I have been sitting on this news for a couple of weeks now so it's a relief to finally be able to talk about it!

Mr V has been offered, and has accepted a job in New Zealand from next May, so the family Voice will at long last be emigrating :) He has to give six months notice at his current surgery and is handing that in today (hence my being able to talk about it!). We still have the immigration medicals to get through and there is a slight concern from us regarding Sam's Crohn's, but his consultant is happy with him and is writing a report for us to submit to immigration, so we'll see what happens with that. We have been told not to worry too much and that the process is pretty straightforward on the whole.

We will be living on the East coast of North Island and I am now investigating schools for Sam and Ellie. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried at all, we will be taking the children away from place they are very happy to a whole new way of life, but they say they are happy and excited about it (as are we) Of course our extended family isn't all that thrilled, and I can envisage a few guilt trips over the next 6 months, but mostly we feel we are doing the right thing for the four of us and I hope they will see it like that too, given time ;)

Anyway, there's a way to go yet and loads more details to follow, it's a bit of an up and down process emotionally and even after 18 months of planning, actually doing it is a bit scary! But I guess we'll be ok.

I will have to make the next meet as it will be my last chance to see most of you, although we'll have an 'Open House' policy in NZ for anyone who wants to visit :)

Oh well done, Voice. How exciting! I hope the next stage of the process all goes smoothly for you and the family. Six months is a long notice period!

I'll definitely have to make the next meet to wish you farewell.

Like the 'open house' idea!

Big hugs to all the Voicey family.
the news you've been wanting for a while.
Good luck to you all, and yes I'm sure it will be stressful but just think of the life you will lead out there.
My friend who lives there says they just have a brilliant time with bbq's, their own pool and a really relaxing way of life.
And they've just been on holiday to the Gold Coast in Aussie, makes ya sick :p

Hope it all goes to plan for you Voice, best wishes
Andrea
xxx

Next meet in NZ then, sorted!!!

Aww, Voice, I am so thrilled for you! It has been a long time coming and yes there are still lots of things to do and hurdles to cross but you will get there.

It ia huge decision of course, but I think for you and your family it is the right one. Mr B has distant family in NZ, and his mum has been there twice and absolutely loves it.

Fantastic News!!! :)

LORDY!! how exciting. I've often wondered what it would be like to do this, very scary and exciting at the same time.

Good luck with all the planning.

:)

What fantastic news for you all http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ilovesurvivor/smilies/party-smiley-020.gif

I wish you all the luck in the world for your new adventure and I hope you will be very happy :hug:

I will have to make the next meet as it will be my last chance to see most of you, although we'll have an 'Open House' policy in NZ for anyone who wants to visit

You certainly will have to make the meet so we can all toast 'Bon Voyage' to you.

I would love to visit - so I better get saving now http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ilovesurvivor/smilies/biggrin.gif
That's unless I can find a rich sugardaddy to treat me to a trip to see my mate !

Oh Voice - I'm glad that you've got a date to aim for now. It makes it easier to schedule in what you need to do.

...and that open door policy sounds very tempting!

Excellent news Voice! I bet it's a big weight off your shoulders now thats its all sorted and definate!

Who knows - maybe I'll pop by your house when Im in New Zealand next summer :eek: ;)

That's great news Voice - Oh I'm so excited for you and your family! It's gonna be such a great adventure for you all! EXCELLENT! :holiday:

Who knows - maybe I'll pop by your house when Im in New Zealand next summer :eek: ;)
I'll be gutted if you don't Peej. The 'open door policy' is very common in NZ and we intend to embrace it wholeheartedly :)

Hey thats wonderful news!


I wish you all the best, follow your dream, its the only way to truly be happy..and you will be :)

Gosh, it will be all systems go now won't it? Gosh I'm really happy for y'all.

