 |
About One Way New Zealand
So what's all this about then?
Hello, we are the Rays, Craig, Rachel and Myles our son. In September 2007 we started out on a trip / holiday of discovery to travel through New Zealand in order to find out more about the country, the people and its culture. After spending all our lives in the UK we are eager to find out if our lives could be better in another country? Is New Zealand somewhere we could emigrate to - we will endeavor to find this out along the way, and will record our thoughts and feelings of New Zealand and what we think it has to offer.
In the process of putting this blog together we have decided also to try and bring together lots of information on the different regions, towns and cities of New Zealand. Information on immigration, travel, places to stay etc. We also plan to produce a weekly podcast featuring some of the people we meet on our travels. All of this, in the hope that this site will become a valuable resource for others to find out more about New Zealand.
We booked our flights - made the trip of a lifetime and gathered our thoughts, feelings, photos and videos. Feel free to travel along with us!
Recent Comments
Hiya Pete, Jo and April - great to hear from you! - drop us an email by contact us link at bottom of this page - we'll see u soon - hugs to all Rach n the boys xxx"
- Rach
Hi Guys ,
hope you are all well , it seems an age since you left on your travels.
I tried the e mail address but it did'nt work for some reason.
Love to you all . Pete , Jo and April."
- Peter Goode
Stunning pics guys! You so know how to capture the spirit of a moment."
- Sarah
Hi Kelli
Just send us an email: hello@onewaynewzealand.com and we'll reply
good luck with the move - Rach :-))"
- Rach
Hello, is there anyway to write to you? We are about to make a move to NZ and it would be great to speak with you. Please let me know. Thank you."
- Kelli
So do we - you'll be here before we all know it sista - hugs to ya both Rx"
- Rach
Lovely photos sis. Wish we could have been there too."
- Tracey
What precious and fun memories to hold on tight to till the next time. Can't believe you captured all that on film! It was lovely to meet your Mum whilst she was here and so pleased you got to share so many special moments together."
- Sarah
I need to get Craig round to give Dan some lessons! Awesome work on the planter box, which is no doubt over flowing with goodies by now - yummy!"
- Sarah
One of your best Craig! Anna and Myles are gorgeous together and look to be very good friends. What a fabulous piece of footage, to beautiful music and that view is always breathtaking."
- Sarah
Useful things we travel with...
Chariot Carrier
Myles's chariot! What a fantastic piece of kit. Bought this in the US after seeing it in Canada. It's a stroller, an off road buggy with suspension, a cycle trailer and you can even put skis on it! Wouldn't go anywhere without it - You can find out more and see it in action here
Our Travel Insurance
Used World Nomads for our annual policy for quite a while - They were recommended by Lonely Planet and Rob (Our global travelling friend!) also uses them - Good enough for him then it's good enough for us! Not sure if they are the cheapest but you do get what you pay for.
Get a quote online
Canon Camera
We use a Canon Ixus camera for all the photos and videos on the site. The size and quality is unbeatable - a great travelling stills and video camera in one! We got ours from Amazon because of their good returns policy and the online reviews from other users-Amazon reviews on this camera
Car Hire Worldwide
We've used loads of car hire companies over the years and we keep on coming back to auto-europe. They are usually the cheapest worldwide and the price includes all insurance / CDW etc,
www.auto-europe.com
Leatherman Wave
Brilliant multi-tool. Built like a tank and small enough to fit anywhere. Wouldn't leave home without it - Got us out of a few 'sticky' situations.
We got ours from Ready To leave.com
Saturday, 11 Apr 2009
The New Dowse Petone
Saturday, 28 Mar 2009
Reikorangi Pottery and Waikanae Beach - Kapiti Coast
Friday, 27 Mar 2009
First parcel and post from the Nannies in England and Wales!
Sunday, 22 Mar 2009
What did you do at 6pm last Monday?
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008
A Typical Brilliant Day in Welly!
Monday, 15 Dec 2008
Te Papa Museum - Face to face with the Colossal Squid!
Sunday, 14 Dec 2008
Bethany's 5th Birthday
Wednesday, 3 Dec 2008
Having fun at Pete, Sara and Anna's house
Wednesday, 3 Dec 2008
Arriving in Auckland
Tuesday, 2 Dec 2008
Leaving Auckland for Wellington
Saturday, 19 Apr 2008
Wairarapa Wine Tasting
Saturday, 19 Apr 2008
Hailstones & Swing-bridges:
Kaitoke National Park
After a long sleep from the wine blurred events from the previous evening, I awoke with some Wii strain in my right arm - or I slept on it funny - though I'll go with the Wii strain!View this article >
Friday, 18 Apr 2008
Wellington Railway Station
Well I'm off to the Upper Hutt to spend the weekend with Michael, Marrisa and Bethany with a short trip over to the Wairarpa for some wine tasting too!
View this article >
Wednesday, 16 Apr 2008
The Gentle Practitioner and the Matterhorn
Rach made virtual friends with Sarah and Dan Lee (http://www.chezlee.co.nz/) and I arranged to meet up with Dan after work and head over to his for the evening. Dan runs an IT company in Wellington
View this article >
View this article >
Monday, 14 Apr 2008
Hataitai
Hataitai is over the other side of Mount Victoria from the city - You can get to it from either mountaineering from the city with ropes and high energy drinks or you can drive all the way around the road passing through Oriental Bay or up to the Basin Reserve (Cricket ground) and head through the Mount Vic tunnel. After the tunnel - sharp left!View this article >
Monday, 14 Apr 2008
Clyde Quay School
I had to include these photos of the wall painting at Clyde Quay School on Elizabeth Street in Mount Victoria, Wellington. They're wonderful! I must of spent at least half an hour or so looking at them on my way down to the deluxe cafe.View this article >
Monday, 14 Apr 2008
Freyberg Swimming Pool - No Aquatic Bingo here!
A short way around Oriental Bay there's a fantastic public swimming pool (with a great juice bar that I always gab a carrot, orange and lime juice from - yum!). It's a 'proper' pool - not a splash around play time job. Rach has got her eyes on it for her daily lengths when we get to Wellington. There's also a great gym overlooking the swimming lanes.View this article >
Monday, 14 Apr 2008
Have Camera...
Neil and Jen have been fantastic hosts whilst I've been in Wellington - Staying with them and their daughters Holly and Jessica for the majority of the time. They have some big white walls they want some photos on - so the least I could do was to take a few pics for them - Thought you'd like to meet them too!View this article >
Sunday, 13 Apr 2008
Meet Mike, Marrisa, Bethany & Denver the dog
Meet Mike, Marrisa, Bethany & Denver the dog. A perfect way to end a perfect day in Wellington.
View this article >
View this article >
Sunday, 13 Apr 2008
Wellington Waterfront & Oriental Bay - Still Wonderful as ever!
I don't think you can every tire of Wellington waterfront on a sunny day - I speak with people who have lived here for years and they agree. There's something magical about the size and geography of the city which makes it feel much more like a town. It's not unusual to see the same people floating around the place.View this article >
Sunday, 13 Apr 2008
Fergs Rock And Kayak Indoor Climbing Wall
When we were all last in Wellington, Myles was fascinated with this place. There were kids half way up walls and hanging from the ceilings everywhere you looked - some didn't seem much older than 3 or 4 years old. I think it's the largest indoor climbing wall in New Zealand - but don't quote me! What I do know is that we're all definitely up for a go when we get back out later in the year - hopefully Myles will be ready for a climb or too!
View this article >
View this article >
Sunday, 13 Apr 2008
The Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior Has Risen In Wellington
Now I won't go into the full story (It can be found here. In brief the ship was berthed in Auckland until a French spy blew it up - No doubt in response to the French nuclear weapon testing the in pacific ocean. They killed one of the crew in the process. Tragic. The spies were arrested and jailed for a short period before being retuned to France - Many people feel that justice has not been done.View this article >
Sunday, 13 Apr 2008
Henry Moore Sculpture in Wellington Botanic Gardens
This Bronze was placed in Midland Park in the centre of the city in 1988, then moved to the botanic garden in 1995.View this article >
Sunday, 13 Apr 2008
Another day in paradise - Wellington Botanic Gardens
I woke to a glorious sun drenched Sunday morning - quite early considering the late night working away. I get stuck into another couple of hours of work as until the sun poked it's head onto the desk which prompted me to make the most of the day and head on out.View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Quiet Night In
It's great Skyping Rach. We leave the video on even if we are both doing something else - You can strangely feel like your there at times like that. After a few pre-bedtime sessions of Skype Peekaboo with Myles I get stuck in to some work before heading off to bed.
View this article >
View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Seatoun, Wellington
Home to Weta Studios and Peter Jackson of Lord of The Rings fame and some of the most expensive property in Wellington. Seatoun is a short trip through the Mount Victoria tunnel from the city.
