Coe Family Wanted Down Under

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Convincing your family to move to the other side of the world

requires a big leap of faith.

But when you've come within days of moving

only to back out of your dream,

the fall-out can be dramatic. And for one family,

that means facing a huge question.

Can it ever work second time around?

The Coes' first attempt to move to New Zealand

almost ended in disaster.

It nearly broke our marriage.

We didn't speak for about six months.

And could another one re-open old wounds?

You're not thinking straight.

-I am.

-No, you're not.

With so much at stake,

will they be able to go through with it this time?

I probably won't see her again.

It'll be like grieving for a lost daughter.

I'm sorry.

New Zealand is almost the same size as the British Isles,

but has a population that's 15 times smaller - just 4.3 million.

The resulting open spaces and calmer pace of life

make New Zealand very attractive

for Brits seeking a new start.

But if the dream doesn't work out,

you can find yourself alone and a long way from home.

The Coe family have one week to experience

life in New Zealand before they face a big final choice.

Whether to stay in the UK or make the move a permanent one.

It's a decision that affects the whole family.

After 12,000 miles and a gruelling 24 hours in the air,

the Coes touch down in Wellington, tired but excited.

I hope this week we might be able to, you know,

sort of really be pro-active and really give it a go.

I'm looking optimistic for a job, and hopefully I'll find something

and hopefully I'll stay.

'I feel really ready to go.'

In the UK, the Coe family hail from Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.

Sharon and Justin, both aged 46,

are parents to 21-year-old Samantha,

18-year-old Ashley

and Jeremy, who's 14.

Justin has his own carpentry business

and Sharon has recently qualified as an accounting technician.

For years, Justin dreamt of moving his family

for a better life in New Zealand.

After some initial reluctance,

Sharon was soon caught up with the romance of the idea.

My initial thoughts about moving to New Zealand

were I was a bit upset about leaving my mum,

but then it'd become a bit of an adventure

and I've got into this adventure

and I just want to be in New Zealand.

So in 2009, with their bags packed and visas stamped,

the Coes were all set for a new life in New Zealand

until Justin dropped a bombshell.

One morning, I woke up in bed

and Justin came and sat on the edge of the bed

and said "I don't want to move to New Zealand."

That's literally his first words, how he broke it to me

that he didn't want to go to New Zealand.

He just sat on the edge of the bed and said, "I don't want to go."

I was told that there were no employment prospects for me

because they were only going to employ locals and so on.

I sort of got cold feet right at the last minute.

Well, the week before we flew.

So I cancelled the tickets and decided to stay in the UK.

It nearly broke our marriage.

We didn't speak for about six months.

Since the recession,

the situation in the UK has been made even worse.

'Work's been hit and miss.'

The phone hardly ever rings.

You know, I can probably count on one hand

how many times I stay at home as opposed to go to work.

It's been really, really hard.

I lost my job last year and we've just literally had no income.

Coming from a very vibrant family with enough money to cover you,

We've gone down to having virtually nothing.

We're living hand to mouth.

Money comes in and by the end of the month the bank account's empty.

Now with only a year left on their visa,

Justin has agreed to give New Zealand one last try.

This is Sharon's final hope of convincing him

their future together lies down under.

I still feel a bit let down.

I'm still wondering whether or not he's actually going to come out

and stay with me.

But it's not only Justin who's in two minds about emigrating.

Daughter Samantha is at university

and is not sure if moving is right for her.

I'm 21, I've got a lot of things here,

and also education is really important at the moment for me.

I might not like the universities out there

It's just quite difficult.

Sharon and Justin hope New Zealand will give their sons

a better quality of life,

especially Ashley, who suffers from autism.

I'd like the boys to do more sports.

They don't do many sports here, just sit at home on their computers.

Whereas in New Zealand, they seem to like the snowboarding.

I'm hoping to get them into other sports as well,

which will get them off their backsides and doing something.

It's a massive decision they face

that could also decide the future of their marriage.

In my mind, yes, I'm going and I'm staying.

My two boys will stay with me.

For me, it's now or never.

It's just that choice in life, you know.

So, it is the last chance.

Both Sharon and Justin want the best future for their family,

but the decision of where to spend it has them in turmoil.

And with their age ruling out the likelihood of another visa,

this week could well be their last chance to make a choice

one way or the other.

The Coes have chosen to visit Wellington.

As the capital city,

it's one of the top destinations for Brits moving to New Zealand.

But that popularity comes at a price.

Wellington is one of the country's most expensive cities.

Could the Coes be in for a shock?

First stop is their home for the week.

The Coes will be staying in a modern apartment

in the heart of Wellington.

Can you get your mother out the boot?

This looks a bit different.

Different to what we've got back at home, isn't it?

Hopefully Justin means different in a good way.

Oh, this is nice. I like that.

Well, that's a relief!

There's an upstairs as well.

It's a good start.

Hopefully the bedrooms will help maintain Justin's upbeat approach.

If this is the best room, it's mine.

Yeah?

SHE LAUGHS

And if not, we're having the upstairs!

Justin's keeping everyone positive,

but he does have one slight problem.

-It's very cold. I don't know where the heating is.

-It's downstairs.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-It's very cold.

-It's not on.

LAUGHTER

That could become a bigger problem if Justin is expecting hot weather.

They've arrived in the middle of New Zealand's winter.

Still, he seems to have settled in quickly.

Sharon, make some tea. I'll be watching TV.

-No, you make the tea!

-Can we work out how to put the heating on?

Thought I'd come to a semi-tropical island.

It's really cold here, isn't it?

And it's not just the apartment that's left Justin cold.

I would say, from what I've seen,

it's not quite what it is on the postcards or the internet.

It does look a little bit run-down to me.

For a capital city, I'm very surprised at that.

And Justin's worries has got Sharon concerned.

It's playing on my mind quite a lot that he might not want to stay here.

I really want to stay here.

In the UK, the Coe family have a four-bedroom detached house

in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea.

It's on the market for £185,000.

They've got strong ideas of what they want from their ideal home.

I guess my dream house would be a property that looks over a lake

or over the sea, because I've always lived near the water

and I think a changing view is fantastic.

The ideal house I'd like is I wouldn't want one

that's right in the town centre.

I'd like something slightly out in the suburbs.

It's got to have enough bedrooms,

because my boys like their own rooms.

Just one with a bit more space.

We've arranged to give The Coes

a taste of Wellington's housing market.

We'll show them three typical options

based upon what they want from their ideal home,

what they can afford

and the real cost of property down under

After seeing what's on offer,

we'll reveal to them just how much each house costs.

First stop is the Paraparaumu area.

A 45 minute drive from central Wellington,

it's close to the beach and popular with families

who want to be away from the bustle of the city.

With four bedrooms, this house should offer them plenty of space.

If they can get inside it.

This must be the way in. Can't be, can it?

Yep, that's the way in.

Well if it is, it's a climb round, isn't it?

Justin is quick to spot

why the house has such an odd layout.

They've cut this off. They've created a new driveway to the back.

-That's why there's not much of an entrance.

-Yeah.

Not the best start.

Let's have a look through here.

Sharon, come and look in here.

Sharon hasn't exactly fallen for the decor.

It needs a different paint up there. I don't like the pink.

I think it needs a pull-down actually, then a paint.

Justin is struggling to see the potential in this house.

At first I thought this was a do-up,

but with people actually living in it.

It's quite surprising, because I wouldn't live like this. Would you?

No.

As a family of five, the Coes really need a home with plenty of room,

one thing this house can offer.

The nice thing about here

-is the space you've got.

-I like the view.

There rooms, you can actually stride in.

You are such a funny man!

Is Justin starting to like this house?

-Have a look upstairs, shall we?

-Yep.

One floor up, there's a big plus for Sharon.

-Fantastic views.

-Yeah.

It reminds me so much of Clacton.

-No, it doesn't.

-No, that's true. It doesn't.

And there's a dream feature for Justin too. Well, sort of.

I've always wanted to put that into a house.

-A laundry chute?

-Yeah.

-That saves a lot of time.

-Doesn't it?

-That's brilliant.

-Straight into the washing machine.

The house is sold. Just with that, it's fantastic.

Despite all the space, the views and the extras,

this house is missing one important thing for the Coes.

There's no garden. It's just, you know...

-Just that little bit at the very back.

-Yeah, nothing at all.

If you look, a lot of work to the exterior of the property.

Mm.

That's why you have carpenters.

Oh, thanks - more work(!)

The children have also had a look round.

-Could you see yourself living here?

-No.

Well, that's that sorted.

The house hasn't won them over,

but what about its cost? With New Zealand property prices

having risen so much in recent years,

can they even afford it?

£194,000

or 380,000

-is sort of almost at the top of the budget.

-Yeah.

I would definitely want a garden

if I was paying that kind of money.

It makes me think that although this is a much larger house,

my little house is nicer

because it's all done up and how we want it.

-And you can get through the front door.

-Yeah.

It's a set back for Sharon.

Convincing Justin to leave Essex

will be even tougher if this is all they can afford.

Perhaps this second house will fair better. It's in the Paremata area,

15 miles from central Wellington,

which means easy access to work for Sharon and Justin.

And with four bedrooms, there should be plenty of space

and hopefully a better build quality for Justin...

Looks like it's made of plywood.

..or not.

Inside though, it's a very different story.

-This is much cosier.

-Wow, lovely.

This is beautiful. Not in our price range though, is it?

Better go and find some more money then.

Yeah. Got to work harder, haven't I?

It's got a more cosy feeling to it.

That's the log fire, mate.

This really is a dream home.

This house is an instant hit

and it's certainly bigger than they're used to.

-Wow.

-Look at the size of this room. Unbelievable, isn't it?

-That's as big as Jeremy's bedroom!

-Exactly.

Even the views are bigger.

-Oh, look at this.

-Wow.

You'd have to take up yodelling for a living.

Look at that. It's snowing like in the Swiss Alps.

I don't' want it to stay though, I want warm weather.

Despite the chill, this house has left Justin and Sharon

with a warm glow.

And the children seem to have had a change of heart too.

I think it's quite nice. I just love how it looks

and the feeling you get from it.

-We love it.

-It's amazing!

The house looks like a genuine dream for the Coes.

But is it within their budget, or will it remain just that?

-How much is it?

-A million quid.

-No, it's not!

No. £330,000.

That's still out of your price range.

I just think it is within our grasp if we both work hard.

We do work hard and I think we can still achieve this.

You're not thinking straight, you know.

-I am.

-No, you're not.

I'm sorry, you're just looking at it with, you know...

Because this is what you want.

Yeah.

Yeah, but it's not going to happen.

Ouch! It's not just the weather that's turned frosty.

We'd better move on to the next property pretty sharpish.

The third house is in the coastal village of Raumati South.

It's an ideal area to enjoy New Zealand's sea and countryside,

but will the Coes be won over by the house, if not the weather?

It's good to come inside.

-It's freezing.

-What weather!

The big, open plan living area would give them plenty of space.

It's got views that Sharon loves, but it does need some TLC.

This has got a nice view, from this room.

It's not a bad sized room. This property is a little bit closer to the city,

-which is a good thing.

-Yeah.

-Again, it needs work.

That's the thing.

The layout could be another problem.

-It's not a very practical house, is it?

-No.

Think how far you've got to carry everything.

Then, if you had this as a living room, you'd walk for miles to get your dinner.

It's not a bad property. I think the gardens are nice.

It's got a lot of ground. Whereas, the others haven't had quite as much ground.

Again, the glass is half full for Sharon

but will the price of this house come as a sobering surprise?

£235,000...

-You would have to spend a good £50,000...

-To bring it up, yeah.

To bring it up to standard.

That means, all in, this house could end up £100,000 over their budget.

It's been a tough day.

The first house fell well short of their expectations.

They all loved the second, but the cost left them divided.

And the third property needed far too much work for the money.

So, how will they vote?

Based on the properties that we've looked at today, our vote goes to...

-England.

-New Zealand!

-What you do that for?

-There was one nice house

but you've got to look at all the others that we looked at.

I think the New Zealand properties are better.

So, you all went... Well, Jeremy might be on my side.

He's sick and tired of living in a cupboard!

If Justin really can't see himself in a New Zealand house,

could it spell the end of Sharon's dream?

Seeing property in Wellington has left Justin and Sharon poles apart

about moving their family to New Zealand.

One thing is certain, if neither of them can find good work prospects,

affording a house they like will be a big struggle.

Back home Justin runs his own carpentry business

but in New Zealand he'd have to be employed for two years

before he can set up on his own.

He wants to be certain of a job if he's to move down under.

Originally when we looked to emigrating to New Zealand

there were good business opportunities for me, out there

and a good lifestyle for the family.

Since the recession, that's hit the construction industry very hard

so it means those opportunities no longer exist for me, or I don't believe that they do.

Sharon lost her job as an accounting technician during the recession,

leaving the Coes struggling to make ends meet.

She's hoping New Zealand will offer better.

By the looks of it, prospects are a lot better for me out there, than they are here.

On this trip I am looking for a job.

If I find one, then I'll stay.

We've arranged for Justin to spend the day with a local building company.

Paul Winstanley emigrated from the UK and now runs a thriving renovation business.

He's quick to address Justin's big worry.

Would you say there's a plentiful supply of skilled tradesmen to call on here?

No, I think there's a huge shortage of skills in New Zealand

and we've got a massive housing shortage looming.

Going forward, there's going to be massive demand for qualified people.

That's ideal news, but only if Justin can handle being an employee rather than the boss.

To find out, Paul puts him to work with head carpenter, Dave.

-We'll get you into some routering.

-OK, then, so that's your router there?

-Yes, it's here.

Dave's keeping a close eye on him,

but Justin seems to be coping very well.

Across town, Sharon is heading to check on her job prospects.

Having put family ahead of a career, for her getting work down under

means more than earning a decent salary.

I've brought up the kids and done all that sort of thing for now.

Now I want a career of my own. It isn't just about the money, no,

it's more to do with I want something that I can find,

that I enjoy and can get my teeth into and progress to a higher level.

She's meeting recruitment agent, Sharlene Yule,

but will she have good news?

Actually, the market's very buoyant.

There's a lot of work on.

I see you've got your accounting technician qualification.

That's recognised here in New Zealand. What you've got, in terms of your skills and experience,

you can hit the ground running, in terms of work.

That's promising, but what about the pay?

The range here in Wellington can be anything between 55,000 and 65,000.

Which is about 27 to £32,000, which is a lot more than I expected.

Well, you've got good skills and good experience,

-you want to be recognised for those.

-Thank you.

Good accounts people are really difficult to find.

This is all music to Sharon's ears.

There's plenty of work and she could earn more than her and Justin's combined UK salary.

That was brilliant because I think I could get myself a job in New Zealand.

I think I'm staying.

I'm not sure Sharon will take "no" for an answer now.

After a day getting back to basics, the pressure is on Justin to enjoy working in New Zealand.

-He has some important questions.

-What sort of money would a tradesman get out here?

Depending on age and experience, we would offer between 18 and 25.

-That's an hour.

-That's between ten and £12.50 an hour.

Yes, it's about that.

-Are you advertising for anyone at the moment?

-Yes, we are.

We've got a huge volume of work to do. We're booked up till March at the moment.

-Work books right into next year?

-Yeah, it is.

There's no shortage of work coming in at the moment.

That's more good news, but will the promise of work and a bigger salary

compensate Justin for leaving behind everything he's built up at home?

Do I carry on in my own business or do I come out here and start working for somebody?

That's something I'd find difficult to adjust to.

So which way will he vote?

UK.

And I think I can guess which way Sharon is going to vote.

New Zealand!

No surprises there, then.

It looks like they've got a lot to talk about back at the apartment.

-Well, how did you get on?

-Really good.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

We're staying here.

-Oh, that's not so good, then, is it?

-Yes, it's brilliant!

-I reckon I'll get a job, easy.

-That's quite promising, isn't it?

-Knowing I can get work, we've got to move here.

-We'll have to discuss that...

It's going to be hard for me to wrench myself away from the UK.

But it's not all about me, is it? It's about the family as well.

-No, that's it.

-Yeah.

We'll see how we go, then.

But if the weather's like this, I'm not moving out here!

Even though there's work for both of them in New Zealand,

Sharon and Justin don't seem any closer to a decision on their future.

Sharon seems more certain than ever about making the move.

The job situation looks pretty good, whereas the UK, it's very bad at the moment.

I think we could have a nice life here.

I think, probably, everything she's done has been for the children.

A lot of the boxes she's ticking, you know, seem to be right.

Maybe I am wrong.

Sometimes you're being forced into a corner, that you don't want to be in

and, erm...

In some ways it's a little bit my fault because it was my original idea.

If Sharon decided to move out here and, obviously, she'll take all the family and so on.

Well, could I leave all my family and be the only one in the UK?

I'd have to make a sacrifice.

The pressure is really mounting on Justin,

but he's not the only member of the Coe family

who is uncertain about their future.

For Samantha, moving to New Zealand would mean leaving behind her boyfriend and her university course.

Samantha's visiting Victoria University to see what it has to offer.

She's studying photography, so students Matt and Sally give her a tour of the college.

-So, do you have a gallery like this on your campus?

-No.

We have a very small one.

The surroundings may be impressive but with such a sacrifice to make

she needs to be certain that life in New Zealand will be right for her.

What's it like being a student in Wellington?

The city, itself, Wellington.

It's a great city, there's a lot going on, especially in terms of culture and the arts.

I really enjoy the university, there are great resources.

The lecturers in our history department are fantastic.

What do you think about moving from a large country like the UK to a small one like New Zealand,

is that an advantage or a disadvantage?

I like smaller places, I always get lost in London.

I must admit, the idea that we're the same size, geographically, as the UK

-but you have, what, 11 million?

-I think it's 60 million.

That idea to me is mad. We have, what, four?

Because it's a small city, there's a real community feel.

There's a lot of cross-over people... You're interested in photography

and so your skills could be utilised and you could meet other photographers very easily.

University life in Wellington sounds promising,

but with Samantha's boyfriend and close family back in the UK,

it's going to be a tough choice to leave.

It's made my decision a lot more difficult.

If it was... If I didn't like it, it would be easy to go, "I'd rather stay in the UK."

Now I'm a bit torn.

Keeping everyone happy with a move is looking increasingly difficult.

So could the New Zealand lifestyle be the key to finding something the Coes can all agree on?

In the UK Sharon and Justin worry that their boys spend too much time indoors.

They're hoping the New Zealand lifestyle will inspire them to get out and get active.

However, they've arrived in Wellington in the worst winter in over 30 years,

not ideal for topping up up their tans.

So they've decided to take the outdoors indoors at a local climbing centre.

The boys don't seem too keen, but Justin wants them to break out of their old habits.

The children's normal routine, apart from Samantha, is to play on computer games indoors.

This gets them out and about.

It's Jeremy who's up first.

Yep, left foot up.

That's your right foot!

Get those feet up.

He's scaled the heights, now he's just got to get back down.

Let go and lean back.

No!

Let go and lean back.

-You're kidding me?

-No.

I don't want to do that.

I haven't seen Ashley do anything like this since High School.

Jeremy, I haven't seen him do anything like this, ever.

He's not really an outside, active person.

It's great.

-Go on, Ashley, she's closing in.

-Go on, Ash.

Go up, Ashley. Come on, next step.

Ashley! Get up there!

I think the kids have been having a lot of fun.

The first time in a long time, I've seen them get out and do something.

I think they're really enjoying it.

It's not all about the kids, Justin!

Oh, no!

Come on, fatty!

You stop insulting me.

No, go right.

LAUGHTER

Oh, oh, oh...

Stop fooling around, stop fooling around.

I'm not, you're not doing it properly.

Oh! I'm upside down!

I'm not entirely sure if Sharon holding the ropes for Justin is the best idea

but is it the kind of activity they're looking for?

If we moved to New Zealand, we'd still have to drag them, from their computers

but I think they'd more readily go out and do a bit more.

It's amazing to see the two boys really getting into things.

They were a bit, "We don't want to come," and now they don't want to go away.

The bad weather stopped the Coes from sampling New Zealand's great outdoors,

but did it put a dampener on their spirits? How will they vote on the lifestyle down under?

Based on the lifestyle between New Zealand and the UK,

our vote goes to...

ALL: UK.

It's an almost unanimous vote against New Zealand.

At least the Coes can agree on something!

Well, that's a surprise, isn't it? Why the UK for the lifestyle?

Because it's freezing here and we haven't managed to do much on the lifestyle.

I'm with you. OK.

We haven't been able to get out and we've done exactly what we'd do in the UK,

stayed indoors because it's been pouring down with rain and snow.

For once I'm not the odd one out.

I've nearly won. We're nearly there.

The New Zealand lifestyle had the Coes singing from the same hymn sheet.

After arriving during the worst winter in decades,

it was a very cold and soggy one.

So with the lifestyle dampening their hopes,

could seeing the real cost of moving drown them for good?

Back in the UK, the Coes have their house on the market for £185,000.

We've sent round a couple of estate agents to get their opinion.

If they can't get the right price, renting could be an option, until values rise.

A good sized study area, right by the front entrance hall.

I wish we'd tidied it up a bit!

LAUGHTER

That's a nice sized lounge.

A very good sized master bedroom.

Another reasonably sized single bedroom. Very good.

I left your sun bed out, sorry about that.

For the current market conditions,

I would estimate the property will be worth around £175,000.

For a quick sale, I would estimate the owners would have to take between 165 to 170,000.

For the current rental market, I'd estimate the property would achieve, £750 to £775 per calendar month.

For a quick sale, it'd need to be in the low 170s.

There's a number of similar properties in the local area

ranging from 150, 160,000 upwards.

That could be £15,000 lower than the Coes have got it on for.

I don't think selling it in the present market is an option for us.

No, we'll just rent it out until the market recovers.

I think that'll probably be the best option.

Then, of course, we've still got a home to go back to.

That sounds like a distinct lack of commitment!

Maybe the cost of living will make Justin think otherwise.

We've prepared some figures to show them how far their money would go in New Zealand compared to the UK.

Main income before tax, would be my income

and you're talking between 55 and 60,000,

which is £27,933.

In New Zealand, it looks like we'd be earning £17,000 more than we earn in the UK,

-which is quite a difference, isn't it?

-It is.

-Yeah.

So we've got £3,275 of income. Yeah?

But your outgoings are 3,679.

According to these figures... OK?

-You're not earning enough in the UK for everything.

-No. you're right.

We can't afford to live in the UK,

and if you got a better salary, let's say your top rate,

-then you'd actually have spare money to spend.

-Yeah.

Now it's all down on paper, we can see where our money's going.

I've been cutting the shopping and that's why there isn't much food.

-There isn't the money to buy it.

-That why we've been eating beans.

Clearly, the Coes could be better off in New Zealand.

Will that finally convince Justin?

Based on the cost of living in New Zealand to the UK, our vote goes to...

BOTH: New Zealand.

I'm pleased you did that one.

Well, it's a lot cheaper to live out here than in the UK.

-It is.

-So you'd have a much better lifestyle and you'd have money to spend on leisure activities.

At the moment our joint income in the UK can't sustain our living costs.

We don't have an extravagant lifestyle, it's a basic lifestyle.

In New Zealand, we could afford to live.

Well, that's great news for Sharon, and with things looking tougher at home,

perhaps New Zealand isn't as much of a risk as Justin thought.

Will seeing messages from home swing their votes yet another way?

Come on, Ash.

-Shall we watch this, then?

-Yes.

Sharon is kind, caring...

Very generous.

To be honest, she's always there for you.

Justin, I'd say...

He's quite a joker, isn't he?

They're a good laugh.

Our Aunty Sharon would drop everything to come and help us.

She's quite an unselfish, caring sort of girl,

spoils everybody around her and always treats everybody.

It's a possibility that Sam would want to live in New Zealand,

but obviously I'm going to miss her.

I said she should go and do what's right for her.

-Sharon's always been very close to her mother.

-Yeah.

I'm very surprised that she has decided to do this.

I think she will miss her mother perhaps more than she realises.

If I had my way, she wouldn't go.

Like I say, it's her dream.

And...

Don't get upset.

It's her dream, but I will miss her something chronic.

I probably won't see her again, once she goes.

It'll be like grieving for a lost daughter.

Well, the boys, as well. Justin...

No, to me it'll be a big loss.

You know that we're missing you already and, although it's only been a short while,

it feels like you could be out there forever,

and, you know, we'll miss you.

Don't get too bowled over by the good life and look at all the aspects.

If you decide to stay out there, I shall miss you really terribly.

Whatever you do, look after my boys...

I can't...

I think the problem is, it's almost like we're going to die. It's like a bereavement for them.

If you don't give it a go, the regrets will be there for the rest of your life.

All those messages are, Sharon wants, Sharon wants. It's everything that you want in life.

-And, maybe not what all of us want in life.

-Yeah.

I've lived your life, you've had your career.

You've done everything you've wanted to do.

And now you've got to give a little way and let me have some.

We've come so far down the line, that we've got to give it a go

and see if this is what we want.

Saying goodbye to loved ones is never easy,

but after their week in New Zealand, the Coes' crucial vote hangs in the balance.

What's clear is making their final decision means facing their past

as well as their future.

It's been a long week for the Coes.

New Zealand houses and weather left Justin cold,

Sharon's work outlook was definitely far warmer

and they had some much needed family time together.

Now, as they face the final vote, the outcome is far from certain.

It was my idea in the beginning and I wish I didn't have these ideas sometimes.

I said, at the beginning of the week, it's going to be a make or break situation.

Maybe I'm the one who's breaking it and that's not fair on Sharon.

I have been here before.

Justin does keep chopping and changing his mind,

but I think this time I can win.

If Sharon and myself are still split after the vote, where do we go?

I think...I'd like to sit down with her

and have a good conversation

and weigh up the pros and cons and see how we go forwards,

not only with this decision, but our relationship.

I really don't know what's going to happen in the end.

Mum's very stubborn, but I think Dad normally relents,

but I don't think he'll relent on this. I really don't know.

With so much on the line, it really is a life changing decision.

How will they vote?

Our final votes goes to...

-New Zealand.

-Undecided.

-UK.

You're still in the minority.

-You've got an undecided, two undecides.

-And two for New Zealand.

-You two are coming over here.

-It looks like two of us are.

It's been difficult. I nearly went for New Zealand just to keep the peace,

but I had to vote honestly and say where I'd like to live

and spend the rest of my days.

I think it'll be the good old UK.

As it stands, it looks like me and my eldest son are coming to New Zealand.

It was a tough week for the Coes.

Their experiences of New Zealand left them divided and uncertain where their future lies.

A month later and they're back in Clacton

and I've come to find out if Justin and Sharon are any closer

to agreeing what's best for their family.

Last time we saw her, Sharon was dead set on moving to New Zealand, with or without Justin.

You haven't changed your mind at all?

No, I haven't. I still want to live in New Zealand.

What about the rest of the family? You've got to be honest now.

My eldest son will come with me, because he loves it as well.

My youngest one is swaying more to stay in New Zealand,

because he's seen the lifestyle he can have there.

What about Samantha?

She's still half and half. It's the university more than anything else.

There's a very important member of the family you haven't mentioned.

Justin... You obviously love him to bits.

In an ideal world, you don't want to be making that journey without him by your side.

If I went out to New Zealand and got a good job,

I think that would convince him.

Does it scare you to think you're going to be moving that distance?

I am absolutely terrified to move that distance away,

but I've really got to try it. If I don't, it'll always be, "What if?"

It does sound like you're slowly getting there

although I know you're so keen to return to New Zealand as quick as possible.

-I'm going to have a word with Justin and hear his thoughts on this possible move.

-Yeah.

Since voting for the UK, Justin has had a lot to think about.

It sounds like you're the head in this relationship, she's the heart.

You're the practical one that thinks about the nuts and bolts.

For Sharon, she seems to have fallen in love with the whole idea

of moving to the other side of the world.

That's fair comment.

I think she will make it work, whatever happens.

She wants a different life and to explore the world.

What's your final decision, or is there one?

I think it's still up in the air and watch this space and see where we are in a few months' time.

I think, ultimately, if Sharon moves out there and took the family with her,

do you really think I'd stay here?

No, I don't. I really, really don't.

I think you would follow her out and, I think, that's what she wants in her heart as well.

Making the decision to move down under is always going to be tough.

It looks like Justin and Sharon need a little bit more time

before they make the choice that's right for them.

We wish them all the very best.

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