Migrants tell their story...
Evelyn and Steve Lewis,
Teachers
Teachers
A series of events led to Evelyn and Steve Lewis’s decision to move with their three boys, Jonathon (14), Callum (7) and Gregory (1), to New Zealand. They had just had their third child and were taken by the idea of a fresh start and an adventure.
Four weeks after arriving in New Zealand, we spoke to the Lewis’s in their temporary home in Whangaparaoa, half an hour north of Auckland, about their experiences of the emigration process and their new life in a new land.
The Lewis’s are already impressed by the helpful, kind and welcoming Kiwis they have met. Jonathon said, “In England it’s every man for himself, whereas here people are willing to help you out and go that bit further.” They have managed to buy a house and a car during their short time here and are surprised at how quick the process has been; and they have noticed that life already seems much quieter, less frantic, the beaches are clean, the air is clear and rush-hour traffic just doesn’t compare!
Although both Evelyn and Steve had very good jobs in England – Evelyn as a case work officer in special educational needs and Steve as the principal of a large college – they were beginning to ponder whether they wanted to carry on with the same routine or start afresh. Work obligations were preventing them from spending more time with their family and, as Steve commented, “We wanted to have more time together and with the children and that’s actually quite hard to do where you are because there’s an expectation, but you can spend more time with your family if you go somewhere else and start again.
In mid-2002 Steve began looking for jobs in the newspaper and one happened to be a position in New Zealand. Evelyn and Steve were aware there was a teacher shortage in New Zealand and, both being teachers, realised this could be a great opportunity.
Before making the decision, they did a lot of research on New Zealand.
It was important to them they be as prepared as possible for what they were facing. Evelyn went to the library to find books about life and work in New Zealand, and researched the cost of living, taxation and health insurance so they knew what to expect. Having not previously been to New Zealand themselves, they had a rose-tinted view, but at least they knew a little of what was to come. They also spoke to many people who had visited New Zealand and were happy to commit to a permanent life-style change. We said to the boys, right at the beginning, if we decide to go we will not go back, because you can’t get back to where you were again.
An advertisement for The Emigration Group, in one of the books Evelyn got from the library, led them to initiating their first contact with the UK company and their first steps towards life in New Zealand. After filling out forms to get further information and then throwing them in the bin, Evelyn and Steve decided they were just delaying the inevitable and committed to making an appointment to meet with The Emigration Group in Chester.
The official process began for the Lewis’s on the 22nd November 2002.
Less than ten months later they arrived in Auckland. Through the Chester office they were advised that Evelyn should be the primary applicant as it would be difficult for Steve to get a position as a principal without having taught in New Zealand. As a maths teacher, Evelyn’s skills would be more in demand.
Evelyn and Steve are very happy with the service they have received from both The Emigration Group and Taylor & Associates, and realise the experience and knowledge the companies have acquired over the years is invaluable. Steve said, “The times that we were starting to stress about it, you knew that you could go to them and they would be a sounding board.”
The Emigration Group provided the Lewis’s with many important tips to ensure the emigration process was as trouble-free as possible. Over time their confidence in the organisation increased.
For the Lewis’s, the most frustrating part of the entire process was the waiting. Once they had made the decision to leave the UK they were keen to get employment as quickly as possible. However, there is a process, an order, that has to be followed to obtain all the necessary documentation before you can begin the job search. While it all seemed to take a long time, they acknowledge the process wouldn’t have worked as smoothly for them had they not followed Taylor and Associates’ procedures.
Originally Evelyn and Steve felt it was a lot of money to be paying for the services of a consultant, but said “We were prepared to invest to be able to reap the benefits.” They thought they could have done it themselves if they had known what to do, but they simply didn’t know.
“It was just little things that we didn’t know, but we could have invested a lot of money to do it ourselves and not got there.” They have already recommended a friend use The Emigration Group and Taylor & Associates, which she has.
When Evelyn heard she had gained a position with the Ministry of Education it was late in the evening. The following morning she called The Emigration Group to let them know and they all stopped and cheered.
Evelyn said, “It feels like we’ve become part of [The Emigration Group/Taylor & Associates] family, really.” The companies have provided them with support and advice and, as Steve remarked, “We’re very appreciative of the whole package. We feel as though we have a network through Taylor & Associates that will be there for the future.
The house the Lewis’s are currently staying in was recently purchased by The Emigration Group. “Having the house has been amazing,” enthused Evelyn. While they were prepared to stay in a motel for some time before buying a house, they admit you only get one first impression and, had it been a grotty place, it could have coloured their view of New Zealand.
Everything they need is catered for in the house including toys for the children and a lovely outdoor area.
Their advice to others contemplating emigrating is to plan carefully, be clear what you want and expect, commit to not going back because you won’t be able to get back what you’ve had before, and be prepared to take the advice given” as Evelyn said, “You’re paying these people and they’ve been doing it for some time so they know the best way to sort things out.”
