Beth, you really need to keep an open mind because NZ is nothing like you expect it to be. The towns, and most of them are actually more like townships, are like nothing you've seen anywhere in the UK. Don't forget that a lot of the roads aren't that great for commutes, most of them are single lane and the Hutt roads into Welli will be busy. You'l be lucky to find a house with a decent patch of land in Welli, that's one of the reasons we decided not to settle there although we really liked the feel of the place.
I'm not saying you won't get what you want, I'm saying keep an open mind and be prepared to reconstruct any mental picture you have when you get here. The unfamiliarity could blow your mind if you are too set in your ways.
