more shopping development going on in the future to accommodate the growing population.
I also miss reading Emigrate New Zealand. The men in the household miss the English football. We now have Sky TV, but it does mean staying up all night on a Saturday to watch it! Football is getting to be very popular over here as well now, though. But for some things, like education, New Zealand is a lot better. We were glad to improve our children's chances of education, and we have certainly done that as far as we are concerned. The standard of schooling is excellent and our children have excelled in areas that they were not always encouraged in their last school in England. The sport facilities for young children are also very good. We found these to be very poor in our home town in the UK. The most difficult thing about starting a new life is that it takes time to adjust to a whole new pace of life.
We didn't know what to expect at all but we were all very positive that it was what we wanted to do, including our children, so we have made it work and had no regrets at all along the way. The best things about living in New Zealand are the weather and the beautiful environment. Waking up to sunshine the majority of the time is a bonus and we have said on many occasions that we would find it difficult to go back to the dull skies of Manchester! The clean air is amazing, how you can actually smell that it's clean. It's hard to explain, but it is wonderful. The scenery is great too, and the country isn't overcrowded. Also, outdoor living is all that we do in the summer, because, unlike back in the UK, the weather allows it.
We have no regrets at all. We would have had more regrets if we hadn't come and tried it out for ourselves. We all still work just as hard as we did in the UK but the benefits are greater. We absolutely think New Zealand is the place to live!
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