My mum is interested in moving to New Zealand

However, she would like some opinions from other British citizens (or even local residents from New Zealand) about the positives and negatives.

She's finished paying off the house so she will be able to buy a nice one there and her work field is accounted for but it's more about the living conditions and the differences from the UK that she is concerned about.

Thank you.

Hey there, I live in NZ. Some positives would be the exchange rate, the money will go alot further in NZ dollars. Also if your mum loves the beach she will enjoy herself here because no matter where you go its not too far to the water. Its nice here but then ive not been to where you live to compare..

i lived in nz for 7 years and loved it...though did eventually move back....its a fantastic lifestyle but there are good and bad points, heres a run down of a few:

good
cheap houses
friendly people (generally)
easy to settle in (quite an english feel particularly in places like christchurch)
very outdoors focussed and loads of sports clubs etc you can join

bad
its expensive to fly back, especially when your on an nz salary
its hard to stay in touch as the time difference often means its late/early for one person
english humour doesnt always travel well....but could have just been my jokes!!!

all in all its a great lifestyle though and we would have stayed there if we could have persuaded friends/family to join us. however, in the end it was too far from home and too hard to say in touch and we couldnt give that up so moved back. its a great life if you can make it work though

hope that helps as a good balanced view

t4kjr_11, if you do a Google search for "emigrate nz", you'll find a popular forum frequented by mainly the English and it's a good source of information and opinion with regards to moving to New Zealand.