View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Scorching Bay
I'm doing a whole re-branding exercise for Neil at the moment and wanted to put some time in over the weekend to make up for a slowish start last week. After another couple of hours or so work I'm need a little break again. Last time we were in Wellington we had a great afternoon at scorching bay so I decide to head back over as the weather as the weather is particularly fine today.View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Owhrio Bay
As you head westwards around the coast the scenery becomes more dramatic with the road hugging the coastline, the waves crashing into the rocks and pretty houses perched up into the hill sides. I really can't get over the contrast from the city just a short hop back through the Mount Victoria tunnel or back though the valleys running back north.View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Houghton Bay and Island Bay
As you head westwards around the coast the scenery becomes more dramatic with the road hugging the coastline, the waves crashing into the rocks and pretty houses perched up into the hill sides. I really can't get over the contrast from the city just a short hop back through the Mount Victoria tunnel or back though the valleys running back north.View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Lyall Bay
After hitting the Warehouse for some supplies, first stop is Lyall bay on the south of Wellington right next to the airport.View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Opening Hours
Well things have change since 1980. Prior to that Sunday trading was banned in New Zealand. In 1990 things became much more flexible with shops being able to open as long as they like on Sunday. Obviously there are many shops in the city that remain closed. But the out of town shopping experience we Brits have grown to love is not limited to 10-4pm or 11-5pm. There are the usual days when all shops are closed such as Christmas day and Easter Sunday.
View this article >
View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Aro Valley
Heading back though the Happy Valley you pass through Brooklyn which i must investigate further. Before heading back up to Kelburn to do some more work I pass through the Aro Valley which has some funky looking shops and cafes. This city is so compact. With each of the areas having a distinct flavour. It's going to be great when we're all over as a family so we can go exploring together.View this article >
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
Happier now
Had a late night. I edited together and posted the podcasts from the NZ Expo show we went to before leaving London. (Type podcast in the search box!). Even so, I woke up quite early today.
View this article >
View this article >
Friday, 11 Apr 2008
Kick Off
Had a great meeting at the start of the process with both Neil and are looking forward to getting stuck in. It's going to be a good piece of rewarding work that should really help Neil's company start moving in the desired direction with a new sense purpose and injection of excitement!
View this article >
View this article >
Friday, 11 Apr 2008
Arty Bees Book Store
Another Wellington great is Arty Bees - They have a couple of book shops in the centre of Wellington where you can buy used books, sell your old ones or have a swap. I picked up a couple of books here - it has a great atmosphere and there are some real finds in here. Ahterstone back home is becoming a book town with lots of specialist used book shops and it's always good to pop in and have a rummage around for the eclectic and unusual.
View this article >
View this article >
Wednesday, 9 Apr 2008
Back to work
I spend most of the morning setting up shop at Neil's offices on Willis street. It's a large open plan office with around 20+ staff. I've met a few of the guys before when we were in Wellington in November last year and take some time to hello to the others. I've worked from home for years, dipping down to London and other exotic locations on a regular basis- I don't normally work well in offices - I find them very distracting as a rule.
View this article >
View this article >
Tuesday, 8 Apr 2008
Wellington for one
Well I finally arrived in Wellington around 9am. I missed my internal transfer - so the lesson to be learnt there is to allow at least a couple of hours between international and domestic flights once in New Zealand - no matter what Air New Zealand
View this article >
View this article >
Saturday, 5 Apr 2008
London & The New Zealand Expo Show
Well after a rushed morning finishing packing for every eventuality, we finally left on the 2 hour trip London around 9am. Liam and Tracey - good friends of ours are coming to the New Zealand Exp with us and staying over in London. Tracey works for the IHG hotel grup and got us a storming deal at a Holiday Inn for a comfy nights sleep!
The show at London Olympia was packed - and much smaller than we expected. All the key stands had good queues and many people seemed to come well prepared with fistfuls of CVs and questions. There were all kinds of stands there. New Zealand Immigration, banks, recruitment agencies, shipping companies, estate agents etc. Rach and I mainly went to check out the shipping options as neither of us are easy candidates for your average recruitment consultant.I have some firm work in Wellington and Rach will probably continue her public art and video commissions once there. The seminars that were running throughout the day seemed very informative also. I think these are great places to find potential NZ work if you come from an easy profession to place with some recognised qualifications to boot - otherwise the consensus of opinion seems to be to get yourself over there and get a job in person!
One method that seems to be successful for a lot of people of to go though the NZ Yellow Pages and pick out 10 employers that you would like to work for and send them your CV - sounds obvious but it seems to work for a lot of people.View this article >
Saturday, 5 Apr 2008
To Wellington
Well it's been almost 4 months since we arrived back in the UK from our family trip around New Zealand. We're experiencing a mix of emotions, ranging from stir crazy to trepidation of the weeks and months ahead for the move out to Wellington for a while.
