[vin]

Hi all..another newbie..have been lurking on the site for months soaking up the information..such a useful source..thanks to you all.

We've been considering moving for years.. have visited twice en route to Aus ... my beloved grew up in Christchurch...all her family in Aus..( no thanks ), thought it unlikely we'd ever get the points for skilled migrant ( am 51) , then out of the blue a job offer which on the face of it will allow us to go down the work to residence route... so made flying visit to Hamilton to check it out (3 days there just me ! ..racing round to check out areas, schools etc).

My 'Beloved', is full on.. can't wait...uninterested in potential issues..looking forward to returning to same hemisphere as family. Have 3 kids 12, 14 and nearly 16. So on returning home...family meeeting to discuss the possibility/ probability of moving....net result...middle daughter in outright revolt for last month...nice child turned into monster..counselling at school etc...a real roller coaster. Older daughter quietly concerned, but being very mature about it all.. just about to make A level choices here.. 'could she return to uk for uni if unhappy'. Youngest boy no probs.

So have a few definate questions if anyone might be able to help...

1. Anyone moved with kids this age? How did it work out..any suggestions to put minds at rest..I'm at end of tether with middle daughter and thinking: if it's going to be like this for next 2 years, couldn't move..at least we have support systems here.

2. Whether we'd be classed as international if on 'work to residence' visa and therefore subject to paying school / uni fees?

3. Pensions....have gathered that if I work for 10 years in NZ, would be entitled to NZ superannuation...does this mean that we would get credit as if we had been in NZ all our working lives and receive the pension at the full rate. Has anyone worked out if we would lose all rights to UK state pension if we leave now ( aged early 50's). I'm trying to work out whether we would be better off taking UK pension ( albeit no annual increments ) bearing in mind the superior purchasing power of the pound...is it possible to do this after 10 years in NZ or would we forfeit rights to UK pension after that time, assuming we stay into retirement.

These just the questions that spring to mind now..to be honest feeling overwhelmed by it all.. hence the posting now...sure many of you have been there.. Still have the house to sell etc etc so looking 6 months down the line at least. Would be interested in any thoughts as feel responsible for the happy outcome for the family. Thanks