0:00:02 > 0:00:05Imagine you've finally found the person you want to spend the rest of
0:00:05 > 0:00:10your life with, and both of you believe your future lies abroad.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Could you go ahead and make the move,
0:00:13 > 0:00:17even if it means leaving someone precious behind?
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Pam Quinn and Claire Maguire are ready for their happy ever after...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Had the ring sat in front of her, with one of the feedback cards,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26and wrote on it, "Will you marry me?"
0:00:26 > 0:00:28..and believe it lies in New Zealand.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Go!
0:00:30 > 0:00:33That lifestyle would just be amazing, you can't have that in the UK.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37But faced with the unbearable choice of leaving loved ones in the UK...
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Think we are perfectly aware of how difficult a decision it's going to
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- be to leave Charlie.- ..will they be brave enough to follow their dreams?
0:00:45 > 0:00:49I have absolutely no idea what way I'm going to vote.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53I can come here and say, "You'll absolutely love it," but it's not that simple.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Believed to be one of the last places on earth to be discovered
0:01:22 > 0:01:24and settled by mankind,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27New Zealand's far-flung islands now make a great playground for nature
0:01:27 > 0:01:29lovers and adventure seekers.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34With a third of the country designated as national parks or reserves,
0:01:34 > 0:01:39it's given over 300,000 Brits now living there plenty to explore.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Newly engaged,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Pam Quinn and Claire Maguire passionately believe New Zealand is
0:01:47 > 0:01:50the perfect place to start the next chapter in their lives.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52For Pam, however,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56the decision to move to the other side of the world is complicated.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59With two children from previous relationships,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03she knows only one of them would be able to go with her.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07So will a trial week down under be enough to help her make the biggest
0:02:07 > 0:02:09decision of her life?
0:02:10 > 0:02:14The family's journey begins with over 20 hours in the sky,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17travelling from Manchester to Auckland via Dubai.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21And nervous flyer Pam is relieved when they finally touch down.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Every time I get on a plane, I kind of accept death.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Even going to Belfast from Manchester.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Yeah, we went to Belfast last week and even on that one I was scared.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Lucy agrees the flight was tough.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37It was very uncomfortable.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40But Claire's feeling more optimistic.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It's not impossible, like, it's a doable flight.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46And her positivity is rubbing off.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48It wouldn't put me off doing it again.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Good, because you have to go the other way!
0:02:50 > 0:02:51Yeah, we've got to go home!
0:02:51 > 0:02:53THEY LAUGH
0:02:53 > 0:02:57The long journey's given Pam plenty of time to think about her son back
0:02:57 > 0:02:59in the UK.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Charlie has been on my mind.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04It does make me think that I won't be able to see him often.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08With so much at stake, the family head out into Auckland,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and towards one of the biggest decisions they'll face together.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Meet Pam Quinn, 11-year-old daughter Lucy,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24and partner Claire Maguire from Manchester.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28The family love nothing more than spending quality time together.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32Lucy likes to sit here, we've got a little corner sofa, and generally,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35she likes to have a sit in the middle with us two snuggled up to her.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40The couple met when Pam was a customer in a cafe where Claire worked as a waitress.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44I ordered some porridge, and my porridge got delivered
0:03:44 > 0:03:45with a phone number on top of it.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Then it was ignored for a couple of months.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50It was, it was ignored for a couple of months.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52But I wasn't in a position to respond.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55And then when I was, I gave you my number.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Over two years later, they're preparing to tie the knot.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04We went for a meal, and while we were in the restaurant,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Claire went to the loo, and when she came back,
0:04:06 > 0:04:11I had the ring sat in front of her, on her place, with one of the feedback
0:04:11 > 0:04:15cards next to it, and I wrote on it, "Will you marry me?"
0:04:15 > 0:04:16Aw!
0:04:18 > 0:04:22The pair now share a dream of swapping life in Manchester for New Zealand
0:04:22 > 0:04:25in the belief moving could afford them more quality time as a family.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30I would like daily life to be a lot more structure,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- a lot more time spent together... - Yeah.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34Being more active.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Definitely more active, definitely get out and about.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40For Claire, who grew up in rural Northern Ireland,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43it's a chance to escape city living.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I think I really enjoy being in the countryside,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49and the scenery has really drawn me.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52And due to qualify as a mechanical engineer, she believes
0:04:52 > 0:04:57New Zealand could be the perfect place to launch her career.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59I would like to get into renewable energies.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04There is a lot of renewable energy sort of opportunities in New Zealand.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06You'd be really happy with that, wouldn't you?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- I would love that.- Pam also believes the country will give her daughter,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Lucy, the best possible life.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16She can have an actual childhood, where she's out playing with friends.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18That does not happen here.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22And I know that she'd love it.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26And I'm certain, when we're leaving New Zealand,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28she'll be saying she wants to live in New Zealand.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31I like flat-roofed houses.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34And have one near the beach.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38But getting the lifestyle they dream of will come at a cost.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42For Pam, it could mean moving 12,000 miles away from her six-year-old
0:05:42 > 0:05:46son, Charlie. Although he spends most of his time with his other mum,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48she loves having him to stay.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52We do only have him two nights a week,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55but he's just the life and soul of our house, isn't it?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Yeah, it's really nice to have him.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01The thought of leaving him behind is tearing Pam apart.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04It's like I'm being pulled in every direction.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I've got to think of Charlie's welfare, I've got to think of Lucy's,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10and mine and Claire's as a couple as well.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11And it is...
0:06:14 > 0:06:16..impossible to keep everyone happy.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23It makes me really sad to see her having to make that sort of decision.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27If I knew I could definitely come and see him once a year,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30and if I could possibly pay for him and his mum to come out to
0:06:30 > 0:06:33New Zealand to see us once a year,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36I'd do that, and that would make it, make the decision a lot easier.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40Claire's got her own concerns about leaving loved ones.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Having moved to England nine years ago,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46the thought of putting two continents between her and the family she still
0:06:46 > 0:06:49sees regularly could be a step too far.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54If anything was to happen to my grandparents whilst I was at the
0:06:54 > 0:06:58other side of the world, I would probably find it quite difficult.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01If anything was to happen to anybody in my family whilst I was at the
0:07:01 > 0:07:03other side of the world, I would find it quite difficult.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Ultimately, the couple agree they've reached a crossroads.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09And after much soul-searching,
0:07:09 > 0:07:13they're desperate to figure out the best direction for their future.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- You're due to start your career. - Yeah.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20But then also we've got to kind of cram in this starting our family
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- thing as well. - Yeah.- So...
0:07:23 > 0:07:28- It is, like, important as to decide where we're going to do that.- Where we're going to do that, yeah.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36To find out if New Zealand can offer the family a better way of life,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39they'll spend their trial week in Auckland, on the country's
0:07:39 > 0:07:40North Island.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44They make their way to Muriwai,
0:07:44 > 0:07:48a coastal suburb around 27 miles from the city centre.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Famed for its black sand beach,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54it's a great place to sample the outdoors lifestyle they're all after.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59But what will they make of their rental home,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01which overlooks the Tasman Sea?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Oh, wow.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07That's so nice.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10There are a few steps to climb, but it's worth it.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- Wow.- Look at that view from up here. - It's absolutely beautiful.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- Shall we go and have a look inside, see what it's like?- Go!
0:08:18 > 0:08:22Once inside, Lucy gets straight into assigning bedrooms.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25- This one's your room. - I'm happy with that.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- Look at the view. - But soon changes her mind.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- That's a decent size, isn't it? - No, I want this one.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34No chance. I'll fight you for it.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36OK.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Making a cuppa is a reminder of how far they are from home.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42There's, like, five different settings on the kettle.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- It's nice to sit down. - And the distance is already playing on Pam's mind.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Say if we moved here, we wouldn't be able to go home until, say, three
0:08:57 > 0:09:01or four years. There's no way I could go that long without seeing Charlie.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- So I wouldn't consider it... - I don't think I could really do that either.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08I think what will make the decision easier is once we find out what our
0:09:08 > 0:09:11earning potential is and how much spare cash we're going to have, really,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14isn't it, to see whether we can get home.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Let's hope the week ahead gives them all the answers they need.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29Back in the UK, the family rent a two-bedroom terraced house in Manchester,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32which is homely - if not a little cramped.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34The house that we live in here in the UK is...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Tiny. - THEY LAUGH
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- Cosy!- It's cosy, yeah.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43A bit more elbow room would be ideal.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47That's our general work area, that's Claire's office.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- That's my office.- Slash dining room.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53In New Zealand, I would like something to have been well-kept, like this.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Yeah, it would be nice to just have something a little bit bigger.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Yeah. A bit more room, a bit more space.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02They're also hoping a home down under would afford them something they're
0:10:02 > 0:10:04sorely missing.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- We've not got a garden. - No.- It's just paved.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10And location is all-important.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Lucy wants to be quite close to the beach, doesn't she?
0:10:14 > 0:10:17But I reckon if we were within about an hour's drive from a nice beach,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- that would be... - Ideal.- Great, yeah. - That would be really good.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22But also commutable for work.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Ideally, Claire and Pam would like to buy a property in New Zealand,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30and have a budget of around £297,000.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34To find out what kind of house they could have,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36we'll show the family three properties,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39one of which could be their dream home.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Only after they've seen each house will they find out its value.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Their search begins in Papakura,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50an up-and-coming area around 20 miles south of Auckland.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52With lots of amenities and affordable housing,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55it's a popular suburb for families.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- It's got a nice, decent sized garden.- Good sized windows. I like the windows.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I like that front bedroom!
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Will this three-bedroom home get things off to a good start?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Really nice. What do you think?
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Garden.- Palm trees.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- Yes.- Looks like it.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19I'm a little bit excited. This is nice.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Inside, Lucy quickly spots something she likes.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27LAUGHTER
0:11:27 > 0:11:28It's a nice rug.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Will the kitchen please them, too?
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- It's very white.- That's where we'll put you when you're naughty.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- In the naughty corner. - Surely not, Pam!
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Moving on. Is the outdoor space big enough?
0:11:41 > 0:11:43I like the back garden.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- It's not huge.- Pam's not sure,
0:11:46 > 0:11:50but Lucy and Claire dish out a few home truths.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Better than we have at the minute in the UK.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55This is about the size of our garden.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57This concrete bit.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Back inside, they check out the bedrooms,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03and Lucy doesn't waste any time marking territory.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05It's not huge, but it's...
0:12:05 > 0:12:07about the same size as our room at home, isn't it?
0:12:07 > 0:12:09It's good for me.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Let's see what the rest of the rooms are like first, eh?
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Hey, I claimed it from outside.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Not sure that's quite how it works, Lucy.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20This one's big enough for you.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22THEY LAUGH Cheeky!
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- I think not.- Oh...
0:12:25 > 0:12:27It's a decent size, though, isn't it?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- Yes.- Hey, you can get into the attic if you want.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Oh, yay! That'll be my bedroom.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Pam's got the sleeping arrangements sorted.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38It's got three rooms, so...
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- One for us, one for you... - Yeah, that one for you.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45And then one for Charlie boy when he comes.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47But Claire's got other concerns.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50It is a nice house. I'm not sure about the road.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52So far, I think a couple of cars have gone past, and it's quite noisy.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56It may not be ticking every box, but making comparisons to where they
0:12:56 > 0:13:00live in the UK sheds new light.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- A lot nicer than our house at home, isn't it?- I like the big windows. - Yeah.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05It's really quite dark at our house at home, isn't it?
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Because it's really small windows. We always have to have the lights on as well.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Certainly good for bills. - The bills?
0:13:12 > 0:13:14THEY LAUGH
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Yeah, electricity bills, yeah, I suppose.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20With £297,000 to spend,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23can they also make a saving on the price of this house?
0:13:24 > 0:13:27I think going to go with 305.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29280, maybe?
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- 280?- Yeah.- OK.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Do you want to turn it over?
0:13:33 > 0:13:34OK, go on.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39297.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41That's bang on budget.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43That's... That's really hopeful.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47I'm really intrigued to see what's coming up next.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Expectations raised, and staying in Papakura,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55the family make their way to the next property.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Will this three-bedroom home be the kind of place they'd want to call
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- their own?- The house looks quite nice, doesn't it?
0:14:02 > 0:14:05But I'm not keen on this road at all.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Check the house out, though, see what it's like.- Yeah.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11The area lacks kerb appeal for Pam.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Hopefully things will look better inside.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16It's quite nice.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19The living room gets a warm response.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- It's got a fireplace. It's a real fire.- Oh, yes!
0:14:23 > 0:14:26But will their spark of enthusiasm continue elsewhere?
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Very small kitchen. Isn't it?
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- It is, yeah.- It's tiny.- Tiny.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33That's not quite what we had in mind, is it?
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- Smaller than our one.- It is smaller than our one at home, yeah.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40And even ours at home, we can't fit, like, three people in.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42The kitchen might have fallen short,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46but, luckily, the back garden proves more desirable.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Wow, that's massive. - It's a decent sized garden, isn't it?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- It's massive.- Yeah, I really like this garden.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52- Tyre swing.- Really, really nice.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57- Tyre swing.- Tyre swing!- It would be wrong not to have a go.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Lucy's stuck in the swing.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Don't "tyre" yourself out, Lucy, there's still plenty here to check out.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08It's a really good garden, I really like this garden.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11But Pam's still mulling over the location.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Street just looked really run down, the house has just not been maintained.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19One of the gardens had the mesh fence and a really rickety gate with
0:15:19 > 0:15:22holes in it, and a sign, like, "Beware of the dog."
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Back inside...
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Oh!- I like this room.
0:15:26 > 0:15:27This is the master room, isn't it?
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- Yeah, definitely.- I really like this room.- Good storage, but I've got tiny clothes, so I do not like
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- this room any more.- Handy, we get the biggest room in this house.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Well, that was easily settled.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41But opinions are soon divided again in the second bedroom.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43I'm really impressed by the inside of this house.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46If the first house had this garden, then it would be the dream.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48No, I like this house inside more,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- I think.- Yeah.- I don't.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53The bathroom's something they do agree on.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56It's very small, isn't it?
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Yeah, it's tiny.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- Cramped.- An additional point to why I do not like this house.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04PAM LAUGHS
0:16:04 > 0:16:07The house has received mixed reactions from the family,
0:16:07 > 0:16:12but could they afford it with their budget of £297,000?
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- OK, shall we have a look, then? - Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:21279?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24That's £18,000 under budget.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Don't know whether...
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I would pay that, just because the kitchen's tiny.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- Yeah.- I think the kitchen is the major downside of it.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- OK. Well...- Hopefully, the third house has my dream bedroom in it.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39And a big garden. And it's near the beach.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40OK.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42That's quite a wish list, Lucy.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Next, the family make their way to the final viewing of the day,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- in the suburb of Mangere. It's just down here.- Yeah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Quite a nice area.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Just ten miles from Auckland city centre,
0:16:57 > 0:17:02the area could mean an easy commute to work for Pam and Claire.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04And with a regional park on the doorstep,
0:17:04 > 0:17:08it also offers the rural feel they're after.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11They look quite small, but I bet they're decent size inside.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Hopefully, their first impressions of this three-bedroom brick home
0:17:15 > 0:17:16will be better than the last one.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18It looks quite nice from the outside.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Nice little bit of garden again.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Sounds promising.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Inside, will the kitchen living area be more to their liking, too?
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Yeah, this... This is more...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- It's got an island. - This is a better kitchen.- Yeah.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34It's a really nice kitchen.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36And the bedrooms?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41There's a good room for you, Luce.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- It is a decent sized room. - It's really airy as well.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- I like all the windows in this one. - This one would be good for Charlie.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- Let's go on... - Go and check...
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Lucy has set her sights on where she could sleep.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57This is a nice room. The one you spotted from outside.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Thank you for the compliment of my room.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- What's in here?- Storage, is it?
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Yes, this is my room.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Next, the bathroom.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10That's quite a nice size, isn't it?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- Good-sized shower.- It's bigger than the last house,
0:18:13 > 0:18:15but Pam spots something amiss.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- I don't know where the toilet is. - That's... Yeah, that's really strange.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- Normally they're beside each other, like, if you have them separate, like.- Yeah.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23Ah, there's the toilet.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Now that's resolved, will the back garden keep the mood upbeat?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30It's very...concretey.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- Maybe not.- So it must just be the garden, just at the front.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37That's a shame, because it was really nice inside that house. And the front garden was really nice.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38After a positive start,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42this isn't the grassy outdoors area they hoped for.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44It's a no-no, I think, because of the back garden, really.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- That's a bit of a disappointment, that.- Yeah.- Oh, dear.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Maybe the asking price can change their mind,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55providing it's within their £297,000 budget.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- So, what should we put this house on?- A lot over our budget.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- I don't think so.- Do you think?
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- A little bit under, but not much. - Yeah. I think it's going to be more.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- I think so.- Yeah?- High five.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Do you want to check it out, then?
0:19:13 > 0:19:14283.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17That's £14,000 under budget.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19I'm surprised, because it is a nice house.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- I am very surprised. - It's a nice area, but the back...
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- The outside area isn't great, is it? - No.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33While the house search hasn't uncovered the perfect home,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36it has given the family plenty to think about.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Right on budget, property one had Lucy enchanted,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45but the busy road it was located on gave Claire an earful.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Property two was under budget and had the garden they wanted,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52but the kitchen was too small,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55and the street wasn't easy on the eyes for Pam.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57They all prefer the location of property three,
0:19:57 > 0:20:02and it was winning on all fronts until the garden let it down.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03So, when it comes to the vote,
0:20:03 > 0:20:07what will they decide between houses in New Zealand and the UK?
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Based on the properties we've seen today in New Zealand,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12our vote goes to...
0:20:22 > 0:20:23- Undecided.- UK.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25New Zealand.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- Why UK?- I can get my dream bedroom in the UK.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31We can design ours in the UK.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32Yeah, that could happen here as well.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36I voted for New Zealand because I'm actually quite impressed with what
0:20:36 > 0:20:38we seen today. Why undecided?
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Although the houses we've seen today have been nice,
0:20:40 > 0:20:45they've all had the nice bits, but we've not seen one that's like...
0:20:45 > 0:20:46exactly what I'd like.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58With the family divided on homes in New Zealand,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01will work prospects down under help to unite them
0:21:01 > 0:21:03and get their dream move back on track?
0:21:06 > 0:21:10In the UK, Pam's a police community support officer.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15But whilst she loves the job, shift work isn't great for family life.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19I find it difficult to get structure in my life with regards to Lucy,
0:21:19 > 0:21:23because she's 11-year-old, she doesn't want to tidy her room,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25she doesn't want to do her homework.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29When I'm not there at night to kind of carry that structure through, that's quite difficult.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33If they ever become permanent residents down under,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Pam hopes to become a fully fledged officer.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40In New Zealand, I would ideally like to join the police.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43It's something that I'm quite passionate about and, fingers crossed,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- I'll get in.- Claire's also looking forward to new things.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50About to qualify as a mechanical engineer,
0:21:50 > 0:21:52she can't wait to work in the field.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Growing up in the countryside, on a farm,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56I've loved taking apart different things,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59like tractors and stuff and putting them back together and seeing how
0:21:59 > 0:22:04- things work.- And has her heart set on the renewable energy sector.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06I really enjoy trying to help the environment,
0:22:06 > 0:22:11so I would like to get into working with wind power or hydro power.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16While Lucy's looked after by a childminder,
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Claire and Pam set out to explore their work options in Auckland.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25We've arranged for Claire to visit one of New Zealand's leading
0:22:25 > 0:22:29renewable electricity firms in the city centre,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32where she meets up with general manager Nick Clark.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Kia ora, Claire, welcome. Welcome. My name's Nick. Are you very well?
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Nick explains how the country's become a trailblazer in green energy.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43So we've got this phrase, "We're changing the world from the edge."
0:22:43 > 0:22:4680% of New Zealand's electricity comes from renewables.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Claire wants to know if the company can offer her that all-important first
0:22:50 > 0:22:52step onto the career ladder.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53We have a graduate scheme.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57It's a two-year programme with six-monthly rotations.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59The idea, of course, is to get a look right across the business,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01experience some of the office-based work,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04some of the field-based work, of which we have plenty.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Sounds really good to get a little bit of experience in different areas.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Yeah.- But what about the long-term prospects?
0:23:09 > 0:23:12And the reason that you do the six-month rotation is you can see what
0:23:12 > 0:23:14part of the business you like best.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Yeah.- Set yourself up for the job after the two-year programme.
0:23:17 > 0:23:18Yeah.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Sounds good for Claire.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Meanwhile, we've arranged for Pam to visit Auckland's Central Police Station.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30And she's anxious about the day ahead.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33One of the main things that I worry about getting in the police is
0:23:33 > 0:23:35the fitness. I'm not as young as I'd like to be,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38and I'd just like to see whether I'm not too old.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42First up, Inspector Gary Davey gives her a tour of the command centre.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Hello, Pam, welcome to Auckland Central Police Station.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47With 700 surveillance cameras,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50this is the main hub of the city's policing.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54We have here a range of CCTV cameras.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57They're monitoring the response picture.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59We have intelligence over here.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01It's really good you've got it all in one room.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06Next, Pam sits down with recruitment officer Nicola Giles to discuss
0:24:06 > 0:24:08the finer detail of the role.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11My role in the UK, I'm like a police officer, but I don't have the power
0:24:11 > 0:24:15of arrest. Do you think that experience will stand me in good stead?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Fundamentally, from what I've read about your background,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21you have some really, really good skills.
0:24:21 > 0:24:22It's encouraging,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26but how tough would it be to get accepted into police college?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I've had a look at the application process, it seems quite long winded.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31We allow 12 months as a maximum,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35but some people actually get through the process well within the 12-month period.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37The part that worries me is the fitness bit.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41We give you the opportunity to do a rehearsal, and in that time,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45a physical education officer will work with you and help you.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Pam's also worried that time's not on her side.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51I'm nearly 36.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- Oh, young!- So is that...
0:24:53 > 0:24:55I recruited two women last year who were 53.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56It's a good age.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Bolstered by this, Pam asks about work hours.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02What's the shift patterns like?
0:25:02 > 0:25:06They change between early, mids, lates and night shift.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07How many weekends would you work?
0:25:07 > 0:25:10You would have at least a weekend off a month.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Just the one a month? OK.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Well, you might have more, because there's five different patterns.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Not what Pam wanted to hear.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20While evening and weekend work was expected,
0:25:20 > 0:25:24a wide-ranging shift plan is far from the routine she hoped for.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Over at the energy firm, Claire's discussing
0:25:29 > 0:25:31her potential hours of work.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Largely a normal working week.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34A bit different to Britain
0:25:34 > 0:25:36in that people would tend to start earlier in the day.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39We'd have plenty of people at work at seven in the morning.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- Oh, right, yeah.- Looking to finish at maybe four-ish.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- Suits me right down to the ground. - Perfect.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45And, in fact, even some of the people at lunchtime
0:25:45 > 0:25:47will go for a kayak or a run.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49- In lunchtime, wow.- There's a really nice environment
0:25:49 > 0:25:51for people who want to get out and about.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Sounds like the perfect job for Claire.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58But would the earnings match up to everything else the role offers?
0:25:58 > 0:25:59The graduate programme starts
0:25:59 > 0:26:01sort of 50-55,000 New Zealand dollars a year.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02And then after that,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05an annual review and you go on to a more professional salary.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09She could start on almost £30,000,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12but how easy would it be to get work?
0:26:12 > 0:26:13If you want a renewable career,
0:26:13 > 0:26:15you've come to exactly the right place.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20The morning can't have gone any better for Claire.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21Back at the station,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Pam's hoping for more positive news with the salary.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26There's a salary when you're at police college
0:26:26 > 0:26:29and that is approximately £19,000.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32When you graduate, that increases,
0:26:32 > 0:26:36so your total remuneration is around £29,000.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38OK, that's better than the UK.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40In such a competitive field,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44what are Pam's chances of success during the selection stage?
0:26:44 > 0:26:46We get quite excited when we see a female application
0:26:46 > 0:26:50because they're trying to increase the number of females,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53and we would be very keen to progress you through.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- Just need to get fit now, then. - Yes, yes.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Things have ended on a high note for Pam.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03And when the family reunite at Auckland Harbour,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05the couple are keen to share their findings.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10- Find anything out?- The guy I spoke to was really, really informative.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12So we spoke about their graduate programme
0:27:12 > 0:27:15which is a really good opportunity.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20They do hydroelectric power and they do geothermal power.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21It would be really cool to...
0:27:22 > 0:27:25..get into that sort of field.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28What about your day?
0:27:28 > 0:27:30They're really keen for women.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33With my skills and everything, they'd be very interested.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34That's really good.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38So has the day done enough
0:27:38 > 0:27:42to convince the pair they could have their dream careers down under?
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Based on our work experiences today our vote is going to go for...
0:27:55 > 0:27:56New Zealand.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58New Zealand.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59To be able to say I've got, like,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03a career prospect in renewable energy is what I've always wanted.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Why did you vote New Zealand?
0:28:05 > 0:28:07I know it would be an amazing opportunity for you,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10and also it would be a really good job opportunity for me.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14- Excited?- Yeah.- And nerve-racking. - Yeah.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Positive news about job prospects in New Zealand
0:28:23 > 0:28:26has put Claire and Pam back on the same page.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Hoping the move would afford them
0:28:28 > 0:28:31a healthier outdoor lifestyle with Lucy,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34will a day sampling some of the country's activities
0:28:34 > 0:28:37put them another step closer to achieving the dream?
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Spending quality time outdoors
0:28:43 > 0:28:45is part of the aspirational lifestyle
0:28:45 > 0:28:48the Maguire Quinns hope for in a move to New Zealand.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52To sample what the country can offer,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55they start their day with a hike along
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Goldie Bush Walkway in kauri forest,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00around 23 miles from central Auckland.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03- It's really nice, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:29:03 > 0:29:04I like this.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08The scenic walk takes them down 300 steps to a suspension bridge.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10And Lucy's feeling brave.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Lucy, you nutter.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15I want to go down there.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Don't say that. You might be down there in a minute.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Thankfully, they arrive safely at Mokoroa Stream.
0:29:21 > 0:29:26But Lucy's not so plucky when she encounters the local wildlife.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Don't worry. It's only a duck.
0:29:28 > 0:29:29It's scary.
0:29:29 > 0:29:30What's scary about it?
0:29:30 > 0:29:31It could kill me.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33- LAUGHS:- It could kill you! - LUCY SCREAMS
0:29:33 > 0:29:35It's Pam to the rescue.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Come across this, come on. Jump.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40Let's go that way round, yeah?
0:29:40 > 0:29:42DUCK QUACKS
0:29:44 > 0:29:48Next, the family head for a surf lesson at the beach at Muriwai
0:29:48 > 0:29:49where they've been staying.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52Perhaps Lucy will take to this activity
0:29:52 > 0:29:54more like a duck to water.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Grab you some wet suits and then we'll go out surfing.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58- Sound good?- Cool, yeah.
0:29:58 > 0:29:59Let's go.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- BOTH:- Yeah.
0:30:03 > 0:30:04Once kitted out,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07instructor Dylan Wallis gives them some top tips
0:30:07 > 0:30:10before they hit the beach where it's surf's up.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16After a shaky start...
0:30:17 > 0:30:19..Claire soon gets the hang of things.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Well, almost.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28And Lucy finds her feet with a little help.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Hey, how are you? Nice to see you. Hey.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37After getting dried off,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40the family finish their day at a nearby beach cafe
0:30:40 > 0:30:42where we've arranged for them to meet up
0:30:42 > 0:30:45with expat police officer Steve Nicol.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48He gives Pam a bit of insight into the local force.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Your policing experience will stand you in good stead.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56And, really, I've found the men and women of the New Zealand police
0:30:56 > 0:30:59to be a really good bunch of people, as well.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Hopefully, Steve can give them peace of mind
0:31:01 > 0:31:04about life on the other side of the world, too.
0:31:04 > 0:31:05When you came over, did you know anyone?
0:31:05 > 0:31:07No, I didn't know anyone at all.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Just my wife and I.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11The main reason we came over was just for a better life.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14We were planning on having a family.
0:31:14 > 0:31:15And we have.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17We've had four kids since we've been here.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- Wow.- They're growing up in a manner that we wanted them to, really.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25I think it's got to be a miles better place for kids to grow up,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27like, being more outdoors and active.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30They've got loads of opportunities
0:31:30 > 0:31:33to be young and explore and be outside.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37Everything that we hoped for has basically materialised.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41It's the reassurance they need, but little Lucy is still anxious.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45One of our problems moving would be leaving my brother.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47And you said you've got family over there.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- What's it like? - Are you really close?
0:31:50 > 0:31:53- Yeah.- Yeah. It'll be hard.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55That is probably the most difficult thing about it,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57leaving friends and family at home.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00I think sometimes you have to do things that are a bit difficult
0:32:00 > 0:32:02to end up having the life that you want to have.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Wise words.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10But while Pam can see New Zealand could be a great place to raise Lucy
0:32:10 > 0:32:11and start married life,
0:32:11 > 0:32:15she's still torn at the thought of leaving son Charlie.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17I can come here and say, I absolutely love this lifestyle.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19I think Lucy would love it.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21But it's not that simple.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24She knows the situation is far from ideal,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28but is hopeful there could be some benefits for her son, too.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Although we wouldn't be able to see him anywhere near as often,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36every time I did see him, it would be a lot better quality.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Lucy's also concerned about her brother.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Bit worried about leaving Charlie cos we're quite close.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46But speaking with Steve has helped.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Knowing that he's dealt with leaving people
0:32:48 > 0:32:52and he's been all right with it, I think it'll be good.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54I think that's made me feel better about it.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57The afternoon has also given Claire
0:32:57 > 0:32:59a chance to reflect on the reality
0:32:59 > 0:33:01of leaving her loved ones behind, too.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04It would always have been...
0:33:05 > 0:33:07..friends and family that would
0:33:08 > 0:33:11..be the difficult part. And that's still what is on my mind,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14the difficult decision still has to be made.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20For now, though, the family have to decide on lifestyle.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Will they opt for New Zealand or the UK?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- PAM AND CLAIRE:- New Zealand.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33New Zealand.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36It was really good to be out in the open air.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- Being outdoors.- Yeah.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40That lifestyle would just be amazing.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42You can't have that in the UK.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49With everyone convinced on the lifestyle New Zealand can offer,
0:33:49 > 0:33:51the family now need to work out
0:33:51 > 0:33:54if they can afford to make their dream move a reality.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00While Lucy plays, Claire and Pam sit down to crunch numbers.
0:34:00 > 0:34:01To help, we've provided them
0:34:01 > 0:34:06with a cost of living comparison between the UK and New Zealand.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- I'm intrigued about this.- Yeah.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Excited, I think.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13I don't know.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15They start with a look at their weekly shopping,
0:34:15 > 0:34:19and it's food for thought for Claire.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- Potatoes.- Potatoes.- No, no.
0:34:22 > 0:34:23You like your spuds, don't you?
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Sorry, but I can't move here.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Potatoes are more expensive.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29A tot-up of the figures reveals
0:34:29 > 0:34:34they'd be paying out just over £16 more each week for food.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35A lot better than I was expecting.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38- Yeah.- I'm surprised.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Not bad at all. I'm a bit upset by the potatoes.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44I'll have to earn more money.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Do a bit of overtime. Potato overtime.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Moving on, the couple look at bigger bills.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Comparing the monthly rent they pay in the UK
0:34:53 > 0:34:56with mortgage repayments for the first property they viewed,
0:34:56 > 0:35:00they discovered they'd be paying almost three times more down under.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Currently 525 rent.
0:35:03 > 0:35:04£1,500.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07That's a mortgage and it's a lot more money,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10but the money is going somewhere. Gas?
0:35:10 > 0:35:13£37 in the UK, £79 here.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16That's quite a lot more.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18One cost isn't up for debate.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20- Right, flights.- Yeah.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21£251 a month.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23We can't make this move without them.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25- No.- The flights. Can we? - No, not at all.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27No chance. If not us going back there,
0:35:27 > 0:35:31- trying to get people like Charlie here.- Over here, yeah.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34The overall total for outgoings isn't encouraging.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37£943.34 worse off.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42- It is a lot but... - It's going to a house.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44That is like an investment.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Not put off, they go on to look at salary.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49And with Claire about to embark on her career,
0:35:49 > 0:35:53they're positive about the prospect of having a second income.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55At the minute, we're all living on my salary.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57- Yeah.- Pretty much.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59We'll see what the difference is with you earning
0:35:59 > 0:36:02so I'm quite hopeful, really, at the minute.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Yeah. Not going to be a poor student any more.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09As expected, together they'd bring home a sizeable amount,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11over £1,000 per month more.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15It definitely outweighs the outgoings, doesn't it?
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Happily, the final sums show they'd be better off each month
0:36:19 > 0:36:24by around £130, which, over 12 months, amounts to...
0:36:24 > 0:36:30That's £1,567.92.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Better off per year.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- That's good, isn't it? - That's well good.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35And that's paying for flights.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Pam's very relieved.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41- Promising.- Yeah.- Knowing that we can see Charlie every year.
0:36:41 > 0:36:42Definitely.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46It's now time to cast their vote on finances.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56- BOTH:- New Zealand.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- New Zealand?- You can't really argue with the figures, can you?
0:36:59 > 0:37:01- We can go home every year. - Yeah. Awesome.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Assured they can afford to keep close ties with home
0:37:11 > 0:37:13and see Charlie regularly,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16the positive financial picture has taken the family
0:37:16 > 0:37:19a step closer to the new life they crave.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23But while a move might make sense on paper,
0:37:23 > 0:37:27the emotional side of emigrating is a lot more complex.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29The family settle down together
0:37:29 > 0:37:31to watch messages from loved ones in the UK.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Hey, Claire, Pam, Lucy.
0:37:35 > 0:37:36Hi, Pam. Hi, Claire.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Hi, Lucy.
0:37:38 > 0:37:39- ALL:- Hello!
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Hi, Lucy, I hope you're having a good time in New Zealand.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44Missing you loads.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45Pam, yeah, she's lovely.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47She's a pain at times.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51She's quite strong-headed and quite demanding, but, yeah, she's good.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55The best way I'd describe Pam
0:37:55 > 0:37:58is a really brave, strong person.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Claire is...
0:38:01 > 0:38:04a bundle of energy quite a lot of the time.
0:38:05 > 0:38:06Lucy, I've seen her grow up,
0:38:06 > 0:38:09through the last six, seven, eight, nine years
0:38:09 > 0:38:11and she's just grown into this beautiful young woman
0:38:11 > 0:38:14and I'm so proud to know her.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15She's nice and...
0:38:17 > 0:38:18she's kind.
0:38:20 > 0:38:21They're such a great couple,
0:38:21 > 0:38:23and they're such a great family already,
0:38:23 > 0:38:24and whenever you see them all together,
0:38:24 > 0:38:26you can see how much they care about each other,
0:38:26 > 0:38:29and how well they work together and how well they fit.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I know that, for Lucy, it will be fantastic.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34A new start.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37And Charlie can go and visit.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41I think it's always going to be a challenge for them.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45Charlie is, obviously, a huge part of Pam's life
0:38:45 > 0:38:47and a huge part of Claire and Lucy's life as well.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51It will be sad.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53At the moment, they're 20 minutes away from me,
0:38:53 > 0:38:55and I can go round whenever I want and take Lucy bowling,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57and I won't to be able to do that.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59I will miss them.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01In a lot of ways, Lucy and Charlie
0:39:01 > 0:39:04have become almost like grandchildren for Mum and Dad,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07and so not having them coming to visit as much,
0:39:07 > 0:39:09that would be difficult.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13You know, you've got us four here, we'll always be there for you guys.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15So much love.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17I'm behind you whatever you decide,
0:39:17 > 0:39:19and I know you'll make the right decision.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23I'll miss you loads, good luck and have a great time.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25Think towards your future,
0:39:25 > 0:39:27where is it that you're going to be the happiest?
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Where is it that you're going to get the life
0:39:29 > 0:39:32that you really, really want to lead?
0:39:32 > 0:39:33- Aw, that was nice.- Aww.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35I'm glad...
0:39:37 > 0:39:40..nobody's kind of been like, "Don't go, don't go."
0:39:40 > 0:39:41- Yeah.- I mean, Rachel's...
0:39:41 > 0:39:43Everybody's very supportive.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47It'll be sad to think that we wouldn't see friends again,
0:39:47 > 0:39:49that will be really sad.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51I think we're all perfectly aware
0:39:51 > 0:39:53of how difficult the decision is going to be to leave Charlie.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Even when they've just mentioned him, I start crying.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56Yeah.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Messages from home were a reminder of the emotional impact
0:40:05 > 0:40:08of starting again on the other side of the world,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11not just for Pam but for Claire, too.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14So with their final decision approaching,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17will the lure of New Zealand be strong enough
0:40:17 > 0:40:20to encourage the couple to take the plunge?
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Or will they decide home is where the heart is?
0:40:25 > 0:40:27As the week draws to a conclusion,
0:40:27 > 0:40:29the reality of living on the other side of the world
0:40:29 > 0:40:31has hit home for Claire.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35My three brothers and my parents are all back in Northern Ireland
0:40:35 > 0:40:40and then me being halfway around the world is difficult to think of.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44I'm a bit nervous of how Claire is.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47She was a bit upset last night about her family.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49She's always wanted to live abroad,
0:40:49 > 0:40:51and now it's becoming a lot more real.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Making a life for herself,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57Claire and Lucy, has presented Pam with an almost impossible dilemma.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I know it's a difficult decision,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04I've got my own decisions to cope with as well because of Charlie.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07But their time in New Zealand has reinforced for Pam
0:41:07 > 0:41:10the kind of opportunity she could offer her son.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14I know that I could still be there for Charlie the best I can
0:41:14 > 0:41:17but also providing a really good lifestyle.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21I'm not going to be leaving him forever,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23I'm going to make every effort to see him.
0:41:23 > 0:41:28And despite missing her brother, Lucy's feeling better about a move.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30I can see myself living here,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and I think I would have a nice life living here.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- I love you.- I love you.
0:41:35 > 0:41:40Emotions are running high as the final decision edges closer.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45I'm kind of all over the place, as I have absolutely no idea yet
0:41:45 > 0:41:48what way I'm going to vote.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50It's time for the family to choose
0:41:50 > 0:41:52whether New Zealand is where they see their future.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11- New Zealand.- New Zealand.- LUCY:- UK!
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Only joking, New Zealand!
0:42:13 > 0:42:15THEY LAUGH
0:42:17 > 0:42:19New Zealand all round, yeah?
0:42:19 > 0:42:21I think it makes sense to just try it,
0:42:21 > 0:42:23give it a go and see what it's like.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26I really thought you'd be undecided.
0:42:26 > 0:42:27Are you surprised with mine?
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Not at all surprised with yours, Lucy, no.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31What's been your deciding factor?
0:42:31 > 0:42:35- Yeah.- I've obviously got Charlie and your family stuff as well.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38I think we would have an amazing lifestyle here.
0:42:38 > 0:42:39Got to give it a go.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42# We're going to move here! We're going to move here! #
0:42:42 > 0:42:43Yeah.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48I need to ring Nana and Gran to say I'm going to be a Kiwi.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56It's been an emotional week,
0:42:56 > 0:43:00but Claire's reconciled to leaving her family in the UK,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03and Pam has finally come to terms with the prospect
0:43:03 > 0:43:07of long periods of time without her son.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11It won't be easy for anyone, but we wish Claire, Pam and Lucy
0:43:11 > 0:43:15the very best of luck as they prepare to embark
0:43:15 > 0:43:18on the next chapter of their lives down under.