WE MOVED TO…NEW ZEALAND

Thursday 1st February 2007

Richard Webber

Why New Zealand?
We'd both visited on holiday and knew it would provide a safer, cleaner environment for our two daughters, Daize, six, and Kaya, four. Also, Giles and I are keen on snowboarding, surfing and outdoor living and Christchurch offers us ski slopes, beautiful lakes and countryside – plus uncrowded beaches like Kaikoura, where you can see whales, dolphins and seals.

How do your homes compare?
We sold our three-bedroom semi-detached box for £225,000 and for roughly the same we bought a four-bedroom restored 1930s weatherboard villa. It overlooks the Southern Alps on one side, the Pacific on the other and has a huge garden. We live in a nice suburb where I feel comfortable letting the girls walks to their friends' houses – something I wouldn't have allowed in the UK.

What surprised you most?
The lack of people, non-existence of traffic jams and the slower pace of life. But despite its image, NZ isn't as green as it seems – everybody drives big cars and has log burners or open fires. Christchurch has worse air pollution in winter than LA.

What are the school like?
Children start at five and schools place great importance on the three Rs. Maori phrases are used in everyday life so they're taught basic language and numbers.

Do you like the food?
We've switched from ready-meals to cooking from scratch. The meat and fish is much better too. Nothing beats catching your own fish and slinging it on the barbie.
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Are you better off financially?
About the same. We can insure the house, its contents and two cars for £160, the same as one car in the UK. Books are pricey, as are cosmetics and clothes – though life is more casual here so we rarely dress up.

Do you work the same hours?
Giles was a finance director in the UK and never got home before eight. Now he runs a software company and is back at six. He often works from home, and will even sneak off to the mountains during the week if the snow is good. I work 20 hours a week in marketing.

How are women treated?
Normally as equals. Women play against the men at things like exists in rural areas. I was once asked to leave a bar because it was for men only.

Is childcare expensive?
It's much cheaper. At two-and-a-half, children can attend free afternoon kindergarten until they're four, when it switches to free mornings. Full-time private daycare is only £50 a week.

What's the driving life?
Terrible. Nobody gives way and everyone cuts you up. You can drive at 15, and insurance isn't compulsory, so youngsters tear along in big, fast cars.

What do Kiwis think of Brits?
They love Brits who adapt to the Kiwi way of life and live it to the full. They hate whingers.
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What were the biggest adjustments?
Having to chop firewood for the log burner rather than flicking on the central heating, and not having the family around to help with the children.

Are there any horrible bugs?
Evil sand flies – they're worse than mosquitos and 20 bites in one go is common.

Ever wished you hadn't moved?
Six months after we moved, my sister-in-law had two boys prematurely, after IVF and a difficult pregnancy. It was hard not being there to help.

Will you ever return to the UK?
Unlikely. The kids are used to the outdoor lifestyle, and returning to the British weather would seem a backward step.