0:00:02 > 0:00:07The reality of moving to the other side of the world often comes at a very high price,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11both to your wallet and the people you love the most,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14but if you believe your family could have the future you dreamt of,
0:00:14 > 0:00:18could you convince them it's a price worth paying?
0:00:18 > 0:00:22For five years, Vivian Stirk has dreamed of moving Down Under.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26When you see the lifestyle you can have, why can't we have the same?
0:00:26 > 0:00:31But it could mean facing the toughest choice of her life.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33I can't leave her!
0:00:33 > 0:00:39- And after a week of dealing with high prices... - It's not going to happen, is it?
0:00:39 > 0:00:46..and high emotions, the Stirks will have to decide if New Zealand is a dream they can afford and share.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50There's always going to be somebody in this triangle that is upset.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18Every year, thousands of us move to New Zealand for a new start.
0:01:18 > 0:01:24The more relaxed pace of life in this country of beautiful scenery and a population of only 4.3 million
0:01:24 > 0:01:30are a powerful draw. But the reality of taking on such a huge challenge doesn't work out for everyone
0:01:30 > 0:01:35and many return home missing their old lives.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40The Stirk family want to find out if emigrating can offer them a better future.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44They have one week to experience life in New Zealand
0:01:44 > 0:01:50before they face a huge decision - whether to stay in the UK or to make the move Down Under for good.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Their journey takes them across three continents and 12 time zones,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59spending more than 24 hours in the air.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02It's the first time any of the Stirks have set foot in New Zealand
0:02:02 > 0:02:07and the marathon journey has left them with mixed feelings.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- We've had about two hours sleep. - If that!
0:02:10 > 0:02:15A bit strange to start with, but I'm sure we'll all settle down soon.
0:02:15 > 0:02:23I'm really excited. A little bit nervous as well, but looking forward to seeing the houses and the area.
0:02:23 > 0:02:29Ahead is a week that could change their lives, half a world away from their home in Yorkshire.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Back in the UK, the Stirks live in the town of Cleckheaton.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38They are Viv, a school administrator,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Darren, a telecommunications engineer,
0:02:41 > 0:02:48and their three children - Daniella, a student midwife, 16-year-old Emma and 12-year-old Ben.
0:02:49 > 0:02:57They are born and bred Yorkshire folk and have lived in Cleckheaton since they married 18 years ago.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- We're in-between Bradford, Leeds... - Halifax.- Halifax, yeah.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- We're only very small, aren't we? - Yeah. You're five foot, I'm five foot seven.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- We're happy here, aren't we?- Yeah.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13It's OK. We've got everything we need round here.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19- So we're going to move to the other side of t'world instead!- Possibly. Yeah.
0:03:19 > 0:03:26Viv's reasons for emigrating started out as a simple desire for better weather.
0:03:26 > 0:03:33The dream materialised originally because I got very, very fed up of our English climate.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37We do get some nice, warm weather, but it's just not consistent.
0:03:37 > 0:03:44The Stirks are an active, outdoor family, so the Kiwi lifestyle could be perfect for them.
0:03:45 > 0:03:53When you see the lifestyle that you can have out there, you just think, "Why can't we have the same?"
0:03:53 > 0:03:59Not that I'm not happy being here, but you just think, "Could we possibly have that?"
0:03:59 > 0:04:06While Viv's hopes have grown over the years, Darren has taken longer to come round to the idea.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- As the main breadwinner, he knows how big a risk they're taking. - 'I don't dislike it here.'
0:04:11 > 0:04:17I'm going along with it to see if I do think that there's something there,
0:04:17 > 0:04:23but from my point of view giving up the best job I've ever had and the longest job I've ever had,
0:04:23 > 0:04:29that's something I really need to be sure of. I don't want to just walk away from that
0:04:29 > 0:04:31and make the biggest mistake ever.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37Despite the risks, Viv hopes that New Zealand can give their children a better life.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41It's all right encouraging your children to do well at school,
0:04:41 > 0:04:46go to university, but if there aren't the jobs there, then where's the future?
0:04:46 > 0:04:54I'm hoping that I'm not wrong in saying that they might have a better chance over in New Zealand.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02Both Emma and Ben are happy to give New Zealand a try.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06I am excited about it all, but I'm really scared as well.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09If I don't like it, but everyone else does.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11I know how much it means to my mum.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16It's just a new experience, so I'll decide when I get over there
0:05:16 > 0:05:18and see what it offers.
0:05:18 > 0:05:24Like, if it's good, then, you know, I might want to go,
0:05:24 > 0:05:28and if it's not, then what are you wanting then?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Stay here.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34But for their elder sister Daniella, it's a far tougher decision to face.
0:05:34 > 0:05:42- Daniella's got a boyfriend of 3½ years. That's not easy to deal with for her or for you.- No.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45That is the massive concern now.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50Daniella wants to train as a midwife and sees her career and future in the UK.
0:05:50 > 0:05:56I want to stay here now because hopefully I'm off to uni in October. That's my career.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59To move at my age
0:05:59 > 0:06:04and start totally again, it's just... You're tied down here, really.
0:06:04 > 0:06:11- She's been with Danny since they were 16.- I do see myself being with Daniella in years to come
0:06:11 > 0:06:18and I don't think we'd still be together after this amount of time if I didn't think that.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23I think people always frown upon us saying that sort of thing because we're so young.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- "You're only young."- Only 18, 19. "You can't possibly know." But...
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Who does know?
0:06:30 > 0:06:31Exactly.
0:06:32 > 0:06:39Both Daniella and Viv face a difficult choice and Viv knows just how much is at stake.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44The reality is we could give up a chance of moving to New Zealand
0:06:44 > 0:06:49because of Daniella's feelings for Danny. And the bottom line is
0:06:49 > 0:06:56I am asking her to finish things with Danny if it meant that we could all be together.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01But there's never going to be a happy ending, is there?
0:07:01 > 0:07:05There's always going to be somebody in this triangle that is upset.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10Emigrating would mean breaking other family ties. Viv's parents have passed away,
0:07:10 > 0:07:15but the children are very close to Darren's mum and dad.
0:07:15 > 0:07:22We are taking their grandchildren away, but I also think deep down they will understand the reasons,
0:07:22 > 0:07:27that we want to try to see if there is a better future for us and our children.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30I'm sure they will understand.
0:07:30 > 0:07:36- But Viv's hopes will be for nothing if she can't share them with her family.- If Daniella can't go,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39we'll just have to give it up.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46I can't leave her!
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Here.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53You all right?
0:07:53 > 0:07:55I just can't leave her.
0:07:55 > 0:08:02I want us all to go because I can't leave one of my children, no matter how old she is.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06If it's what she really wanted to do then she should do it.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07So...
0:08:07 > 0:08:10But she won't if I won't go.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14At this moment in time, it's all of us or nothing.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17It really is.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Viv has a huge task ahead of her.
0:08:19 > 0:08:27She has just a few days to persuade her family that life in New Zealand is worth everything they'd give up,
0:08:27 > 0:08:32but if the reality doesn't deliver, it will mean the end of her dream.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38The Stirks are visiting Auckland on New Zealand's north island.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43It's the country's largest city with a population of 1½ million people,
0:08:43 > 0:08:48nearly a third of the entire country. So there could be lots of work opportunities for Darren.
0:08:48 > 0:08:55It's ranked among the top ten cities in the world for quality of life, but that comes with a downside -
0:08:55 > 0:09:00house prices are the highest in New Zealand.
0:09:00 > 0:09:06Home for the week is a three-bedroom apartment in Mission Bay, complete with shared sports facilities.
0:09:06 > 0:09:12It should be an ideal base for the family, but will they agree?
0:09:12 > 0:09:18- This is absolutely awesome.- Amazing. It's a little bit embarrassing to where we live, isn't it?
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Oh, it's absolutely gorgeous.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27- It's just a world away from anything we've ever experienced.- It is, yeah.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31You've never get anything like this in Cleckheaton.
0:09:31 > 0:09:39I think that's a definite yes, but thoughts soon turn to the week ahead and their huge decision.
0:09:39 > 0:09:46My hopes for this week are to get more of an answer as to whether we could make this work.
0:09:46 > 0:09:52And whether the children and Darren want it to work as well and whether it's feasible.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57We don't want to get too carried away. We've got to be realistic,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00but, yeah, it's looking good.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03I'm feeling nervous and excited.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- So am I. - Cos it's something new.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10I'm looking forward to all the different experiences to come.
0:10:10 > 0:10:16I hope at the end of this week we can say, one way or another, that we could definitely live here.
0:10:20 > 0:10:25Back in the UK, the Stirks share this three-bedroom family home in Cleckheaton.
0:10:25 > 0:10:32They believe it's worth around £140,000 and have a total budget of up to £200,000.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37However, that figure would also have to cover all their emigration costs
0:10:37 > 0:10:41and they're being realistic about what they're looking for.
