0:00:06 > 0:00:11Welcome to Wanted Down Under, the show that catapults a British family
0:00:11 > 0:00:18right across to the other side of the world to help them make the biggest decision of their life,
0:00:18 > 0:00:21whether to stay in the UK or to move to New Zealand.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30Busy pub landlord Simon Guile and his wife Claire
0:00:30 > 0:00:35have been thinking about emigrating to New Zealand for an easier life with their three girls.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39About six months ago we decided what we were doing was destroying the family
0:00:39 > 0:00:44and, the children were growing up without, without seeing me and vice versa.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48You know, if Simon didn't run a busy pub any more he would have more time
0:00:48 > 0:00:51to spend with us,
0:00:51 > 0:00:57and the idea of emigrating to New Zealand just meant that we'd have more time.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Simon's dream is to retrain as a wine maker,
0:01:01 > 0:01:05but seven-year-old daughter Izzy doesn't understand why they can't spend time together at home.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09We could do that in England because he could get another job.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Do you dislike New Zealand or you don't like the idea of living in New Zealand?
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Just don't like New Zealand.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20And when they do their sums will New Zealand still be so appealing?
0:01:20 > 0:01:23It's not as simple as having a dream and you know, "Oh, let's do it,
0:01:23 > 0:01:31"let's have an adventure, let's go," because there's so many aspects to it you haven't considered.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34The Guiles have some heartbreaking choices ahead of them.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36What will they decide?
0:02:01 > 0:02:06With its magnificent landscape and small population of just over four million,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09New Zealand is many people's idea of the perfect place to live
0:02:09 > 0:02:16and every year around 87,000 people make that move in search of a better life.
0:02:16 > 0:02:22To emigrate you need to be between the ages of 20 and 55 with a skill that's in demand.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26But if you've never set foot Down Under, it's a massive challenge.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31We've given another British family the opportunity
0:02:31 > 0:02:36to spend a week Down Under to see if it's all they've dreamt it would be.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41After that they'll have to make a decision one way or the other.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44To stay in the UK or to move to New Zealand.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Simon and Claire Guile live with their three girls,
0:02:50 > 0:02:55ten-year-old Holly, seven-year-old Izzy, and new baby Amelie,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57in the pretty village of Hurst near Reading,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01and are thinking about moving 12,000 miles away to start a new life in New Zealand.
0:03:01 > 0:03:08Well, for years we've talked about adventure and doing something new, haven't we?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12And even at university we used to discuss places we'd like to go
0:03:12 > 0:03:16and places we'd like to live and it was always dreams, wasn't it?
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Simon's been running his own pub for 11 years.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23He's made it into a successful business, but he works long hours
0:03:23 > 0:03:28and has very little time to spend with Claire and the children and now he's had enough.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31The most poignant moment in the last year has been
0:03:31 > 0:03:36Holly saying to Claire that they're almost like a single-parent family because I'm always here.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41That really caused me to sit up and think, "Well I'm going to miss all her childhood."
0:03:43 > 0:03:48We don't have much family time because Daddy's always working
0:03:48 > 0:03:52and we only see him at dinner usually.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55We don't see him much.
0:03:55 > 0:04:02I wish it was different because it would be way better because then we'd be able to see him more.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Now the pub's lease is up and he's got to decide
0:04:05 > 0:04:10whether to stay on for another three years or make the move Down Under.
0:04:10 > 0:04:17The opportunities start in New Zealand and to not be Simon, pub landlord, is quite exciting.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22When Simon did suggest it, it was like, I was quite excited by the idea
0:04:22 > 0:04:27and because our life at the moment is so busy with the pub
0:04:27 > 0:04:33and generally we never see each other it just seemed ideal, absolutely ideal.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38It would mean that we wouldn't have to live each day independently -
0:04:38 > 0:04:41me at home with the children and Simon working.
0:04:41 > 0:04:47But after a whole life working in catering, it's going to be hard to decide what to do next.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53Having sort of searched my inner soul and tried to fathom out what to do next
0:04:53 > 0:04:58I came up with an idea that I'd really like to work within the wine industry.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02I want to learn everything there is to learn about running a vineyard, growing grapes,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06put them into a bottle eventually, and then ship them halfway around the world
0:05:06 > 0:05:09to be enjoyed by the likes of you in your front lounge of an evening.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11My favourite wine, New Zealand.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- And to be able to... - Sauvignon Blanc, the best wine.
0:05:14 > 0:05:20Not everyone in the Guile family shares the same passion as Simon to make the move Down Under.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26Isobel's really not keen, really doesn't want to go to New Zealand at all.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29We really value their opinions, don't we?
0:05:29 > 0:05:34And she knows that we would never do anything big that they didn't want to do.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Mummy won't go because I don't want to go
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and then Holly won't go because I don't want to go.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I can visit it and see what it's like.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45I'll definitely give it a try.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47I just don't want...
0:05:47 > 0:05:53Izzy might not be alone and, although, Claire wants to support Simon to the ends of the earth,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56New Zealand might be a step too far.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Something my mum said was, um, "We'd never see you again.
0:06:00 > 0:06:07"Because it's such a long journey and such a lot of money, we might not ever see you again."
0:06:07 > 0:06:14Simon would go tomorrow, the girls could possibly be persuaded
0:06:14 > 0:06:16and I'd love the idea of it,
0:06:16 > 0:06:21but the thought of not ever seeing someone again is pretty scary.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26That thought of leaving loved ones is a really tough decision,
0:06:26 > 0:06:31but will the prospect of finally being able to spend more time together as a family
0:06:31 > 0:06:33tempt them into making the move Down Under?
0:06:37 > 0:06:40The Guiles will be going to the vibrant city of Auckland,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44situated on the north east coast of New Zealand's North Island.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48It's on the doorstep of some of the most beautiful beaches
0:06:48 > 0:06:53and has plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city's surrounding landscape
0:06:53 > 0:06:56as well as its metropolitan lifestyle.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00The Guiles think that their property budget is £220,000
0:07:00 > 0:07:03so if they shop around they should be able to find something
0:07:03 > 0:07:06that will suit all their needs.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10We found three possible lifestyles for the Guile family,
0:07:10 > 0:07:15each one offering a brand new way of life for them to try on their budget.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18But which one will be the most suitable?
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Property in the city is plentiful, from high-rise living to townhouses,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28but house prices in the centre have boomed in recent years
0:07:28 > 0:07:31and the Guiles will have to make do with less space
0:07:31 > 0:07:32than they have in the UK.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37This four-bedroom property is on the market for just over £350,000.
0:07:37 > 0:07:43Too much for the Guiles, but they could look to the suburbs where houses are cheaper.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47The commute to Auckland's wine district could take at least one hour from the centre,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50which would mean less time spent together as a family.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Well, what about the second option?
