It's a Drama Podcast

In 2017, Taranaki, New Zealand was voted by The Lonely Planet as being the 2nd best region in the world to visit. Wow. That's a pretty big label—a lot to live up to.  My family and I have lived in this region for twelve years and now consider ourselves Naki locals. As you can imagine,  New Zealand has a lot of pros and cons and Taranaki is no different. Join Brian and I talk as we talk about what...

New Zealand food. Not exactly the most talked about cuisine in the world. Why? Is it because the kiwis are ashamed of their national nosh or are they hiding something from the rest of the world?  When we made our move to New Zealand from the UK twelve years ago, I wasn't expecting much in the way of food. Maybe a few lamb chops and a packet of butter. A glass of milk at a push. How wrong I was......

If you have ever wondered what New Zealand Teenagers are like then you will love this show. Today I had the pleasure of talking with Tyrese. Tyrese is seventeen years old high school student who went from feeling angry and frustrated with school to managing his own curriculum and running his own successful radio station. If you are after an inspiring story or a sneak peek into what living in New Z...

Regardless of whether you are moving to New Zealand or planning to visit when the borders open, there are a few crucial things you should know. Like what NOT to say in New Zealand. Brian and I thought it would be fun to share seven kiwi BIG no-no's in this week's show. That way, when you eventually get off the plane in Aotearoa, you can get on with the good stuff. Like making friends with hobbits...

If you had to choose between raising your family in France, UK or New Zealand, which would you choose? Today you are about to meet Benjamin. We met Benjamin when he joined our private New Zealand community. We have had the pleasure of watching and helping for almost a year as he and his young family made the big move to New Zealand. But was it easy? And how on earth do you decide between three cou...

If I were asked to describe what typical New Zealand people are like, the last word that would come to mind would be 'rugged'. Yet, apparently, according to the people on the washing line, this is a label that goes hand in hand with the folks down under. In this weeks show, Brian and I thought it would be fun to take four of New Zealand's national stereotypes and discuss whether we found them to b...

You'd think that after living in New Zealand for 12 years we'd have adjusted to the kiwi ways. And we have. To most things. But not all. We moved to New Zealand from England in 2009 and it was the best move that we have ever made. We have raised our kids in a country that embraces innovation and creativity, and have been warmly welcomed by the wonderful New Zealand people .  But. There are times w...

It's on days like this that I tend to reminisce. Go back in my mind ten years to when Brian was working in his plumbing and heating business and I was at home with kids, doing my best to provide them with a rounded education. Through my rose-tinted glasses, I see a calm and harmonious family who had a regular wage popping through the door every week. A life where the mother felt no need to put her...

New Zealand is often referred to as being, 'like England was fifty years ago.' At first, I wasn't sure what this statement meant but after living in New Zealand and witnessing the life skills and the values that New Zealand people work hard to retain, the expression became a whole lot clearer.   Would You Like To Join Our Private New Zealand Community? Are you Considering Moving To New Zealand and...

Oh, joy. Just when you think you have everything sorted. Just when you think that you have all of your baby duckies lined up neatly in a row, something goes and changes. A big wet scary towel is thrown over you and your head is you find yourself being yanked pulled along with the flow. I just wanted to make this absolutely clear before you listen to this weeks Behind the Scenes Podcast. What may s...

Yesterday I was asked by a member of our private community, 'Is the food in New Zealand better?'  While this is a huge topic (and those who know me will have probably guessed my answer), I said it would depend on where you are comparing it to. Compared to the UK, yes, I think that the food in New Zealand is better. It tastes more 'real'. Don't ask me to define real because I can't. Sorry. Let's ju...

Last week, when I received an email from a listener from the Middle East. (The fact that we have people listening to us from the middle east blows my mind with excitement but that is a different story). Here is a snippet of what it said: "One second thing is the reason why you guys decided to move abroad. I am from the middle east so everybody want to move away from here. It is really interesting...

