From Vacations to Living in New Zealand

by Beate Cisse
(New Zealand)

Karekare Beach, at Auckland's west coast

Living in New Zealand today is a result of childhood dreams stirred up by an uncle who invited to his slide presentation of his travels. Realizing that there is more out there than this narrow clear outlined and often quite static life encouraged reaching out. Spreading wings and discovering new horizons were important. It took a while to throw over board passed on principles. Eventually the charm, beauty, security, and opportunity New Zealand transmitted overruled all of them.

Traveling to this country on the other site of the world, intending to give my children a second language, we found our home. Each day passing made the bond stronger. The balance tipped finally when we visited a primary school. The experience was so different from my own ones that the decision was made to make a permanent stay legal.

After more than two and a half years we held the permanent residency in our hands. Along the way we met many kind, generous, and supportive friends. They gave unconditionally help, constructive advice and ideas, or offered a place to stay. Without them our adventure to living in New Zealand could have been a lot more difficult maybe impossible.

Fortunate for us challenging times always opened up a new path. Passing the language test straight away, finding a suitable first job and the second after losing the first which caused a tight situation with the immigration, having a place to stay while money was sparsely, or getting into a great school, and recovering lost passports. Following undeterred our dream we succeeded. In retrospect I believe it is a fantastic example of applied positive thinking. All odds were overrun by trust, which made this experience one of my richest to grow personally.

Still the whole family, consisting of two children and I, enjoy every single day of our chosen life. The children thrive at school. We love the fact that at any time a beach walk, kiting, or body boarding on one of our favorite beaches is possible in less than 30 minutes drive. The same applies to listening to the sounds of tuis on a hike through bush and ancient forest.

You are welcome to read more about our New Zealand Vacations in West Auckland www.new-zealand-vacations-in-west-auckland.com" that turned into living in New Zealand.



All the best,
Beate