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Auckland is surrounded by stunning countryside
0:07:55 > 0:07:58which would offer the Guiles the more laidback lifestyle
0:07:58 > 0:08:00that they're looking for in New Zealand.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04It boasts large properties like this at £300,000.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07However the Guiles may feel isolated here
0:08:07 > 0:08:10and schools for the children could be harder to find.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13But Simon's potential work would be close by
0:08:13 > 0:08:17and he'd be able to spend more time with his family.
0:08:17 > 0:08:23That all looks very inviting, but what about the third option?
0:08:23 > 0:08:27If the Guiles found somewhere near the beach, they'd be able to pursue
0:08:27 > 0:08:29the active lifestyle they're looking for.
0:08:29 > 0:08:36There are plenty of houses with great living spaces along the coast like this at £280,000,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39but sea views don't necessarily come cheap.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45Moving further inland would provide them with good-size family homes at affordable prices.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49The commute for Simon could be an easy 20 minutes and being by the sea,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51they would have water sports on their doorstep.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56Three very different options there, all of them life changing.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00So where did we decide to send our family?
0:09:02 > 0:09:06We decided the beach option would be the most suitable for the Guiles.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10It would provide them with a good lifestyle on the coast,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14as well as the opportunities to find spacious family houses within their budget.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18We've set Simon up with his dream job on a vineyard...
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Why would you want to change your occupation?
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Over the last couple of years I've really thought long and hard about
0:09:24 > 0:09:27what I wanted to do and whether it's a midlife crisis or what...
0:09:27 > 0:09:29You're not old enough yet.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32I don't know, we tend to have them earlier in the UK.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36..lined up three houses for them to view...
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Do you like this house more than our house at home or would you prefer our house at home?
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- I prefer our house.- Do you?
0:09:43 > 0:09:48But will any of this matter when they watch messages from friends and family back home?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I just need you to know that I love you very much.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Things like this really make you realise how much they mean to you
0:09:55 > 0:09:59and how much they mean to the children and Isobel just adores her grandparents
0:09:59 > 0:10:03and I don't know if I can do that to my children.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12So the Guile family are on their way.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Flying 12,000 miles and crossing three continents,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19they arrive 24 hours later in Auckland,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22and surprisingly they are looking rather chirpy.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27It was great. It was problem-free, we've all had a good sleep and a good rest
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and it was actually quite nice to sit down for 24 hours and do nothing.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34I feel better today than when I got on the plane in London.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38It's very, very long, though, and I can't imagine any of our family doing it.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43Looking forward to seeing what the country's got to offer us - job opportunities, houses,
0:10:43 > 0:10:50um, and activities we can all do together and looking for a change of lifestyle, so really exciting.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51We're all excited.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Well, I'm glad they're feeling rested
0:10:54 > 0:10:58because we've got a jam-packed week for them in Auckland.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Their base for the week is Red Beach,
0:11:01 > 0:11:03a coastal suburb 15 miles from Auckland.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Wow, look at this.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09SAT NAV: You have reached your destination.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- What do you think, Iz?- Wow.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15And there's a surprise waiting just around the corner.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- Sea's just there. You can hear it. - Unbelievable.
0:11:21 > 0:11:27The views of the Pacific Ocean are breathtaking, and the house isn't too bad either.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Oh, look at that window.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34My goodness. It's like in the films.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- What do you think?- Doesn't look real.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40There's a huge open-plan living area including a kitchen,
0:11:40 > 0:11:45and enough rooms for each of the children to choose their own, no matter how small.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47What do you think?
0:11:47 > 0:11:49She likes it.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54This house seems to go on forever.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58We need a map to find our way round. Oh, look at that shower.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59There's two showers in there.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- Cool. Oh...- This must be the master bedroom. It's got a fantastic view.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- Wow, look at that.- This is amazing. - Absolutely amazing.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- I'm quite speechless, actually. - Do you want to go in the garden? - Yeah!
0:12:12 > 0:12:13So, first impressions.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18Would they trade in their UK home for one like this in New Zealand?
0:12:18 > 0:12:21I don't think you can compare this house to ours, really.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Location-wise, you know we're on a reasonable busy road in Hurst,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28even though it's a small, pretty village, you know,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30we're still on a busy road with big lorries coming past.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Nothing's going to come past here, maybe the odd boat, but that's not going to bother us.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37It's just a different world.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39It's not in the same league as our house, never.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41It's just completely different.
0:12:41 > 0:12:48It's certainly a good reason to make the break if you can live somewhere like this.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51But moving here would mean taking the children away
0:12:51 > 0:12:55from their family and friends and so far they aren't going to go easily.
0:12:55 > 0:13:01Even they've been quite speechless walking into this property so we will just see.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05You know, we'll be here by the beach, they might really love it and want to stay forever.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08We're going to cram as much in as we can,
0:13:08 > 0:13:13see as much as we can and do lots of activities and just have a fun time together
0:13:13 > 0:13:15and, you know, if it all clicks it clicks.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19But what happens if it doesn't?
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Back in the UK, Simon, Claire and the girls
0:13:26 > 0:13:29live in a four bedroom cottage in the pretty village of Hurst.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Although they have a substantial mortgage, if they sold they'd have
0:13:33 > 0:13:38enough equity to go a long way towards a new home in New Zealand.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42With a potential budget of £220,000 towards a property in Auckland,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46their plan is to try and buy it outright, or have as small a mortgage
0:13:46 > 0:13:53as possible, freeing up Simon to pursue his dream job, and Claire would work part-time as a teacher.
0:13:53 > 0:13:59They also have their hearts set on living close to the sea, but could all this become a reality?
0:14:00 > 0:14:05Their search begins 14 miles away north of Auckland in the sleepy suburb of Snells Beach.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10And estate agent Beth, who's originally from Scotland, is going to show them around.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- Hello.- Pleased to meet you, I'm Beth. - Simon.- Pleased to meet you.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Isobel.- Hello.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Property one is a four-bedroom detached house on a 500 square foot plot
0:14:21 > 0:14:27in a quiet cul-de-sac situated 15 minutes' walk from the beach.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32So it's a total family package, it's good value. It's four bedrooms, you've got your fenced yard.
0:14:32 > 0:14:39It's got nice outlook from the decks, you can see right across to the end of Snells Beach.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41This is where everybody comes on holidays,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44so it's great to live in a place that everyone comes on holidays.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46You don't need to sit in traffic to get here.
0:14:46 > 0:14:52Simon says he practically lives in the kitchen, but would he want to live in this kitchen?
0:14:52 > 0:14:55I like open plan, it's a bit different from back home.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Yeah, most properties seem to be open plan, don't they?
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Yeah. It's like it was definitely in vogue for a while to have open plan.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08Now they're getting back into closing kitchens off, the brand new houses. But I like open plan.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16We have one of the double bedrooms here.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21As you can see, it's quite a large bedroom, good for older kids.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- It is quite big.- They've got built-in wardrobe as well.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Got another one of the rooms here. It's a little bit smaller.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34Down the corridor there's a tiny baby room and most important, the master bedroom.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- Oh, that's big, isn't it? - Yeah. It has en suite as well.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42It's a massive bedroom too.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43It is a big bedroom.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47It's all right, but Simon doesn't seem that convinced.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Maybe the price will be more attractive.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53It's on the market for 429,000,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56which is pretty good value for four bedrooms and a fenced section.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58It's a nice quiet street,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01schools are just around the corner, buses at the end of the road.
0:16:01 > 0:16:08Well, that's everything they need and they would only have to arrange a £22,000 mortgage.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11But what do they really think of property one?
0:16:12 > 0:16:17It looks quite nice from the outside, but it reminds me a bit of a caravan.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24It's a lovely area and you can see why people move here and you can see why people have second homes here.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Moving this far out of the city
0:16:27 > 0:16:32doesn't really appeal to us. We like to be more near the centre of things.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36No problem, there are plenty more houses to look at closer to the city,
0:16:36 > 0:16:41but with proximity comes a larger price tag.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49We've pointed Claire and Simon towards Arkles Bay to look at two other houses.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51They should be more up their street.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- Hi there.- Hello.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- Hello.- Come on through.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- You've got your hands full there. - Yes.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Property two is a much larger four-bedroom house.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Arkles Bay is set in a pretty valley,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10it's closer to amenities and it's only 20 miles from central Auckland.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Right, this is the main living area here.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18You can see it opens out onto the deck out here.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22It's open plan, all the tiled areas have got underfloor heating.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24- Oh, lovely.- So you put that on.
0:17:24 > 0:17:30Unlike property one, this house has got a modern kitchen, which has got Simon very excited.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- It's nice having a central island. - Yeah. It's big.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37- You could do you TV chef bit on here.- I could do, couldn't I? Yeah.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Then you could open a couple of restaurants, maybe a pub.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43The other nice thing about this property is that the master bedroom
0:17:43 > 0:17:48is away from the children's rooms, and the master bedroom, it's got the large ranch slider
0:17:48 > 0:17:51that opens out and you have a look at the bush out there and...
0:17:51 > 0:17:53It's got a lovely outlook.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56It is a lovely outlook. You are facing north too,
0:17:56 > 0:18:00so you get, you know, good afternoon and all-day sun.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03And if you walk down to the bottom, down towards Ferry Road,
0:18:03 > 0:18:09you've got the walkway that takes you right through to Arkles Bay beach, which is really lovely.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12OK, let's go and have a look at the other bedrooms.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18Hopefully property two is as far away from caravan life as you can get.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23And it's got three more bedrooms, all more than big enough for the girls.
0:18:23 > 0:18:29And this is the family bathroom. It's got you know a bit of an unusual design feature up there
0:18:29 > 0:18:32where you've got plenty of sunlight and can sit in the bath...
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- Very unusual.- Yeah, look at the sky.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37This second property has clearly got a lot more going for it
0:18:37 > 0:18:40than property one, but how much will it cost?
0:18:40 > 0:18:46It's on the market at 549. Are you thinking that it would suit you?
0:18:46 > 0:18:48It's affordable from where we're coming from.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- It is very different to British properties.- Yeah.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54And it seems a little bit sparse and a little empty.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- It's not cosy, is it?- Yes.
0:18:56 > 0:19:03- Um, it's a good living space, but we'd rather have less living space and more money.- Yeah.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08Well, I don't think they'll be rushing to make an offer on this house,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12but if they bought something similar then they'd have to find a mortgage of £75,000.
0:19:12 > 0:19:18And on a smaller salary, this could make Simon's wine-making dream much less practical.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22This exchange rate, you know a year ago you were getting three dollars to the pound,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26which would have made it 200,000, so it would have made it affordable.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31Um, right now getting just over two to the pound putting it nearer 300,000,
0:19:31 > 0:19:36then, yeah, you are looking at a mortgage not dissimilar to what I've got in the UK,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38which is not what we're looking for.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44So we do realise that there is a trade-off to downsize your mortgage
0:19:44 > 0:19:46and to actually achieve what we actually want to.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50So, you know, there is an opportunity to move further up the coast
0:19:50 > 0:19:56and take advantage of cheaper property which has got the beachside location we're looking for.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00But to live so far out of town might be isolating
0:20:00 > 0:20:04for Claire and the children and could put the whole move in jeopardy.
0:20:04 > 0:20:10It's a dilemma, but I think we might just have something up our sleeve five minutes along the road.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- Hey, guys.- Good morning.- I'm Paul. - Hi, I'm Simon.- Pleased to meet you.
0:20:15 > 0:20:20Property three is a four-bedroom detached house on a large plot.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24It's a stone's throw from the beach and, although you can't see the sea,
0:20:24 > 0:20:29you can see it has great views of the valley below.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35So you've got your kitchen-dining lounge area down here.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- The property is facing north...- Yes.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39The sun comes up there in the morning
0:20:39 > 0:20:45and it sets down there in the evening so you're all-day sun round this area.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Lovely open plan aspect, isn't it?
0:20:47 > 0:20:51The thing about this property, no-one is looking in on you, you're looking out.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- Yeah.- There's a feeling of space. - Yeah, quite elevated, aren't you?
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Yeah, from all the rooms it's quite a good outlook.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Will the interiors live up to the stunning views?
0:21:00 > 0:21:06- This is a good size room. It's got the double wardrobe in it and that's a good size.- Yeah, it's nice.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- Nice deep wardrobe, that one. - Yes, it is.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13- And that's probably where you could put your overseas guests when they come to stay.- Yes.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- You could fit a bed in there. - It's big enough, yes.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20So we've got the master bedroom up here. You've got the walk-in wardrobe.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Oh, I like the walk-in wardrobe.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25That's gone down well.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Wow, it's big.- It's big.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31And then the en suite, which is a good size.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34It's far bigger than the en suite we've got.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- Yeah. It's very deceptive. You don't expect it to be this long when you walk in.- No.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Shall we take a look outside? - Yeah.- That would be great, yeah.
0:21:43 > 0:21:49Outside decking is a popular feature of Kiwi homes and they don't come much nicer than this.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52We've got this wraparound deck here.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Once again it's just built for the sun.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Up there and down to you left.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- Really good for entertaining. - Fantastic view.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04And then you've got the undercover area here for when it's raining.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Yeah, so you can still use your barbeque if you want to.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10That's good. Rather than standing with a brolly like you do.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Surely property three is going to be more expensive than that last place.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17So how much would this realistically sell for?
