People & Places
Nuts about Napier
Angie Banister explains to Hanna Lindon why moving to Napier in New Zealand was the best decision of her life
It was only a few years ago that Angie Banister was flicking through the pages of our newspaper and hoping that her emigration dreams were going to come true. A visit to the country in 1999 had inspired her and her family with a passion to relocate, and they started to explore the option of moving to Napier, Hawkes Bay. "We immediately fell in love with New Zealand," Angie recalls. "We never considered moving to any other country, even though we were disillusioned with life in the UK. By moving Down Under, we felt that we were giving our children a better chance in life and that they could then choose for themselves what they wanted to be when they grew up. Also, myself and my husband (Steve) had been in the same place doing the same jobs for almost 30 years! We wanted a change." In a big leap of faith, the family emigrated without either Steve or Angie yet having found jobs in New Zealand. Luckily, the gamble paid off. "Steve is a painter and decorator and found work immediately," Angie says. "He was snapped up by a local firm, and is still working for them now – he's enjoying the different environment he works in as opposed to the city of Manchester. "Steve put off starting work until six weeks after our arrival, because we wanted to have a proper look around the place and do some investigation work on areas to live, schools, etcetera. Fortunately, the week we arrived there were school open days, and so we were able to check out the schools for ourselves. As a result, the kids (Tom, now 19 and Paul, now 17) started school only two weeks after we arrived."
So what was Angie up to while Steve was at work and the boys were at school? "I worked from January 2004 in a lawyers office full time as a receptionist, but I have recently changed my job. I now work as a telephonist part time for the local college here in Taradale." Although she had been warned that moving to New Zealand could be a culture shock, Angie says that her family have all adjusted remarkably well. The biggest surprise, she says, has been the transport. "Local transport is not what we have been used to – in fact, in the Napier area it's pretty non-existent after 5pm! In Wellington and Auckland, however, I have been told that it is exceptionally good, as well as very clean. "We had read that NZ drivers were the worst in the world, and have found that to be exactly true! The other problem is that you only have one choice of road to use if you are travelling any distance, whereas in the UK we had A roads, B roads or a motorway. "Fortunately, the amazing scenery you see while you're driving makes up for it!"
In spite of a few gripes about 'damn Kiwi drivers', Angie and her family felt quickly at home in New Zealand. It helped that the Napier locals were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, and that they made friends so fast. "We were made to feel very welcome indeed," she comments. "We had no problems making friends at all. The people are lovely, and there are a lot of Brits out here as well. You find yourself being drawn to a British accent, and striking up friendships that way. We now have many friends from all 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 this as home. We have to pinch ourselves sometimes as we frequently still feel like we're on holiday, especially with the weather and the sea, and having some gorgeous beaches to drive out to on summer weekends. What I love is that we still have so much to explore of our new home!" Angie tells me that what you miss about the UK depends on whether you are a man or a woman. "Living in a small time city like Napier, I miss having the choice of the big stores," she says ruefully. "The shops here are nice… but I wish Marks and Spencer would move out here! "The men in the household miss the English football. We have Sky now, but that means staying up all night on a Saturday to watch it! Football is growing very popular over here now too!"
Overall, though, Angie says that their experience of New Zealand has been overwhelmingly positive. "The best thing about living here is the weather. We wake up to sunshine nearly every day, and we've often said that we would hate to go back to the dull skies of Manchester. The clean air is amazing too – although it's hard to explain, you can actually smell the freshness. The New Zealand scenery is great, and the country isn't overcrowded. "It really reminds us of how Britain used to be. Children are polite and helpful and the streets are spotlessly clean. Parks are looked after and respected by the community and the outdoor lifestyle is fabulous. "The schooling is also excellent and our children have lessons in areas that they were not always encouraged in back in England. The sports education for young children in second to none."
As Angie continues to sing the praises of her New Zealand lifestyle, I begin to think that my last question is going to be slightly pointless. Still, I ask it anyway: any regrets?
"Regrets?" she asks, as if I'm mad. "No, we have no regrets at all. We would have had more regrets if we hadn't come and tried it out ourselves. I'm not saying we don't work just as hard as we did in the UK, but the benefits are certainly greater."
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