0:10:41 > 0:10:47We're not looking for a bigger house. Maybe a bit more land - they seem to have a bit more land -
0:10:47 > 0:10:52but the house doesn't need to be any bigger. Maybe an extra bathroom.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56It's a struggle having three females in the house and one bathroom.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01Today we're going to give the Stirks a taste of Auckland's property market.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05We'll show them three options based on what they want ideally,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09what they can afford and the real cost of property Down Under.
0:11:09 > 0:11:16After seeing for themselves what's on offer, we'll reveal to the family just how much each house costs.
0:11:16 > 0:11:22The first stop is in Gulf Harbour, a peaceful suburb popular with families keen on outdoor living.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28At just over an hour north of Auckland's city centre, it would mean a long commute,
0:11:28 > 0:11:33but being on the outskirts should help their budget stretch as far as possible.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39This semi-detached property is close to the local marina and has great sea views. However,
0:11:39 > 0:11:41what will the Stirks make of it?
0:11:41 > 0:11:46Don't like it. It's not much of an area for sitting out as a family.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51- It doesn't compare to the space we have at home outside.- No.
0:11:51 > 0:11:57We'd need to look inside and have a good look round before we completely say no.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59That's not a good start.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Can the indoors lift the mood?
0:12:01 > 0:12:08Kitchen, straight into the living room. With a Sunday roast, you'd have a smell all in this room.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14It looks like open-plan living may not be for the family, but what about the decking area?
0:12:14 > 0:12:19It's not very wide. It don't blow me away. Definitely not.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- It almost feels like living in a caravan.- Yeah. It does look very chalet type.
0:12:24 > 0:12:30The lack of outdoor space is also a concern, but does it have enough bedrooms for a family of five?
0:12:32 > 0:12:37- Is this the master bedroom? - I like this. Space-wise, it's good.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Much more space than we're used to at home.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- It depends how many bedrooms there are.- Yeah.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48This is a nice-sized room. For Ben, say.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52It's got a lot more room than what he's used to now.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57This is bedroom number three. Again, it's not a bad size, Darren, is it?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00But if there isn't another bedroom then it's three again.
0:13:01 > 0:13:09Convincing Daniella to emigrate could be harder if she has to share a bedroom as she currently does.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- It's a lot smaller than the one at home.- Yeah.- We have loads of stuff.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17If this was my bedroom, I'd prefer it to my old one.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- It's a lot more spacious. - Yeah.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25One option might be to convert the garage.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30- This is...- Big, innit?- Yeah. I could set up a little gym in here.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34You don't think it would be ideal for making another bedroom, then?
0:13:34 > 0:13:41- Er...no. I think you'd spoil the house if you change this to a bedroom.- Yeah.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45It looks as if this house is simply too small for the Stirks' needs.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49And it's missing the garden Darren wants.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54But is it one they can afford with their budget of up to £200,000?
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Ben, would you like to do the duty?
0:13:59 > 0:14:01£190,000.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06- I'm shocked.- That is a hell of a lot more than I would have expected.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I'm a little bit stunned, actually, at how much that is.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14But it's where you're living. If you want that view, you have to pay.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20We'd have to have a fairly big mortgage and both work full-time. We'd need more money coming in.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25I would consider being in debt, but not to live here.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28That price tag has come as a real shock.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- It's not going to happen, is it? - No, not from what I've seen so far.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47Don't be too downhearted. There's a lot of things to see.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52You're just learning not to build your hopes up, cos what's the point?
0:14:54 > 0:14:59With so much riding on this week, it's a difficult start for everyone
0:14:59 > 0:15:07and seeing the reality of living in New Zealand's most expensive city has cast a dark cloud over the day.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12So could the next house help lift everyone's spirits?
0:15:12 > 0:15:18- It's a three-bedroom, detached property in the Swanson area of West Auckland.- What do you think?
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Looks nice, actually.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25That's much more encouraging. And with plenty of outdoor space,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28it ticks one important feature on Darren's wish list.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- That's amazing.- Oh!- Yeah, I like... The surroundings are excellent.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39- This is brand-new, this. It's literally just been done.- I like it.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42There's plenty of room there for sitting out on.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46That's also positive, but what about the indoors?
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- Right, what do you think? - Nice size.- Yeah. Nice size.
0:15:50 > 0:15:58- Everything I've seen is open-plan. - Yeah.- Kitchen, lounge, all in the same area with a partition wall.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- That seems to be the theme.- It's a big enough lounge, though.- Yeah.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07Let's see what we've got in here. ..Oh, a bedroom.
0:16:08 > 0:16:09Liverpool!
0:16:09 > 0:16:15- Weird, innit? Liverpool? Nice-size bedroom.- Yeah, it's fine.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Another bedroom.
0:16:17 > 0:16:24- These bedrooms look OK for Ben, but that other bedroom's not... - Big enough for the girls.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- Not very big.- Right.- So...
0:16:27 > 0:16:30We could be struggling for space.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36Despite a good start, the lack of a fourth bedroom is a familiar problem.
0:16:36 > 0:16:42- We would have to do the same thing that we've done at home and put... - Two beds in.
0:16:42 > 0:16:48- Emma, Daniella. - They'd have to share. - And we'd be in there.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53And the children don't need to go too far to see what's missing for themselves.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00This has the garden Darren wants, even without a fourth bedroom,
0:17:00 > 0:17:06but if the price was right, could the Stirks be persuaded to squeeze themselves into it?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16It's a shock. 192,000.
0:17:16 > 0:17:22Yeah. I think the prices are definitely going up because of the area.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27I think you are getting better value for money with our house than you are with this.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31- I thought this were definitely doable.- Despite its price,
0:17:31 > 0:17:35this house was a definite improvement for the family,
0:17:35 > 0:17:41but finding something in the right place with the right space is looking tricky.
0:17:41 > 0:17:47Their final stop is further away from the city centre, in leafy West Auckland, a sought after area
0:17:47 > 0:17:49for outdoor lovers.
0:17:49 > 0:17:55- I like this. Idyllic. - That looks absolutely gorgeous. - A garden for Dad.
0:17:55 > 0:18:01On paper, this house has everything the Stirks are looking for, with four bedrooms, two bathrooms
0:18:01 > 0:18:06and plenty of living space, even for a family of five.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10Wow.
0:18:10 > 0:18:16- It's huge. - Is this the lounge? Goodness, me. - Open-plan lounge again, kitchen.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19But just look at that.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Even the views are bigger.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26- It is perfection.- That's huge. - You can't hear the M62 from here!
0:18:26 > 0:18:29That's Darren sold already.
0:18:29 > 0:18:35- And Viv?- I think this is probably the nicest house I have ever, ever seen in my life.- Really?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- That I've ever been in.- Yeah.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42It's what I would say is my ideal home.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47The living area has wowed everyone, but will the bedrooms impress?
0:18:49 > 0:18:50Oh, wow.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56- Ben's bedroom. It is a bedroom, but without a bed in it. - Unless that's a sofa bed.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59And this one. It's nice and big.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05- It's just everything that we've wanted, isn't it? - Yeah, if I could afford this,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10- I'd sign on the dotted line right now. Seriously. - It feels good. It feels right.
0:19:10 > 0:19:16The Stirks seem to have found exactly what they hoped for with enough bedrooms
0:19:16 > 0:19:20and two bathrooms, putting an end to the indoor morning rush hour!
0:19:20 > 0:19:25And with a huge garden, there's something for the whole family.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- It's everything we've wanted in a house.- It is.
0:19:29 > 0:19:35- It's like it's been made to our specification. - And put in the right place.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41- It's just perfect in every way. - Can't fault it.- I don't want to see the price, do you?- No.
0:19:41 > 0:19:48This house seems to have rekindled Viv's hopes, but after seeing the hard facts of property prices,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50is the dream house just that?
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Ready? I don't really want to look.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Emma?
0:20:00 > 0:20:01£319,000.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06I'm not shocked. And I'm not upset.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11I'm really glad that we've had the chance to look at this house.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15If this is £319,000, there could be something within our budget.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19We'd have to get a mortgage, but then...
0:20:19 > 0:20:26It's Emma's turn to be disappointed. However, Viv's taken the positives from it and Darren has an idea.
0:20:26 > 0:20:33- If all three of us were working full-time, then we could... - Am I living here as well?
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- - I could never leave! - But it's nice to dream.- Yeah.
0:20:37 > 0:20:44I like the sound of that plan, Darren. Get Daniella to move and then afford the home of your dreams!
0:20:44 > 0:20:48It's been quite a day for the Stirks.
0:20:48 > 0:20:55The first property was just about affordable, but it didn't have the space, inside or out.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58The second property was an improvement,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01but still missing that fourth bedroom.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05And the final house offered everything they wanted,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07but at a very high price.
