Going around in circles
Posted 11-06-2008 at 01:38 AM by zummerzet_lou
It was nearly a year ago that Jon and I made that momumental decision to try and emigrate to New Zealand. After lots of frantic surfing, reading and researching we had not only decided to "go for it", but also that we loved the idea of living in Christchurch.
We sent off for new passports, and submitted out EOI, all the while gathering as much information as we could. Our cunning plan was to buy a campervan, tour and travel New Zealand and somehow magically get a job, and arrive at our final resting place.
Fast forward a few months, and the CVs were flying out. First to take a bite was a company in Auckland. Unfortunately, we hadn't sold our house by then so they didn't offer me a job as I couldn't promise to arrive within their timescales. To be honest, was a bit of a relief as we'd always said we hated the thought of Auckland.
Next bite, was a company in Hamilton. Great we thought .. get a job, 1hr ish from Auckland, but quieter, and accessible to everywhere. It all seemed so perfect (even more so as there are some fabulous people living there). Only dampner to our plan .. didn't get the job.
So, here we are now in pocession of our PR, and as soon as one plan is hatched, we dismiss it and move on to the next.
Get a Bach in Hamilton, and travel to interviews from there ... hmmm, only that I now have nterested parties in Auckland, Wellington and a couple in Christchurch.
Buy a campervan and travel .. can we find a campervan? and won't it be freezing in August? and we'll need a HUGE one for our luggage, 2 kids and dog!
Rent as we go ..but go where, and when, and will they take a dog?
and now I have a couple of companies wishing to talk to me in auckland ... that place we'd always tried to avoid, but it may mean a job, money in our pocket.
So, here I am, still wistfully thinking about Christchurch. We still think this may be our best bet ... but what about Wellington? Here we go again!
We sent off for new passports, and submitted out EOI, all the while gathering as much information as we could. Our cunning plan was to buy a campervan, tour and travel New Zealand and somehow magically get a job, and arrive at our final resting place.
Fast forward a few months, and the CVs were flying out. First to take a bite was a company in Auckland. Unfortunately, we hadn't sold our house by then so they didn't offer me a job as I couldn't promise to arrive within their timescales. To be honest, was a bit of a relief as we'd always said we hated the thought of Auckland.
Next bite, was a company in Hamilton. Great we thought .. get a job, 1hr ish from Auckland, but quieter, and accessible to everywhere. It all seemed so perfect (even more so as there are some fabulous people living there). Only dampner to our plan .. didn't get the job.
So, here we are now in pocession of our PR, and as soon as one plan is hatched, we dismiss it and move on to the next.
Get a Bach in Hamilton, and travel to interviews from there ... hmmm, only that I now have nterested parties in Auckland, Wellington and a couple in Christchurch.
Buy a campervan and travel .. can we find a campervan? and won't it be freezing in August? and we'll need a HUGE one for our luggage, 2 kids and dog!
Rent as we go ..but go where, and when, and will they take a dog?
and now I have a couple of companies wishing to talk to me in auckland ... that place we'd always tried to avoid, but it may mean a job, money in our pocket.
So, here I am, still wistfully thinking about Christchurch. We still think this may be our best bet ... but what about Wellington? Here we go again!
Total Comments 17
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What a dilemma Lou, but all you can do is follow through on any job interviews and see where they lead. A job, wherever it is, will give you a start in NZ and then you could think about moving on at a later stage when you've got a better idea of other areas of NZ. You've only been to Ham so far with a passing visit to Auckland, so you've still got a lot of exploring to do. Places aren't always how you imagine them, so it's best to visit first and make your mind up then.
Don't suppose there's any chance that you could do your job from home and visit the company now and then, as required? You could live in an area that you liked and just make a flying visit to the company for meetings etc. as and when required. Am I being too optimistic? |
Posted 11-06-2008 at 06:54 AM by MotherBear
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Lou, I like you and I sympathise so don't take this the wrong way, but STOP DITHERING AND GET YOUR BACKSIDE OVER HERE! Fact: you want to live in NZ, it doesn't matter where, as long as you have an income. You are going on the biggest adventure of your life - be flexible, throw caution to the wind and be prepared to change your plans last minute, but at least do it all from NZ
 Wherever you first settle probably won't be the last place you settle, you have the liberty of going where the work is - how lucky are you??  Come to Hamilton, get a campervan (so it'll be a bit cold, bring a sweater and huddle round a campfire - outdoors of course, not in the campervan!), we'll store your luggage until you find somewhere permanent - if you get an interview in Hamilton then walk there, if you get an interview in Aucks or Welly then drive there (hire a car for a day, don't take the campervan  ), if you get an interview in Christchurch then fly there! - and enjoy the freedom  You gotta start somewhere Or you could always stay in the UK of course |
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Posted 11-06-2008 at 11:46 AM by Welshgirl
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Oooer WG - have you been taking 'masterful' lessons off Taffy? Or maybe Dawn has been coaching you? Or maybe the effects of not smoking are kicking in?
You're right, of course. Lou, go for it - dither and you might lose a great opportunity . This is me speaking, the greatest ditherer God ever created . |
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Posted 11-06-2008 at 05:52 PM by MotherBear
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'Masterful' lessons??
 Off Taffy??      In his dreams |
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Posted 11-06-2008 at 06:31 PM by Welshgirl
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I had this mad thought that by writing all my confusions down it would suddenly all become clear, but I guess not?
We ARE coming to NZ, but I wanted to get our first week or sos accomodation pre-booked. Anyway, looks as though I have an interview in Auckland a few days after our arrival so thats the first part of our plan resolved. |
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Posted 11-06-2008 at 07:45 PM by zummerzet_lou
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Welshgirl
'Masterful' lessons off Taffy??
 Lou, I'm sure everything will slot into place once you set foot in NZ. Perhaps Auckland won't be as bad as you thought. For a start, anyway. I suspect, once you're in the country, doors will start to open for you. It's just one of those situations that you simply can't plan ahead for. |
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Posted 11-06-2008 at 08:11 PM by MotherBear
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Aha. sorted week 1 ... a 2 bed apartment in Devonport that takes dogs! $850. Hope that's the most expensive it gets, as won't be able to afford too many weeks at that price!
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Posted 11-06-2008 at 09:51 PM by zummerzet_lou
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$850 dollars a week??!! Sheesh, that's dear
 Good that they take dogs though Hope you didn't take offence to what I said, I meant it in the best possible way - I think Dawn is rubbing off on me too much |
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Posted 12-06-2008 at 04:50 AM by Welshgirl
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Ditto all of the above. After all, it seems employers are more willing to listen to you and take you seriously when you are in NZ. Take time to travel around - if you get a job, then earn a bit of money and if it isn't for you, move on to the next one. I know what you mean about knowing where you will be staying. My OH is like that so we have our 1st 4 weeks in a holiday let. Who knows - we might still get to see you i n Christchurch
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Posted 12-06-2008 at 09:12 AM by nickydwuk
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Here's another ditherer advising you to jump on the Auks job. You don't have to fall in love and marry it, just make some money and get your bearings.
So Taffy's banning all kinds of folks, eh? Is that why poor KH came back to the US? |
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Posted 12-06-2008 at 02:39 PM by selchie
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WG - Of course I didnt take offense. I'm an organised kinda gal, and especially with 2 young uns in a strange country I HAVE to have a plan and bookings for at least the first couple of weeks .. that's just me!
Just when you think you have a plan, another door opens .. property in auckland I applied for the week is now available due to a cancellation ... $700 for the week so reckon that's a goer .. AND it's in the same district as my 1st interview!! Sooo ... Auckland for nights 1-7 Visit to Hamilton, and then onto Rotorua for night 8 Drive towards Wellington .. night 9 there somewhere ish Ferry to Picton, Night 10 there Christchurch Nights 11+ We're going to give Chch about a month, if no luck on the job front, we're going to head to Wellington. Sorted! |
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Posted 12-06-2008 at 07:45 PM by zummerzet_lou
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Can't beleived I missed all this.
