0:00:02 > 0:00:03You're disillusioned with your job
0:00:03 > 0:00:05and getting hardly any time at home
0:00:05 > 0:00:07with your family.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10So, how far would you go for a better life?
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Could you risk everything you had in the UK
0:00:13 > 0:00:16for a move to the other side of the world?
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Sofia Huddart's demanding career is taking its toll on family life.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25I feel I'm missing out a lot on the kids growing up.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27We have gone times where it's been almost two weeks
0:00:27 > 0:00:30before Sofia's actually seen the kids.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34She feels a new start in New Zealand could be the answer.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Most of what people say about New Zealand
0:00:36 > 0:00:38seems to be very positive.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40When a week dipping their toes into Kiwi life
0:00:40 > 0:00:43shows just how much is on offer...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46I've certainly fallen in love with it. I mean, it's idyllic.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50..will it be enough to convince Nik to leave his beloved London behind?
0:00:50 > 0:00:51I was up late last night
0:00:51 > 0:00:54when my brain was whizzing, thinking things.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56We could quite happily stay in London.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Roughly 1,000 miles long and 300 miles across at its widest,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26New Zealand's a nation roughly the same size as the UK or Japan.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30But with only a 14th of the population of Britain,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33there's plenty of room to roam.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Boasting stunning, varied landscapes,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39the country's been a magnet for British immigrants since the 1800s
0:01:39 > 0:01:42and latest figures show 7,000 UK citizens
0:01:42 > 0:01:44start a new life there every year.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Hard-working mum Sofia believes New Zealand could offer her
0:01:51 > 0:01:54the family time she desperately needs.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57But while husband Nik agrees things need to change,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00he worries abandoning what they've achieved in the UK
0:02:00 > 0:02:03could be too big a risk.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Ahead of Sofia lies a week to discover
0:02:05 > 0:02:09if New Zealand can deliver the family life she's craving
0:02:09 > 0:02:12and convince her husband it's where their future lies.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16For their first ever visit to New Zealand,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19the Huddarts travel for over 24 hours
0:02:19 > 0:02:21from London to Auckland via Singapore.
0:02:23 > 0:02:24Finally touching down,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27the family are exhausted after a day travelling
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and Nik's had, well, let's say an eventful flight.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32Both flights were long.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36But it wasn't too bad apart from Aliza throwing up on me
0:02:36 > 0:02:39just before landing in Singapore,
0:02:39 > 0:02:40so I got off at Singapore smelling of sick.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43And all three of them finally slept for the last hour of the flight.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- I had a big nap, didn't I, Daddy? - You did have a big nap, yeah.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Sofia's already worked out her priorities for the week ahead.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55The most important thing for me to find out is can I work here?
0:02:55 > 0:02:58If I can't work, then everything else kind of falls apart, really.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01While Nik knows this could be his family's only shot
0:03:01 > 0:03:05at determining if the country can become their new home.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08The most important thing this week is to find out if we can live here.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Because it's such a long way,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12we can't really come and do it again.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Sofia's raring to go.
0:03:14 > 0:03:15This will be exciting!
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The next week will show if New Zealand can give her
0:03:20 > 0:03:22the family time she so deeply desires.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Meet the Huddart family from London.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35They're dad Nik, mum Sofia, five-year-old Aliza,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Izzy, who's nearly two, and Idris, who's three.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Got my balloon!
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Having lived in London for over ten years,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Nik thrives on life in the capital.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47The thing about London is you can do anything you want, you know.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50And you meet so many different people from all walks of life
0:03:50 > 0:03:53and all sort of different countries that it's just...
0:03:53 > 0:03:55I just find it a great place to live.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58He absolutely adores London.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59It was Dr Johnson who said,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01"When a man is tired of London, he's tired of life."
0:04:04 > 0:04:06After a career in IT,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Nik's spent the last two years as a stay-at-home dad
0:04:09 > 0:04:11giving him more time to enjoy the city
0:04:11 > 0:04:14and polish his domestic skills.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17It is almost complete sort of traditional role reversal.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Sofia's dinner will be ready by the time she gets back.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21I'll have done the washing and everything else
0:04:21 > 0:04:24and the house is tidy. You know, I even make cupcakes.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25It's ridiculous.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28You know, I'm swapping recipes with the children's mums outside,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30baking cakes for school sales.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Nik becoming a house husband has also allowed Sofia
0:04:35 > 0:04:37to concentrate on her medical career.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39I specialise in anaesthetics
0:04:39 > 0:04:42so my job involves putting patients to sleep for operations.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44That's the long and the short of it. And...
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- And then waking them up again. - Well, yes.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Yes, that's kind of the other important bit of it.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54She's passionate about her job, but the shifts can be demanding.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57My average working week is a 48-hour week.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59We don't really get away much less than that.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01It's a long week.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Some weeks, you know, she's home, you know, for teatime
0:05:05 > 0:05:06or just after teatime.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09There's other weeks where she's, you know, back incredibly late
0:05:09 > 0:05:10and then working the weekend.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14And the long hours are putting a strain on family life.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16We have gone times where it's been almost two weeks
0:05:16 > 0:05:19before Sofia's actually seen the kids.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I feel I'm missing out a lot on the kids growing up.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24But certainly with Izzy, I went back to work when he was nine months old
0:05:24 > 0:05:27and I still come back on days and I'll say, "Oh, he's doing that now."