0:22:17 > 0:22:22Well, this, they've just dropped the price. It was on at 485. They've just dropped the price to 479.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24The housing market has dropped
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- and they are losing a fair bit of money on the property.- Mm-hm.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31So, um, plus the renovations they've spent with carpet and paint,
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- it's definitely... Someone's going to pick up a very good property at a decent price.- Yeah.
0:22:36 > 0:22:42But could it be the Guiles? Seven-year-old Izzy is determined it's not going to be theirs.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Do you like this house more than our house at home, or do you prefer our house at home?
0:22:46 > 0:22:48I prefer our house.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Do you? Why do you prefer our house?
0:22:50 > 0:22:56Because it's cosy, it's small and it's this one you feel
0:22:56 > 0:23:03very small in it and in the other, in our house you feel big.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Do you? Oh. Holly, what do you think of this house?
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- What do you think?- I think it's cool. - Do you?- I like it. - What's your favourite bit?
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Ah, I don't know, I like it all.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15It's certainly a house we can afford, it's aspirational,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18it's something we can certainly move into straightaway
0:23:18 > 0:23:21and start living and there wouldn't be an awful lot to do
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- other than enjoy ourselves. - It's a very appealing thought.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29Which is certainly what we're trying to achieve with moving.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34- I wouldn't move here.- No. - If I had the choice.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36No. OK.
0:23:36 > 0:23:42Oh, no. Izzy is definitely not convinced. But will the rest of the family follow suit?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45From the three houses we saw today I only really preferred one
0:23:45 > 0:23:50out of the three, so on that thought, I'd go for UK houses.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I still prefer the traditional British property
0:23:53 > 0:23:57so for that reason I'm going to go for the UK.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I'm going to vote UK.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04They were too big and made you look small so for that reason
0:24:04 > 0:24:08today I'm going to vote for UK.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19The Guiles want to spend more time together as a family
0:24:19 > 0:24:22and hope to do this Down Under,
0:24:22 > 0:24:27but will Izzy finally be won over by what the New Zealand lifestyle has to offer?
0:24:28 > 0:24:31For their family day out we've set them a challenge -
0:24:31 > 0:24:34to cycle up North Head in Devonport.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39It's an inactive volcano that looks out across all of Auckland.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42The move to New Zealand would really mean
0:24:42 > 0:24:47that we have more time together as a family and do things like today.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Simon and the children just love being together.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55The girls love it because Daddy's a little bit more adventurous than Mummy
0:24:55 > 0:24:59and does more dangerous things and they just think it's great.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Me and you.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05OK? Ready to go?
0:25:05 > 0:25:09They shine when we're all together. They're much happier and it just shows.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13That's what we're looking for, just something a bit more family orientated,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16something where we can spend more time together.
0:25:19 > 0:25:26- You can see for miles and miles and miles, can't you? - It just looks too perfect.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30This is just stunning sitting here in this beautiful...hump. What is it?
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- It's a volcano. - It's a volcano. Sitting here...
0:25:34 > 0:25:36It's not going to go off, don't worry.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I don't know, it's just added another dimension to our thoughts.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43It's a bit like going through therapy the last couple of days
0:25:43 > 0:25:46because you know we don't really spend time together
0:25:46 > 0:25:50- discussing what's going on in our lives.- No. - Life just sort of drags us along
0:25:50 > 0:25:53and it's been quite nice to sort of step back and slow down
0:25:53 > 0:25:57and I think that's what we could actually find we could do here,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01we could slow down. That's what we're hoping would be the case.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07In the UK, Claire and the girls often have to go on day trips
0:26:07 > 0:26:12and even holidays without Simon, due to his work commitments,
0:26:12 > 0:26:19and it's days like these that are a reminder of how precious quality time together can be.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I'd like Daddy to be around more and see us more
0:26:22 > 0:26:27instead of just like just for dinner and stuff.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- When we do things as a family... - Yeah.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32You like that, don't you? But it doesn't happen very often, does it?
0:26:32 > 0:26:35- It's just we don't have the time, do we?- Yeah.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- Because Daddy's always working. - Yeah.
0:26:38 > 0:26:45Seeing his children happy and taking an active part in their lives is a massive driving force for Simon.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47It's quite emotional, really.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51I know there's a strength of feeling there from them and they want to spend more time with me
0:26:51 > 0:26:55and it does sort of tell me that we're striving to do the right thing.
0:26:57 > 0:27:04But Izzy still doesn't understand why the changes in lifestyle can't be made at home in the UK.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07We could do that in England because he could get another job.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10What about living by the seaside, Iz? Do you like that?
0:27:10 > 0:27:14I don't really, really care because you can do stuff at home.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19Do you actually dislike New Zealand or you just don't like the idea of living in New Zealand?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22- Don't like New Zealand. - If you came here for a holiday, would you like it?
0:27:22 > 0:27:26If we were just here on holiday and we weren't looking at houses
0:27:26 > 0:27:28and were just doing nice things, would you enjoy it?
0:27:28 > 0:27:33- No, I don't like it.- No?- No, I don't like, just don't like New Zealand.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36I think that she doesn't dislike New Zealand,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40she just doesn't want to move here and doesn't want to admit it.
0:27:40 > 0:27:46If we come out here and he does a different job which doesn't involve working
0:27:46 > 0:27:50when we're not at school or anything,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54then, yeah, it could be worth coming out here.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59Holly is all for doing what's best to bring the family closer together.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03They still need to do some more work on convincing Izzy,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06but I don't think even chips are going to do the trick today.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10After a grand day out, how will they vote?
0:28:10 > 0:28:14If living in New Zealand affords me a lifestyle where I can see Claire and the children a lot more
0:28:14 > 0:28:16then that's all good for me
0:28:16 > 0:28:18so an easy decision, New Zealand.
0:28:18 > 0:28:23I think this one just has to be New Zealand.
0:28:23 > 0:28:28I really enjoyed it because we could spend more time with Daddy
0:28:28 > 0:28:31so for that reason I'm voting New Zealand.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35I enjoyed it with Daddy but, um, he could get another job in the UK.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40We could do that in the UK, so I'm voting New Zealand.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42They've convinced Izzy!
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Only joking. UK.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Back in the UK, Simon owns and runs his own pub.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55He's built up the business over 11 years and is able to pay himself
0:28:55 > 0:28:59a salary of between £50,000 and £70,000 a year.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01But it comes at a cost.
0:29:01 > 0:29:07He works on average 65 hours a week and gets very little quality time with the family.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12For some time he's dreamt of pursuing his ambition of working on
0:29:12 > 0:29:15and eventually owning his own vineyard.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19Claire would work part-time teaching and Simon's career change
0:29:19 > 0:29:22would allow him to spend more time with the family.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Today's a really pretty key day for me and for everyone, really.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28If it's not feasible to make a living working on a vineyard,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32then we'd have to rethink our entire plans as to what we're going to do.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Whether I stay in catering, which I don't really want to do,
0:29:35 > 0:29:39I'd like to have a change and try something different. I think we know what type of lifestyle
0:29:39 > 0:29:44we could expect, we know what type of houses we can expect to purchase,
0:29:44 > 0:29:50so today's really make or break I think, you know, in terms of what we do out here.