0:21:07 > 0:21:14After a bumpy landing in New Zealand do the Stirks believe there could be a home for them Down Under?
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Based on the properties we've seen today, our vote goes to...
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- UK.- UK.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35- Unanimous.- Yeah.- Why am I not surprised?- I'm not surprised.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- Are you surprised?- Definitely not. - I'm not surprised either.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- If you're going to move all this way, you want to be blown away by your house.- You do.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- Or at least like it a little bit. - Yeah.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50A unanimous vote for home isn't the start Viv hoped for
0:21:50 > 0:21:54and back at the accommodation, she's still taking in the day's events.
0:21:54 > 0:22:00I don't think it's put me off in terms of still wanting to see how far we can go with this
0:22:00 > 0:22:03because Auckland is an expensive place.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07There are other options, other places where we can have a look.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09And I think we need to give that a go.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13I don't think we should give up just yet.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I am a bit disappointed in how they've reacted.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19I would have expected a little bit more, if I'm honest,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23and it makes me feel that they don't want to do this.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25I think they are, um...
0:22:25 > 0:22:31- Emma's just...- They're thinking of my feelings a lot, I think, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Yeah.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36And they don't want to let me down.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51House prices in Auckland were a painful wake-up call for Viv's hopes of emigrating
0:22:51 > 0:22:58and even though she's determined to stay positive, winning her family over looks harder than ever.
0:22:58 > 0:23:04If her dream is to become a reality, it's vital that Darren can find good work opportunities down under.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07In the UK, Darren is a telecoms engineer.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10He earns around £25,000 a year
0:23:10 > 0:23:13and knows the risks of leaving a relatively secure job.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18The most important thing is to earn enough money to keep everything going.
0:23:18 > 0:23:24Job satisfaction is a part of it, but it's not the total thing. I've got to think about wages as well.
0:23:24 > 0:23:31To give this up, I would have to be sure that what I'm walking into is either the same or better.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34With finances already looking tight,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37finding the right job could be vital,
0:23:37 > 0:23:42so today, Darren is visiting a large telecoms company in central Auckland.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45General manager Ross Lockwood is on hand to meet him.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49- Nice to meet you. Come on through and we'll have a chat.- Thank you.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53A good result here would be a big lift for Viv,
0:23:53 > 0:23:57but with so much at stake, it's just one piece of the puzzle.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01If the job news is good news, we've got a lot of talking to do
0:24:01 > 0:24:04because we've still got other things to think about.
0:24:04 > 0:24:10It's definitely a step in the right direction, but there's not just myself and Darren to consider.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14We've got three children who also need to be a part of it,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17so we'll just have to see.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23So, Ross, how similar do you think the role of my job would be to the UK?
0:24:23 > 0:24:27What you do, we have people who do exactly the same thing here,
0:24:27 > 0:24:31remembering, of course, that originally, a long time ago,
0:24:31 > 0:24:36the whole network here and the telephone exchanges were modelled on the British Telecom system.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41- There's no British Telecom equipment left here, but that's how the network was built.- OK.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47While Darren talks shop, Viv and Daniella are visiting Auckland University of Technology.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52Daniella hopes to become a midwife and if training in Auckland was an attractive option,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Viv's hopes of keeping the family together would get a boost.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Dr Judith McCall is a course lecturer
0:24:58 > 0:25:03and Daniella is keen to find out if studying here could be right for her.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07How competitive is it to be given a place?
0:25:07 > 0:25:13It's, um... Probably a rule of thumb is we take about 100 to 110 first year students
0:25:13 > 0:25:18and probably for every one of those places, we have four applicants.
0:25:18 > 0:25:25But for young women who have a passion for it, a supportive family, they have OK grades,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28they do really well in the programme.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Would you recognise Daniella's qualifications from the UK?
0:25:32 > 0:25:37Yeah, what would get you entrance to university there gets you entrance to university here.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42It sounds like the process of becoming a midwife down under is similar to home,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45but has Darren heard any good news from Ross?
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Subject to a whole lot of things that we'd run through in a minute,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I'd be prepared to consider you for a position here.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57Now, we don't have a huge amount of business in Auckland at the moment,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01but we have work and vacancies scattered throughout the country.
0:26:01 > 0:26:07If you particularly wanted to come to Auckland, there'd be less vacancies from our perspective.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12That's not an issue for me at all. I'm not too worried about where I come to.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16That also sounds promising, but as the family breadwinner,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20it's Darren's salary prospects that could be key.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23What would I be expected to earn with my skills?
0:26:23 > 0:26:28I've looked at the people that work in my organisation that have the same skills as you
0:26:28 > 0:26:34and the minimum wage is £22,000 per annum and the maximum a person gets paid is about £30,000 a year.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38- And the median is about £26,000. - OK. Thank you.
0:26:38 > 0:26:45We've arranged for you to go into the field with one of our project managers and see a roadside cabinet.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49So Darren should be able to at least match his UK salary,
0:26:49 > 0:26:55but emigrating without a pay rise might not work out if Daniella's university fees were to go up.
0:26:55 > 0:27:02So it's about 7,000 a year for what we call domestic students.
0:27:02 > 0:27:08For international students, it's a lot more expensive, over 20,000 a year,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- so it would pay to get residency. - Yeah.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15So it looks like Daniella could face high course fees
0:27:15 > 0:27:19if she can't get the right visa to live in New Zealand.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22However, she's trying to keep an open mind.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27It does sound very promising to come here and reassuring to have that option,
0:27:27 > 0:27:35but to already have the place in England, it puts another obstacle in my way.
0:27:35 > 0:27:41And after getting hands-on with Kiwi telecoms, Darren has also had a lot to consider.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44So has he seen enough today to vote for New Zealand?
0:27:44 > 0:27:49Based on my experience today at work, my vote goes to...
0:27:53 > 0:27:56..New Zealand.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59I was a little bit apprehensive about what I would find,
0:27:59 > 0:28:05but I'm looking at virtually the same thing as what I'm used to, nothing different at all.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10I'm looking forward to going back to Viv tonight and telling her how well it's gone
0:28:10 > 0:28:14because it's gone very well, better than I expected.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25After a tough start, Darren's vote for Auckland is a huge boost for Viv
0:28:25 > 0:28:29and a day at college left Daniella with plenty to think about,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32but for a sport-loving family like the Stirks,
0:28:32 > 0:28:37it's the Kiwi outdoor lifestyle that could be key to whether they move or not.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42At home, life for the Stirks is all about getting up...
0:28:46 > 0:28:49..getting out and getting active.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53The outdoor lifestyle there is something that everybody raves on about,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57especially Australia, but I think New Zealand would be similar.
0:28:57 > 0:29:04- I'm looking forward to getting there and seeing it for myself. - Yeah, me too.
0:29:04 > 0:29:10So today, they're heading off to see what Auckland's great outdoors can offer them.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14That's if Dad can get into his life jacket.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23And Ben seems happy, even if Emma might be a fish out of water.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26SHE SCREAMS I'm putting it down.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31I'm going to fall in!
0:29:32 > 0:29:35But for Viv, this is what she came here to find -
0:29:35 > 0:29:40a chance for the family to enjoy being outdoors together and whenever they want.
0:29:40 > 0:29:47The whole place is geared up for family life. It would be a lovely place to bring kids up.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51I've noticed a difference in the children as the week's gone on.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55They're all starting to really get used to being here.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- I'm already getting used to it. - Are you?- Yeah.- It's nice.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03- It's going to be a shock when we go home.- Cleckheaton?- Cleckheaton.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12The family all have their own favourite sports and Emma's is gymnastics.
0:30:12 > 0:30:19Once safely back on dry land, she has come with Daniella to see what facilities Auckland has to offer.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31Finding a connection to Kiwi life could make emigrating a lot easier to bear.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36Now seeing the gymnastics, I feel like there's a lot more out here for me.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42Before, I didn't really feel like I'd connected with anything because I hadn't really done much,
0:30:42 > 0:30:47apart from going to see the houses, but now I'm feeling a bit more confident and excited about it all.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50But if we moved over here...
0:30:52 > 0:30:55..and couldn't really afford it and it all goes wrong
0:30:55 > 0:30:59when our life at home is quite comfortable at the moment...
0:30:59 > 0:31:01It's a lot to put on the line.
0:31:01 > 0:31:06The girls know just how much is at stake if the Stirks were to emigrate,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10but could the benefits make the risks worthwhile?
0:31:10 > 0:31:14The icing on the cake for a family who love rugby league most of all
0:31:14 > 0:31:17is a chance to watch New Zealand take on Australia.
0:31:28 > 0:31:33So having sampled the lifestyle, will they vote "home" or "away"?
0:31:34 > 0:31:41Based on the lifestyle of New Zealand compared to the UK, our vote goes to...
0:31:45 > 0:31:47ALL: ..New Zealand.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Everyone's voted New Zealand.
0:31:52 > 0:31:58It's been a really good game of rugby and with the added bonus of being able to be nice and warm.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03It's perfect, really. Everything about it is absolutely spot-on.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06It's nice not to wear five jumpers, isn't it?
0:32:11 > 0:32:16A taste of the local lifestyle had exactly the effect Viv was hoping for
0:32:16 > 0:32:21and a unanimous vote for New Zealand was a big step forward.
0:32:21 > 0:32:26But with so much hanging on their finances, can they find a way to make the numbers add up?
0:32:26 > 0:32:33Getting the right price for their UK home in Cleckheaton will be vital if emigrating is to be affordable.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36The Stirks believe it is worth £140,000,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39but will two local estate agents agree?
0:32:39 > 0:32:44A nice living room. A good focal point for the house, really.
0:32:44 > 0:32:51Modern kitchen, very light, very airy, opening on to the garden which is excellent. It's a nice room.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59A very good-sized garden. They've landscaped it. It's very nice.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02They obviously spend a lot of time out here.
0:33:02 > 0:33:08Again very well decorated. Two sharing, I presume it's a teenagers' bedroom.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13The space isn't massive, but they've got the best use out of it.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18So what will be the second original bedroom they're using as the master bedroom,
0:33:18 > 0:33:24utilising the space of the room there with the fitted wardrobes, just exactly what you need.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29What I'd expect from a third bedroom is this.
0:33:29 > 0:33:35I don't think anybody would want any more from a third bedroom. It's not a boxroom by any means.
0:33:35 > 0:33:41Overall, excellent family house. It's been extended, so you've got a lot of space downstairs.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46Within half a mile of the M62 which is great for commuters. A good residential area.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50My valuation today, as an asking price, would be 125,000
0:33:50 > 0:33:53to probably achieve around 120.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59In my opinion, in the current market, this house is worth 125,000.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02For a quick sale, you'd probably be looking at 115.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- Hmm.- That's a long way under... - Less.- A lot less.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14- Not good, is it?- No.
0:34:14 > 0:34:20- With the work that's gone into that house and the extension, I'm quite shocked.- Me too.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26It's amazing how your feelings can just come down so much, isn't it?
0:34:26 > 0:34:33You want to go to New Zealand to better your life, but the way things are going, you'd be making it harder.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Those house valuations are far less than Viv and Darren had hoped for.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Once again, finances are looking like they could be key to emigrating.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46We've provided a comparison of the family's cost of living at home and in New Zealand
0:34:46 > 0:34:53to help them work out if they can afford to live down under or not. First, it's the weekly shopping.
0:34:53 > 0:34:59- It looks quite expensive.- Milk's expensive.- We go through a lot of milk.- Meat's about the same.- Yeah.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Lager's slightly more expensive. Wine's similar.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06So in the UK...
0:35:07 > 0:35:09..101 a week.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14125.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18That's nearly £25 a week more, isn't it?
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- And we don't go shopping just once a week, do we?- No.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27There's little bits and bobs - milk three times a week, bread sometimes every day.
0:35:27 > 0:35:32That's not the best start, but it's the family's mortgage payments that could be crucial.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37They've based them on a £200,000 mortgage with a £60,000 deposit.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42- And the repayments would be £804 a month.- £804 a month.- Yeah.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Right, but ours is 210.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49That's what we're paying now, what our house is costing us now.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53Their monthly mortgage has just gone through the roof
0:35:53 > 0:35:57and that's without including the cost of relocating.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Looking at these figures now then,
0:36:00 > 0:36:05we would actually be about £634 worse off living in New Zealand,
0:36:05 > 0:36:11- so do you think this move's affordable?- No.- Definitely not?
0:36:11 > 0:36:14No.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Oh, dear. I'll have to start doing the Lottery, see if I'm lucky in that.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21As much as Viv might want this,
0:36:21 > 0:36:27it looks like moving to New Zealand could be a serious financial risk for the Stirks,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30so based on the numbers, how will they vote?
0:36:33 > 0:36:35- UK.- The UK.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44I'd love to live here. There's no doubt about that. It's a beautiful place.
0:36:44 > 0:36:50The weather and the lifestyle is fantastic, but you've got to be able to afford it as well.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- We're not rich enough, are we? - No, we're not rich enough.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56- Poor northerners.- Poor northerners.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Never mind.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08Despite putting on a brave face, the figures look hard to argue with
0:37:08 > 0:37:12and once again Viv's dreams hang in the balance,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16so will watching messages from home put an end to them for good?
0:37:19 > 0:37:25There are messages for everyone, so the whole family have decided to watch them together.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Hi, everybody. I hope you're having a great time out there.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38- Hi!- Hiya from Mum's house.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Hiya, Daniella, Emma, Ben, Darren, Viv.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Out of the three of them, I would say Daniella could cause a problem.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50She'll want to please her mum and dad, but also her boyfriend
0:37:50 > 0:37:54who she's been going out with for three years which is a long time.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58I were married at 19. It's the same age as what Daniella is now.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01I love my family
0:38:01 > 0:38:03beyond measure.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06If they do go, I would miss them so much.
0:38:06 > 0:38:13I know I'm not going to be happy, but I've just got to accept it and hope they have a nice life
0:38:13 > 0:38:17and everything turns out nice and well for them.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22Their going would leave a void that would be impossible to fill.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26I think we'd be bereft, wouldn't we?
0:38:27 > 0:38:30- Sorry. - SHE SOBS
0:38:30 > 0:38:34It's a prospect that I don't really want to contemplate.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Hello, everyone. I hope you're all having a good time.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44I hope you're enjoying it.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47I'm missing you a lot, Daniella.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51I don't want you to go, really,
0:38:51 > 0:38:56but that's completely up to you, obviously. I can't stop you, but...
0:38:56 > 0:38:59I'd really miss you if you went.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04I'd like you to stay, but the decision's yours.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Don't come to any hasty decisions.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10And just enjoy it while you're out there.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18You can understand where they're coming from.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Their views and opinions are natural, aren't they?
0:39:21 > 0:39:27You don't want to sound selfish by saying you've got to live your life for yourself, but you have.
0:39:27 > 0:39:32Hmm. Do you think any of them will lend us any money?
0:39:32 > 0:39:35I really don't know.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Seeing the people they love was a reminder for the Stirks
0:39:47 > 0:39:50that the real cost of emigrating isn't counted in dollars
0:39:50 > 0:39:56and having fallen for the lifestyle, they know how much New Zealand could offer them as a family.
0:39:56 > 0:40:01So with their week over, will they vote with their hearts or with their heads?
0:40:08 > 0:40:11The week has been absolutely fantastic.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15There's been a couple of emotional times,
0:40:15 > 0:40:19but generally, for me, it's been very fulfilling.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21It's a lovely place.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24It's just a perfect place to live...
0:40:24 > 0:40:27if you could afford it.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31We've come here ten years too late. There's a lot of obstacles
0:40:31 > 0:40:37that wouldn't have been there ten years ago that are there now - financial and personal.
0:40:37 > 0:40:43I did really hope that Daniella would come round to our way of thinking.
0:40:43 > 0:40:49I honestly do believe that she's shut her feelings off since we've been here
0:40:49 > 0:40:53purely because Danny's in her life.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55I came with an open mind,
0:40:55 > 0:41:01but deep, deep down I am more pointed to the UK because of everything that you have got to lose.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06If they were nine, six and two, that would be different,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09but they're teenagers and they've got their own plans now to a point.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12There's no way I could ever leave Danny, like...
0:41:12 > 0:41:15I'm happy where I am.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17I can't see myself with anybody else.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22So it does change things, obviously.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27It's been an eye-opening week for the Stirks,
0:41:27 > 0:41:33but will emotional and financial costs end this dream or has a taste of life down under convinced them
0:41:33 > 0:41:37that the biggest gamble of their lives could be worth it?
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Based on our week in New Zealand, our vote goes to...
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- ..New Zealand.- New Zealand.- UK.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59- Three to two, we're outvoted.- Yeah.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01So why did you choose UK, Ben?
0:42:01 > 0:42:06This is a beautiful country, but I'd just miss family too much.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10I can see myself living here because it is a very nice place,
0:42:10 > 0:42:16but I'm still a bit undecided and, like you said, go with your heart and my heart says UK.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18Why have you chosen New Zealand?
0:42:18 > 0:42:24In my heart, I do feel that if we really wanted to give it a go, we could find the perfect property.
0:42:26 > 0:42:34And I have enjoyed this experience so much that it's going to be really hard, I think, for me to walk away.
0:42:34 > 0:42:35I really do.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42There are no easy answers in choosing a future that's right for your family
0:42:42 > 0:42:49and after experiencing the highs and lows of emigrating, the Stirks still have some thinking to do.
0:42:49 > 0:42:54But with Viv well and truly won over, I don't think this story is quite over yet.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56We wish them all the best.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd