Kia ora and buenvinidas! This is the maiden voyage of our newest blog! Affectionately known as the "everything you want to know about immigrating to New Zealand (from the USA) but were too shy/confused/overwhelmed to ask..."
First a little history so help you understand how we have found ourselves ( me, hubby, 5 dogs and 1 cat) in this unique, some might say envious, position of actually relocating to Aoteoroa (Maori translation: Land of the long white cloud, or more famously known as New Zealand.
Mike "The Kiwi" and myself met nearly 15 years ago as a result of both of us experiencing a major and emotionally devastating occurance in our lives; we both became widowed losing our respective spouses within 3 months of each other. Mike and I met after becoming member of on online widow community. We married a few years later and have blissfully lived our "chapter 2" since. It should be noted that Mike is a New Zealand citizen who brought his late wife to the USA as a last ditch effort to seek treatment for a debilitating medical condition.
After we married Mike relocated to Arizona, where I was from, and became a permanent resident. He secured a job there and worked his way up in the company to a comfortable position. With these increasing responsibilities we were relocated by the company, first to Florida and then finally to the Atlanta area.
Early last year (2018) We were advised by his company that it had been sold to a bigger fish in the industry and despite assurances by the CEO that the new company would keep most of the managers on (lies upon lies were told in order to facilitate a smooth transition) it was not to be and Mike, along with all the managers and most employees were laid off and their respective facilities closed down late Sept of 2018.
Payoffs, severance and bonus money gave us a bit of time to consider our options.
In Nov. We decided to take a trip to NZ. Mike hadn't been back in 20 plus years and I dearly wanted to see the country many consider heaven on earth. It is truely magical and awe inspiring. We wondered aloud to each other if moving "down under" was a possibility for us, and, at the time, I think we both thought it was a dream that would remain a dream.
We returned back from our vacation, celebrated the holidays (and my very new grandbaby who made an appearance in late May) but NZ was really never far from our minds.
After the first of the year (2019) Mike set to the task of finding a new job. When I say he sent out hundreds of resumes I am NOT exaggerating! Finding a decent paying job in this country, the great USA, is ridiculous and the emphasis most employers put on formal secondary education is pathetic. My husband is great at what he does, had glowing recommendations and references, but he doesn't have an advanced degree. He went on a few interviews but nothing.
Then we revisited the whole can-we-move -to-NZ scenario and tentatively began gathering information and he began applying for jobs there. The 2nd job he applied for offered employment to him doing virtually the same thing he had been doing with a VERY generous salary and even a bit of relocation money! We were beside ourselves! But, nervous and apprehensive as well.
So, this is were we are at.
Mike has accepted the job and will report for work early March. I am staying behind to sell the house, tie up loose ends and go through the very long and somewhat complicated process of getting our 5 dogs and 1 cat ready for exporting. Ugh, this topic deserves a blog all on its own!! But, dont worry, I will go into much greater detail on the pets soon....
Tell next time adventurers!!!
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