0:29:52 > 0:29:57We've arranged for Simon and the family to visit New Zealand wine maker Heron's Flight
0:29:57 > 0:30:01to sample how it might be to live and work here.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04But first a traditional Maori welcome.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08HE BLOWS CONCH SHELL
0:30:08 > 0:30:11# Toia mai I te waka
0:30:11 > 0:30:14# Ki te urunga Te waka
0:30:14 > 0:30:16# Ki te moenga Te waka
0:30:16 > 0:30:19# Ki te takotoranga Te waka! #
0:30:19 > 0:30:20Hi. Simon.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25The hongi is the traditional Maori greeting.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27After exchanging their life breath,
0:30:27 > 0:30:30the stranger is then considered a person of the land.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32- Hello, Simon.- Hi.- Hello, Claire.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- Hello.- Hello, family.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Welcome to New Zealand, and Matakana and Heron's Flight.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Would you like to come inside now?
0:30:42 > 0:30:47Mary and her husband, David, set up their winery and restaurant 20 years ago.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49He's keen to meet Simon to show him around.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53- Hello, Simon. I'm David. - Pleased to meet you. - Yeah. Welcome to Heron's Flight.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56I'm glad to be here and thanks for inviting us.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58Well, I'm very happy to show you around.
0:30:59 > 0:31:05David's family vineyard is spread over 15 acres in the beautiful Matakana hills.
0:31:05 > 0:31:12When David bought the land in the late '80s, he had no experience of wine making, just like Simon.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16A lot of people say they want to get into the wine industry because they like drinking wine.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20- Right.- Or because they like the romance of having a vineyard
0:31:20 > 0:31:24and being able to share bottles of wine with their friends.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28It's a good idea. Of course - if you don't have that, you don't want to do it, but...
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- Yeah.- You are decidedly different. You actually have a skill in the food industry.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Why would you want to come to New Zealand, other side of the world,
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and why would you want to change your occupation?
0:31:39 > 0:31:43Over the last couple of years I've really thought long and hard about what I wanted to do,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46and whether it's a midlife crisis or what, I don't know.
0:31:46 > 0:31:47Oh, you're not old enough yet.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51I don't know, we tend to have them earlier in the UK. You wouldn't believe it.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- Because it's a dark climate. You don't get enough sun. - That's it, yeah.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59For me I can move to New Zealand and be virtually mortgage-free,
0:31:59 > 0:32:04which will allow me to work in the wine industry on a minimum wage.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08But in New Zealand, the minimum wage is £5.50 an hour.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13David's vineyard manager, Justin, has over 15 years' experience
0:32:13 > 0:32:16and only takes home £15,000 a year.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19If they were able to afford to make so drastic a change,
0:32:19 > 0:32:24Claire would have to go back to teaching part-time to subsidise their income.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27David's wife, Mary, has a lot in common with Claire.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32She was also a teacher who emigrated from the UK a few years ago.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37- I would be over-romanticising it if I said it wasn't a struggle.- No.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Because it's not very lucrative...
0:32:40 > 0:32:43And know nobody. I would go back to teaching to support our income.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46And teaching is actually quite well paid here.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- Is it?- And there are lots of nice schools around here.- Yeah.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Matakana School in particular.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- Yes.- And they're always looking for good teachers.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57That's great news for Claire.
0:32:57 > 0:33:02She could get back to work easily and help Simon fulfil his dream.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07But right now it's time to get his hands dirty.
0:33:11 > 0:33:16This pump is set up so it's going to suck out of the bottom here, the tank.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21- Yeah.- And then it's going pump up through into the top, so what I'll get you to do is I'll get you
0:33:21 > 0:33:26to climb up that ladder and you want to just kind of move that hose around to, you know, just to stir up
0:33:26 > 0:33:33the sediment in the bottom so we can get the malolactic fermentation happening again.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35And we'll be doing it, you know, once every few days.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Crikey, it's quite heavy isn't it?
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- So I'll just turn the pump on. - Is it going to make it more difficult with it on?
0:33:41 > 0:33:43No, you won't even notice it.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47You might fly off the ladder and end up in a barrel, but, you know, it's all good.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49OK.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50Here we go, pump's going on.
0:33:55 > 0:34:01It needs concentration and a steady hand and, of course, the hard part is trying not to spill any.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Uh-oh.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06That's at least a week's salary on the floor.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10And there it goes in the tank and turn the gas off and we're done.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14I don't think this was quite the outdoor lifestyle Simon was dreaming of,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17but don't worry, there's plenty to do in the fields.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19What are you going to show me now on the vines?
0:34:19 > 0:34:22What we've got here is, um, we're going to do shoot thinning.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26Basically that's a means to control the quality of the grapes.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30We're going for quality and not quantity here, so we're going to remove a lot of these shoots
0:34:30 > 0:34:34so we, um, the ones that are left will grow better grapes, basically.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37So come down here and we'll have a look.
0:34:37 > 0:34:44If Simon set up his own vineyard, it would take over three years before he could start producing wine.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48But there's a lot to learn. Does boss David think he's got it in him?
0:34:48 > 0:34:54Well, I think Simon's a very nice fellow and I think that he has the right type of attitude.
0:34:54 > 0:35:00So often you can look at somebody and say, "Would they be a good grape grower?"
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Do they have, perhaps, the skills to learn about winemaking,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06but more than that, do they actually have the skills to run a business?
0:35:06 > 0:35:11Could they take that bottle of wine and convert it into dollars?
0:35:11 > 0:35:15I actually think he does. I think that from the outset I thought,
0:35:15 > 0:35:21yes, if he had the motivation and if he was able to either start a vineyard from scratch,
0:35:21 > 0:35:26work for somebody else, work for me, work for someone and learn the basic skills,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29I think that what he brings
0:35:29 > 0:35:33to it is that hospitality background and I think he does.
0:35:33 > 0:35:39It's a nice combination that he has actually and clearly he knows something about wine and that helps.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42But that only helps.
0:35:42 > 0:35:48So after a crash course at the vineyard, it's time for Simon to ask the burning question.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51So there's five mouths to feed in my family.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56- And on a minimum wage, it would be quite difficult to make ends meet. - Yeah.