View this article >
View this article >
Friday, 18 Jan 2008
Meeting up with Natasha and Rory
Friday, 30 Nov 2007
David Beckham arrives as we leave
We arrive at the airport to be met by a small group of people waiting for David Beckham to come out of the departure lounge. LA Galaxy are playing Wellington Pheonix this coming weekend. We managed to catch a glimpse but our minds were otherwise occupied with thoughts on our time in Wellington and our trip coming rapidly to a conclusion
View this article >
View this article >
Thursday, 29 Nov 2007
Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Wellington
Well it was our lucky weekend on our last visit to Wellington, as it coincided with the seasonal opening of the rose garden in the Botanical Gardens. As we approached the gardens from up on the hill the scent of the roses just wafted up around us and the sight of the circular formal rose garden was just beautiful to look at.View this article >
Wednesday, 28 Nov 2007
Common Sense Organics - Organic Shop - Wellington
This shop was a breath of fresh air to us as at home we are so used to the main stores doing their own organic ranges, but as yet NZ stores are a little further behind when it comes to offering the consumer this choice.View this article >
Wednesday, 28 Nov 2007
Kirkcaldie & Stains at Christmas
Well it all seems very strange - walking around bathed in the sun with smiles on our faces and passing the shop windows full of Christmas displays and offers. We timed it well today as Welington's main department store Kirkcaldie & Stains had a Christmas fair running to launch the unveiling of their Christmas window displays.View this article >
Tuesday, 27 Nov 2007
Deluxe Cafe / Deli / Expresso Bar- Wellington
This cafe on Kent Terrace has to be one of the best we've been to, that's because it reminds us so much of deli cafe's in New York that are 'one offs'. We just loved everything in here from the decor to the notice board and the photography on the walls that was for sale, and of course the food and drinks were great too!View this article >
Sunday, 25 Nov 2007
Wellington Farmers Market
This weekend fruit and veg market on the corner of Vivian and Willis is a sight for the eyes and the senses, it's a vibrant place to come and shop for all your fresh fruit,veg and herbs etc... It runs from 4am (!) to 2.30pm on Sunday.View this article >
Sunday, 25 Nov 2007
Auckland to Wellington Flight
Well we needed to go back down to Wellington for a few days and through we'd take an internal flight. It's a full days drive from Auckland to Wellington - Some people with an air of bravado will tell you that they can drive it in a few hours (!) but the days when we used to 'enjoy' that type of breakneck non stop journey are long gone - and we want to make the most of our precious remaining days in New Zealand.View this article >
Friday, 9 Nov 2007
The Desert Road
The drive on the way up to Taupo takes us on the famous Desert Road. On the way down the weather was horrendous and we could barely see a thing so when Tracey had said on the phone to me ‘wow what about that volcano hey!View this article >
Friday, 9 Nov 2007
The Chocolate Fish Cafe
This is one of Wellingtons best kept secrets (well it used to be before Lord Of The Rings!). Near the suburb of Seatoun, it's a perfect place to visit when the wind isn't up to speed and the sun is shiningView this article >
Wednesday, 7 Nov 2007
Oriental Bay Beach, Wellington
We spend our afternoon down on the beach at Oriental Bay. It’s a fabulous place to hang out and let Myles have a run around. It’s so great having a beach like this in the centre of the city, 2 minutes from the Te Papa and 5 from the hotel!View this article >
Wednesday, 7 Nov 2007
Te Papa
The last time we were in Wellington we attempted a visit the Te Papa but is was in full swing with a Maori ‘fest’, which looked amazing but was a little too noisy for Myles. Anyway, this time it was calm and inviting and Myles just loved every second of it. It’s an amazing building perched on the water front and is a magical mixture of exhibits and discoveriesView this article >
Wednesday, 7 Nov 2007
Our 2nd stay in Wellington - Cuba Street and shopping areas
After the ferry journey we take some time to stretch our legs in Cuba Street and the main shopping district.View this article >
Thursday, 25 Oct 2007
Wellington to Picton Ferry - Interislander & Marlborough Sounds
The Wellington to Picton ferry crossing through the Cook Strait and Marlborough SoundsView this article >
Monday, 22 Oct 2007
Myles and Friends
Monday, 22 Oct 2007
Labour Day on Wellington Waterfront
Monday, 22 Oct 2007
Picnics without hobbits, Kaitoke Park
Sunday, 21 Oct 2007
Pampered
We are being spoiled here by Neil and Jen - they are just such lovely, generous people, who pull out all of the stops to show us the best of all Wellington and kiwi life has to offer. I don't know what it is about New Zealand but is seems to be suiting us! and it's the people we've met as well as the place that is making us feel so at home.View this article >
Search
Regions
Select a region to view all resources availabe for that region