The Lewis’s will move to Wellington soon, where Evelyn will commence her position with the Ministry of Education. In the meantime, Steve is happy to be at home looking after the boys, organising the new house and discovering New Zealand life. The family is looking forward to barbecued turkey and strawberries on the beach at Christmas! Welcome to New Zealand.
Four weeks after arriving in New Zealand, we spoke to the Lewis’s in their temporary home in Whangaparaoa, half an hour north of Auckland, about their experiences of the emigration process and their new life in a new land.
The Lewis’s are already impressed by the helpful, kind and welcoming Kiwis they have met. Jonathon said, “In England it’s every man for himself, whereas here people are willing to help you out and go that bit further.” They have managed to buy a house and a car during their short time here and are surprised at how quick the process has been; and they have noticed that life already seems much quieter, less frantic, the beaches are clean, the air is clear and rush-hour traffic just doesn’t compare!
Although both Evelyn and Steve had very good jobs in England – Evelyn as a case work officer in special educational needs and Steve as the principal of a large college – they were beginning to ponder whether they wanted to carry on with the same routine or start afresh. Work obligations were preventing them from spending more time with their family and, as Steve commented, “We wanted to have more time together and with the children and that’s actually quite hard to do where you are because there’s an expectation, but you can spend more time with your family if you go somewhere else and start again.
In mid-2002 Steve began looking for jobs in the newspaper and one happened to be a position in New Zealand. Evelyn and Steve were aware there was a teacher shortage in New Zealand and, both being teachers, realised this could be a great opportunity.
Before making the decision, they did a lot of research on New Zealand.
It was important to them they be as prepared as possible for what they were facing. Evelyn went to the library to find books about life and work in New Zealand, and researched the cost of living, taxation and health insurance so they knew what to expect. Having not previously been to New Zealand themselves, they had a rose-tinted view, but at least they knew a little of what was to come. They also spoke to many people who had visited New Zealand and were happy to commit to a permanent life-style change. We said to the boys, right at the beginning, if we decide to go we will not go back, because you can’t get back to where you were again.
An advertisement for The Emigration Group, in one of the books Evelyn got from the library, led them to initiating their first contact with the UK company and their first steps towards life in New Zealand. After filling out forms to get further information and then throwing them in the bin, Evelyn and Steve decided they were just delaying the inevitable and committed to making an appointment to meet with The Emigration Group in Chester.
The official process began for the Lewis’s on the 22nd November 2002.
Less than ten months later they arrived in Auckland. Through the Chester office they were advised that Evelyn should be the primary applicant as it would be difficult for Steve to get a position as a principal without having taught in New Zealand. As a maths teacher, Evelyn’s skills would be more in demand.
Evelyn and Steve are very happy with the service they have received from both The Emigration Group and Taylor & Associates, and realise the experience and knowledge the companies have acquired over the years is invaluable. Steve said, “The times that we were starting to stress about it, you knew that you could go to them and they would be a sounding board.”
The Emigration Group provided the Lewis’s with many important tips to ensure the emigration process was as trouble-free as possible. Over time their confidence in the organisation increased.
For the Lewis’s, the most frustrating part of the entire process was the waiting. Once they had made the decision to leave the UK they were keen to get employment as quickly as possible. However, there is a process, an order, that has to be followed to obtain all the necessary documentation before you can begin the job search. While it all seemed to take a long time, they acknowledge the process wouldn’t have worked as smoothly for them had they not followed Taylor and Associates’ procedures.
Originally Evelyn and Steve felt it was a lot of money to be paying for the services of a consultant, but said “We were prepared to invest to be able to reap the benefits.” They thought they could have done it themselves if they had known what to do, but they simply didn’t know.
“It was just little things that we didn’t know, but we could have invested a lot of money to do it ourselves and not got there.” They have already recommended a friend use The Emigration Group and Taylor & Associates, which she has.
When Evelyn heard she had gained a position with the Ministry of Education it was late in the evening. The following morning she called The Emigration Group to let them know and they all stopped and cheered.
Evelyn said, “It feels like we’ve become part of [The Emigration Group/Taylor & Associates] family, really.” The companies have provided them with support and advice and, as Steve remarked, “We’re very appreciative of the whole package. We feel as though we have a network through Taylor & Associates that will be there for the future.
The house the Lewis’s are currently staying in was recently purchased by The Emigration Group. “Having the house has been amazing,” enthused Evelyn. While they were prepared to stay in a motel for some time before buying a house, they admit you only get one first impression and, had it been a grotty place, it could have coloured their view of New Zealand.
Everything they need is catered for in the house including toys for the children and a lovely outdoor area.
Their advice to others contemplating emigrating is to plan carefully, be clear what you want and expect, commit to not going back because you won’t be able to get back what you’ve had before, and be prepared to take the advice given” as Evelyn said, “You’re paying these people and they’ve been doing it for some time so they know the best way to sort things out.”
The Lewis’s will move to Wellington soon, where Evelyn will commence her position with the Ministry of Education. In the meantime, Steve is happy to be at home looking after the boys, organising the new house and discovering New Zealand life. The family is looking forward to barbecued turkey and strawberries on the beach at Christmas! Welcome to New Zealand.