Sounds like your plan is coming together Lou. Like others said- go where the work is- you can always moe around at a later date if you are not happy. I'm sure you won't have trouble finiding work- you've had all these good leads and interveiws etc whilst still being in the UK and people will be even more intersted once in NZ. If C/Church is where you feel you want to be then go for it but don't give yourself time limits that are too strict. We thought we would have a job offer within a month or so- here we are nearly 3 months down the line and still nothing (although we were kinda on hold for about 6 weeks thanks to Telecom). If you are a bit flexible then things will work out i'm sure. |
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Posted 13-06-2008 at 01:51 PM by ebianca
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Your plan sounds brilliant, I'm the same - I want to have a fair idea of what we'll be doing and where we'll be staying before leaving the UK. Although for me I think my planning for NZ is more to do with my avoiding doing the things needed to actually get me there, I've been putting of packing for about a week......boxes are being picked up next week so I'd better pull my finger out.
The best plans are the fluid ones, and I mean the ones that are easily changeable not just the liquid ones  |
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Posted 13-06-2008 at 11:28 PM by Ginabridget
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Go Welshgirl Go Welshgirl Go Welshgirl - flippin eck!! What a big smile I had on my face - good girl!!!
Where is Taffys one muscle then? I didn't notice it in my weight-training class - maybe it's where only Welshgirl can see it Taffy masterful? Lis - have I missed something?(Love you Jaybee Jaybee   )Lou, I reckon you're banking on getting down to Welli a bit qick gal! We drove from Hastings to Welli and it took most of the day and God what a boring drive from Wairarapa in until we had to cross the mountains. Coming back up the other side was much more scenic so if you're gonna drive all that way in one day go down the west coast through NP, Palmy and down that way. Bloody long drive though - you might want to split it in two. woohoo not long now babe  |
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Posted 15-06-2008 at 10:34 PM by Dawn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Selchie
So Taffy's banning all kinds of folks, eh? Is that why poor KH came back to the US?
No, Taffy's not banning just anyone. He's very particular and only picks on those who don't abide by the forum rules, especially with regard to spamming. Spammers don't take time to read the rules and just mess up the forum with their unsightly, cluttered adverts. You probably wouldn't notice all this banning going on because it's all tidied up by the time you come on here. Sorry Lou, I'm trampling on your blog. I'll just ease myself back out again.  |
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Posted 16-06-2008 at 04:35 PM by MotherBear
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Wohooo .. sent off the deposit for Week 1 ... Got a different place, still near North Shore for $700 for the week. Figure the money we've saved will pay for our first couple of days car rental.
Have a few possibles lined up in Rotorua for next few days, but just holding fire until I have heard the outcome of this last round of telephone interviews. Oh, and I bought James a diddy pull along suitcase for him to take on the plane. Best £5 I've ever spent ... who'd have thought a 4 year old would play with a suitcase for sooo long? Although at this rate it'll be worn out before we leave!! |
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Posted 18-06-2008 at 03:22 AM by zummerzet_lou
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MB, that's what I figured; I was just using the ban as a lame crack about poor KH going back to the States.
Lou, I agree with Dawn. The drive from Hamilton to Welli is long, even for someone like me who is accustomed to long hauls. And you'll have little ones who'll need to be released on occasion before they fission. |
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Posted 18-06-2008 at 04:10 AM by selchie
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Recent Blog Entries by zummerzet_lou
- Impatience is not a virtue! (03-07-2008)
- Going around in circles (11-06-2008)
- My Adventure in NZ (15-04-2008)
- Can't let Beth have all the glory! (02-04-2008)
