Family

Educational support starts early.

Early childhood education, while not compulsory, is widely available in varying forms from play centres where parents participate in care to full day drop-off daycare. For children aged three and four, the first 20 hours a week of early childhood education is funded by the New Zealand government regardless of means. As you may expect, some centres run long waitlists while others have standing availability, and not every type of care is available in every neighbourhood. 

We toured a spotless daycare centre reminiscent of popular US daycare chains. We visited a couple of darling Montessori preschools offering short hours and intimate classroom setting. And we joined circle time at a bright independent preschool set up in church hall. 

Ultimately, my toddler has settled quickly into a community childcare centre where there is plenty of outdoor space, caring staff, and a very natural mix of age-groups interacting freely. They invite lots of creative (and messy!) open-ended play and even lead the children through weekly walks in the nearby bush. 

Choose the primary school that’s best for your family.

Children typically start year one at primary school on or near their fifth birthday, regardless of when it falls in the year, though parents may opt to start a child at age six. There are 13 ‘Years’ in the New Zealand system, divided into two (primary, college) or three schools (primary, intermediate, college), depending upon the zone. 

For state (public) schools, enrolment is determined by a geographic zone with some schools accepting applications from students outside their catchment area. There are also private schools with offerings ranging across secular and religious models. 

While part of the national system, even state schools develop their own culture based upon the community and school leadership, and not every school will be a good fit for every family. 

At each of the schools we considered, we were able to meet and interview the principal, tour the grounds, and briefly observe classrooms. One school offered new buildings and visible technology; another had a great community feel and beautiful play fields; and a third offered a strong reputation and established teaching staff. It can be hard to sort through the pros and cons particularly when the decision is wrapped up in housing pros and cons as well. 

My school-aged children are at our local primary school. We love that we can walk them to school and have been able to meet people from our immediate neighborhood by participating in the walking school bus program, in which children from multiple families walk to school together and parents take turns leading the effort. At school, the staff have been incredibly supportive of our wish that the kids spend the first few months emphasising socialisation after the long lockdown they endured in the US. 

Education goes beyond academics.

State schools follow a national curriculum overseen by the Ministry of Education, which is focused on giving students a broad general education. Students tend to move through year levels with similarly aged peers, and teachers adapt curriculum to the ability of the student. 

New Zealand culture is a big part of the learning experience. Maori culture (tikanga Maori) and language (te reo Maori) are integrated into the curriculum in most schools, starting in early childhood education. Key national values show up in the way that schools reward their students and operate classrooms. For example, particularly at the primary level, I’ve observed that students are more likely to be given recognition for treating their peers kindly than for getting a perfect score on an exam. Kids are also taught humour and good hearted cheekiness from the early years. 

Outside of the classroom, kids are encouraged to participate in sport, through both robust physical education and extracurricular activities. Although competition is often present, there is emphasis on working as part of a team and on good sportsmanship. When the effort is what’s rewarded, the outcome becomes less important. 

The academic year is the calendar year.

It has taken a bit of adjustment to get my head around the Kiwi school year: it begins in late January or early February and ends in mid December. There are four terms with a 2-week break between terms and national and regional holidays sprinkled throughout the year.  

No shoes, no problem.

School uniforms are widely compulsory in New Zealand, particularly for teens in college (high school). In Auckland, uniforms are standard down to primary level with just a few schools not requiring them. The extent of the uniform varies.

At the same time, shoes are optional. If you turn up at any primary school (or park!) in New Zealand, you’re bound to run across barefoot kids. I’ve found that a strong permanent fabric felt pen is key to making sure your child’s complete uniform comes home each day! 

Sun protection is part of everyday life. 

Sun protection is key to staying safe from burns for much of the year. During the risk period, which varies by geography, schools and daycares require hats, and application of a long-lasting sunscreen becomes part of the morning routine for everyone. Fortunately, peer pressure works well for kids getting accustomed to this necessity. 

More time for family.

The relaxed culture, shorter business hours, and – more recently – increasing flexibility to work from home means more time to spend as a family. It’s common to see parents walking children to and from school in urban and suburban areas and to hear parents finishing their last bits of work from the playground in the late afternoon. 

It’s no wonder that New Zealand has earned the reputation of being a family friendly place to both visit and live.

Thanks to our partners at Mobile Relocation for this piece. Amanda Sadlier is a lawyer who writes, runs, and lives with her family in the eastern bays of Auckland with her partner, George, and their three young children. Mobile Relocation is thrilled to host Amanda as a guest blogger for this post.

Play it cool when they need help.

Returning Kiwis might ask you questions that you think have obvious answers, but the mechanics of living in New Zealand have changed over the years. They’re in a vulnerable spot being unfamiliar with their home, reconnecting with their roots, and holding onto the culture they’ve picked up. You can help by answering with a straight face and your best information. 

Or they may hire a professional to do something that you think they should DIY. Understand that they need expert guidance right now from someone who offers multi-cultural perspective and independent advice. By working with a professional, they’re likely to get the outcome they desire, and it won’t risk putting pressure on your relationship. 

Make space.

The years you’ve spent apart have helped shape who you both are today. Honor that growth and give them the space to make independent decisions and do things their way, even if it’s not your way. They may be choosing a different neighbourhood to yours to stay connected to hobbies they’ve developed overseas or because of a school that is a better fit for what their kids are used to experiencing. While they likely put a Kiwi twist on living wherever they were overseas, now they’re bringing some of their overseas culture back with them, especially if their partner is not a Kiwi. 

Welcome them back to the Relationship.

Invite them out for a drink at your local or along to an activity you once enjoyed together. Try new activities together or – better yet – try out something they’ve grown to love. Returning Kiwis often feel that people here don’t want to hear about their lives overseas, so being curious about hobbies or interests they’ve developed while you’ve been apart is a meaningful gesture of friendship. 

Be generous with your social circle, too: introduce them to friends with similar interests, other repats, or expats in your life. You never know who might hit it off! 

Show up for them.

There are experts who can help your mate find a house, select the perfect school for their kids, and handle their taxes. 

You’re the expert at showing up for them. 

The day that we left MIQ, a close friend came to stay with our kids while we toured neighbourhoods and houses with our relocation specialist. To have her show up to offer our first post-MIQ hug and be the first person to care for our children after months of isolation meant so much to the whole family. 

There are plenty of opportunities for you to help out by showing up as only a friend or family member can. Go by their MIQ hotel and wave from outside. Drop off their favourite lollies while you’re there. Watch their kids when they need a date night or to convert their drivers license. Loan them bedding and some toys when they’re waiting for their container to arrive. Introduce them to the best cuppa in town or your favourite apple variety. Ask how they’re doing after the novelty of moving home has worn off. 

You’re a big part of why they came home, and they’ll be glad for your help making it feel that way again. 

Thanks to our partners at Mobile Relocation for this piece. Amanda Sadlier is a lawyer who writes, runs, and lives with her family in the eastern bays of Auckland with her partner, George, and their three young children. Mobile Relocation is thrilled to host Amanda as a guest blogger for this post.

Just about 15 days before this magical moment, I’d boarded a plane in Seattle with my Kiwi partner, our three children, and quite a few nerves. After a year of planning, preparing, and adjusting our relocation arrangements, we were finally taking off. 

As any seasoned traveller will tell you, it’s a good idea to know where you’re going to be sleeping for at least the first night at your destination. Not so this time. 

Under the current scheme, the New Zealand government arranges accommodation within the managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) system based upon an incoming flight’s passenger manifest. Travellers have neither a choice nor advanced notice about what city or hotel will host them for their mandatory isolation. 

In an attempt to allay my anxiety leading up to this great unknown, I had scoured various Facebook groups to get an idea of what others were experiencing in MIQ. Unfortunately, this approach both created its own anxiety (dreading an extra flight or long bus ride to MIQ facilities outside of Auckland) and fueled my unreasonable expectations (spacious suburban rooms equipped with a kitchenette and unlimited access to a large car park). Preparing for a basic hotel room would have been a better bet. 

Once we landed in Auckland and were herded through immigration and customs in a fog of exhaustion, a kind constable helped us load our luggage into a chartered bus that we soon learned was bound for Auckland’s CBD. 

In the echoing hotel lobby, my jetlagged and hungry toddler screamed while our family was quickly processed through meal selection for the next few days, basic hotel procedures, and a simple health screen. A room key was placed in my hand, and we were urgently shown to the lift. 

It took a few days for the expectations to fade and for me to accept our reality. 

Our family of five was given a simple room with two beds and a desk; a TV and wifi; bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink; and basic amenities like ironing gear, kettle, and safe. This is the place where we would eat, sleep, exercise, and attempt to make the most of our circumstances for the next two weeks. After some nudging, we were able to expand into a second room on another floor, which proved critical for allowing our toddler to nap and everyone to get a good night of sleep. In hindsight, we might have been more creative with the second room and could have used it as an exercise space, eating area, bag storage, or quiet retreat – all functions that we found challenging to carry out in our main room. 

Perhaps the biggest surprise was lack of access to the outdoors. We were allowed to go out on the small smoking deck as often as we liked as long as we all maintained distance from other guests. For fresh air, though, we had to sign up for an off-site slot, which was only permitted every 48 hours and involved being bused to an 8-meter by 100-meter space on the wharf. We took advantage of every opportunity to get out – even in gusty winds and driving rain – and narrowly managed to keep our energetic children from plunging into the harbour by distracting them with sidewalk chalk. 

Despite this challenging environment, we did eventually settle in. 

It helped to shed my original expectations and get used to MIQ’s routine. Hotel staff delivered a paper bag of food and water to our door three times a day, at some point during the 2-hour delivery window. Nurses made rounds to check temperatures and inquire about any symptoms. The front desk called each morning to take our food selection for the next day and see if they could bring us anything else, such as fresh linens, cleaning supplies, or toiletries. On outdoor days, everything revolved around the slot we had booked and being sure to book in again for 48 hours later.  

In between, we passed time with books, television, planning our next steps. We grew to really appreciate the little extras: the kitchen agreeing to add our standing coffee order to breakfast; friends ringing from the street to wave to us through our hotel room window; security giving us an extra 10 minutes outside on a sunny day; and friends and whanau delivering treats, games, and magazines for us. 

Marking milestones helped to pass the 14 days as well. Shortly after our arrival, we created a colourful paperchain from strips of magazine, and we removed a link each night. After our Day 3 and Day 12 COVID tests, we celebrated with our favourite Kiwi lollies, and we marked our halfway point and last dinner in isolation with delivery of takeaways. 

The most pleasant surprise of our managed isolation experience was the sense of camaraderie that comes from working together toward a common goal. Despite uncomfortable circumstances and evolving procedures, every person in the building was doing their part toward keeping New Zealand safe…and generally doing so with a smile on their masked face. 

It is best to remember that the fortnight in MIQ is just 336 hours and will soon be just a small blimp in the grand journey of moving to New Zealand. Mentally prepare and pack with that in mind, and you’ll soon be feeling the gentle breeze of life on the other side of MIQ. 

Thanks to our partners at Mobile Relocation for this piece. Amanda Sadlier is a lawyer who writes, runs, and lives with her family in the eastern bays of Auckland with her partner, George, and their three young children. Mobile Relocation is thrilled to host Amanda as a guest blogger for this post.

Paint

While working through Jess’s relocation plan with her prior to departure from the UK, she threw a question at us we’d never heard before. ‘Can I bring my watercolours through New Zealand’s strict border controls?’

Luckily the answer was yes, and we discovered painting was to be her answer to the long hours ahead in MIQ.  Here’s’ what Jess told us:

“Learning watercolour was my new hobby during the UK lockdowns. I can spend hours following YouTube tutorials designed for beginners without realising where the time has gone. Our MIQ facility has given us so much vibrant fresh fruit I couldn’t resist attempting a fruity still life! Watercolour is perfect as it takes up very little room in your suitcase, makes almost no mess, and all you need in the room is a glass or cup for water and some loo roll!”

Engage through photography

Returning Kiwi Amanda works in the creative industries so it was no surprise when she posted a stunning sunset picture from her MIQ hotel and challenged those on the outside to better it.

As a solo traveller, social media was a key support for Amanda during the two weeks in a hotel room by herself.

Through the photo share she connected with friends who hadn’t caught up with her return, and got to see a stunning array of images from all over New Zealand.

Equipment required?  Nothing more than a phone.

Create for the wider community

Numerous clients have sent us pictures of their MIQ window art, which is also evident to anyone driving past a managed isolation facility.

Materials range from post-it notes through to drawn images and collage cut-outs.

If your suitcase can’t accommodate bringing these supplies, order online from Warehouse Stationery as soon as you arrive and it will be in your hotel room by the time you’ve beaten jetlag.

Food art

Meals are a highlight of MIQ, mainly because there’s not much else going on! 

We’ve seen some hilarious and creative responses.  From illustrated food-bags, through to the chef who dissected and recreated each breakfast, lunch and dinner as plate art.

No specialist equipment needed except imagination, and perhaps a pen.

Kids gratitude art

If your MIQ bubble includes younger family members, drawing can be a great distraction, and connection point for them. 

Parent of three, Amanda Sadlier, had her children making gratitude art to stick on their door to brighten the day of the nurses, food delivery staff and other hotel workers who looked after them so well. 

All this required was some paper and felt pens which had been easily slipped into the luggage, and Amanda explains how the activity gained wider significance for their family.

“It wasn’t until we saw MIQ staff coming around to photograph the art for their colleagues that we realised their job is essentially to ‘serve’ meals to closed doors all day. We were grateful for all they did for us and happy to introduce some humanity into the tense environment.”

Thanks to our partners at Mobile Relocation for this piece.