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- And Nik will say, "Oh, no. He's been doing that for weeks."- Sorry.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34"OK, fine. So, missed that as well." It's not... It's not brilliant.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39Sofia's also become increasingly frustrated with working in the NHS.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43At the moment, I don't see it being a particularly happy place to work.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47My main concern is that there is too much tinkering with it
0:05:47 > 0:05:50from high up and political agendas that basically mean
0:05:50 > 0:05:52that they use it as an electioneering tool,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54so everything changes every five years.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00With growing disillusionment at work and little family time at home,
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Sofia feels the time is now right to start again in a new country.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08With the way that NHS England was going,
0:06:08 > 0:06:10I think that was my cue to sort of think,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12"It's time to go. I can't do this any more.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14"I can't work in a system any more
0:06:14 > 0:06:17"where everybody's just trying to survive from one day to the next.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21"I want to go somewhere where people actually want to make it work."
0:06:21 > 0:06:24The couple had discussed emigrating previously,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26but Nik felt unable to leave his mum,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29who, for years, had suffered from emphysema.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31After Mum passed away, it was like,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34"Well, there's nothing to tie us to this country."
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Whereas, before, there was.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- Ready...- Steady.- ..steady, go! - KIDS SCREAM
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Now, with little to hold them back, the timing could be perfect
0:06:43 > 0:06:48to try and achieve the family life and job satisfaction Sofia wants.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51After initially looking at Canada, America and Singapore,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54the couple have set their sights on moving to New Zealand.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Most of what people say about New Zealand
0:06:58 > 0:07:02seems to be very, very positive, from lots of perspectives.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Neither she nor Nik have ever visited the country,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10but Sofia believes it could be the key
0:07:10 > 0:07:13to her spending more time with Aliza, Izzy and Idris.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18I would love to see them grow up a little bit more.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20I'd love to spend time with them a little bit more.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- Go, go, go, go!- Go, go, go! - More, more, more!
0:07:23 > 0:07:25CHEERING
0:07:25 > 0:07:27But while Nik can see some appeal,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30he's also more cautious about moving his family
0:07:30 > 0:07:32to a country they've never seen.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35I'd love for, you know, the boys to play rugby.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37It'd be great if they could learn to sail as well.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I think, by all accounts, the schools are better.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Having managed to get his foot on the London property ladder,
0:07:44 > 0:07:48he has practical concerns about leaving the city he loves.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51House prices seem to be going up. Is it 13% a year?
0:07:52 > 0:07:56If a move didn't work out and the family returned to the UK,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Nik knows the door could have firmly closed
0:07:58 > 0:08:01on owning a property in the capital again.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02The way the house prices are going here,
0:08:02 > 0:08:04it's difficult to move back.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Even for two years, the gulf would be too much.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09If you sold a house...
0:08:09 > 0:08:11It's almost irreversible.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Their upcoming trial week will decide once and for all
0:08:17 > 0:08:21if New Zealand's where the family should call home.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23It's a very important week for the both of us
0:08:23 > 0:08:25because it's a one-shot deal. It's...
0:08:25 > 0:08:28You know, is it 12, 14,000 miles away?
0:08:28 > 0:08:30It's a long way. It's a 24-hour flight.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34It's five of us going out there. We're not going to do it again.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36This is not, "Oh, let's just see if we like it this time.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38"We'll go again next year."
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Just want to get it over and done with
0:08:40 > 0:08:45so I can put it to rest and we can just move on one way or another.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48And Sofia's job could be the deciding factor.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53I'm hoping that New Zealand will prove to be more,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55"Yes, I can do my work while I'm at work,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57"but then I can come home and I can be with the kids."
0:08:57 > 0:09:00It all hangs on Sofia's job and Sofia's happiness at that job.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13The Huddarts are spending their trial week
0:09:13 > 0:09:16in New Zealand's largest city Auckland.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Their home for the next seven days is a four-bedroom house
0:09:18 > 0:09:21in Stanmore Bay on the Hibiscus Coast...
0:09:22 > 0:09:25..just over half an hour north of the city centre.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27After the long journey,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30their temporary base is a sight for sore eyes.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- This is nice. Come on, kiddies. - Let's go.- Come on in, kiddies.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38Aliza, Izzy and Idris are soon making themselves at home.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Whose room is this, then? - Ah, that'd be a kiddies room.- Aha!
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Aliza, I think that might be your bed up there.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46I love the bunk bed.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50And Sofia's delighted with one kitchen feature.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- OK, let's go.- Oh, look. The kitchen has an island, Nik!
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- SHE GIGGLES - I really do like this.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- You've got your island.- I do. I'm excited about having an island.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03Upstairs, views of the Hauraki Gulf impress everyone.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- Beautiful.- It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- You can see our car. - You can see our car.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- But more importantly, we can see the ocean.- Can you see the ocean?
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Let's pull a mattress up and we'll just lay out here.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Nice.- That would be perfect.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Keen to explore their new surroundings,
0:10:17 > 0:10:18the family head to the beach.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22So busy! Idris, come on.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24It's just beautiful.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27And Nik spots one difference from home straightaway.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29I'm struggling to find any litter.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32That's was getting me is there's no litter at all down here.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36It's absolutely immaculate. It's beautiful. I'm going to...
0:10:36 > 0:10:38I'm not going to say it. I'm almost sold just on this.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42The house and its environment have won both Sofia and Nik over.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44I can't, in some ways, believe that we're here,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47except for the fact that I can't get that view outside in the UK.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49This is just perfect. It's just beautiful.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51I could quite happily live here.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54You know, I need to find out if we can afford a house like this.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58As they settle in, Sofia has time to focus on the week ahead.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02There is going to be a change in our family
0:11:02 > 0:11:05and I don't know in what direction it's really going to take us.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08But she's all too aware their scenic surroundings
0:11:08 > 0:11:10will only be a feature of their future
0:11:10 > 0:11:13if she can secure the right job.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15So, this week, the most important thing
0:11:15 > 0:11:18is to find out whether or not I can get a job
0:11:18 > 0:11:20and if I get a job, whether I like said job.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Hopefully. Um, and then it's just a case of,
0:11:22 > 0:11:24well, can we get the lifestyle that we want
0:11:24 > 0:11:28and can I get the time with family that I want too,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31which I currently don't get in the UK?
0:11:31 > 0:11:34The next few days will prove once and for all
0:11:34 > 0:11:37if New Zealand can deliver the life the Huddarts want.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Home for the Huddarts in the UK is a five-bedroom house in East London.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50The couple bought it four years ago
0:11:50 > 0:11:53and it still needs some finishing touches.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56We've spent time and money trying to make it ours.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It's still a little bit of a work in progress, but we like it.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Living in a terraced house does have some limitations
0:12:02 > 0:12:04for a large, active family.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06The only thing I miss is a sideway
0:12:06 > 0:12:08where we can take the dirty bikes, dirty kids
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- and, you know, just... - Dirty dog.- Yeah, exactly.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- This fabled dog I would like to get. - This fabled dog that might turn up.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Which means the couple hope for something bigger in New Zealand
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- with their £600,000 budget. - There's no point moving
0:12:22 > 0:12:24if we're going to end up with a terraced house.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- We'd like a detached house. - Detached.- Five bedrooms.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31A lot of outdoor space for the kids to run around and play football.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32I'd love a swimming pool.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34We need a house with a little bit of a wow factor
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- where you go, "Whoa. This is great." - And in the kitchen, Sofia?
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- Sofia would like an island in the kitchen.- With an island.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41It has to have an island.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46To find out what kind of house
0:12:46 > 0:12:49they could actually have in New Zealand,
0:12:49 > 0:12:51today, we'll show the family three properties,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53two on budget and a third
0:12:53 > 0:12:55which could be their dream home.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Only after they've seen each one will they find out its value.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01For their first viewing,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04the family head four miles north from Stanmore Bay
0:13:04 > 0:13:06to the Silverdale area.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09This recently built home is near to numerous beaches
0:13:09 > 0:13:11and with good schools nearby,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13the area could be perfect for the Huddarts.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17This is the house, kids.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- Wow.- Ooh.- This is the lounge.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24With two of the five bedrooms downstairs,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27there's some speculation over the floor plan.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29And another downstairs bedroom.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Aliza, is this house upside down, do you think?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Yeah.- I think it might be, yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- Oh, it's a bathroom. Downstairs bathroom.- Toilet!
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Nik's finding it all a bit confusing.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- What's this?- So, this is... I don't know what this is.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Oh, it's like a breakfast room, isn't it?
0:13:48 > 0:13:49Yeah, but where's the kitchen?
0:13:49 > 0:13:52But on further inspection, the light dawns.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54There might be a kitchen... There is sort of a kitchen in here.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56Ah. This is why, hence the granny annexe.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Or maybe not.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59I am confused now.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Oh, no, this is a utility room. That's what this is.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02No, don't mention a granny...
0:14:02 > 0:14:07While the children play, Nik spots an area which should please Sofia.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08You might like this kitchen.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- That's nice. Islands are my thing. - SHE GIGGLES
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Only because it just then means
0:14:15 > 0:14:17that you've got a kitchen big enough to sit one in.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22That explains it. Nik eventually finds the main bedroom.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24This has to be the last room. Wow.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- Now, this is more master bedroom-like.- This is lovely.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29Open that door.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Ah, this is the walk-in wardrobe.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Right, by a process of elimination, that has to be a bath. An en-suite.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Aha. It is a...- It is the bathroom. - ..bathroom. Nice.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40This one doesn't have a tub in it, but, hey.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43With direct access onto a deck,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46it could be the perfect place to relax.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Isn't that nice?- You've got the river over there.- Yeah.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51And then the sea.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53And the couple seem right at home.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- SHE SIGHS - I could do this.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- It's nice.- No, it is lovely. It is lovely.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03But back inside, the layout's still causing concern.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I'm still not sure about this upside down-ness, though.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- What would you...? I don't understand.- What?
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- What would you use that and this for?- You're kind of...
0:15:13 > 0:15:16I guess you use that as a sort of telly, messy-up area.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Well, what's this, then?- And then this is your formal living room.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22This house has both pleased and perplexed,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26but could the Huddarts afford it with their £600,000 budget?
0:15:27 > 0:15:31I'm going for 580.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I was going to go 560.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Shall I go first?- Go on. You can do the first one.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- What did you say? - I said 560.- I said 580.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- Ooh-hoo-hoo!- 613,000.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50That's £13,000 over budget.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52So, that's a lot more than we thought.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- Workable maybe.- Well, it's not too much over budget.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- It's workable.- It's workable.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01It's just a funny... It's a funny, upside-down layout.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Oh, well, it's house number one.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04Let's see what else they've got for us.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10The family head off to view property two.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12It's in the Schnapper Rock area of Albany,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16an easy 20-minute commute into Auckland city centre.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19With a large shopping mall and sports facilities nearby,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22it could suit the family to a T.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Wow!
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Wow! Big lounge.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- And a telly.- This is much more homey than the last one.- Yeah, it is.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33People actually live here rather than just a show house.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35It feels like someone lives here. It's nice.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Taking a break, the children are looked after by a childminder
0:16:38 > 0:16:41while Nik and Sofia explore further.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44And, yes, Sofia. SHE GIGGLES
0:16:44 > 0:16:46- More kitchens with islands. - Kitchen with an island.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48There's two lounges in this one. Well, two so far.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Well, that's what I said. It's more sort of...
0:16:50 > 0:16:53And a cat. Are you OK? Flowers are nice.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56But though it has an island, the kitchen's not sizing up.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- Got a big range. Big range cooker. - I need a lot more kitchen.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04And Nik's not a fan of the decor.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05"Sing as though no-one can hear you."
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- It's just mutter. It drives me bananas.- Go on.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Upstairs, the main bathroom goes down well.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13- Ha! Bathroom.- Bathroom. Oh, wow.- This one has a tub.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16The big, corner Jacuzzi bath is a plus point.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20While some bedrooms failed to get pulses racing...
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Ooh, they all look very similar.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24..the master gets a better reception.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- Ah. This is a master bedroom. - SHE GIGGLES
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- This is a nice bedroom. - It's a really nice size.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Until, that is, Nik's attention is drawn to a very special lavatory.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- It's got a very bizarre toilet. - What's wrong with it?
0:17:38 > 0:17:41No, it's got a Japanese, clean-your-bum toilet.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43SHE GIGGLES And more mottos.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46New Zealanders like mottos in lounges, I've decided.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51But it's outside that Nik delivers his most cutting critique,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54calling time on the garden furniture.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Sorry. It looks like a pub garden.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Look. - SHE GIGGLES
0:17:58 > 0:18:02They have four table and chairs. Is it a pub?
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Finding a perfect home for the Huddarts could be a challenge,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08but is this a property they could afford
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- with their £600,000 budget? - What do you reckon?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Price-wise, I think, because this area's nicer...
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- Yeah.- ..I think this is about 650, but I wouldn't...- Really?- Yes.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- 680 would be my guess.- OK.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- You go first? Ready? All right, 650. - OK, this is going to be...
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Ooh! 566.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- So, it's cheaper than the other house.- Yes.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37- And it's nicer.- I'm surprised by that.- And it's a nicer area. OK.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39So, the question is, then,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41if you went slightly up on that budget...?
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- What could you get around here? - Get here in Albany. OK.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50For the final property of the day,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54we found what we feel could be the Huddarts' dream home,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57just a 20-minute drive to the east in Rothesay Bay.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Minutes from the beach, with schools and cafes only a stone's throw away,
0:19:00 > 0:19:05will this be the one to convince Nik leaving London's worthwhile?
0:19:05 > 0:19:06- Can we get down there?- Yeah.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08The incline of the driveway
0:19:08 > 0:19:10doesn't get the viewing off to the best start.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Argh!
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Wah! I'm never going to get out.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Inside, Nik's keeping a tally of the rooms.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- Lounge number one. - SHE LAUGHS
0:19:21 > 0:19:23We're not counting lounges any more.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- There might only be the one this time.- Yeah, OK.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29The bedrooms win approval for their size...
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- Bedroom number one. - It seems bigger than the others.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- I wonder about in here.- Oh, wow.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- So, it's another room. OK. - Bedroom number two.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- It's a nice-sized room.- Yeah. - Another upside-down house.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40..and en suites.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Oh, wow. Wow.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- OK. An adjoining bathroom, I think. - This is nice.- It is nice.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49But it's the main bedroom that really gets them excited.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Wow! OK.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- Hey, this is a nice room. - It's a beautiful room.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58This is a proper walk-in wardrobe. It's quite functional.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01It's not very attractive with all the metal, but it's perfect.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- It is. - En-suite with his and hers sinks.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05His and hers sinks. Yes, I like that.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Sofia's mood continues to soar
0:20:09 > 0:20:12when she comes face-to-face with the kitchen of her dreams.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- SHE LAUGHS - Now, this kitchen
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- has got work space. - This is a huge kitchen. OK.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- This is beautiful. And white, rather than black.- Yeah.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Sort of for the shiny effect.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- HE GASPS - A walk-in pantry.- No!
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- And the light comes on when you open it.- Oh, my dad would love this.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31And outside lies the luxury item Nik had been hoping for.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- HE LAUGHS - I knew it!
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- SHE LAUGHS - It's got a pool.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38That's really special.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41It's not that bad. I'd go in.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47At last, it's somewhere he'd be happy to call home.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49If we change the locks, can we just stay here?
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- SHE LAUGHS - It's beautiful.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54It's just fantastic.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Both Nik and Sofia have fallen for this house,
0:20:57 > 0:21:02but will it be within reach of their £600,000 budget?
0:21:02 > 0:21:04This house, to me, is everything I want from a house.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I think, for us and the kids and for visitors, it's perfect.
0:21:07 > 0:21:08I would leave London for this.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- 735,000.- Oh, God. I can't even begin to take a guess at this house.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15It's nice. It's got a pool. Near the beach.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- 680. I'm throwing out random numbers here.- OK.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Go on, then. Tell me.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28708.
0:21:28 > 0:21:301.5 million.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Yeah, there's still quite a lot out of our budget.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34It is out of our budget.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37It's not a million miles away from our budget.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39We'll have to see what our house does.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41It's been a day of mixed fortunes
0:21:41 > 0:21:43hunting for property in the Auckland region.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49Property one just didn't pass muster with its confusing layout.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Property two also failed to cut the mustard
0:21:51 > 0:21:55with a pub-style garden and a technological toilet.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58But with its dream kitchen and resort-style pool,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01property three really was the dream home,
0:22:01 > 0:22:03if over budget.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05So, when it comes to the vote,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08will the couple choose property at home or away?
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Our vote goes to...
0:22:18 > 0:22:19- New Zealand.- New Zealand.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- You kind of guessed that, didn't you?- Kind of.- Why?- Why not?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Well, you liked the houses. It's amazing.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- Especially that last house. - That last house was amazing.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30With this on your doorstep...
0:22:30 > 0:22:32With the level of housing we've seen,
0:22:32 > 0:22:33I'd quite easily forget London.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Despite initial properties being uninspiring,
0:22:43 > 0:22:45a vote for New Zealand from Nik
0:22:45 > 0:22:47means his concerns could be crumbling.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53But it's Sofia's job that's led the family to consider emigrating,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57so her securing the right role will be key if they're to make the move.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Back in the UK, Sofia's the family's sole breadwinner.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Currently working as an anaesthetist,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07she's training to become a consultant.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09I love my job.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Anaesthetists find themselves in quite a lot of hairy situations
0:23:12 > 0:23:13and for me, that's quite nice.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15For the most part, everything is calm
0:23:15 > 0:23:17and then you just occasionally have little adrenaline rushes
0:23:17 > 0:23:19where it's all go, go, go, go, go.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23But she does worry about the future of the NHS.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25What I don't like about my job is actually the politics.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27There's a lot of trying to make the money
0:23:27 > 0:23:29that we've got for the NHS fit.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31And working around 50 hours a week
0:23:31 > 0:23:34means she can go days without seeing her children.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37The job is the linchpin.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40If I don't work and I don't have the work/life balance that I want,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42then nothing else is going to work.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Right, good luck. Don't forget your bag.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48With the family's future resting on what she discovers today,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Sofia heads out to investigate her work possibilities.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54At Auckland's Southern Cross Hospital,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57she meets David Findlow, an expat anaesthetist
0:23:57 > 0:24:00who's been living in New Zealand for 15 years.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Shall we start with, "Can I find a job here?"
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Well, I've had a... I've had a good look over your CV.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10If you were hellbent on Auckland, then the job market is tight
0:24:10 > 0:24:14and you would probably have to enter the Auckland system
0:24:14 > 0:24:17as a senior trainee or what we call a fellow.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21And that has implications in terms of lower salaries,
0:24:21 > 0:24:25yet another year of training before you get a consultant job.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28A move to Auckland could mean a delay for Sofia
0:24:28 > 0:24:30in becoming a fully fledged consultant,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32but not too fazed,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35she's keen to find out about her potential earnings.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Salary difference-wise, between sort of the UK and here,
0:24:39 > 0:24:41consultant and fellow?
0:24:41 > 0:24:44The fellows are usually employed
0:24:44 > 0:24:46- on what's called a medical officer's scale.- Yeah.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Now, the start of a medical officer's scale
0:24:49 > 0:24:53for a basic working week is 114,000,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55but that can then be bumped up
0:24:55 > 0:24:59by either on-call or weekend work allowances.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01- About 25,000 more.- OK.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- So, that pushes you around 140.- Yeah.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07And then, on top of that, you have an allowance
0:25:07 > 0:25:11for what's called CME - Continuing Medical Education.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14The total package could reach £67,000,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18not far off the 70,000 she currently earns at home.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Meanwhile, as Nik would continue
0:25:22 > 0:25:24in his role as a househusband in New Zealand,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28he takes the opportunity to find out about Kiwi education.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32At Stanmore Bay School, he meets with principal Carol Abley.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34So, this is our library.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- So, the children come in here for library lessons.- (Really quiet.)
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- I like storybooks. - Do you like storybooks?- Do you?
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Carol explains the school teaches much more
0:25:42 > 0:25:44than just the core subjects.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48So, we've got a composting bin, we've got a worm farm,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51we grow our own vegetables and we've got an orchard.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Aliza and Idris seem right at home.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- CHILD:- Want to use your hands to pull it out? Pull, pull, pull.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00But it's the swimming pool that gets Idris most animated.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02- I just want to go in!- Do you?
0:26:02 > 0:26:04You see, we've got so many beaches round here,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07it's really important that the children can swim.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09- Thank you very much. - Thank you for coming to our school.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Nik's impressed with what he's seen.
0:26:13 > 0:26:14The way that school was put together,
0:26:14 > 0:26:16the way the children behaved,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19all the outdoor stuff, it's far better than I thought.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Back at the hospital, Sofia's getting down to the crunch.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Will working in New Zealand mean more time at home?
0:26:25 > 0:26:30- What's an average working week? - The days can be reasonably long.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35Um, so, a typical in-theatre session would start at 7.30am
0:26:35 > 0:26:39and then a full day's list is scheduled to finish at 4.30pm.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40But, as you well know,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44- the unpredictability of things is such that...- Yes.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Long days are exactly what Sofia's trying to escape.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50She asks David how he's found the difference in work/life balance
0:26:50 > 0:26:52since moving to New Zealand.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Certainly in medicine, I don't see any great difference.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02The... What you do with the life element
0:27:02 > 0:27:04of your work/life balance, of course, is very different.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07The main positive difference between...
0:27:07 > 0:27:11For me, between New Zealand and Britain when I first came over here,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14it would be, in a single word, and that would be positivity.