This episode is a biggy. There is no way we could condense what we have just experienced into a thirty-minute show. Today you will hear us talk about how we met a Māori couple online - on Youtube. And how, within ten days of that initial introduction, these people had traveled ten hours across the country and were sitting at our table sharing dinner with us.  Four strangers. Two cultures. One beau...

Can you imagine coming to New Zealand with dogs? I can't.  Bringing two kids was stressful enough. But you are about to meet a family who has done both! and in this episode, they share how moving to New Zealand without their fur babies was never an option. Regardless of the stress and the cost. Would You Like To Join Our Private New Zealand Community? Are you Considering Moving To New Zealand and...

Hello and welcome back! This is the second (of an experimental)  six-part series. A behind-the-scenes podcast where we go deeper into our family life and share some things that we think (we hope!) you might be interested in and may help you. So many of you have asked us to talk more about personal matters: being a parent, traveling the world, homeschooling, starting online businesses and so here w...

It's all over the news. The team of five million are unbeatable. You don't have to look far to find someone singing the praises of the New Zealanders. But are the New Zealand people as kind as the world is led to believe? And if they are so friendly what makes them so? Or is all this kindness stuff a big fat cover-up to keep the MIQ staff in a job?  Let's go for a walk and find out. Would You Like...

Hello and welcome! This is the first (of an experimental)  six-part series. A behind the scenes podcast where we go deeper into our family life and share some things that we think (we hope!) you might be interested in and may help you. So many of you have asked us to talk more about personal matters: being a parent, travelling the world, homeschooling, starting online businesses and so here we are...

You don't have to look far to find some New Zealand facts. We all know about the sheep population and the fact that Rotorua smells of eggs, but what about the other stuff? What about the WEIRD New Zealand facts? The stuff you only find when you dig your gumboots in a little deeper? Would You Like To Join Our Private New Zealand Community? Are you Considering Moving To New Zealand and are desperate...

If you are moving to New Zealand there are things you'll want to know. Like how to fit in and get along. And who better to answer that question than a true, born and bred New Zealander.  Today we are thrilled to be chatting with Gordy. A real kiwi bloke. Would You Like To Join Our Private New Zealand Community? Are you Considering Moving To New Zealand and are desperate to know what life in New Ze...

Why is New Zealand so expensive? Is everything in New Zealand expensive? Why do things cost so much in New Zealand? These are questions that we hear a lot from people overseas. So in this week's show, we thought we'd share seven things that we found to be far cheaper in New Zealand than in the UK. Now then. I bet you weren't expecting that were you...?   Would You Like To Join Our Private New Zeal...

If you are considering moving to New Zealand from the US then you will love this week's show. Two weeks ago, our guests found themselves leaving America for good to start a new life down under. And it wasn't easy for them. Moving away from family , selling your home and giving away possessions all comes with a big emotional price tag.   Would You Like To Join Our Private New Zealand Community? Are...

When we first moved to New Zealand the following typical ways that we are about to share were alien to us. Now, these habits are (mainly) the norm! If you are moving to New Zealand and want to be ahead of the game, you will LOVE this show! 7 common New Zealand habits that will have you questioning the way the rest of the world does things! Would You Like To Join Our New Zealand Community? Are You...

If you are considering emigrating to New Zealand from America  then you'll have some questions. And I'm guessing that the number one concern is the USA vs New Zealand cost of living. There is talk about town that the wages are lower in New Zealand and the cost of living is higher.  Have you heard that too? Well, today you're in for a treat! In this week's podcast, we talk to Ryan. Ryan left the US...

We have been living in New Zealand for twelve years, and today, we discovered something about the country, about the New Zealand culture that we never knew existed. The cringe culture. You and me both...we'd never heard of it either. In this week's podcast, we explored WHAT the new Zealand cultural cringe is, WHY does it happen, & share something crucial with all of the arts lovers out there who a...

If you love football, are from England and are living in New Zealand then we have something in common - we'll all be calling in sick to work on Monday morning!!  In this mini-podcast, we dive into how it feels to be on the other side of the world when England are about to take part in something momentous. We also discuss the ways in which you can still keep up with your favourite sports teams when...