0:35:56 > 0:36:02How am I going to get into this and fast-track myself to a better salary?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04Your best bet would be the bigger wineries.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07They will train up people every season
0:36:07 > 0:36:12and they normally pay at least a few dollars, 3 or 4 above the minimum wage.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14The amount of hours you'd be putting in,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17you'd end up with a reasonably decent pay packet at the end of the week.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20You know, if you're in a bigger place, running a big vineyard
0:36:20 > 0:36:24or something, you know, you can probably expect to earn upwards of
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- 50,000 or 60,000 a year.- Yeah.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30- Yeah.- When Claire arrives I'll tell her that she's got to work full-time
0:36:30 > 0:36:32because I ain't gonna earn anything.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38- No, she'll get used to it. - Good luck with that, Simon. - Well, that's all right.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43Well, it's been a really great morning, really informative.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48I've certainly learned how much money I can not earn working in a vineyard.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51I think Claire and I need to sit down and do some sums
0:36:51 > 0:36:55and see what she could earn. Obviously I could have looked at restaurants and bars,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58but that's not really changing the way we live our life
0:36:58 > 0:37:01and I don't think we would attain a better lifestyle.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Really I want to do something that I get a lot of job satisfaction from,
0:37:04 > 0:37:09plus I get to see Claire and the kids a lot more, and that's what we're trying to achieve.
0:37:09 > 0:37:14Whether we can do it doing it this way, but, you know, I think there are still some questions to ask
0:37:14 > 0:37:17and pose to David and Justin and see whether I can take it further.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25Although today has answered some questions for Simon, it has also raised some new ones.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30Would Claire be prepared to go back to work full-time with a ten-month-old baby?
0:37:30 > 0:37:34And what sort of lifestyle could they afford on such a small wage?
0:37:34 > 0:37:39But for now, how will Simon vote on work in a New Zealand vineyard?
0:37:39 > 0:37:44Claire and I have been bowled over today by the generous welcome that we've been afforded, the food,
0:37:44 > 0:37:49the wine and the time that David and Justin spent with me this morning and this afternoon.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54Having seen what there is involved in running and working in a vineyard,
0:37:54 > 0:38:01I haven't been put off by the long hours and potential for working weekends in harvest time.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04I can negotiate around a minimum wage for a few years
0:38:04 > 0:38:11and develop my winemaking skills and so my decision today is New Zealand.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15But very soon the Guiles will have to sit down and do their sums.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20And when they do, will their dreams of a fresh start come to an end?
0:38:23 > 0:38:30A move to New Zealand involves massive financial as well as emotional decisions.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34The Guiles will have to take into account the cost of living in Auckland
0:38:34 > 0:38:39as well as what they could make on the sale of their UK home.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44Simon and Claire have recently put their property on the market for £350,000
0:38:44 > 0:38:47and offers are already coming in.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52If they get their asking price, it would give them equity of 165,000,
0:38:52 > 0:38:56but for Simon to pursue his dream of working on a vineyard,
0:38:56 > 0:39:01he would have to start on the minimum wage of £5.50 an hour.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05And they really need to do their maths to see if a move to New Zealand
0:39:05 > 0:39:07is possible at all on that salary.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12We've prepared a comparison of their UK and New Zealand expenses
0:39:12 > 0:39:15to see if they can afford a life Down Under.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Look, around 32% of New Zealanders have some form of health insurance.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25You have to pay up to £19 per visit to the GP.
0:39:25 > 0:39:30I think you'd have to add in the health insurance, wouldn't you, as well, at £50...
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Monthly shop's going to cost us another hundred quid.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35Gas and electricity is half.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38So what are we looking at salary-wise?
0:39:40 > 0:39:4312.50 an hour.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45Well, I'd have to work full-time.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49Yeah. There's £1,200 difference in terms of earnings, but...
0:39:49 > 0:39:55For Claire, it's essential that they can make an annual return journey to the UK to see the family.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59Return flights from New Zealand to UK...
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- Yeah?- ..cost an average of £800 to £1,000 per adult.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06You'd have to make provision each month.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Yeah. A sort of contingency fund.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Depending on how many times you want to go back.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16If you want to go back once a year, you've got to save £400 a month for it.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20On a reduced salary that's a huge amount to find each month.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23It's time to do their sums.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27What's the difference between that?
0:40:27 > 0:40:34So it would leave us with £739 a month left over, so we wouldn't really be any better off.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38You couldn't take £400 a month out of that to save,
0:40:38 > 0:40:42so this is telling us that even if we save £200 a month,
0:40:42 > 0:40:47which would probably be difficult, we could only return back to the UK every two or three years.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52- Yeah. If that.- And realistically, probably every five years.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Mm.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57And then things really change.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Yeah.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02That's a massive bombshell.
0:41:02 > 0:41:08If they could only see their family every few years, then any plans to move would be out of the question.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11There's no point coming halfway across the world
0:41:11 > 0:41:17to change your lifestyle and create more time for the family and then have no money left.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20I'd need to consider
0:41:20 > 0:41:24whether I follow my heart and my dream
0:41:24 > 0:41:29and want to make wine or whether I, you know... I've got to really do a bit of soul searching and decide
0:41:29 > 0:41:32where my priorities are and how much I can earn doing other things.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36It's not as simple as having a dream and just, you know, "Oh, let's do it,
0:41:36 > 0:41:44"let's have an adventure, let's go," because there's so many aspects to it you haven't considered.
0:41:44 > 0:41:49If I could guarantee I could fly home once or twice,
0:41:49 > 0:41:54or at least once a year and my family could fly to see me
0:41:54 > 0:41:57then it wouldn't be such a scary prospect,
0:41:57 > 0:42:02but looking at the figures, we wouldn't be able to afford to go home.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06It's almost a selfish decision to come here and to remove yourself from
0:42:06 > 0:42:10the circles you move in at the moment
0:42:10 > 0:42:12purely for your own benefit,
0:42:12 > 0:42:17but, you know, we've got to think what's best for the five of us.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20It seems the promise of a better lifestyle
0:42:20 > 0:42:25and a dream job for Simon could prevent them from seeing family in the UK for years at a time.
0:42:25 > 0:42:30Will the prospect of becoming isolated without the support of friends and family,
0:42:30 > 0:42:35who would be 12,000 miles away, be enough to bring their dream to an end?
0:42:39 > 0:42:43With Simon working such long hours in the UK,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46the Guiles' life together has taken a battering
0:42:46 > 0:42:51and in New Zealand they hope to have more time to socialise.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56We've given them the chance to meet up with some other Brits who've already made the move.
0:43:00 > 0:43:05Simon, Claire and the children are going to a tea party at Susan Bowden's house.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07In the four years since she's emigrated,
0:43:07 > 0:43:13she's built up a good group of Kiwi mates as well as some fellow Brits who've also made the move.
0:43:13 > 0:43:18Hopefully they can make our family feel at home and answer a few questions into the bargain.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21- Hello.- Hi.- Pleased to meet you. - Nice to meet you. Welcome.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23- Thank you for inviting us. - You're welcome. Thank you.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27Come on up and I'll show you round and introduce you to everyone.
0:43:30 > 0:43:34- Here we are. - Hello.- Hello.
0:43:34 > 0:43:35Hello, nice to meet you too.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38- Hello, gorgeous.- This is Judy.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42- Judy's just arrived as well, a couple of days ago. - Hello. Nice to meet you.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45Given the rain outside and the number of English accents
0:43:45 > 0:43:49at this party, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were back in the UK.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52And the similarities don't end there.
0:43:52 > 0:43:56It's as close I think to England and the culture is quite similar...
0:43:56 > 0:43:59- Yeah.- The way of life is quite similar.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02Obviously you have a bit more of an outdoor lifestyle.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05Not at the moment. I promise you it does get better.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07'It's lovely meeting people here in New Zealand.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11'Everybody's really friendly and tried really hard
0:44:11 > 0:44:16'to help you with your decision and tell us about how it was for them moving and it's been really good.'
0:44:16 > 0:44:19- We found it really, really easy. - Yeah?
0:44:19 > 0:44:23In the UK everyone's so wrapped up in their own world and their own lives and it's so busy,
0:44:23 > 0:44:27especially where we live. But I think there's more time here for other people
0:44:27 > 0:44:33and especially if people have moved over from the UK and they're all in the same situation with family
0:44:33 > 0:44:38and they are really friendly and able to share that with you. I've really enjoyed that, meeting people.
0:44:38 > 0:44:43In the living room, the children are getting on like a house on fire.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45- Do you like it?- Yeah.
0:44:45 > 0:44:51It's way different to England because in England it's very, like, cold all the time, really,
0:44:51 > 0:44:54- and in New Zealand it's quite warm. - Yeah, it's really hot.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56'The girls have loved meeting people their own age.'
0:44:56 > 0:45:00I think Holly, she's had a lovely time,
0:45:00 > 0:45:05and Isobel, she's loved it. She loves meeting people, but she's just not admitting that she's liking it.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08Even if she felt in her heart that she'd have a better time
0:45:08 > 0:45:13- doing something in New Zealand than England, she'd still vote UK. - She would.
0:45:13 > 0:45:18I think the friends and family thing just bothers her more than anything.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20You know, leaving what she knows.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23But it's not just Izzy.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26Since yesterday's realisation that if they made the move,
0:45:26 > 0:45:29they could only return to the UK every three years,
0:45:29 > 0:45:34Claire's been increasingly troubled and Simon's desperate to come up with a solution.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36Claire's Mum and Dad are desperate for her to stay.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39I don't know whether they'd be prepared to move as well,
0:45:39 > 0:45:43but if we had a foothold in, then they'd definitely think about it.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45There are plenty of families that have done that.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49Once one family's moved over, then, you know, the others visit and they think,
0:45:49 > 0:45:52"I quite like it here as well," and then before you know it...
0:45:52 > 0:45:55I mean, we know families that have got all generations -
0:45:55 > 0:45:59grandparents, you know, family and then it just...
0:45:59 > 0:46:02That makes, that is the one thing that I think you really do miss.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06I think everyone knows how heart wrenching it is to leave people behind.
0:46:06 > 0:46:10People we've met through the week, they've been very welcoming and have shared their experiences.
0:46:10 > 0:46:15You probably rely on your friends more heavily here because you haven't got Mum and Dad around.
0:46:15 > 0:46:20If Claire's sister came and we came, then, yeah,
0:46:20 > 0:46:22that would be a deal breaker, I reckon.
0:46:24 > 0:46:29- It can work but, um, you've got to be determined.- Bold to be the first person to do it.
0:46:29 > 0:46:35- Yeah. You know, the pioneers. - If they don't follow you, it says a lot about you, doesn't it?
0:46:35 > 0:46:37Yeah. "See you later, then!"
0:46:38 > 0:46:44I think they're preaching to the converted when it comes to Simon, but Claire still has massive doubts.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48Right now they're going to vote on how easy it is
0:46:48 > 0:46:53to make friends in New Zealand, even if they are a bunch of Brits.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56Everywhere we've gone we've been afforded the biggest welcome.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59People haven't had to be so kind to us
0:46:59 > 0:47:04and to me it's friendlier than the UK and we wouldn't have any problems.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06New Zealand.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08I've made a lot of new friends
0:47:08 > 0:47:10and all the people in the UK are really nice,
0:47:10 > 0:47:15but I've found it easier to make friends here so I'm going to vote New Zealand.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18Everyone in New Zealand's been really friendly, fallen over themselves
0:47:18 > 0:47:23to help us out and give us, you know, their experiences.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25I think it was far more friendly than it would be
0:47:25 > 0:47:28if we were in the same situation in the UK,
0:47:28 > 0:47:31so for that reason I'll go for New Zealand.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35My best friend is in UK, she's really nice.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38And all the other girls in my class
0:47:38 > 0:47:42are really nice so I have to go for...
0:47:42 > 0:47:44UK.
0:47:49 > 0:47:55All week the Guile family have been undecided whether to move Down Under.
0:47:55 > 0:48:01Will hearing messages from friends and family help them make their final decision?
0:48:03 > 0:48:07Hi there, everybody, especially Holly, Izzy and Amelie.
0:48:07 > 0:48:09Hello.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12I really, really miss you.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14I hope you're having a very nice time.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17I really, really want you to come back.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19Hello, you lot. Big wave.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21- Hi, Claire, Si.- Hi, guys.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25Simon has the ideal selling point, he owns a pub.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30Yes, no, he works hard, he works very, very hard
0:48:30 > 0:48:34and he does support them very well.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37Claire's very kind, she'd do anything for anybody.
0:48:37 > 0:48:41Lovely daughter, couldn't wish for a better daughter.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44Claire is a very, very dear person
0:48:44 > 0:48:46and she's got so much time for everybody.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48The girls and her family
0:48:48 > 0:48:52and if you need to talk she's always at the end of the phone if you need to chat.
0:48:52 > 0:48:53She's a really lovely friend.
0:48:57 > 0:49:02I always knew that the pressure of the pub life would get to Simon and Claire.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06All you could ask for your children is to be happy.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09You've got to believe that they're brought up
0:49:09 > 0:49:12to make their own decisions and live out those decisions and to be happy.
0:49:12 > 0:49:17To actually have 50% of my family moving to the other side of the world
0:49:17 > 0:49:23is devastating to me, but having said all that,
0:49:23 > 0:49:26it's an opportunity I would love them to take.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29I can see why they want to do it
0:49:29 > 0:49:33because of, you know, um, Simon working so hard and not seeing the family,
0:49:33 > 0:49:36but I think there are other ways around it
0:49:36 > 0:49:41rather than disappearing off round the other side of the world.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45It's the thought that they're so far away that gets to you more than anything else.
