Fitzpatrick Family Wanted Down Under

Starting a new life in a country

you've never been to before is a big leap of faith,

especially, if you also have to convince your partner

it's the right decision.

But can the rewards make the risks worthwhile?

For one family, the next week is a chance to find out.

If your wife just can't see the appeal of a new country...

It's a no. It's not an option for me. It doesn't make it feasible.

Complete no.

..and moving will cause heartache for your children...

I'd love to make new friends here, but I'd really miss my friends

and family back home.

..and those you'd be leaving behind.

He's my brother. He's everything to me.

..would you be able to hold on to your dreams of starting

a new life Down Under?

Renowned for its scenery and relaxed way of life,

New Zealand is a big draw for Brits looking for a new life.

Being the same size as the UK, with a fraction of the population,

adds to the appeal.

However, the reality doesn't always live up to expectations

and many return home, giving up on their dream.

The Fitzpatrick family face some big decisions

over the next seven days.

After experiencing the reality of living in New Zealand,

they'll have to make a choice

to decide their future -

whether to stay in the UK or to make the move for good.

Their journey begins with a 12,000 mile flight,

crossing three continents and spending 23 hours in the air.

But even so, the Fitzpatricks have taken the ordeal in their stride.

The journey wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be.

Yeah, the flight here was fantastic. Don't know what the fuss was about.

I could do that again tomorrow.

Do I detect some sarcasm?

There is one member of the family who would beg to differ.

Really, really long and really, really boring!

Home for the Fitzpatricks is the village of Twechar, near Glasgow.

Beth, who's a florist, and Billy, a prison officer,

live here with their two boys: Paul, aged nine, and two-year-old Lucas.

For Beth, the village has always been the place she calls home.

I have grown up in Twechar all my life. I went to school here

and then, when I got married to Billy, we moved away.

But once we had Paul, we decided we wanted him

to come back here, to be closer to my mum and dad.

Although he's originally from the city,

Billy has got used to living here.

It is very much a community feel.

And growing up in the suburbs of Glasgow,

this was very strange for me, but enjoyable, in a way.

However, Billy has an itch that just won't go away.

Years ago, he turned down the chance to work overseas.

I've regretted it ever since, if I'm being honest.

And, over the years Beth and I have been together,

it's always been at the back of my mind.

And I've bugged her. Every now and again,

I'll mention it and she'll say, "No, it's not happening."

Beth has never been taken by the idea of emigrating

and leaving her family behind.

Billy's been looking to emigrate now for, probably,

I would say, about 12 years.

And I was always of a mind that it wasn't for me.

And I used to say, "Not while my Gran's here."

Unfortunately, she passed away ten years ago.

And then he's still going on, I said, "No, not while Mum and Dad's here."

But, you know, since we've lost my dad,

it's put a lot of things into perspective.

So I think, now, maybe it's time to follow his dream now.

In fact, it was Beth's dad who encouraged Billy,

having always wanted to move Down Under himself.

One thing her dad always said to me was that he regretted it,

not doing it when he had the chance.

But he told me not to ever regret, "Just do it, go for it.

"If you've got the chance, go for it."

He says, "Don't worry about us, we'll be fine."

And I think that's where we are now. Just...

We're looking to the future, aren't we?

The way your dad was doing, at the time, for you guys.

It's been two years since her father passed away

and Beth has finally agreed to give New Zealand a try.

Knowing that my dad wishes that he had taken that opportunity,

I think, for us, we've got to take that opportunity, for the boys,

and not look back.

And I know, if he was here right now, which he probably is somewhere,

he'd be telling us to go for it.

For Billy, New Zealand is the key to a better future for their children.

We can pretty much settle anywhere.

I could live in a cardboard box on the hard shoulder of the M8

if I had to. But as long as my boys are safe and well

and they get all the opportunities that I want them to have,

that I never had, then that's important to me.

They're hoping the wildlife

and lifestyle in New Zealand would particularly benefit Paul.

He's been dubbed "Nature Boy", for...since he could walk, really.

We had to put an electronic tag on him

when we put him up the garden, because we always lost him.

He loves everything to do with nature. He's the school recycler.

Batteries, anything that harms the environment.

The prospects of Paul having a more outdoor lifestyle

over there appeal to me greatly.

But a future in New Zealand would come at a very high price.

I think the hardest part would be leaving Beth's mum.

She's a massive part of our lives.

You know, a massive part of the kids' lives,

and I think that's going to be really, really tough. Really tough.

I'm a wee bit nervous about moving to New Zealand, because I won't be

able to, like, every Friday, stop for a break and go to my granny's.

As I say, that's the biggest part of my life is my grandkids.

Paul comes for lunch for school, at lunchtime.

Then he comes up at home time and, obviously, sometimes they're here

for dinner or I'm down at their house. It's going to be a big change.

There is one solution to this potential heartache,

but it only looks like a distant possibility.

Leaving my mum is going to be the hardest part of the move for us.

But we've spoken to my mum at length and asked her to come with us.

She's a bit unsure, I think's the best word.

I don't think she realises just how hard it's going to be,

going away and leaving the boys,

not having the boys. And I think she'll really struggle with that.

It's a painful dilemma facing the Fitzpatricks.

Billy believes that a better life is waiting for them

on the other side of the world.

But for Beth, it comes at the price of leaving behind the home

and people she loves.

So will New Zealand confirm their hopes or their fears?

With that in mind,

the Fitzpatricks are visiting New Zealand's biggest city,

Auckland. Could it be the ideal location for a new start?

The city should offer good work opportunities for Billy

and plenty of activities for the family.

But the benefits don't come cheap.

Auckland's property prices are the highest in the country.

Home for this crucial week is the St Heliers Bay area.

Hopefully, this two-bedroom house should be a good base

to get a feel for Auckland.

Let's go. Wow.

Nice and cool.

Wow. It's lovely, isn't it?

-This is nice and comfy.

-Lovely.

-Wow.

Look, dude. What does that say?

-That's nice, isn't it?

-Do you think they knew we were coming here?

-Shall we go and explore? Wow.

-This is really nice.

-I'll sleep in here.

-Wow.

Remember, you're the big brother, you have to get up in the middle

-of the night with him.

-Are you going to go in there?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, good boy.

This must be a kid's room, look at the toys. What do you think?

-It's a big toy snake.

-Oh, wow. What kind of snake do think that is?

Maybe a green mamba?

No, I think it's one of those New Zealand wooden snakes.

-I've heard of them.

-No, you haven't.

-Yeah, they don't bite much.

Yes, Billy, I guess Paul gets his nature gene from his mum.

Boys, you want to go and see the garden? Come on, then.

It's just the kind of start Billy would have wanted,

and he's quick to point out why.

I mean, if we were sat out in our back garden just now, on a bench

similar to this, which we've got,

would it be like this? Would it be as quiet as this?

Would you smell the sea air?

Would you have sunshine like this?

Billy certainly seems to have entranced Beth.

However, Beth knows it's not just her he has to convince to emigrate.

My mum is one of the most important people in all of our lives.

If my mum turned round to us and said,

"I really don't want you to go."

Then, I think, it would make the decision very, very difficult for us.

And I would be left in a quandary, I would be really stuck.

I wouldn't know what to do.

Aye, she's there.

Back in the UK, Beth and Billy own this four-bedroom house in Twechar,

a village near Glasgow.

However, it didn't always look like this.

This house has been a labour of love. When we bought it, it was boarded up.

-We had no windows, no heating, no water.

-No roof.

No, there was nothing. Literally, we bought a shell and a piece of land.

And we've both built the house to the way we wanted it.

But it's been good fun. It's been an adventure.

Having been bitten by the DIY bug,

they'd be looking to do the same in New Zealand.

Similar to what we've got, in its own plot,

three, four bedrooms, needing quite a bit of work,

because I quite enjoy getting my hands dirty.

Yes, I would love to take on a wreck again.

As long as it's got a roof this time, a few windows, then I don't mind.

No, I would LOVE another project.

They may be happy with a house they can renovate,

but will the Fitzpatricks' budget of £200,000 be enough to afford one?

High prices and falling exchange rates make Auckland

one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in.

So finding the right home could be a tough task.

Today, we'll give them the chance to find out.

We've lined up three properties for them to view,

based on their ideal home

and what they can afford.

This should give them a real idea of the cost of houses around Auckland.

Their first stop is in the Avondale area.

It's close to the city centre, but has countryside

and national parks nearby, which should suit all their tastes.

This three-bedroom house is on a good-sized plot and needs some

renovation, which should make it a good fit for Beth and Billy.

That's a chunky-sized garden, anyway.

This is more like a project, isn't it?

This is more the kind of style that we were looking for.

Something we could get our teeth into.

This house might not be to Billy and Beth's taste but,

as seasoned DIY-ers, they know how to spot the potential in a property.

Take all this person's furniture out of the house.

-Imagine the size of this room, though.

-Just empty it.

-leave...what?

-Nothing. Nothing.

-This must be the dining area.

-Dining kitchen.

-Just take that away.

BANGS

There's no structure. I could take that down just now.

And they know how to look beyond someone else's tastes.

-Whoa!

-One of them.

-Somebody's needing to de-clutter.

-Oh, God.

-Oh, Jeeso, they must like their books.

Yeah, I think it's a good-sized room again. Yeah.

Not fazed at all by what we've seen so far, are you?

No. Not in the slightest.

Beth and Billy are certainly taking this house in their stride.

And by the time they get outside, Billy is totally in his element.

Look at the size of this place, babe.

You took it from here to here, that would give you a massive footprint.

And on the top, you would have a full-sized balcony

all the way round. This wraps round here, if you brought it to here,

so that could be like a private entrance for your mum.

Fenced at that side, she'd still have her own separate kitchen.

That wouldn't be that expensive, babe.

He's really got this worked out. But what does Beth think?

Oh, dear. That's an ominous silence.

I don't think Beth is impressed by the views.

And just to make matters worse...

TRAIN RATTLES

For someone used to the peace and quiet of the countryside,

a train line at the bottom of the garden

might not be a winning feature.

Maybe the price can make this house more appealing

to their £200,000 budget.

After all, they were both excited by its potential.

£207,000 or NZ420,000.

That's slightly over their budget.

Do you think that's negotiable?

If that was negotiable, then I would certainly

be interested in speaking to them.

No, the work doesn't faze me,

but could you honestly live with the noise that that train

made on the way past, on a daily basis?

Yeah, I could. I could.

-Yeah, well.

-You've got to weigh up the pros and cons.

You can't live anywhere where you've not got potential

for trains or cars or pylons.

I couldn't live with a pylon out my living room window,

and a train line in the back garden.

-So what are you saying? Is this a no?

-It's a no.

I wouldn't buy it, because of where it is.

Perhaps the next house will be more suitable.

Set in Papatoetoe, 12 miles from the city centre,

can it provide the peace and quiet Beth craves?

This three-bedroom house does need some work,

but it shouldn't be anything the Fitzpatricks can't handle.

Although, the boys would rather leave the viewing to Mum and Dad.

-Quite a nice outside space.

-Nice and protected and covered.

-Is that French doors, as well?

-Looks like it.

-Behind there, somewhere.

-I'm assuming that would open clean up.

-Open out, yeah.

That would be nice in the summer. If you had a gate on there

and the kids were playing in the garden, to have that open.

Billy is doing a good job in selling this house

And hopefully, the inside will appeal just as much to Beth.

-Nice cornice.

-Yeah, the only thing missing is a ceiling rose, babe.

We could fix that.

We would open that up, so that you had all the natural daylight.

-Think of the light they're losing.

-I would want that opened up.

AEROPLANE SOUNDS OVERHEAD

Aeroplane. How close to the airport are we?

We're going from bad to worse here, aren't we?!

Planes, trains and pylons.

It's not going well for Beth, but maybe finding the quiet

countryside she wants isn't possible in a big city.

However, Billy's not beaten that easily.

Space for Beth's mum could help change her mind.

Could this be a granny annexe? The granny room?

-Separate access through that back door there...

-Mm-hm.

..so she doesn't have to come in and out the front door, if she doesn't want to.

She's got her own little self-contained space here. And if you did put a bathroom out there,

could that then become her own bathroom or a shower room?

It's a valiant effort, Billy,

but I think Beth has lost all faith in this house.

I just don't think the house fits. The rooms don't fit.

-Not for what we need it for.

-Yeah.

But there's still the price to uncover.

Is there any chance it can make this house more appealing to Beth?

NZ399,000.

I think, at that price, it's a decent house for someone,

but maybe just not for us.

-No, I would agree with that.

-OK.

House-hunting isn't going well.

However, there is one way of getting the perfect place

and it should be tailor-made for DIY-ers like Beth and Billy -

having a house built from scratch.

This four-bedroom property is the showhome for a design that they

could put in any location that suits their tastes.

But will they like the modern style?

-This is nice, isn't it?

-Really nice.

-It's nice and bright.

-Looks lovely.

-This way, Lucas. I like the windows.

-Mm-hm.

-It's a family room. Lovely.

-That could be the party room.

-Party room?

-Yeah, on my birthday.

-Through that way, dude.

-We're going this way.

Well, the modern look doesn't seem to be a problem.

Hopefully, upstairs can also make a good impression.

Wow, this is gorgeous.

-Oh, yes.

-Look at the window.

-That glass roof is beautiful.

-Beautiful, isn't it?

-We can see into the sky.

What do you see over there, look?

-I can see loads of boats.

-What's over there.

-What's that?

-What's over there?

-What's up there? Look, in the sky.

That's pretty. It's nice, isn't it?

Everyone's certainly taken by the views

and something has particularly caught Billy's eye.

That's good quality glazing.

That is quality glazing. Before...

After...

Mmm, maybe it's a boy thing.

The Fitzpatricks have definitely taken to the style of this house.

Now they need to find a plot of land where they could have it built.

One option would be Massey.

It's on the northern outskirts of Auckland,

but being close to the motorway, it's an easy drive to the city.

Welcome to West Gate!

The family are met by estate agent, Janet Jones,

who has several plots of land in this area.

Now, this is it. This is lovely, fresh grass. Beautiful sunshine.

And we've got the big motorway extended to Albany.

We've got Auckland City.

It's one of the fastest-growing areas in Auckland.

It's a beautiful spot and it's a good area, it's a good location.

That all sounds promising.

Have the Fitzpatricks found the ideal package?

What do you think? Do you think you could own a home here?

-No, absolutely no way. No.

-Not for you?

No, I couldn't live that close to pylons

and that close to a main motorway.

No way.

Ouch. Beth is certainly not pulling her punches.

Can Billy change her mind?

I mean, the views are lovely.

I would disagree, the views do absolutely nothing for me.

Overlooking an industrial estate,

a shopping centre, looking over huge, big building roofs, pylons,

views of the motorway. It's just a complete no-no.

We've looked at houses in the past

and we refused to even consider them, because of the pylons.

It's going from bad to worse.

This location has affected Beth's thoughts on the whole idea

of having a new house built.

-So, what do you think?

-It's not an option for me.

-No?

-Absolutely no. I wouldn't want to build a house,

whether it was here or somewhere else in the country or back home.

I just wouldn't want to build my own house.

Maybe seeing the price will help change Beth's mind.

It might show that the house and garden they dream of could be

affordable on their £200,000 budget, if in a different location.

Well, moment of truth.

-You ready for this?

-Go for it.

OK!

Around £300,000 for the land and house.

That might have blown this option out of the water.

I'm a bit lost for words, actually.

£300,000.

That's kind of...

For £300,000, I won't be buying a house that had motorway noise

and pylons behind it.

-So it's a definite no, then?

-It's a complete no.

-Definitely?

-It's not even a consideration.

-OK.

It's not a great end to the day, but overall,

have the Fitzpatricks been swayed by Auckland properties?

The first house was exactly the kind of property they'd want

to take on, until Beth spotted the train and the pylon.

They both saw the potential in the second house,

but being on a flight path wasn't a desirable feature.

And although everyone fell for the last house,

its possible location was a letdown for Beth.

So when it comes to properties,

which way will the Fitzpatricks vote?

-Undecided.

-UK.

-New Zealand!

I'm afraid to say, from what we've seen today, I'm not prepared to give

up my house, to move to the houses here, for the money that they want.

It's been a day of setbacks for Billy's dream of emigrating

to New Zealand, but he's not beaten.

I think what we've seen is 20 minutes from everywhere,

so I'd maybe like to push it out to half an hour, 40 minutes,

and see what we can get.

Be slightly more out into the countryside.

I would hope, then, that the price might reflect that, as well.

And there might be more chance of us finding something

more to our taste.

After a difficult day property hunting, Auckland's planes,

trains and automobiles left Beth reaching for the earplugs.

But Billy isn't giving up hope just yet.

But we'll need to find good salary and work prospects

to get his dream back on track.

In the UK, Billy has worked as a prison officer

for the last 16 years...

..and Beth as a florist, for 17 years.

Their aim is for Billy to work in New Zealand,

while Beth stays at home with the children until they're settled.

So we've arranged for Billy to visit Auckland Prison

and find out what his future could hold.

Everything is riding on what he finds out today.

Give me a kiss.

Got to go to work. Dad's going to work.

-Right. Wish me luck.

-Good luck.

Bye! >

Good luck! >

-OK, Dad's going to work.

-Bye.

Billy's day gets underway with a tour of the facilities

with prison manager, Neil Beales.

-These guard towers are no longer manned.

-They're not used any more?

CCTV.

There's a lot of pressure riding on Billy today,

but Beth has faith in her husband.

I would imagine Billy will be quite confident in going to work,

because he's quite confident in what he does.

I think he'll get on well, he'll mix well with other people

and hopefully blend in OK.

However, Beth is struggling with what a future in New Zealand

could mean for her.

It's very strange being here with the kids. Billy going out to work

and me being at home doing what you do when you're at home.

And it is quite...I think it's quite surreal at the moment,

thinking this could be what our life's going to be like.

Back at the prison, with the tour over,

Billy gets to talk shop with Neil.

Active management, engaging with the offender,

encourage rehabilitation, protecting the public, making them

get onto the right projects, it's all about interaction.

Luckily, they're both speaking the same language.

Pro-social modelling, encouragement, motivation, anger management,

through to drug withdrawal, cognitive thinking

and all about the rehabilitation.

-Re-firing off active management?

-An ideal way of breaking down barriers.

It sounds like Billy has made a good impression.

But what about the most important question?

If I were looking to get a job over here,

what comparison would I have, salary-wise, to what I get in UK?

The starting salary of a prison officer here is round about

the 50K mark.

So that's dollars, NZ50,000. Roughly that, 50-55.

You'd start on the starting salary for a corrections officer,

should that be the avenue that you go through.

It's a bit less than I earn at the moment,

but then, I'm 17 years down the line.

It's considerably more than the officers back in Scotland start on,

it's a good few thousand pounds more.

£25,000 a year might be a 3,000 drop in pay,

but with his experience, Billy should be able to progress quickly.

Which leaves one crucial question.

So, Neil, can I ask?

Given what you know about me, and what I can do,

programmes and corrections,

what are the job opportunities for someone like me in Auckland?

In our region alone, we're looking at 100 vacancies

at the moment, as we sit here today.

Everything you've told me today indicates to me

that you're the kind of person we would like to talk to.

That is good news.

Billy will be in demand, but he would have to take a pay-cut first.

So has he seen enough to restart his career in New Zealand?

Or will he stick with the UK?

Based on the meeting I had today, my vote goes to...

..New Zealand.

The job, for me, is very similar,

what I do back home and what I would do here. A jail's a jail, basically.

But it's everything else that goes with it that I think

the opportunities that I would have for progression

and the things that I do that they seem interested in,

it's an absolute no-brainer for me.

Billy has certainly been taken by what he's heard

and he's keen to share the news with Beth.

-Hello!

-Hi.

-Hello.

-How's things? All right, dude?

-Good.

-Miss me, babe?

-How did you get on?

-Yeah, yeah, really, really positive.

Was it what you expected?

It was more than I expected.

Actually, I thought, for a minute, the guy was going to give me

a set of keys and say, "Let's go." The guy was THAT enthusiastic.

Would we be able to survive on your salary alone, if we were to come here?

From what he's told me, based on what I earn back home, yeah, there

wouldn't be really much of a change between the UK and New Zealand.

So, yeah, it would be good.

Billy's job prospects have him excited.

But could his dream be hiding the hard facts?

Not only would he be earning less in New Zealand,

but they'd also be losing Beth's income, if she stayed at home.

Taking a closer look at their finances is vital,

if this move's to happen.

In the UK, the Fitzpatricks own this cottage near Glasgow.

They bought it as a project, for £140,000,

and have spent years renovating it.

Three years ago, it was valued at 270,000.

It's their pride and joy,

but can they get anywhere near that in the current market?

We sent round two estate agents to give us their valuations.

It's lovely. Really nice outlook from this room, actually.

Looks really dark.

OK, quite dark.

It's very different, it's obviously a modern kitchen, quite well fitted.

Good-sized master bedroom, quite generous proportions.

Lovely big window, as well.

OK, this is a great big room.

This is exactly what you'd like to see in, I think, any family home.

Great space.

Certainly a lot of land with the property.

A really nice outlook from up here, as well.

In terms of the present value,

I would value the property

in the range of 220 to 230,000.

I would recommend it on the market at offers in the region of 229.

So my expectation on market value,

I'd expect a surveyor

to value the property around the £250,000 mark.

That being the case,

with a supporting home report valuation,

'we would recommend an asking price of offers in excess of £235,000.'

Those are both quite a drop from the £270,000 value three years ago.

If somebody offered us 235, 240...

It'd be heart-wrenching.

-You OK?

-Yeah, I'm fine.

Just don't really want to let the house go for that little.

Overall, is that what we expect?

I think it's what we expected, but not what we wanted to hear.

I think it's the realism of it, of what the market's like.

If Beth can't face selling the home she loves,

is there anyway of affording to emigrate?

Billy's only hope is that calculating their living costs

will show they could manage to live in Auckland.

Roughly £5 back home. In New Zealand would be £9.31.

So it's almost double for the cost for milk.

Four tins of ravioli.

Nearly £8 for four tins.

That's crazy.

270, £5, 298,

so we're £19.20 worse-off weekly in New Zealand.

Which, I suppose, is not a great deal.

The weekly bills look OK,

but what about the other household costs, based on the second property?

One woman's haircut. One man's haircut.

-You think we could make a saving there(?)

-So it's the same.

So £59. It's the same, if you added those three, it would probably

come out roughly about the same.

I don't think there's a massive difference between the two.

That's all sounding good, for the cost of living.

but there is one big gap in their finances, yet to be considered.

Initially, Beth won't be working.

But when we think that we're coming over here

with just me working,

earning £1,530.

Our current outgoings would be 2,426, which is...

..£900 short every month.

So it doesn't make it feasible, really.

It's a bummer.

It's not really what I expected.

I knew it would be tighter, but I didn't think it would be so tight.

£900 a month is a massive shortfall.

In one stroke, Billy's dreams and planning have taken a serious blow.

Or have they?

I suppose the thing that's jumping in now for me

is to try and convince your mum to come with us.

If my mum would come with us then...

..you know, we'd be fine from day one, because I know she'd be there

to help look after the kids round your shifts.

Mm-hm. Which means it wouldn't be such an issue you going out

to work before he goes to school,

because we'd have somebody there that he knows.

Stuff to think about.

It's a good idea, but before they can persuade Beth's mum,

they have to be sure themselves.

So how will they vote?

Based on the figures we've seen today,

with the cost of living in both the UK and New Zealand,

our votes go to...

Undecided.

UK.

What made you go for UK?

Believe me, I want to vote New Zealand with everything,

and it's one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make,

to flip the flag that way.

But it's just not doable just now.

After seeing the harsh reality of what life in Auckland would cost,

Billy's hopes have taken a big step backwards.

With so much at stake, the Fitzpatricks need to find out

if New Zealand can offer them the family lifestyle they hope for.

Billy, Beth and the boys all love the outdoor lifestyle

and being close to nature.

But for Paul, it's his absolute passion.

Here's this one to identify.

Dangerous insects and which ones are not dangerous.

It shows me about birds, it tells me about their life.

Animal world. This is my Bug Barn. I use it to catch bugs.

My Bug Barn doesn't really catch them,

it's mainly me that has to catch them.

So today, they're going to sample some of Auckland's

wildlife experiences.

It's a gentle start - watching butterflies flutter by.

These are butterflies.

Did you see that? Did you see all those butterflies?

Did you see that?

That was amazing.

Look. Just landed on Dad's hand, look.

Did you see the butterfly?

The Fitzpatricks certainly seem to be at one with nature.

Then it's time to pick up the pace. This is just what the family needed.

THEY LAUGH

Lifestyle-wise, the boys absolutely love it, getting back to nature.

I think the kids are having a fabulous time today.

They seem to be blending in, I think, they're really enjoying themselves

and the reality is beginning to set in of what life could be like.

The day's lifted everyone's spirits, but it's not all gentle fun.

Luckily, nature-loving Paul doesn't scare easily.

-How cool was that, dude?

-That was super cool.

-Super cool.

So, after a day getting to grips with the wildlife,

it's time to vote.

-New Zealand.

-New Zealand.

-New Zealand!

The first unanimous vote.

The Fitzpatricks really have taken to the Auckland lifestyle.

I've liked Butterfly Creek, because of all the butterflies

you can see in the butterfly house,

getting to touch baby crocodiles and seeing the giant ones.

But today has also brought to mind what they stand to lose.

I'm really sad, because two days ago, when we were doing

the flippy thing, the thing where we had to flip the cards,

after that I was crying, because I didn't know where I wanted to go -

either come to stay here or go to school back home.

I'd love to make new friends here, but I'd really miss my friends

and family back home.

After an ideal family day out, the Kiwi lifestyle showed

the Fitzpatricks everything they could gain from life in Auckland.

But Paul's worries are a constant reminder of just how much

they stand to lose.

Will seeing messages from family and friends show that the life

they'd gain isn't worth what they be losing?

Beth and Billy have decided to watch the DVD with the boys,

to gauge their feelings about the move.

Hi, guys. How's things out in New Zealand?

Hi, Billy, Beth, kids, hope you're having fun.

'Beth really has a lovely'

personality, she's very easy-going.

'Absolutely fantastic with her two kids. Her kids, they're her life.'

She's a fantastic person.

Well, what I would say about Billy is,

why say it in two words when 500 would do?

Billy and Beth are a good family.

They live for each other. They've got the two boys,

which the two of them actually adore. They'll do anything for the kids, plus any of the family.

We can always imagine Paul when he's older.

It's the wee gown, the wee cardigan,

the wee half-moon glasses, whereas Lucas will be

coming in with the tattoos and leather jacket.

For me, personally, yeah, it's missing the whole family.

-It would leave a hole.

-Yeah, yeah.

I would say that Beth is one of my closest friends, anyway.

And you don't get many very close friends that you can just rely on.

The house is going to be funny,

because I'm not going to have the kids coming in every day.

'It's their wee, cheery faces that come round the door

'that you're going to miss. Oh. No. I don't regret that they're going,'

and I only hope that it works out for them.

He's always been there for me and just now he's only 15 minutes

away in the car. To the other side the world...

..it's a big difference, big difference.

He's my brother, he's...

He's everything to me.

Well, you four, you're over there,

hope you've enjoyed the last two weeks, but remember,

this is for life. Go and enjoy it.

Go and enjoy it and remember I'll only be a phone call away

when you're away and I love you to bits.

But enjoy your new life out there.

HE SOBS

Hey, come on.

Is it just Granny or is it anybody else?

-Just Granny.

-Just Granny.

Hey, come on, it's not that bad. Come on.

You'll see her again very soon, you know that, don't you?

You'll see her next week.

Seeing messages from the people they love

was a painful experience for everyone.

But with their week nearly over, it's time for the Fitzpatricks

to make one of the biggest choices of their lives.

It's been an eye-opening seven days.

They've enjoyed the New Zealand lifestyle

and discovered great job prospects.

But their finances showed it could all be a pipe dream.

Now it's time to cast the last, and most decisive, vote.

Has the taste of a new life convinced them

to leave behind everything in the UK?

Coming here was always Billy's dream...

..and I can't always say I've been 100% behind him,

but now, after being here,

I've been overwhelmed, I think,

by what I've seen and the few places that we've visited.

It's all very much focused on families,

it's a family-orientated place.

Everyone's happy and helpful

and pleasant and I think that's really encouraging.

I came out here expecting to vote New Zealand all the way.

With the research we've done and the amount of time I've put into it,

I expected that this bubble of mine wasn't going to burst.

And that I would be voting New Zealand.

However, I have, kind of, noticed that

there is a few things that do creep upon you

and, as a result of that, I had to vote with my brain and not my heart.

-One, two, three.

-Woo!

Based on our entire week here in New Zealand, our final vote goes to...

-..New Zealand!

-New Zealand!

-New Zealand.

-Well done, dude.

New Zealand.

Why did you pick New Zealand?

I picked New Zealand because I had a really good time.

What about you, Mrs, you?

I know, I kind of surprised myself.

And I think, with it being such a friendly,

family-orientated place, I think it's a nice place to bring up the boys.

Dad, why did you choose New Zealand?

I suppose, I'm the one who wanted to come here to begin with, wasn't I?

You guys are the most important things to us.

The lifestyle that we can have, I think we can make it work here.

What do you think?

After experiencing the highs and lows of life Down Under,

the Fitzpatricks have been won over by New Zealand.

Now, there's still a long way to go,

but we wish everyone well on the road to their new lives.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd