MOVING house can be a traumatic experience for some, especially if you are moving 12,000 miles to the other side of the world.
Eight years ago, that is exactly what the Bell family did, upping sticks in Petts Wood and making a life-changing move to Christchurch in New Zealand.
Mike and Tammy Bell and their three daughters, Emma and Natalie, aged 15 and Rebekah, 13, took a huge gamble in September 2000 when they left friends and relatives behind in England to start a new life abroad.
But it has paid off and now the Bells have set up an online community group at move2nz.com with offices in Christchurch, that offers information and advice to people who have emigrated to New Zealand or who are thinking of moving there.
Tammy, aged 36, grew up in Nelgarde Road in Catford and went to Crofton School in Manwood Road, Lewisham.
Her husband Mike, aged 38, lived in Longdown Road in Bellingham and attended Sedgehill School in Sedgehill Road, also in Lewisham.
The family of five lived in Catford, Bell Green and Petts Wood before moving away.
Tammy said: "We had never visited New Zealand before we emigrated, so took a huge leap of faith that it would turn out OK, and it has.
"We were looking for a better lifestyle for ourselves and our children.
"After researching a number of countries New Zealand proved to be the only one that fitted with our way of thinking."
Tammy said Christchurch and London were worlds apart.
She said: "In New Zealand rather than renting a small home and having to walk or bus everywhere we have a house, a car and a massive amount of freedom.
"In the UK we lived in a tiny terrace house, couldn't afford to buy or run a car and lived very frugally.
"Our opportunities for recreation with the children were very limited and London was becoming increasingly a dangerous place to bring up children.
"We hoped to give them a longer and happier childhood and as many choices as possible."
She added: "It has changed our lives completely.
The Bells miss their friends and family, especially on birthdays.
But Tammy said: "On our recent trip back Mike said that not long after he arrived in the UK he started to feel very homesick for New Zealand, so I don't think he misses it that much!"
When asked if they would do anything differently had they been given the chance, Tammy said: "Come sooner, definitely."
And dear old Blighty is a mere 24 hours away.
11:55am Wednesday 13th February 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Nicholas, Bromley on 4:29pm Wed 13 Feb 08
In general I agree, but there is rowdism and yobbery in Christchurch as in any city but it isn't the war zone that many parts of UK inner (and increasingly outer)city have become.
Parts of Bromley are now indistinuishable from Lambeth and Lewisham with out of control feral youths inhabiting the streets at all hours.
In general I agree, but there is rowdism and yobbery in Christchurch as in any city but it isn't the war zone that many parts of UK inner (and increasingly outer)city have become.
Parts of Bromley are now indistinuishable from Lambeth and Lewisham with out of control feral youths inhabiting the streets at all hours.
Posted by: mcbain, bromley on 8:13am Thu 14 Feb 08
I have lived in both Auckland NZ and Bromley and for all it’s faults, I’ll take Bromley. Parts of NZ are idyllic, it’s true. But the country is not without its social problems, and is most certainly not yob/crime free. There is a phrase over there - ‘Stranded In Paradise‘. Basically, it’s incredibly scenic. But as boring as hell.
I have lived in both Auckland NZ and Bromley and for all it’s faults, I’ll take Bromley. Parts of NZ are idyllic, it’s true. But the country is not without its social problems, and is most certainly not yob/crime free. There is a phrase over there - ‘Stranded In Paradise‘. Basically, it’s incredibly scenic. But as boring as hell.
Posted by: Tammy Bell, Christchurch NZ - Ex Catford Lass on 8:54am Thu 14 Feb 08
I did actually write that there are probs in NZ,it just hasn't as yet been included in this article - of course there is crime, drugs and other horrid things -no way is NZ utopia - this is one of the reasons we are coming back to the UK in April to run our own seminars with the idea of creating realistic expectations.
I am interested that you thought New Zealand is borning.....maybe you could expand on that?
Cheers
Tammy
www.move2nz.com
I did actually write that there are probs in NZ,it just hasn't as yet been included in this article - of course there is crime, drugs and other horrid things -no way is NZ utopia - this is one of the reasons we are coming back to the UK in April to run our own seminars with the idea of creating realistic expectations.
I am interested that you thought New Zealand is borning.....maybe you could expand on that?
Cheers
Tammy
www.move2nz.com
Posted by: Nicholas, Bromley on 11:09am Thu 14 Feb 08
Tammy
My uncle emigrated to NZ in the early '70s. When I visited him in Tauranga I was shocked to discover a town with a 100,000 population (the 6th largest in NZ) didn't have a bookshop. The only place which sold any books was a stationers which sold airport type paperbacks.
Nice place but outside possibly the top three towns (including Christchurch)cultura
lly very dead.
Tammy
My uncle emigrated to NZ in the early '70s. When I visited him in Tauranga I was shocked to discover a town with a 100,000 population (the 6th largest in NZ) didn't have a bookshop. The only place which sold any books was a stationers which sold airport type paperbacks.
Nice place but outside possibly the top three towns (including Christchurch)cultura
lly very dead.
Posted by: mcbain on 11:40am Thu 14 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Tammy Bell[/bold] wrote:
I did actually write that there are probs in NZ,it just hasn't as yet been included in this article - of course there is crime, drugs and other horrid things -no way is NZ utopia - this is one of the reasons we are coming back to the UK in April to run our own seminars with the idea of creating realistic expectations. I am interested that you thought New Zealand is borning.....maybe you could expand on that? Cheers Tammy www.move2nz.com[/quote] I grew up in London, so maybe I’m comparing apples with oranges with my ‘boring‘ comment.