0:49:45 > 0:49:51My main concern would be that having made the decision to go that they don't regret it,
0:49:51 > 0:49:54that they're actually making it for all the right reasons.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57I hope you're having a good time and I hope you really like New Zealand,
0:49:57 > 0:50:02but please, please Claire and Simon, just think about the long-term picture.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06We just hope you enjoy yourselves and make the right decision.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09I just need you to know that I love you very much
0:50:09 > 0:50:14and it doesn't matter what your decision is because I shall see you and love you just as much
0:50:14 > 0:50:18whether you're in this country or New Zealand.
0:50:18 > 0:50:22It will affect me and I know how it will affect Gordon,
0:50:22 > 0:50:26but on a personal basis I shall just miss having them around.
0:50:26 > 0:50:30Just knowing that they're there as part of the family,
0:50:30 > 0:50:34they're an important part of the family and, um, I love the girls
0:50:34 > 0:50:37and I've really got to know them.
0:50:37 > 0:50:42Not being able to look after Amelie as well.
0:50:42 > 0:50:44So yeah, it will be hard.
0:50:48 > 0:50:53Kind words, some very wise words.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57Um, well, it's just reassuring to know your family's there for you.
0:50:57 > 0:51:01And, you know, even if we did move this far away from them all,
0:51:01 > 0:51:05then they'd still be there to support us, they would come and visit.
0:51:05 > 0:51:11It's nice to know how much they think of you because it's not something you say on a daily basis.
0:51:11 > 0:51:18It's really lovely. I mean, Emma getting upset just is really, really touching.
0:51:18 > 0:51:23I think our family will think that, um, we're doing, I don't know,
0:51:23 > 0:51:25it's hard to say.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28I think,
0:51:28 > 0:51:32I feel guilty, I think I'd feel guilty if we came,
0:51:32 > 0:51:37if we took the grandchildren away from their grandparents
0:51:37 > 0:51:41and the thing that I'm thinking a lot is that it's a selfish move.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43To come here would be selfish.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45Selfish, yes, maybe,
0:51:45 > 0:51:50but we need to do what's best for us as a family and,
0:51:50 > 0:51:54um, that decision's going to be a hard decision to come to, I think.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57Things like this really make you realise how much they mean to you
0:51:57 > 0:52:01and how much they mean to the children, and Isobel
0:52:01 > 0:52:06just adores her grandparents and her aunties and uncles and cousins.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10That video was probably just a little bit too much for her to bear, really.
0:52:10 > 0:52:13And I don't know if I can do that to my children.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20That is the hardest part.
0:52:20 > 0:52:27Claire was upset by Izzy's tears and has had to rethink their emotional ties to the UK.
0:52:27 > 0:52:31Their week in Auckland has been a mixture of highs and lows.
0:52:37 > 0:52:41It's the end of the Guiles' week-long experiment in New Zealand.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44They were amazed by their new coastal accommodation.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47My goodness, it's like in the films.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50- What do you think? - It doesn't look real.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53They got to spend quality time together as a family.
0:52:53 > 0:52:57- I'd like Daddy to be around more. - We'd do things as a family.- Yeah.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00You like that, don't you? But it doesn't happen very often, does it?
0:53:00 > 0:53:03- It's just we don't have the time, do we?- Yeah.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05Because Daddy's always working.
0:53:05 > 0:53:06It's quite emotional, really.
0:53:06 > 0:53:11I know there's a strength of feeling there from them and they want to spend more time with me
0:53:11 > 0:53:15and it does sort of tell me that we're striving to do the right thing.
0:53:15 > 0:53:21Simon loved his time on the vineyard, but with a drastically reduced salary,
0:53:21 > 0:53:24when they did their sums, the results were a shock.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27We could only return back to the UK every two or three years.
0:53:27 > 0:53:32- Yeah. If that.- And realistically probably every five years.- Mm.
0:53:32 > 0:53:36It's not as simple as having a dream and just you know, "Oh, let's do it,
0:53:36 > 0:53:43"let's have an adventure, let's go," because there's so many aspects to it you haven't considered.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47The wrench of leaving loved ones was too much for Izzy to bear.
0:53:47 > 0:53:53Her little heart broke when she saw her grandparents on that friends and family DVD.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55I couldn't do that to her.
0:53:55 > 0:54:02I'll do everything in my power to protect my children and to keep them happy and she was devastated.
0:54:02 > 0:54:07It's been an emotional roller coaster week for Claire.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11One moment I think, "Ooh, I could live here, it's really lovely,"
0:54:11 > 0:54:15and the next moment I think, "Oh, I couldn't live this far away from my family."
0:54:15 > 0:54:19I have moments like that and then I look around and it is stunning,
0:54:19 > 0:54:22but I wonder if we could get that somewhere else in England.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24I know for a fact that if we did move here
0:54:24 > 0:54:29that we'd all embrace the lifestyle and really enjoy ourselves,
0:54:29 > 0:54:33but I realise I might be fighting a losing battle.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35It's time for the final vote.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39Will Claire and the children give Simon the answer he wants?
0:54:39 > 0:54:41I've had a really good time this week,
0:54:41 > 0:54:45but I couldn't leave my family forever
0:54:45 > 0:54:50so for that reason I'm going to vote UK.
0:54:50 > 0:54:55It's nice, but I wouldn't leave my family and friends.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58I might of chosen New Zealand,
0:54:58 > 0:55:02but when I saw that video I thought, "Oh, no, UK."
0:55:02 > 0:55:06I've had a fantastic time in New Zealand, it's a beautiful country,
0:55:06 > 0:55:08the people are lovely,
0:55:08 > 0:55:13but I think my heart really, really lies in the UK.
0:55:13 > 0:55:14My final thoughts on the week,
0:55:14 > 0:55:18New Zealand would really offer us a fantastic opportunity as a family,
0:55:18 > 0:55:22with lifestyle, with work opportunities and with housing,
0:55:22 > 0:55:25but instead of these flags I really need a white flag
0:55:25 > 0:55:28to tie in with Claire, Holly and Isobel
0:55:28 > 0:55:31and I'm going to have to join them and vote for the UK.
0:55:31 > 0:55:37The Guiles love the idea of living by the beach, being near the city
0:55:37 > 0:55:40and spending more time together,
0:55:40 > 0:55:45but in the end the pull of friends and family proved too much
0:55:45 > 0:55:48and it seems they won't be moving to New Zealand.
0:55:48 > 0:55:53I've realised that the decision we've already made
0:55:53 > 0:56:00to change the way we lead our lives is the right decision to have made.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03We've had a fantastic week this week.
0:56:03 > 0:56:08We've done a lot of soul searching and it's actually been quite enlightening for us
0:56:08 > 0:56:11- as a couple I think, and family... - Yeah, it's been really good.
0:56:11 > 0:56:17And we've got it straight in our heads what we want out of life now, it's just where next, really.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19Yeah.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23Join us next time when we find out what happens
0:56:23 > 0:56:27when another British family has to decide whether they're Wanted Down Under.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:41 > 0:56:44E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk