0:00:02 > 0:00:04If you passionately believed that there was a better
0:00:04 > 0:00:07life waiting for you, on the other side of the world,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10but the person you loved most didn't share your dream,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13would you follow your head or your heart?
0:00:13 > 0:00:18In 2013, Richelle Barker was facing that dilemma.
0:00:18 > 0:00:23Today, we'll find out where she and her mum now call home.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Richelle was passionate about a move to the other side of the world...
0:00:27 > 0:00:31I absolutely fell in love with New Zealand through geography in school.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34..and was desperate for her mum to join her.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37We're less like mother and daughter and more like best friends.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41But for Mum, Lorraine, that meant facing an unbearable choice.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44I can't see me being in New Zealand,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47thinking "My God, I've left my mum."
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Two years on, we'll find out where they are now.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53At this moment in time, I'm feeling really positive.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Roughly the same size as Great Britain, New Zealand boasts
0:01:21 > 0:01:25almost 9,500 miles of coastline and sandy beaches.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27With most parts of the country enjoying
0:01:27 > 0:01:30over 2,000 hours of sunshine each summer,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33it's not difficult to see why, for almost 40 years,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36it's been one of the top ten destinations
0:01:36 > 0:01:39for UK residents choosing to emigrate.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46Two years ago, Richelle Barker had just one week to convince Mum,
0:01:46 > 0:01:51Lorraine, to uproot her entire life and start afresh in New Zealand.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55But at the end of it, the pair faced a life-changing decision -
0:01:55 > 0:01:58whether to stay in the UK, or take the plunge
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and move to the other side of the world.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Today, we'll discover how and where
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Lorraine and Richelle are now.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11The Barkers' original trial week in New Zealand started with
0:02:11 > 0:02:15a 12,000-mile journey with stops in four different time zones.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Despite the long flight, the ladies had arrived in good form.
0:02:19 > 0:02:20It still hasn't hit home.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23We were on the plane saying, "We are going to New Zealand!"
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- It just doesn't feel real. - This is my dream to come here.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29To actually get that, it hasn't sunk in.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32I don't think it will for quite a while yet.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35With just one week to persuade her mum life would be better
0:02:35 > 0:02:40New Zealand, Richelle would need to find her bearings fast.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44In 2013, classroom assistant Lorraine
0:02:44 > 0:02:46and then 18-year-old daughter Richelle were
0:02:46 > 0:02:50living in a three-bedroomed bungalow in Kinmel Bay, North Wales.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52And as relationships between mothers and daughters went,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55they didn't come much stronger than this one.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58We are less like mother and daughter and more like best friends.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01She is my rock, my confidante, my everything.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04The pair spent almost all their spare time together.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07We go to these country and western festivals, and we dress up
0:03:07 > 0:03:11with our Stetsons and our boots, and we do a bit of line dancing.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14But that relationship was being put to the test.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Richelle was desperate to convince her mum to follow her dream
0:03:18 > 0:03:20and move to New Zealand.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Everything Richelle seems to do, it's all with New Zealand in mind.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Well, I absolutely fell in love with New Zealand through
0:03:27 > 0:03:31geography at school. We saw these amazing mountains with the snow.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34They've got nice holiday destinations with beaches,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37just like we have here, only they have the summer for it.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Lorraine had emigrated to Australia in her 20s,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43but had returned to the UK before Richelle was born.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Nearly 30 years later,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49she didn't know if she had the strength to do it all over again.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52At 50, I can see pitfalls and problems arising,
0:03:52 > 0:03:57and I'm really quite concerned if I'm doing the right thing or not.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01A legacy from Lorraine's time down under was Australian
0:04:01 > 0:04:03passports for her and Richelle,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06meaning they wouldn't have needed visas for New Zealand.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09But the downside was that if Lorraine left Wales,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12she'd also be leaving her mum.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13My mum has always been there to help.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15She's always lived just down the road.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18We always phone each other every day.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21I can't see me being in New Zealand, thinking,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24"My God, I've left my mum."
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Health issues meant there was no chance of her nan
0:04:26 > 0:04:29making the move with them and Richelle was all too aware
0:04:29 > 0:04:33of the emotional turmoil her mum faced.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34This is part of my dilemma.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38If we go out to New Zealand and my mum is not settled,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42that would break my heart to see my best friend unhappy.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46For Richelle to realise her dream of a new life down under,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Lorraine faced having to choose between her mum and her daughter.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Whatever's going to happen, someone is potentially
0:04:51 > 0:04:55going to lose their mum, whether it's me with you,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57or you with your mum.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00It's a dilemma all round.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10For their first ever trip to New Zealand,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Richelle and Lorraine visited the greater Auckland region
0:05:13 > 0:05:14in the north island.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Home for the week was a two-bedroom cottage in Coatesville,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21a small, rural community about 18 miles north-west of the city.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Straight away, Lorraine was impressed.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- Wow! That is...- No, mum. It's the little cottage on the left.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31I don't care if it's that garage! It's fabulous.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Their rental cottage was attached to the owner's home
0:05:33 > 0:05:37and formed part of a traditional Kiwi lifestyle plot.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41I love these big, quirky rooms and the fire.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42INDISTINCT
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- It's different. Funny, funky room shapes.- Yeah!
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- That is what I'm talking about. - Beautiful.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52These lifestyle blocks are absolutely amazing.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54It was an amicable start to the week,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57but the pair's relationship risked being put through the ringer
0:05:57 > 0:06:01if Lorraine was to be convinced of a future in New Zealand.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03We'll just have to suck it and see.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Find out some more, first.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08But first day,
0:06:08 > 0:06:13first feeling, first impression is absolutely beautiful.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Back in the UK, the Barkers were living in a three-bedroomed
0:06:23 > 0:06:26detached bungalow in Kinmel Bale, North Wales.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29And if Richelle managed to convince her mum to move,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32she had a clear idea of what a Kiwi home should have.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36My dream house would be a wooden, weather-board house,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40three bedrooms, big, private with a plot of land.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Half an hour to an hour away from civilisation.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47I do like anything that's quirky or a little bit different.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Some of it is quite similar, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53There's one thing that we agree on, anyway - just location.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57I've got this idea of having chickens and sheep.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59I'd be happy with just a dog.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09The Barkers had a budget of £200,000 for a home in New Zealand.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10We showed them three properties -
0:07:10 > 0:07:15one on budget, one their ideal home and one in-between.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18First stop was the farming region of Kaukapakapa.
0:07:18 > 0:07:2145 minutes from the centre of Auckland, it was popular with
0:07:21 > 0:07:25people wanting to combine city working with rural living,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28so should have been ideal for Richelle.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31This four-bedroomed property had plenty of room inside.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33And, with 2.4 acres outside,
0:07:33 > 0:07:37it could have been perfect for those sheep and chickens.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- Wow. What do you think of this? - It's a view, isn't it?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- Oh, it is lovely.- Very nice.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46So far, so good. But how did the inside fare?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48It does need a lot of TLC, I think.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- It would have to be...- Modernised!
0:07:52 > 0:07:56But, depending on the price, things could be done with it.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Lorraine was underwhelmed.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Richelle needed to find something to please her mum quickly.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- This is bedroom number one. Decent size, isn't it?- It is.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I suppose the bed is big, so it's taking up some room.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11They've got cowboy hats, mum.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Ready for us to move in.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Nice try, but it wasn't enough.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18There's a lot of money to be spent here.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22This old electric. And that noise, all day,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24because we're right on the busy road.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Inside had left a lot to be desired
0:08:27 > 0:08:30and the busy road outside didn't help either.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33I'm just not feeling it here. With that road, I think...
0:08:33 > 0:08:36We're not used to it, are we?
0:08:36 > 0:08:38It did have the land Richelle wanted,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42so was it within their £200,000 budget?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- OK. Here we go. - SHE MAKES A FANFARE
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- Wow!- £283,000!
0:08:49 > 0:08:53So, that was quite a lot more than what we expected.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58Wow! I thought our budget would be quite enough to buy a better house.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59Oops!
0:08:59 > 0:09:02The real cost of lifestyle living was threatening to derail
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Richelle's dream.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Would the next house lift her spirits?
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Further away from the city centre, this well-presented
0:09:10 > 0:09:14house in Parakai should have offered more value for money.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Well, it's very suburban.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Squashed in with thousands of others.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23It wasn't quite the lifestyle block Richelle was looking for,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- but did inside win her over? - Oh, wow. Amazing.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- It's a bit more... - Compared to the other house.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31I love the way it flows outside.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34But there was little room for Richelle's livestock plans.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36It's a really nice garden,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39but there's no way for chickens or for sheep.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43And a lack space for animals wasn't the only problem.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46I can see about 50 houses in one glance.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51- Back indoors, size was an issue in the bathroom too.- Right.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54So, it's a main bathroom
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- and it's got a washing machine in.- OK.
0:09:57 > 0:10:03- Erm... I don't think I could fit in that bath.- It's usable.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06If you are a hobbit, it's usable.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10The bath was too small, the neighbours too close, but was
0:10:10 > 0:10:15this somewhere they could afford anyway on their £200,000 budget?
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Shall we see how much it's worth?
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- Ah-ha!- OK, so it's under budget by £5,000.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27- But it's still overlooked. - I don't think I can afford my dream.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31It's quite a frightening aspect of it.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35The day wasn't going to plan and, with just one property to go,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Richelle's chances of finding the right house at the right
0:10:38 > 0:10:40price were looking slim.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42The final stop was in Helensville,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45within easy commuting distance to central Auckland.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49What did they make of this spacious four-bedroomed house?
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- There's a real cottagey look to it, isn't it?- It's got a chicken.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55That had to be good sign.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Oh, look, Mum, it's got a Kent fire.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- It'll be lovely and warm in the winter.- It's nice and open-plan.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02It flows into the dining room, which is quite nice.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06It's a nice-sized kitchen. Needs a bit of TLC.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08It's the size we are looking for.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10It was looking promising so far.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- Quite a big-sized room. - Wow, it's huge. Yeah.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15It's got a really nice view, as well.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Richelle and Lorraine seemed won over inside,
0:11:17 > 0:11:21but did the garden offer more privacy than the last property?
0:11:21 > 0:11:24You feel like your private and secluded, really.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29This house seemed to work for them, inside and out.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32So, was it priced to please?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35I'm going to say it's bang on our budget at 200,000!
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Right. Do you want to go for it?
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- Oh! £217,000.- Which is NZ395,000.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50That was £17,000 over the Barkers' budget.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55House prices are so much more expensive than I imagined.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58It had been a bad start to Richelle's week, as the real
0:11:58 > 0:12:02cost of the kind of property she wanted had been revealed.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Property one offered the lifestyle block she'd been dreaming of,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08but at a price they weren't prepared to pay.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11The second house was more affordable,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15but also too overlooked, and the final house was almost perfect,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19but just beyond their budget.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20So, based on what they'd seen,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24did the Barkers vote for property in the UK or New Zealand?
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- UK.- I'm very undecided
0:12:34 > 0:12:37and I'm surprised that you have picked the UK.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39It's just been super disappointing.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42I just thought we would get so much more for our money
0:12:42 > 0:12:44than what we've been shown today.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55Richelle had been dreaming of a life in New Zealand for almost ten years,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57but the true cost of property down under
0:12:57 > 0:13:01meant that finding a job with a good salary was crucial.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Back in the UK, Richelle had been earning around £10,000 a year
0:13:04 > 0:13:09as a full-time accounts assistance while studying for her final exams.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12I'm not on much at the moment but, if we do go,
0:13:12 > 0:13:17we will need a mortgage, so the right salary would be needed.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21As a classroom assistant for young people with learning difficulties,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Lorraine earned a similar wage.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26She loved her job, but was willing to be flexible in New Zealand.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29At 50, I'm not sure I'm going to have a lot of options,
0:13:29 > 0:13:34but I would like to think that I would gain a similar position.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37As part of their fact-finding week down under,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39we'd arranged for Richelle and Lorraine
0:13:39 > 0:13:41to explore the local job market.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Lorraine visited the Wilson School for children with special
0:13:44 > 0:13:47needs in Takapuna and was hoping principal
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Jan Pennington would put some of her worries to rest.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I am 50 and I'm a little bit concerned.
0:13:52 > 0:13:58Is that too old to be applying for posts for a teacher's aid?
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Age isn't a barrier in most special schools in New Zealand.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03What we are looking for are people who are passionate,
0:14:03 > 0:14:08and ready and willing to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11A question of what you're prepared to do rather than what
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- you're qualified to do.- I see.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16It was exactly what Lorraine had needed to hear
0:14:16 > 0:14:20and a happy mum meant potentially less pressure on Richelle.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Yesterday was very disappointing, so today...
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Everything is riding on today, really.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Richelle was due to graduate as an accounts technician
0:14:28 > 0:14:32and hoped her qualifications would be transferable to New Zealand.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34To find out, she met with Martin Richardson,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37director at a local accountancy firm.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40He was quick to point out that, on top of her qualifications,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Richelle would still need to complete a further training
0:14:43 > 0:14:45programme in New Zealand.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47There's a foundations programme that takes the first
0:14:47 > 0:14:50year and then there's another two or three years.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54So, if I were to emigrate, I would have to do the extra three
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- to four years...- Yes. - ..to be recognised?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00That meant more studying for Richelle,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02but it didn't seem to put her off.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05So, are there many job opportunities for someone like me
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- emigrating to New Zealand? - Oh, I think so.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Currently, we are employing for next year's grad intake,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15so there could be up to 300-400 grad jobs going.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17It sounded as if New Zealand could have offered more job
0:15:17 > 0:15:20opportunities for Richelle than the UK.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25What kind of salary would I expect with my age? I am only 18.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Currently, we are offering 44,000 for the graduates that we're
0:15:29 > 0:15:31taking on next year.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35The starting rate for seniors is about 65,000, currently.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39About two years later, you can get to manager, which is about 80,000
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and then, basically, the sky's the limit after that.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- Wow, that's brilliant. - It was great news.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48If Richelle earned around £24,500,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52it would have more than doubled what she was making a home.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Her dream was back on track,
0:15:54 > 0:15:59if Lorraine was happy with possibilities in her line of work.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Are there jobs available?
0:16:01 > 0:16:05There certainly are jobs available in special schools,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09but also supporting students in mainstream schools.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14Good news again, but did Lorraine fare as well on the financial front?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Middle-of-the-range teacher aides would be earning
0:16:17 > 0:16:23somewhere between 18,500-19,000.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25That was just over £10,000,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28slightly more than Lorraine was getting a home.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Had the day addressed some of her concerns?
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Today, it was so positive. I don't see a barrier any more.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36After a disappointing start to their week,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39work opportunities had proved much more positive,
0:16:39 > 0:16:42so were Lorraine and Richelle a step closer
0:16:42 > 0:16:44to making a new life in New Zealand?
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Based on what we found out today, we're going to vote for...
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- New Zealand!- New Zealand!
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- Really?- Oh, yeah!- Wow!
0:16:59 > 0:17:00It's been awesome.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04It's really been interesting and I'm blown away by what I've found out.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Well, that's fantastic. Auckland's winning you over, then?
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Exploring work options had proved a positive experience,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17but Richelle knew there was still a long way to go.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Would a day experiencing the New Zealand lifestyle
0:17:20 > 0:17:24help take her a step further towards her dream?
0:17:24 > 0:17:26In the UK, Richelle loved off-road driving,
0:17:26 > 0:17:30so the day got underway with a four-wheel-drive experience,
0:17:30 > 0:17:33offering her the chance to combine her hobby
0:17:33 > 0:17:35with her love of the great outdoors.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39I feel so excited to actually be on a four-wheel-drive
0:17:39 > 0:17:41tour in New Zealand. It's going to be so good.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Lorraine didn't quite share Richelle's enthusiasm.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52If Richelle's dream was to avoid biting the dust,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54she needed to remember the day was about selling
0:17:54 > 0:17:57the lifestyle to her mum, too.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Oh, my God. What an experience!
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I don't think it would be quite for me.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03It just blows your mind.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Blows your mind.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10The pair headed off to explore the scenery from the seat
0:18:10 > 0:18:13of a saddle and it was much more to Lorraine's taste.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17I think it was last year when we went on our bikes last. So cold.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Takes the joy out of it, then, doesn't it?
0:18:20 > 0:18:22It you've got a place like this,
0:18:22 > 0:18:24with all this view and these houses...
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- Yeah.- Beautiful. - Absolutely fabulous.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29It was a much more positive reaction,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33but Richelle knew her mum still faced a difficult decision.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36If she wants to stay at home with Nan, that's her decision,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38but I've got to go where my heart is
0:18:38 > 0:18:40and my heart's definitely in New Zealand.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44It was a real turning point for Richelle, who, until then,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47couldn't have imagined a future in New Zealand without her mum.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50But if Lorraine did stay put in the UK,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52it could have been her only option.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Would I be happy knowing my mum's alone
0:18:54 > 0:18:58and lonely in the UK?
0:18:58 > 0:19:00I don't think that would sit well with me.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I don't think that's right at all.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04No matter what Lorraine decided,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07she faced having to say goodbye to someone she loved.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11If Richelle decided to move to New Zealand without me,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13I would feel lost.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Since the age of three, it's only been her and I.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Tough decisions lie ahead but, based on their lifestyle day,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23had Lorraine seen enough to want more
0:19:23 > 0:19:25of what New Zealand could offer?
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Based on our experiences today, we vote for...
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- New Zealand.- New Zealand.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Really? It really is a winning you over.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41It is, I've got to say.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44It's been an awesome day and it's just unbelievable what
0:19:44 > 0:19:46opportunities there are.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48And, today, it just opens your eyes
0:19:48 > 0:19:51to the possibilities and I'm really impressed.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- Really good. I'm really glad. - Whoop, whoop.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Lorraine seemed to be coming round, but could mother and daughter
0:20:03 > 0:20:06actually afford the lifestyle Richelle wanted?
0:20:06 > 0:20:10They needed to figure out if the finances would work down under.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13To help, we provided a comparison of costs between
0:20:13 > 0:20:15the UK and New Zealand.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18They started with the weekly shop.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Oh, milk. Four pints.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24NZ, the difference is...
0:20:24 > 0:20:26£1.75 for milk
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- Wow.- For four pints.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- So, it's cheaper in the UK.- Mmm-hmm.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Chicken is cheaper and rice is cheaper in New Zealand, as well.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39But were they cheap enough to make a difference to the food bill?
0:20:39 > 0:20:45So, it's £47.99 in the UK, and £73.84 in New Zealand,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47so that's £25.85.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- So, you're looking at £100 a month difference.- Yeah.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- That's quite...- That is quite a lot.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Even basing their calculations on the cheapest property they saw,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00it was suddenly looking like an expensive move.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Was Richelle's pay increase enough to pull them out of a hole?
0:21:03 > 0:21:09But we haven't taken into account the combined income,
0:21:09 > 0:21:12which is £637 a month,
0:21:12 > 0:21:18- so that leaves us with £415.55 better off in New Zealand.- A month?
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- A month.- For real?- For real!
0:21:21 > 0:21:23It was time to vote.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Today, we did a comparison check on the cost of living
0:21:25 > 0:21:29in New Zealand and, based on what we found today,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31we're going to vote for...
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- Both:- New Zealand! - Really?- Yeah.- Wow!
0:21:44 > 0:21:46It is looking really good.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52It was another good result for Richelle,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56but Lorraine had always been concerned starting again in a
0:21:56 > 0:22:00new country wouldn't be as easy for her as for her 18-year-old daughter.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04They were both keen country music fans at home,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07so we arranged a trip to a local line dancing club to give them
0:22:07 > 0:22:10a taste of the social scene New Zealand could offer.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Is it a good way of making friends, joining this kind of club?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Absolutely. There are a few groups around,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19so some of these ladies go to several different
0:22:19 > 0:22:23classes during the week, so they might go three or four times.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26So, you get different groups of friends and then you get to know
0:22:26 > 0:22:29other ones...and it's...yeah.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- That sounds brilliant.- Yeah, it's awesome.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35It was small steps, but Richelle's dream of having her
0:22:35 > 0:22:39mum by her side in New Zealand seemed to be getting closer.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42The pair lost no time getting into the groove.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48But had the evening given Lorraine
0:22:48 > 0:22:50the answer she was looking for?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53It's a really good way of making friends
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and it could be just that little thing extra that entices me
0:22:56 > 0:23:00to think, wow, I could go for it, you know,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04just on something like this.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- BOTH:- Yee-haw!
0:23:13 > 0:23:16It had been a positive week for Richelle as, one by one,
0:23:16 > 0:23:20her mum's concerns about life in New Zealand seem to have vanished.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23But with Lorraine worried about leaving her own mum,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25the biggest hurdle was yet to come,
0:23:25 > 0:23:30as the pair sat down to messages from their loved ones back in the UK.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Hello, Lorraine. Hello, Rich.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I hope you find what you're looking for, my love,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37and the weather is kind to you.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Hi, Lorraine. Hi, Richelle. I hope you've had a fab time.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44I hope it's been what you expect it to be.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Hi, Rici. I hope everything's going all right.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50I know you'll be enjoying it already.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Hello, Lorraine. Hello Richelle. I hope your week has gone really well.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56I hope the weather's been really good.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00They are the loveliest two people I have ever met in my life.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03You have to go a long way to meet anybody like that.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07I know I'm their mother, and you shouldn't talk like that,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10but I'm telling the truth.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Smashing two people, inside and out.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Lovely. I do love them to bits.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Don't tell them.
0:24:20 > 0:24:28Rici is a fun, bubbly, crazy, generally nice, happy person
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and I'm glad I met her.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34If they move... See? I'm started already.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Sorry. Oh, I'll miss her terrible.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41I know she's there when I need her. Do you know what I mean?
0:24:41 > 0:24:43And I think, sometimes, a friend hasn't got to be
0:24:43 > 0:24:45living on the doorstep.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50They can be just somebody you know is there for you, you know.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Oh, I'll miss them with all my heart,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57but it's life. I accept that.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59I'm not one to sit and cry.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02As long as they're together and look after each other,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06and they're happy, that's the main thing.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08That's what I do think.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12No, I don't want Richelle to go. I'd rather she stayed...
0:25:13 > 0:25:16..with all her friends.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Ric, Lorraine, you've been out there now for a week.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20You should know what it's like.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24You should go with your instincts, and go and have a ball.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28As long as you find happiness, your old mum is happy.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32One of these days, I'll knock at your door and say,
0:25:32 > 0:25:36"Ric, get that cup of Oxo on." I'll be out there to see you.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40All the very best, love. I miss you both. Bye.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45That was a bit more emotional than I thought it was going to be.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Listening to my mum, she didn't seem very positive there.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57She seemed, like, waving us off. That's how I felt. That she was...
0:25:57 > 0:26:02It's final, won't hold you back, but adios.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06So there didn't seem any input from her that she would
0:26:06 > 0:26:07contemplate coming with us.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Watching messages from loved ones had brought home to Lorraine
0:26:12 > 0:26:15the heartbreaking dilemma she was facing -
0:26:15 > 0:26:18having to choose between her mum and her daughter.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Richelle had been dreaming of a life in New Zealand for almost ten years.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25It hasn't hindered my dream in any way, coming out.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28In fact, it's escalated it, which is brilliant.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30It's just an amazing country.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33But her biggest challenge was always going to be convincing Mum,
0:26:33 > 0:26:37Lorraine, to start a new life on the other side of the world.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41It's been quite a turbulent journey for me, emotionally.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44The trial week had helped Lorraine set aside most of her fears,
0:26:44 > 0:26:49but Richelle knew she was still torn over leaving her mum back in the UK.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51My nan is quite a frail lady.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55She's 82 now and I think my mum would stay with her.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Were Richelle and Lorraine coming to the end of their life together?
0:27:01 > 0:27:05This is my dream and there's no going back for me.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I've had an incredible journey with Richelle
0:27:07 > 0:27:09and I really want to carry on with that,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12even if it's from a distance when she's got her own family.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15With her hopes still pinned in New Zealand,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Richelle's future with her mum was uncertain.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19As their final vote approached,
0:27:19 > 0:27:23would Lorraine's final decision delight or devastate her daughter?
0:27:25 > 0:27:28We've both had a really adventurous week out in New Zealand
0:27:28 > 0:27:31and, based on all our findings, we vote for...
0:27:38 > 0:27:39- New Zealand.- UK.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42No! Only joking!
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- New Zealand! - Really?!- Yeah! Yes, really.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49- I've got a feeling I don't even want to go on that plane to go home.- Why?
0:27:49 > 0:27:52I know. How weird is that?
0:27:52 > 0:27:59- I just feel that this is it. - My heart sank so much.- I had you!
0:27:59 > 0:28:03- No, I really don't want to get on that plane to go home.- Wow!
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- I'm so glad. Really?- Yeah.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08I'd say, give us 18 months and we'll be here.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- I really feel that strong about it.- Wow!
0:28:11 > 0:28:13- That's amazing!- I want to die here,
0:28:13 > 0:28:18not particularly this week! Not this week!
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Not for a long time, but I feel like this is it. I want to restart here.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25I want to retire here and...that's it.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30- Wow! My God!- Whoop, whoop!- Wow.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33THEY WHOOP AND SHRIEK
0:28:42 > 0:28:45When it came to her final decision,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Lorraine had been won over by what New Zealand had to offer
0:28:49 > 0:28:53and Richelle had secured the result she'd definitely been hoping for.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57So, two years after their week in Auckland,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00have the pair made it to the other side of the world?
0:29:02 > 0:29:05It's October 2015 and the Barkers are living in...
0:29:07 > 0:29:09..Rhyl in north Wales!
0:29:09 > 0:29:12But the town won't be home for too much longer.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Richelle was delighted when her mum signed up to follow her dream.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22When my mum turned the card to Australia at the last minute,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25it was just like all my dreams had come true. It was...
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- You turned the card for New Zealand. - What did I say?- Australia.- Did I?!
0:29:33 > 0:29:36Well, it has been two years, I guess!
0:29:36 > 0:29:40Their trial week in the country had proved a turning point for Lorraine.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Within three days of landing in New Zealand,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44I started to see things in a different light
0:29:44 > 0:29:47and I thought, "You know what? This just could be for me.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52'The high points for me were the landscapes,'
0:29:52 > 0:29:55meeting the people, which are so friendly.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58And New Zealand had delivered on all fronts for Richelle.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00'I loved the weather, the beaches.'
0:30:00 > 0:30:03It ticked all of my boxes. It was everything I thought it was going to be.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Flying home on cloud nine, Richelle made the most of her time
0:30:07 > 0:30:10in the air to start planning her move down under.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12'I was so excited on the way home.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15'My mum had made everything seem possible.'
0:30:15 > 0:30:19We had reams of paper for lists, detailing all the things
0:30:19 > 0:30:21we needed to sell, do, see.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Returning to Rhyl, they got the ball rolling straight away.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29We put the house up for sale and we thought, "That's a good start."
0:30:29 > 0:30:32The pair couldn't wait to break their news to Lorraine's mum.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35But, on seeing her, their excitement quickly faded.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38We went to my mother and said all this to her,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40and even though she was very positive and said,
0:30:40 > 0:30:44"Go for your dream", we could see that she was a very ill woman.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Though she'd been ill for some time,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Lorraine was shocked by the change she saw.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53We were only gone, I think it was, just over two weeks.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55But when we came back, in that short time,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58I could see her health had deteriorated.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Lorraine knew leaving her mum just wasn't an option.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03I can't go to New Zealand knowing she's, A - on her own.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05B - quite old, C - very ill.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09I thought, "What are you thinking?"
0:31:09 > 0:31:13She and Richelle put their dream move on indefinite hold.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15'Life just take over sometimes.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17'You haven't got much control of something.'
0:31:17 > 0:31:20The decision was taken out of my hands really.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22'It put everything on stop.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25'I did think about going to New Zealand on my own.'
0:31:25 > 0:31:28But with Mum saying that she couldn't leave Nan
0:31:28 > 0:31:30because her conscience wouldn't let her,
0:31:30 > 0:31:34I couldn't leave my mum then because I would feel the same.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38I just thought it's a little tiny price to pay for her,
0:31:38 > 0:31:40who's been with my all my life.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45Over the next couple of years, Nan's health continued to deteriorate
0:31:45 > 0:31:48and in April 2015, she sadly passed away.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52She just stopped fighting.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54We couldn't do anything, the doctors couldn't do anything.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I wouldn't have liked to see her in pain
0:31:57 > 0:31:59because she was in a lot of pain at the end and...
0:31:59 > 0:32:04I did pray to God to take her because it's not nice to see.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09It's very selfish, I think, to want to keep somebody just for you.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13Nan's death left a huge void in Richelle and Lorraine's life.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17It was so sad.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19It was a big loss to lose my nan.
0:32:19 > 0:32:25She was a third of my family, so to lose her, it was just devastating.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29Richelle's gran had thoughtfully left behind a card for her
0:32:29 > 0:32:3021st birthday.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34On opening it, mum and daughter discovered a poignant message.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37She wrote us both a card to say follow your dreams,
0:32:37 > 0:32:42which was her final blessing to go to New Zealand.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46The inspiring thought meant the world to the pair.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49I know she's in a better place and I know she's given us
0:32:49 > 0:32:51her blessing to go.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- She'll always be with us in here. Yeah?- Mm.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06With Nan's blessing in hand,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09there's now no stopping Lorraine and Richelle.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13The dream's back on track and the two-year delay means Richelle feels
0:33:13 > 0:33:16she's in a better place to embrace life on the other side of the world.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19'Since we've been to New Zealand, I do feel a little bit older,
0:33:19 > 0:33:20'a little bit wiser.'
0:33:20 > 0:33:24I've had more work experience and I've been like a rolling stone,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28and I've collected all that moss and I'm ready now to go to New Zealand.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33But it won't just be Lorraine and Richelle making the move,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36for Cupid's arrow has struck.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40I said, "What kind of guy would you like to meet?" Do you remember this?
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- Yeah.- You said, "Well, he's got to be big and he's got to have tattoos,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46"and he's got to have a motorbike."
0:33:46 > 0:33:49And I said, "It doesn't work like this."
0:33:49 > 0:33:54But when I met him, he's the walking checklist of what she wanted!
0:33:54 > 0:33:58'It was pretty much love at first sight.'
0:33:58 > 0:34:00When I met her, I just knew she was the one.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02She was so beautiful, I was lost for words.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06She's a go-getter, you know. She's all that I need and want.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11Luckily, mum and boyfriend Kieran have hit it off.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13He's a lovely, lovely guy.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16'Me and Lorraine click really well.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19'We have laughs. You know, I can talk to her about anything.'
0:34:20 > 0:34:22She's like my second mum really.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26'I'm so glad you both get on really well'
0:34:26 > 0:34:28because that would be a major factor,
0:34:28 > 0:34:29because my mum is my best friend.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33New Zealand had always been Richelle's first love
0:34:33 > 0:34:37but, luckily for her, Kieran was quickly on board with the idea.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Once he heard I wanted to go to New Zealand, he said, "I'm coming too."
0:34:43 > 0:34:45He'd never been abroad when I met him,
0:34:45 > 0:34:50so to go 36 hours to a new place is, like, crazy.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52And... But he wants to do it.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57From the start, I knew it was clear she wanted to go to New Zealand.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59I was so in love with her I'd follow her anywhere.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02'It's her dream and I'm willing to share the dream
0:35:02 > 0:35:04'and make it both our dream.'
0:35:04 > 0:35:06'It just meant that I could re-fire'
0:35:06 > 0:35:10this dream that I've always had with the love of my life.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16Kieran's wasted no time in putting his money where his mouth is.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Next year is the year that he qualifies to be the mechanic
0:35:19 > 0:35:21that he's always wanted to be.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24He's been e-mailing the garages out there to say,
0:35:24 > 0:35:28"I'm coming out next year. What do I need to work in your garage?"
0:35:28 > 0:35:30I'll be looking to go into a garage straight away.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32It's what I want to do.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36In the end, I want to open my own garage, a Welsh garage,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38in New Zealand.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41I'm going to take a little bit of Wales with me to New Zealand.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44While Richelle's Australian passport means
0:35:44 > 0:35:47she doesn't need a New Zealand visa, Kieran will
0:35:47 > 0:35:50and that means a short delay in them making the move.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54'To enable Kieran to come out,'
0:35:54 > 0:35:56we need to be living together for 12 months,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59which is why we're renting our own little house before we come out.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02With nothing holding her back,
0:36:02 > 0:36:06Lorraine's bravely decided to head down under first - alone.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Mum is going out first by the end of this year,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12and me and Kieran to follow next year.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16I'm hoping to go to New Zealand by the end of the year
0:36:16 > 0:36:18and that will be my ideal.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21But while she's itching to embark on her new life,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Lorraine's dreading being separated from her daughter.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27'I'm not looking forward to the gap because we've always been
0:36:27 > 0:36:30'quite close, so it is a little bit daunting'
0:36:30 > 0:36:33to go to New Zealand and know that she's not down the road,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37she's not even in the next town or even on the same island.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43'So, I have thought about it and I'm just hoping that we can get by.'
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- Like that, Mum?- Yeah, that's nice.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50'She is my best mate and I don't really...'
0:36:53 > 0:36:56..really relishing the thought of being the other
0:36:56 > 0:36:58side of the world away from her.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04'It's quite scary that I'm going to let her go free.'
0:37:04 > 0:37:08I know it should be the other way around, but I do help my mum quite
0:37:08 > 0:37:13a bit and I think it's quite scary that, A - I'll have no-one to help.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16And B - she'll have to do it all on her own.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19But Lorraine's trying to stay positive.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22It's just a few months, when you think of it, 12 little months.
0:37:22 > 0:37:23SHE CHUCKLES
0:37:23 > 0:37:26- Yeah? Like that, yeah? Happy with that?- Mm. It's all right.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29It's all right!
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Though they spent their trial week in Auckland,
0:37:31 > 0:37:36two years on, the pair's destination down under has changed.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39I've sort of researched lots of different areas
0:37:39 > 0:37:42of New Zealand to see where else we could go
0:37:42 > 0:37:47and the one that came out to me, blazingly came out, was Wellington.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49It's a little bit warmer.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52It's got loads and loads of things for me to go
0:37:52 > 0:37:53and explore and discover,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and house prices are very much more favourable.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00And it's got a Welsh club and it's part of the rugby,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03so what more could I want?
0:38:03 > 0:38:05I'd love to see the Hakka.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- The Hakka? - Hakka. I want to see that.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12All those naked thighs running around!
0:38:12 > 0:38:14THEY BOTH LAUGH
0:38:14 > 0:38:17I've researched it quite a lot. I like the set-up.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19It is the capital and, for that reason,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22I think there'll be more chances job-wise,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25especially for Richelle because she's a financial assistant.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29I think, if you can get into the government in some form,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I think there's openings there.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33While Richelle's been busy plotting her course
0:38:33 > 0:38:35for a career in New Zealand...
0:38:35 > 0:38:39I'm still hoping to be an accounts assistant or an office worker.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44I've got a few courses and things I've done under my belt here
0:38:44 > 0:38:48that should help me get quite a wide range of jobs out there.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Lorraine's keeping an open mind on work down under.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56I don't mind taking a completely new career change.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59If it's working in a shop, driving a bus.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03I'm quite up to any suggestions, really, as long as I'm enjoying it.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07But if she did have her choice, there's one role she'd relish.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10My ideal job, I think, for me in the future,
0:39:10 > 0:39:15I would love to be some part of, and this sounds silly but,
0:39:15 > 0:39:21on a tour bus and go round and make the journey funny,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24and look around myself whilst I'm there.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Finding out different roads where they lead to,
0:39:27 > 0:39:29what's this mountain called?
0:39:29 > 0:39:32The history of the Maori people.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34I think it's all interesting.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36That'll be my ideal job.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44I'm hoping not too bad or too severe a challenge,
0:39:44 > 0:39:47but it's going to be a new avenue, a new experience
0:39:47 > 0:39:51and I think, at my age, I could do with a little bit of that.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55The coming year is going to be life-changing for the Barkers
0:39:55 > 0:39:56and in more ways than one.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03Then next year we're getting married, so that's really exciting.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05The big day's set for May 2016.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08I'll change that to the colour...
0:40:08 > 0:40:10No, it's something old, something borrowed...
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Something new and something blue.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15We're planning the wedding so soon,
0:40:15 > 0:40:18so we'll get to see everyone together in the same place.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23It's a chance to say goodbye as well as we're getting married.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26It's going to be a really emotional day.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Mum would have perhaps preferred a longer engagement.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33At first I felt, and there is still a little tiny part of me
0:40:33 > 0:40:37that feels she's too young, myself.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39But knowing Kieran, knowing how they are together,
0:40:39 > 0:40:41they're so good for each other.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44He is a lovely guy and I think, "Well, let's run with it."
0:40:44 > 0:40:46They're happy.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48And she'll be making the journey back to the UK
0:40:48 > 0:40:50to give the pair her blessing.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53The plan is to come out, just for the week,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57so that I can catch the hen night and obviously the wedding.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01And then go out back to New...home, back to home in New Zealand...
0:41:01 > 0:41:04a day or two after.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07As if planning for a wedding wasn't enough,
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Richelle's also been busy preparing for her life-changing move.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13We've researched companies and things we can do out there,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17and house prices, and we're saving for a deposit for our house.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21She's sticking close to her original vision of life down under.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24'My forever home in New Zealand would be somewhere where
0:41:24 > 0:41:26'I could have chickens and sheep,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29'a huge kitchen where would be the heart of the house,'
0:41:29 > 0:41:33and somewhere with a lot of land to play in and, hopefully,
0:41:33 > 0:41:37in the future, a lot of children to play in too.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Lorraine's clearer on what she wants from the future.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44'I would like to think, in three years' time'
0:41:44 > 0:41:48I'm settled in my home, I've got a nice little part-time job,
0:41:48 > 0:41:52I'm in some different courses and clubs,
0:41:52 > 0:41:57and I've got a little network of social life, friends
0:41:57 > 0:41:59and being part of Richelle and Kieran's life as well.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02It's taken a bit longer than expected,
0:42:02 > 0:42:06but finally it looks like all systems go for Richelle's
0:42:06 > 0:42:10lifelong dream of a new life in New Zealand.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13At this moment in time, I'm feeling really positive about the move.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17My mum's house is up for sale, she's sold all her furniture,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19she's on track to move out.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22'It's very much, after our wedding, what are we waiting for?
0:42:22 > 0:42:25'I really, really believe in adventure and I think you've just
0:42:25 > 0:42:27'got to go for it sometimes and have some fun,'
0:42:27 > 0:42:30and do what you want to do.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32New Zealand's always been a part of me
0:42:32 > 0:42:36and I think, even from a young age when I was in school,
0:42:36 > 0:42:40people knew me as the girl who wanted to go to down under.
0:42:40 > 0:42:45I think it's just something everyone knows and is just waiting for.
0:42:45 > 0:42:50So, I'm just really glad now that I can say, "It's happening."
0:42:53 > 0:42:56It's going to be a massive year for the Barkers,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59with not only a life-changing move on the cards
0:42:59 > 0:43:01but Richelle tying to knot too.
0:43:01 > 0:43:06We hope Richelle and Kieran's big day is a truly special one
0:43:06 > 0:43:08and that they, and Lorraine,
0:43:08 > 0:43:12go on to have a very happy future together in New Zealand.