I lived in NZ for five years in the late nineties. There is plenty to do in terms of ‘Outdoor pursuits’ in parts of the country. But as far as music and the arts go I found it something of a cultural wasteland. It just depends what you want out of life. Maybe things have changed.
‘NZ is a great place to grow up in, and a great place to retire to, but I wouldn’t want to live there’. That’s a statement I’ve heard time and again from Kiwis over the years. You have to ask yourself why do they say that, and why do so many come here on their ‘OE’ if NZ is such a culturally rewarding and fulfilling place to be.
A seminar for Brits on realistic expectations of living in NZ is a really good idea. The idea that many Brits still have that ’It’s just like England was in the fifties/sixties’ is way off the mark.
I’m not bitter. I had a great time there, and met some great people. I also met quite a few ****. That’s life. But I’d rather be here, and be able to get on a train at Bromley South, and be in the West End in fifteen minutes,than sitting on a beach in Auckland. Horses for courses, I guess.
Tammy Bell wrote:
I did actually write that there are probs in NZ,it just hasn't as yet been included in this article - of course there is crime, drugs and other horrid things -no way is NZ utopia - this is one of the reasons we are coming back to the UK in April to run our own seminars with the idea of creating realistic expectations. I am interested that you thought New Zealand is borning.....maybe you could expand on that? Cheers Tammy www.move2nz.com
I grew up in London, so maybe I’m comparing apples with oranges with my ‘boring‘ comment.
I lived in NZ for five years in the late nineties. There is plenty to do in terms of ‘Outdoor pursuits’ in parts of the country. But as far as music and the arts go I found it something of a cultural wasteland. It just depends what you want out of life. Maybe things have changed.
‘NZ is a great place to grow up in, and a great place to retire to, but I wouldn’t want to live there’. That’s a statement I’ve heard time and again from Kiwis over the years. You have to ask yourself why do they say that, and why do so many come here on their ‘OE’ if NZ is such a culturally rewarding and fulfilling place to be.
A seminar for Brits on realistic expectations of living in NZ is a really good idea. The idea that many Brits still have that ’It’s just like England was in the fifties/sixties’ is way off the mark.
I’m not bitter. I had a great time there, and met some great people. I also met quite a few ****. That’s life. But I’d rather be here, and be able to get on a train at Bromley South, and be in the West End in fifteen minutes,than sitting on a beach in Auckland. Horses for courses, I guess.
Posted by: Tammy Bell, Christchurch NZ on 10:38pm Thu 14 Feb 08
Thanks for the feedback mcbain - I think things have changed a lot in the last 8 years we have been here.
NZ is a great place to bring kids up and I am very thankful that we have the opportunity to raise our girls here.
I think for such a young country NZ is doing pretty well - of course theres always room for imporvement ;0)
Regarding our seminars - with the feeback that we get from our membership (of which we have 24,000) - many people only get to see and hear about the tourist information and that of course is very different to moving to and living in a country unfortunatly we still have to go to work and pay the bills....and often the weather is crap :0)
New Zealand has a massive skills shortage and I think there needs to be a new approach to attracting and retaining skilled migrants.
Some of the main occupational areas that need addressing are IT, Trade, Construction, Engineering, Teaching and the Health Proffessions.
Cheers
Tammy
www.move2nz.com
Thanks for the feedback mcbain - I think things have changed a lot in the last 8 years we have been here.
NZ is a great place to bring kids up and I am very thankful that we have the opportunity to raise our girls here.
I think for such a young country NZ is doing pretty well - of course theres always room for imporvement ;0)
Regarding our seminars - with the feeback that we get from our membership (of which we have 24,000) - many people only get to see and hear about the tourist information and that of course is very different to moving to and living in a country unfortunatly we still have to go to work and pay the bills....and often the weather is crap :0)
New Zealand has a massive skills shortage and I think there needs to be a new approach to attracting and retaining skilled migrants.
Some of the main occupational areas that need addressing are IT, Trade, Construction, Engineering, Teaching and the Health Proffessions.
Cheers
Tammy
www.move2nz.com
Posted by: Journo on 12:35pm Fri 15 Feb 08
Hi Tammy,
Do you know if there is a shortage of journalists in New Zealand?
Dan
Hi Tammy,
Do you know if there is a shortage of journalists in New Zealand?
Dan
Posted by: Tammy Bell, Christchurch NZ on 9:51pm Fri 15 Feb 08
Hi Dan - unsure if there is a shortage, if you are serious I would suggest you contact media direct to gain an idea of the market.
Cheers
Tammy
Hi Dan - unsure if there is a shortage, if you are serious I would suggest you contact media direct to gain an idea of the market.
Cheers
Tammy
Posted by: Laird, Hong Kong on 10:58am Mon 3 Mar 08
I lived in NZ from 2002-2006 and my only advice to those considering it is: DON'T. Just. Don't. I have lived in five countries in Asia and North America and have never, ever seen a people with heads further up their @#$es than domestic Kiwis. Those who get out (some of whom return) are a fine bunch, don't get me wrong. But the collective character of domistic New Zealanders is low-brow, small-minded and zenophobic.
I lived in NZ from 2002-2006 and my only advice to those considering it is: DON'T. Just. Don't. I have lived in five countries in Asia and North America and have never, ever seen a people with heads further up their @#$es than domestic Kiwis. Those who get out (some of whom return) are a fine bunch, don't get me wrong. But the collective character of domistic New Zealanders is low-brow, small-minded and zenophobic.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