0:27:14 > 0:27:20Um, the attitude of local medical people,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23on the whole, is positive and can-do.
0:27:23 > 0:27:28Back at base, both Sofia and Nik are keen to share their news.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29So, what happened?
0:27:29 > 0:27:36- So, it was actually very interesting because this is doable.- It's doable?
0:27:36 > 0:27:38From the sort of working point of view,
0:27:38 > 0:27:40he said basically that the sort of work commitment
0:27:40 > 0:27:42- is probably about the same as the UK.- OK.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44So, from a work/life balance,
0:27:44 > 0:27:45the work commitment is the same as the UK,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47but the life bit is much better.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- OK.- And generally, the attitude's a bit better.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- How was your day, then? - It was great.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52It was a nice, happy school.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55I liked the way it was put together. Just very friendly.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58And I think, you know, I would be happy to send the kids there.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Time for Sofia to vote on work in New Zealand or the UK.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Based on the job that I've seen, my vote goes to...
0:28:10 > 0:28:12New Zealand.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Based on what I've seen and what I've heard
0:28:14 > 0:28:18about jobs and working life and conditions in New Zealand,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21it seems to be that New Zealand is where I should be.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28With a full sweep of votes for New Zealand so far,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Sofia could be well on her way
0:28:30 > 0:28:35to achieving the family life she's been chasing for so long.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39For her, the move's always been about spending more quality time
0:28:39 > 0:28:41with her husband and children.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44So, will a day making the most of New Zealand's outdoor lifestyle
0:28:44 > 0:28:47see her dream come one step closer?
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- Whoo!- Hey! Over here.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53With the weather decidedly wet,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57the family head indoors to explore one of Auckland's food markets.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02For the children, it's a great opportunity
0:29:02 > 0:29:06to come face-to-face with an array of Kiwi creatures.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Look at the eels, Idris.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10- They're like snakes. - You see the snakes?
0:29:10 > 0:29:13- Oh, there we are. There are some lobsters there.- Where?- There.
0:29:13 > 0:29:14When were they caught?
0:29:14 > 0:29:18- They were caught this week, these lobsters.- Oh, really?- Yeah.
0:29:19 > 0:29:20- Wow!- In you go.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- OK.- Nip your nose. - SHE LAUGHS
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- Is it alive?- No, they're not alive. - No, they're not alive any more.
0:29:26 > 0:29:27- I don't think so.- They're dead.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29- Ah! - HE SCREAMS
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Enjoying a rare day out together as a family
0:29:33 > 0:29:36gets a huge thumbs up from Sofia.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Going pretty well so far, I think.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40It's the sort of thing... We've all really enjoyed it.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42It's not that you can't do these things back home.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44It's just that it seems a lot more difficult to do it.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47I think Nik's coming round to the idea.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49A seafood lunch gives the whole family
0:29:49 > 0:29:51the opportunity to catch up
0:29:51 > 0:29:54on how they're feeling about a potential move.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- So, do you think you'd like to live here?- Yes.- Would you?- Yes.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- Would you like to go to school here?- Yes.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01The children sound keen
0:30:01 > 0:30:05and Sofia admits her motives for migrating are shifting.
0:30:06 > 0:30:12I think my reasons for thinking about probably moving have changed.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- Why?- Well, because before, it was kind of mostly about my work,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18but, actually, now, it's about, you know, the schools
0:30:18 > 0:30:21and the kids and what they could get here.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24With her work commitment unlikely to shrink in New Zealand,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27she feels the lifestyle could compensate.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30I don't mind obviously working hard for the money that I earn,
0:30:30 > 0:30:32but what we can do outside of that
0:30:32 > 0:30:35and the life that we can have outside of that
0:30:35 > 0:30:37seems to be so much fuller.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Next, as the sun finally breaks through the clouds,
0:30:41 > 0:30:45the family take to the water with a sailing lesson on Lake Pupuke.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05The afternoon has confirmed Sofia's earlier thoughts.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07The kids loved being out there on the lake.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Aliza loved steering and pulling the boat round.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12She was really excited. She enjoyed it so much.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14And more than anything else, I think...
0:31:14 > 0:31:18I think I'm more convinced that this is the right thing for us to do.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23When we were on the boat, it was quite funny.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27And I forgot to go down when we turned.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Nik also seems to have been won over.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34It is the outdoor lifestyle. It's the Kiwi lifestyle.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35I think, for them as kids,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38I think it's very important that we make this move.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42And the hold London has on him seems to be slowly weakening.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44The one thing that has surprised me this week
0:31:44 > 0:31:46is how much I like Auckland. It's beautiful.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49It's been a fun day out for the whole family.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Time to discover, when it comes to lifestyle,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55if everyone's been sold on what New Zealand has to offer.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59We've had a great day out in New Zealand, so our vote goes to...
0:31:59 > 0:32:00Turn the card. Keep turning.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11- Undecided.- New Zealand.- New Zealand!
0:32:11 > 0:32:13- Outnumbered.- I was outnumbered.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15- Outnumbered. - Didn't expect that one, did you?
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- Go on, then.- For the family, for seeing the joy on my...
0:32:18 > 0:32:20You know, on the kids' faces and you on the boat,
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- it has to be New Zealand.- Yeah. - For me, it's slightly undecided.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26I really loved it. The kids had such a good time.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Other than the slight rain that came in and out.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Slight rain. Slight rain.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32But it came and it went, unlike London,
0:32:32 > 0:32:34where it'd be there for the whole day and we'd be stuck in the house.
0:32:46 > 0:32:47A day out together has shown the couple
0:32:47 > 0:32:51New Zealand could be the ideal place to raise their children.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Now they just need to see
0:32:53 > 0:32:55if they can afford the lifestyle they've fallen for.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02They think their home in the UK is worth around £600,000.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04To see if their valuation's accurate,
0:33:04 > 0:33:06we sent round two estate agents.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12- He's in our house while we're away.- Yeah, yeah.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Fantastic-size room. Very impressed. Nice and bright.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17Good first impressions.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22- Oh, this is lovely space. - Look at the walls you wrote on.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26Ideal. So much potential for an extension.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28- THEY LAUGH - The house looks a mess.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35Good. Excellent. Good-sized double bedroom, master bedroom.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37You know, wooden floors are always a benefit.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Oh, this is lovely.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42- She loves it, doesn't she?- Yeah.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46It's got to be in excess of, what, 100ft, I reckon. Yeah.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48What I like about this room is the fact
0:33:48 > 0:33:50that you could actually fit a double bed in his room.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52And we did.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56Original-style toilet system, which is really nice.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58It's a lovely feature for this bathroom.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02Excellent. To see two bedrooms made out of the loft is fantastic.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06I must say, in terms of presentation and the standard,
0:34:06 > 0:34:08it's been done to a very good one.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11In today's market, I would value this property for 600,000
0:34:11 > 0:34:13due to the location.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17For a quick sale, I would say in the region of 570,000.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21- Fair.- 570.- 600. That's a quick sale.
0:34:21 > 0:34:22Excellent. OK, well, in today's market,
0:34:22 > 0:34:24I'd value this property between
0:34:24 > 0:34:26600 to 625,000.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28- All right. OK.- For a quick sale,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31I'd recommend an asking price of offers in excess of 550,000.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34625. OK. We're on the money with 600.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36- Exactly what we thought. - Exactly what we thought.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38- OK.- No nasty surprises
0:34:38 > 0:34:42with the valuations coming in at around what the couple were hoping.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Next, they sit down to compare the cost of living in New Zealand
0:34:46 > 0:34:50with the UK, starting with a weekly food shop.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Clementines - £1.47. Cheaper.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58Red wine, slightly more expensive cos we put French red wine.
0:34:58 > 0:34:59£7.37.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01That comes to...?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- BOTH:- £6.72.- Minus.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Won't break the bank, will it?
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- It's not as bad as we thought it would be.- That's not bad at all.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15Spending around £30 more each month isn't too daunting for the couple,
0:35:15 > 0:35:18but they're still to look at the bigger household bills.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Their calculations are based on the first property they saw.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- The difference in the mortgage bill. - £599 more expensive.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- Did you really need a calculator for that?- Yeah.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34Transport costs. UK is 300. Here is 150.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38- So, that's 150 less.- Really?- Yeah. - OK.- That's surprising.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44- 586.- 586. More expensive. - Yeah, which would make sense.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46In total, the couple would be spending
0:35:46 > 0:35:49around £7,000 a year more in New Zealand.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Which is, to be fair, mostly mortgage.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56When Sofia's potential salary is taken into account,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59the picture improves, but not by much.
0:36:00 > 0:36:01287.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08The family would be around £3,500 out of pocket each year
0:36:08 > 0:36:10should they choose to move to New Zealand,
0:36:10 > 0:36:14but they both feel it's a shortfall they could overcome.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18- It's all the mortgage, OK? - Yeah, it's mostly in the mortgage.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21- OK?- So, it's not impossible. - It's not impossible.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- Even though I need a spreadsheet. - SHE LAUGHS
0:36:24 > 0:36:25The overall financial picture
0:36:25 > 0:36:28doesn't seem to have caused too much concern,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30so will that mean another clean sweep
0:36:30 > 0:36:35as they prepare to vote on finances in New Zealand versus the UK?
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Based on the finances that we've seen today,
0:36:37 > 0:36:38our vote goes to...
0:36:46 > 0:36:48- New Zealand.- Undecided.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50- Really? Why?- I don't know.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52I just couldn't... I couldn't quite decide
0:36:52 > 0:36:54whether we'd be better off or worse off here.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56There was nothing that was unworkable.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- I kind of have to mull it over a little bit longer.- OK.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07While previously it was Nik who had practical concerns,
0:37:07 > 0:37:11the financial reality of a move may now be causing Sofia to waver.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16But the emotional cost also needs to be considered.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18After first discussing it with the children,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21they sit down together to watch messages from friends and family.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26Hi, Sofia, Nik and kids.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- Hi, Nik and Sofia.- Papa!- Papa.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Hi, Nik. Hi, Sofia. Hi, kids.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34As a family unit,
0:37:34 > 0:37:36very, very close.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Sofia is very capable, a very good mother.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42She's got a one-track mind.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44She gets to where she wants to get.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Nik is probably one of the kindest and nicest boys.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- Boys. I'm still a boy. - You're still a boy.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52She works really, really hard.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54She's a fantastic mother.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Nik is a wonderful father.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00He looks after the children very well.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01The children love him.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Hello!
0:38:03 > 0:38:04They're really good fun, actually.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Similar to Nik and Sofia, they're quite outgoing and loud and noisy...
0:38:08 > 0:38:10- Hello!- ..but just lovely.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Very full of cuddles and fun and good to be around.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Obviously, we'd be very sorry to see them go.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Particularly to seeing them growing up.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Now we make about 12 hours journey
0:38:25 > 0:38:26to UK.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28From here to New Zealand,
0:38:28 > 0:38:30it's probably about nine hours,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32so it's...
0:38:32 > 0:38:33I guess we can see them more
0:38:33 > 0:38:34if they are nearer.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36I'll miss seeing the children grow up.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Um, and I'll miss Nik calling.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42It's up to you. It's your decision.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44If you do decide
0:38:44 > 0:38:46to go to New Zealand,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48I think I'd be quite happy with that.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Um, don't, you know...
0:38:50 > 0:38:52We wish you the best of luck
0:38:52 > 0:38:54in whatever you do.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56And God bless.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00It's a great opportunity, so we'd really miss you,
0:39:00 > 0:39:04but we'll save up and we'll be coming out to see you guys.
0:39:04 > 0:39:05Yeah, do the right thing for you.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07And if you do move, get another hot tub,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10put it in the back yard and we'll see you there.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11You can have mine, Matty.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14I will miss you. I'll miss you loads and loads.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16You know that.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18But I'm sure you'll make it for the best decision,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20you know, for yourselves.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24So, have fun and maybe we can come and visit
0:39:24 > 0:39:27if you do decide to stay.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30You know that I will totally miss you,
0:39:30 > 0:39:32but I think that
0:39:32 > 0:39:35our family bonds and our love for each other
0:39:35 > 0:39:38will transcend distance and time zones.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40So, have a great time there.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45As I thought, mostly positive and supportive of whatever...
0:39:45 > 0:39:47There was no-one's saying we shouldn't do it.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- It was all, you know...- They were trying to get rid of us, I think.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Yeah. I think Matty wanted the hot tub.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54See, if we sold the house to Matty...
0:39:54 > 0:39:56- He can have the hot tub. - Yeah. Rent it out to Matty.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58- I'm not shipping the hot tub out. - If we rent it out to Matty
0:39:58 > 0:40:01- and then we'll sell it to them, we'll be all right.- Not a bad idea.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03I thought there'd be more weeping in there.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06I thought there'd be more sadness, "Please don't go."
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- More wailing and gnashing of teeth. - Really?- Yeah, I thought...
0:40:08 > 0:40:11I think we deserved a bit more than that.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14While their time in New Zealand may have seen Nik won round,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17the potential financial impact of a move
0:40:17 > 0:40:20has given Sofia cause for concern.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23So, as the family prepare to make their final decision
0:40:23 > 0:40:25on where their future lies,
0:40:25 > 0:40:29will Sofia decide that's a price worth paying?
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Setting foot in New Zealand for the first time a week ago,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Sofia was hoping it would provide the answer to issues at home
0:40:42 > 0:40:45and the country's certainly worked its charms.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49I've certainly fallen in love with it. I mean, it's idyllic.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51There's a shell.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Nik too has fallen under its spell.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57This week has gone far better than I thought. It's just been lovely.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00We've got a beach like this 100ft from our doorstep
0:41:00 > 0:41:04and it's clean and it's beautiful and families are playing happily.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05It's just wonderful.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09One of Sofia's main worries was that her husband's love of London
0:41:09 > 0:41:11would stifle the dream.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13I've been giving, you know, my love of London
0:41:13 > 0:41:16and my, you know, thinking of moving a lot of thought this week.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18I was up till late last night
0:41:18 > 0:41:20when my brain was whizzing, thinking of things.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Quite happily stay in London.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Sofia feels she has made real progress on persuading him.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30I think I've gotten him over that barrier.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33I think there is more for us that we could do as a family
0:41:33 > 0:41:34outside of London.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37But it's not all been plain sailing.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Learning her working hours wouldn't get any better in New Zealand
0:41:40 > 0:41:42came as a disappointment.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45But the week has shown Sofia the move could reap other rewards
0:41:45 > 0:41:48for the whole family.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52The reasons that I think I'd like to come here have changed slightly.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Cos initially, it was more for me
0:41:54 > 0:41:56and, you know, work and things like that,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58but, actually, now, it's become more about the kids.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Time to take their final vote
0:42:02 > 0:42:05and decide on life in New Zealand or the UK.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08We've had a great week here in New Zealand,
0:42:08 > 0:42:10finding out and discovering more about New Zealand.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12So, our final vote goes to...
0:42:12 > 0:42:13Go.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- ALL:- New Zealand!- New Zealand!
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- THEY LAUGH - Well done, kiddies.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28- That is definitely a New Zealand flag?- Yeah.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30- SHE LAUGHS - Why do you want to live
0:42:30 > 0:42:32- in New Zealand, Idris? - Because I like the sea.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- You like the sea?- And why did you vote New Zealand, Aliza?
0:42:35 > 0:42:40Because it's so tidy and people put their rubbish in the bin.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- They put their rubbish in the bin? - That feels really good.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Finally weaned him off London enough that he would move away.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50It's a difficult lifestyle not to love
0:42:50 > 0:42:52and I think it forces you to be outdoors,
0:42:52 > 0:42:54it forces you to enjoy the outdoors.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57It's all the stuff, you know, that I think we'd like doing.
0:42:57 > 0:43:02In the end, although Sofia may still have to put the hours in at work,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05both her and Nik have agreed the improved lifestyle
0:43:05 > 0:43:09New Zealand could offer their family is more than enough to compensate.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11We wish them every success
0:43:11 > 0:43:14as they prepare to start their new lives
0:43:14 > 0:43:16on the other side of the world.