From dreamers to doers

Nick (42) and his partner Louise (38) talked and dreamed about making the move to New Zealand for 10 years. The big moved finally happened in January 2008, and the couple has happily settled in Tauranga.

"When we first got together we talked about living here for a while, but when I reached 40 we felt there wouldn't be a better time and decided to act on our dreams.

“It took about two years from that point to arrival in New Zealand. We knew we wanted to move, and were actually talking about relocating to Scotland. A colleague of mine announced she had taken a job in New Zealand and that got us thinking.

“If we were going to pack up and relocate, moving to New Zealand had to be just as much of an option as Scotland. The country appealed to us because of the unspoilt nature of the place. We were looking for a complete lifestyle change.

“Our employers were really helpful with a relocation package. We got help with my airfare and moving costs, and they put us up in a motel for a month while we settled in.

“I used to hate doing the weekly shop, but with the slower of pace of life here there is something fun about sauntering down to the shops then having a coffee at a local café, where you can sit outside even in the middle of winter!”