Everything you need to know about moving to NZ

Come on in, the water is fine...

I was on holiday in New Zealand with my family when I made the decision to emigrate here. That was in April 2002, and four months later we arrived in Christchurch to start our new life. As with any migrant family, there were a series of "push" factors galvanizing us to leave, and "pull" factors inspiring us to come to settle in NZ. I wanted to start my own business, but could not see a way to do this in the UK. We wanted to have more children, but felt constrained by childcare costs and the quality of education in the UK. We wanted to raise our family with many of the values and opportunities that we had benefited from - but felt that the UK was moving in quite a different direction...

Just over five years down the track, we have three great kids, and my wife is able to take a break from her career to care for them. We live in a very pleasant home in a nice, friendly street - we can walk to great schools, shops, libraries and parks, and drive short distances on uncongested roads to beautiful beaches and other leisure facilities. There is plenty to do in the weekends (including my passion, world-class rugby!) and we have a good network of friends and family. Life really is good.

.....But look before you leap.

New Zealand is beautiful and green, relaxed and safe, uncrowded and friendly. But it is not paradise - it will take time for you and your family to settle in , and there will be times when things don't go exactly to plan. One of the biggest surprises for many new migrants is the cost of living here - wages really aren't that high. Others miss their friends and family, and find it hard to establish a social network. Still others miss central heating far more than they anticipated.

Our goal at Broadbase International is to take the guesswork and hassle out of the financial aspects of moving to New Zealand. On our website and in our other literature we aim to be realistic about life in New Zealand, both good and bad - but for my family it really has been overwhelmingly good, and I can honestly say that I have never regretted my decision to emigrate here.

Don't just take my word for it though - have a look at the results from the 2007 New Zealand Immigration Department Skilled Migrant survey to see how 272 migrants from the UK and Ireland fared in their first year in NZ.

In this section of our website, we have compiled a series of articles on the aspects of life in New Zealand that UK migrants have the most questions about, as shown by NZ Immigration Department research. You'll find opinions, resources and links on topics such as how to get a job and what kind of income to expect, getting your New Zealand visa, the cost of living, how much it costs to emigrate, which part of NZ to move to, the standard of education and how to find a school, the standard of health care and how to find a GP, the standard of housing and how to buy a house, and the basics on starting your own business.

We also have a selection of lifestyle articles, contain useful information on other aspects of living and settling here, such as family days out, family holidays, shopping, food and drink (and coffee), what is on TV, sport and driving. Please take a look!

Director, Broadbase International Ltd.