Travel Guide to New Zealand

In the 1940s and 50s emigration from the British Isles peaked as people left post war economic depression in search of a new and prosperous life. Today emigration to New Zealand is again popular as people seek to escape the pressures of modern Britain and a better life style. There is much despair amongst Brits about the state of crime, the threat of terror, the relentless rain and the controversial tax and pensions systems, not to mention the NHS. We Brits are migrating in our droves, like birds flying south and why not with a grass that is far greener on the other side of the world. Professor Tim Hatton of Essex University is an immigration specialist and estimates that for every 100 people immigrating to

the UK there are between 30 and 50 leaving the country for more prosperous and happier shores. One such destination is New Zealand, a rare and exciting place that can be visited once but yearned to be

revisited and experience its charm again. Even for those people who’ve seen and done it all, this is one place that cannot be missed.

GEOGRAPHY

New Zealand’s attraction is clear to see from its sheer diversity of culture, geography and climate. In the North Island the temperatures are balmy all year round with the winter months ranging from 8°C to the summer averages between 17-24°C. The two main islands experience different climates due to the length and changing latitude of the country. The South Island has a climate comparable to Britain’s, whereas the North Island is more Mediterranean due to it being closer to the Tropics and there being a warmer sea current surrounding it. It is these climates that create such appeal to its visitors and citizens with the hot and pleasant long summer months, perfect for surfing and beach activities. This contrasts with the South Island’s mountain ranges, fjords and glacial landscapes, which are used in the winter months for skiing and in the summer for ‘tramping’ as hiking is called by the Kiwis.

Stunning images are in abundance on every jagged coastline, in all of its mirror lakes, the pinnacle of each ominous mountain peak and within the cities that display diverse cultures, their architectural triumphs and its fascinating history.

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New Zealand is famous for its beautiful beaches with Piha being one of its most well known surfing paradises. It attracts many to its shores, both tourists and residents from all over the country, as Cornwall’s Newquay does in comparison. There are however, many people ignorant of the totalitarian power of the Tasman Sea at Piha, which is known to be very unpredictable. As a result, it has earned itself its very own television programme entitled ‘Piha Rescue’…documenting the emergencies and disasters in the waters there. Although dangerous, the original ‘surfies’ didn’t make the five-hour journey there solely for the magnificent surf, as the panorama of the beach is equally overwhelming. Lion’s Rock, which dominates the shoreline, gives the beach an overpowering superiority and attitude, which almost yearns for you to take it on in battle against its strong ‘rips’ and ‘holes’.

A world away from the adventure and uncertainty of the Tasman Sea, there is Waiheke Island situated in a protected bay in the Pacific Ocean and also under an hour’s journey away from Auckland city on an efficient ferry service. The island is a utopia of idyllic relaxed living and as a home to the ‘eccentrics’ and creative types, it welcomes itself to beautiful artwork inspired by the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.

AUCKLAND

Being a city girl at heart, my personal choice of city, to live, work and play in would undoubtedly be Auckland. As a very cosmopolitan city, its vibrant and youthful character holds the key to perfection in a busy metropolis. It has all the necessities of any capital city with the Central Business District with its sharp, shiny skyscrapers and men in suits. There are the high street shopping areas with teenagers racing to the latest fashions. And it has the most incredible harbour and coastline surrounding. The unusual skyline of extinct volcanoes in the background also adds to its beauty (all extinct or deeply dormant I am glad to report).

The city is named the City of Sails for its brisk breezes and accessibility to the protected bays surrounding the city, perfect for sailing in. It has the highest number of boats in a city per capita in the whole world, ranging from personal dinghies and child friendly sailing boats to opulent gin palaces and cruise ships, all of which add to the seascape.

IMMIGRATION/EMMIGRATION

It is easy to see why these isles are so in demand and how much greener the grass really is. However, because immigration policies in New Zealand are fairly strict, those not applying for jobs in particular professions and careers, it is difficult to gain a work permit. The Long Term Skills Shortage list shows teachers as being a profession in short supply with the greatest demand being in early childhood and secondary schools. Not only would you receive the perfect climate and the exceedingly friendly people, but also a great enthusiasm and politeness from within the classroom shown by the willing-to-learn students.

‘BRITS ABROAD’

If you were to move to the country permanently, there is considerable scope for British expatriates as there are already so many and because they are welcomed so openly and genuinely. New Zealand is a country used to immigration with a population comprising 68% Europeans, (with the majority of those being British), 14% New Zealand Maori, 9% Asian and 7% Pacifica ethnicities. Interestingly, there is a feeling in the country that it has been able to watch and learn Britain’s mistakes in how to run a country and create a desired place for living and has succeeded in creating a beautiful, better sibling of Britain’s.

The South Island is further from cosmopolitan life and you are aware of its slower way of life and more laid back, ‘countryside’ approach to living. It’s easy to believe you’ve stepped back in time to the ‘70s, only with all of life’s modern accessories of nowadays; for example the internet was a phenomena that struck the country with an even greater swathe of interest than it did when it was first launched in Britain and yet, as I like to refer to them, ‘Banjo’ towns (what look like old ‘hick’ towns with tumble weeds rolling through them and an images of an old man with a beard strumming away on a banjo) are plentiful, especially in the South Island.

THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE

The attitude in New Zealand is, unlike in Britain where every man is for himself, but where people go that little bit further to offer help and are genuinely pleased to do so. People emigrating to New Zealand are in the majority, families with young children in their 30s or 40s, unlike those moving to France for example who are more likely older couples moving to retire in the sun. For active families looking for this lifestyle, New Zealand is the perfect settlement as sport is a major part of life and is massively encouraged within and outside of schools. Its success is notably shown in events such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, never mind the world-renowned All Blacks rugby team. There are more golf courses in the country than in any other country of the world and around 15% of all New Zealand families own a boat-perhaps explaining the vast number of boats in Auckland harbour!

There are however some downfalls to its beauty and splendour, such as its immense distance from Britain, with it being the furthest flight time to anywhere in the world at a gruelling 23 hours, (not including the stopover break). And then there is the cheese! If you are a smelly cheese lover, or even just a fan of parmesan, you’ll be hard pushed to find a half decent replacement as the dairy regulations are different in New Zealand and there are different pasteurising laws meaning that many cheeses cannot be imported from overseas, and when they can they become very expensive.

However, when all is taken into consideration the lifestyle and quality of life experienced, I think I could live without a bit of Stilton or Camembert!