M X

Glad it's all nearly sorted for you Voice, i wish you and yours every happiness.
*I used to know someone from North Island from another forum, she might be a useful contact to show you the ropes?*

*I used to know someone from North Island from another forum, she might be a useful contact to show you the ropes?*
That's very kind of you Secrets but we already know a family who emigrated from near us last year and they live in the city we are going to, but thanks for the offer anyway :)

Well, one of the schools I wrote to for Sam and Ellie has written back saying that they are already over-subscribed for next year, so sadly they can't go to their first choice (and it was THEIR choice, not ours) But since education in NZ is pretty good across the board this isn't such a blow. I'll try their next choice tomorrow :)

That's very kind of you Secrets but we already know a family who emigrated from near us last year and they live in the city we are going to, but thanks for the offer anyway :)

Well, one of the schools I wrote to for Sam and Ellie has written back saying that they are already over-subscribed for next year, so sadly they can't go to their first choice (and it was THEIR choice, not ours) But since education in NZ is pretty good across the board this isn't such a blow. I'll try their next choice tomorrow :)
They don't need to go to school. Get them out in the world, possibly working in a vineyard. They've got loads of them in The Zealand.

cheerio!

Voicey - what can I say other than I am thrilled and thrilled and delighted to get rid of you finally!!!!;) No that aint' true as well you know:D .


I am so chuffed it is finally going to happen for you lot - I know you are all 110% behind this and want it to happen - it will be just wonderful for you. Your life will be so enhanced living in a place that makes all of you happy and content - and I do so love the open house idea - you do know it will have to remain open for a little while when we get there for our 2 week [oops meant to say 2 month holiday]!!;)

And possibly the most exciting thing is I can pronounce where you wil be living, instead of Umgooboodingalingwingsonga - which frankly was just silly!!

OOOhhh voicey - that is fantastic tip top news, and i hope everything goes smoothly for you ... with no guilt trips.

Well done my lovely ;)

And possibly the most exciting thing is I can pronounce where you wil be living, instead of Umgooboodingalingwingsonga - which frankly was just silly!!Well you'll be pleased to know Flip that the place we are going to does in fact have a Maori name as well as a Pakeha (European) one. It's Maori name is Tairawhiti (the wh is pronounced as 'F - and in Maori all vowels are pronounced independently so you always hear each vowel's sound.) As it's the first city in the world to greet the rising sun each morning the Maori name means '"the place where the sun rises" which I think is rather lovely.

It is in fact one of the few areas in NZ that has a significant Maori population which is one of the reasons we chose it and Maori is widely spoken and taught in schools. Since the Maori alphabet only has 13 letters and 2 digraphs (which make up the consonants wh = 'f' and ng = 'ung') the hardest thing to learn is the pronunciation, but the plus side is that once learned the vowels are much more consistant than in English!

It's Maori name is Tairawhiti (the wh is pronounced as 'F - and in Maori all vowels are pronounced independently so you always hear each vowel's sound.) As it's the first city in the world to greet the rising sun each morning the Maori name means '"the place where the sun rises" which I think is rather lovely.



The meaning of the name is just beautiful - is it near the place were EVERYONE wanted to be at midnight on Jan 1st 2000?? You know the one where the sun rises first in the whole wide world??? Oooooooooo I hope it is I am so excited for you.

And according to your instructions which are really hard to follow as I am not sure if I am doing it right - but the place is pronounced:

T-a-ir-af-i-t-i ??

the spaces don't mean a pause they mean a sort of breath.

It is indeed the place that everyone wanted to be in for the millenium celebrations. It was the first City in the world to see the new millenium :)

Your pronounciation is how I would say it anyway (but what would I know?!) I always work out pronounciation of Maori words by remembering Kiri Te Kanawa
(who was born in said city btw) as she has a few vowels in her name to copy!

Oooh spookily I got an email from Mr M'S aunt and uncle today...they have just got online for the first time!

They live in Takapuna, not sure where that is on the North Island, their addy is Takapuna, Auckland.
They went on a ten quid deal many years ago and have never looked back.
The nice thing is, that every time they come back here to visit (maybe once every three years) they are still full of love and enthusiasm for the place.

I'm sure its going to be a better lifestyle for you all! We just can't wait to get to Fuerteventura, but compared to your move, ours is just a short hop!
M

I dunno M, any move abroad is a big one and at least they speak English in NZ! But I think the important thing is that you love the culture and the way of life and go with the intention of fitting in, that's what we have told the children anyways. I know that you have a love of Fuerteventura and feel as if you are 'home' when you are there, sounds to me it's where you are meant to be :)