Morse Family Wanted Down Under

If your biggest wish in life was to spend quality time

with the people you love most,

how far would you go to get what you want?

For one family, it could mean a total change of circumstances,

and a move to the other side of the world.

Glenn Morse is desperate for more time with his family.

For a third of my working life, I don't see the kids, at all.

And wife Sue is running on empty.

I just don't think we can carry on.

It's putting an awful lot of strain on us.

To bring their family together,

they're considering turning their lives upside down.

I would be doing predominantly what Sue does at the moment

and Sue would be going out to work.

But will moving to the other side of the world prove a step too far?

I really love my kids,

and I just feel I don't want to let anyone down.

New Zealand is a nation made up of more than 600 islands -

bigger than Britain, but with a population of just over 4 million,

it's a very attractive option

for the 12,000 Brits who emigrate there every year.

But deciding to pack up and move to the other side of the world

can be a massive gamble,

and isn't always as straightforward as it might seem.

The Morse family want to transform their lives,

so dad, Glenn, can enjoy more time with their children.

To achieve this, they are contemplating a move down under.

Ahead of them lies a week where they'll explore everything

New Zealand has to offer, before facing

the biggest decision of their lives.

First the family had to endure 24 hours in the air,

on a journey that's brought them 12,000 miles from home.

But they're all smiles when they eventually touch down in Auckland!

It was a really good flight. It was really easy.

The kids were really well-behaved.

And we were going up and down... three times!

The entertainment was very good on the plane,

which kept the kids quiet, and they slept loads, as well.

-So, really good.

-So did Daddy!

-Far better than we expected.

So, how are they feeling about the week ahead?

I'm looking forward to exploring New Zealand.

Yeah, it feels very real, now we're here.

We're hoping and praying that it's going to be good.

But the reality is, we'll find out what it's like.

Oi! Will you pack it in?

There's no turning back now, as the Morses begin what could be

the most important week of their lives.

Back in the UK, Glenn, Sue, seven-year-old Grace

and three-year-old Jack live in the Forest of Dean.

It's a stunning location

and at first glance it looks like the Morses are living the good life.

But appearances can be deceptive.

Our lifestyle here looks idyllic... erm, from the outside.

Almost to the point that we sometimes, to other people,

look like swans going across the top of the water -

and we've got everything, and we're very lucky -

but people don't see the work that goes behind it.

The sacrifices.

A self-employed quantity surveyor and full-time mum,

Sue works around the clock.

You've had phone calls here at half past midnight,

from contractors and builders

who ring at half past midnight to say,

"Can you come and sort this problem for us?" which isn't ideal, is it?

It isn't ideal.

And for police officer Glenn, working long shifts means

missing huge chunks of his children's lives.

I work two mornings, two lates, two nights and get four days off.

If you take the two evening shifts, I leave for work at about 1.15pm -

the kids are already at school,

I come home about 2.30am

when the kids are tucked up fast asleep in bed,

so when I get up in the morning, the kids have gone to school.

So for a third of my working life I don't see the kids, at all.

Seven-year-old Grace feels the same.

He's always at work, and things like that. He's never with us.

Only on his days off.

And usually on his days off,

when we've got something important coming up, like we always do,

Daddy's always clearing up, because me and Jack always make messes,

so we never hardly have free time with him.

The couple's workload means the family have reached breaking point.

I don't think we can carry on.

It's putting an awful lot of strain on us.

And we're not enjoying life.

The kids see we're not enjoying life,

and that's never any good for children.

Desperate for change,

Glenn thinks moving to New Zealand could offer the answer.

It's been my idea for many, many years.

Sue's not always had that dream.

I did mention it, certainly when we first met,

but she was dead against it at the time.

Sue's now open to moving halfway around the world.

Her job as a quantity surveyor could be the ticket to a visa and new life

for the family in New Zealand,

but it would mean radical changes.

If we go to New Zealand, it's a change of circumstances

for the two of us, really.

I would be doing predominantly what Sue does at the moment, erm...

and Sue would be going out to work rather than working from home.

So it is a complete change.

For Glenn, it would mean turning his back on a career

of more than 20 years.

Giving up my job is a huge sacrifice,

but I hope that it's worth it.

And in years to come, when we look back and we see that we've had

quality time as a family with the children,

which we wouldn't have got if I hadn't given up my job,

then, yes, it will have been well worth it.

Glenn and Sue would, effectively, swap roles.

Cos he'd going to be the house-husband,

and we're going to have more time playing with him, than we do here.

A life in New Zealand could offer the family quality time together,

but it would mean taking Grace and Jack

away from much-loved grandparents,

and for Sue, in particular, that's a dreaded thought.

I feel really sad about leaving them.

I feel as though we're running away a little bit

and jibbing out of our responsibilities.

Our parents could need us, and we're not going to be here.

Sue's also worried about breaking up a close relationship Grace has

with Glenn's older daughter, Laura.

Grace and Laura have a really, really special bond.

If Grace is really playing me up, I threaten to tell Laura

and say Laura's going to be disappointed in her,

and that's it, she stops.

It's probably one of the hardest things to do,

erm...is to take Grace away from Laura, really.

Leaving family in the UK

is a sacrifice the Morses will have to make,

if they're to rebuild their family down under.

For Sue, there's an added pressure of becoming sole breadwinner.

It's really going to be really, really difficult,

to go from being mummy all the time,

to mummy that's at work.

But if I don't do it,

we haven't really got a future in New Zealand.

To find out if switching parental roles on the other side of the world

will mean the Morses can achieve the family life they dream of,

they'll spend the next week exploring the Auckland area.

Home for the week is a two-bedroomed cottage in Stillwater,

a small town about 30 minutes north of the city centre.

With the Wai Iti Forest on its doorstep,

it should offer an ideal home-from-home.

But will the Morses agree?

Wow. Look at this!

-Great, isn't it?

-Yeah!

-Lovely!

-Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?

Look at that view. The balcony.

Jack! Look, there's a boat over there!

-Ooh, Daddy is going to have to do a bit of cooking in there.

-Very nice.

It's lovely, isn't it?

First impressions are good,

but after that flight, Sue's keen to sort out the sleeping arrangements.

-Do you think this room's nice for you two?

-I want this bed.

-That bed?

-A mirror! Look at this bedroom!

-Wow!

Oh, Glenn, look what we've got to wake up to in the morning.

I can see me here...

with my cup of tea...

..which you have gone and made.

It's fun and games now, but with a life-changing decision looming,

this week is make or break time for the Morses.

I hope that, come the end of the week, we're not still thinking -

Shall we? Shan't we? What if?

I hope to have all the answers in place.

That Sue and I can both make a decision,

and it would be nice if Sue and I both made the same decision,

whether it's to come to New Zealand or stay in the UK.

As long as we're both of the same opinion,

then that's what I hope will happen.

Back in the UK, the Morses live in a three-bedroom detached house

in Whitecroft in the Forest of Dean.

It's a stunning location,

so they anticipate its value at around £450,000,

and they're keen to replicate it in New Zealand.

The wish list would be similar to what we've got here now.

We don't want to be on top of other people,

and we don't want other people on top of us.

We'd want at least four bedrooms.

Because we would hope that friends and family would come out to stay.

Ideally, I would say three beds and an annexe.

Within commuting distance of Sue's work.

A wood-burner would be very nice.

So an acre of land with some trees would be ideal, really.

That's quite a list, let's hope they're not left wanting.

Potentially, Sue and Glenn have around £450,000

to spend on their new home.

To show them what's available in the Auckland area,

we've selected three properties -

one on budget, one their ideal home, and one in-between.

After seeing each, they'll find out what they cost.

First stop is Puhoi, a 40-minute drive from the centre of Auckland.

This small town offers the privacy and laid-back lifestyle

Glenn and Sue are after.

Leaving Grace and Jack with a childminder,

they are keen to see what this three-bedroomed house could offer.

Mm, nice!

Oh, and yeah, very spacious, isn't it? Lots and lots of room.

-Wow.

-Yeah.

-Gives quite a good impression when you walk in, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

-Lovely kitchen.

-Yeah. Good.

-Nice and bright and airy.

-You've always wanted one of the centre consoles, haven't you?

-Mm.

No, it's good. You know, it's OK.

But, I think, I ideally, if you are looking for perfect,

a bigger family room.

I think the only thing with this is having the formal dining area

right off the lounge.

If you had friends over who had children as well,

which is probably likely, the kids have got nowhere to go.

This house certainly isn't overlooked

and has the land Sue and Glenn want.

But will they be able to see past the grey skies to appreciate it?

It's got the sort of land - the volume of land -

that we were looking for.

The property comes around the fence, up the side of the track there,

then round the back end, there's about two-and-a-half acres.

But if Jack wants to go out and kick a football around,

there is nowhere on the slope there he can kick a football around.

Glenn's not happy with the lay of this land.

Is there anything with the house that will get them excited?

This looks like the master suite.

-Lovely.

-Yeah.

-Again, it's not huge, is it? Not huge.

-But is perfectly...

-It's bigger than...

-Certainly a lot bigger than we've got back at home.

-Reckon?

Yeah, yeah, definitely. You think, back home,

we're always squeezing by the bottom of the bed, aren't we?

To get by. And this bed is the same size as ours back home.

Ideally, the Morses would have a spare bedroom for visitors, too.

Although, it's showing at the moment as three bedrooms,

I think that we would definitely need at least four.

It might not be perfect, but with their £450,000 budget,

could they afford it?

-Shall we look?

-Go on, you do it.

£426,250.

That's a lot more than I thought.

It's not the sort of money that we're prepared to throw at it,

to give us what we are looking for.

OK?

-Bit disappointed, really.

-Mm.

It is a nice house. It is a nice house.

Doesn't bode well for the next one.

This property's on budget,

but it just doesn't have the space the Morses are looking for.

Hopefully, the next one will get the dream back on track.

Property two is in Coatesville, in the Rodney district.

The rural aspect of this area should definitely appeal to Glenn,

and with just a short commute to the city,

Sue could be happy here, too.

But property is in demand,

so houses can be on the pricey side.

This kitchen is really good, isn't it? Great proportion.

Lots of space for the kids.

They can be outside on the decking or in here

while we're cooking and getting things sorted.

It's a good start.

-And there's a little treat for Sue in store, too.

-Wood burner.

Wood burner's great.

It's almost like a straight-through room to the kitchen.

It is separated by that fancy nice wall there,

which is quite a nice feature.

Great idea. It's lovely.

I'm really impressed.

This house has four bedrooms,

checking off another point on Glenn and Sue's wish list.

This must be the master bedroom.

It's not huge, but it's...

-Look at the views!

-Yeah.

Massive windows.

Oh, blimey. Could you imagine waking up to that every morning?

-Oh, there's a hot tub there as well.

-Oh, yeah.

-So I could get straight out of bed...

-Into the hot tub.

-..into the hot tub

and you can bring my cup of tea. To the hot tub.

Very nice.

I think a hot tub's just been added to Sue's list!

The property also has outbuildings,

-which could provide space for an annexe.

-Oh, wow!

This is your play area, then.

This is a serious garage!

Whoa, my goodness!

This is a little sleep-out.

Look, a little self-contained unit.

It's not ready for... to actually be habitable, is it?

But you can see the potential.

That is pretty amazing.

You could certainly do something with this, very easily.

You don't need a garage that big, love.

You'd have to forego your garage for a house for my mum.

SHE LAUGHS Yeah.

Glenn isn't committing to anything just yet.

At least, not until he finds out if it's within their £450,000 budget.

If we're looking at turning those buildings into an annexe,

or whatever, then we're going to be taking time doing that,

which is putting us back into exactly the same position

as we're in now in the UK - having precious little time with the kids.

Well, it won't so much, because you are not going to be working, are you?

So, you are going to have more...

you know, an additional 40 hours, 50 hours a week

to what you have got now.

-I am guessing...

-£550,000.

Yeah, I was going to say £550,000.

-Shall we have a look?

-Go on, then.

SHE READS IT OUT

So, it is over-budget, but it's not...

so out of reach that you'd need to go to work, as well.

This suits our purpose a lot more, doesn't it? A lot better.

We could see ourselves here with the kids, couldn't really see ourselves

at the other property with the kids. Erm...

And the schools are apparently very good, so...

location, house, school, all coming together.

-Well, that's very positive.

-Yeah. Yeah, good.

I'm pleased with that.

This house offers everything Glenn and Sue need,

but at £72,000 over-budget, it would mean a mortgage.

And that will place more pressure on Sue as the family's sole earner.

Let's hope property three can give the family an affordable alternative

that's worth moving halfway around the world for.

Still in the Rodney district, this five-bedroom house

is also close to an excellent primary school,

which could make it perfect for Jack and Grace.

Oh, my goodness!

That...erm...

Speechless.

..certainly gives you the wow factor when you walk in, doesn't it?

That is... I'm speechless. That is just amazing.

That's... That's what you call a family area.

That is... Yeah.

It's given me goose bumps.

As first impressions go, that's pretty good!

Not wholly sure about the green, but, erm...

-I just think this is amazing.

-I think the green's quite nice.

I think it sets it off quite nicely.

A touch different.

I could seriously see myself cooking in here.

Oh, good. At least I wouldn't have to do it.

IF you're going to be a stay-at-home dad,

cooking might be part of the deal, Glenn!

Everywhere you look it's just pure...

quality, isn't it? It's beautiful, beautiful stuff.

This must be the family bathroom.

-Oh, look at that, isn't that lovely?

-Yeah.

-Really nice detail.

Same quality in here as you've got everywhere else, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's just ideal, though, isn't it?

-It's perfect.

-Perfect.

-Yeah.

I think this is probably the biggest bedroom I've ever seen.

That is stunning.

And they haven't even seen the en suite.

-That's the business, isn't it?

-Wow!

-Look at that!

That's not a shower room, is it? It's huge. That is incredible.

-Yeah, I've moved in. I could live here.

-You could?

-Yeah.

Definitely.

You're going to need to get a job, Glenn.

Hidden in the garden is another handy feature.

Oh, my goodness.

Another little, erm...room for your mum and dad.

-Oh, it's lovely again.

-Isn't it? Yeah.

Separate from the house.

Definitely give visitors, long-term visitors,

a little bit more seclusion and independence, wouldn't it?

-And this is better for me than being in the doghouse.

-You always are.

Mm.

This house has everything they need, and more.

It's wowed the Morses.

But when it comes to cost, will it be too good to be true?

I will start by saying it is well, well, well over our budget.

But, I am going to say...

in the region of £750,000.

I think £800,000.

-Shall we have a look? Are you ready?

-Go on, then. I'm ready.

-Well, that's amazing.

-I am quite shocked at that.

£566,500.

I mean, it's well over our budget.

But the good news is, it's a lot less over-budget,

than Glenn and Sue anticipated.

It would be something that could be achievable.

House-hunting started slowly,

with the property neither Sue nor Glenn were sold on.

The next was almost perfect, but £72,000 over budget.

The final property ticked all their boxes,

but owning it would depend on a good pension for Glenn,

and Sue increasing her earning potential.

So, based on their day, would the couple choose

a life in New Zealand or the UK?

We've had a really great day today looking at houses in New Zealand,

and based on that, our vote goes to...

-New Zealand.

-New Zealand.

-I'm not shocked.

-You sure?

-Yeah. You definitely going New Zealand?

-Yeah. It was a close-run thing, I must say.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Because you do...erm...

They're expensive, but I think pound for pound, or dollar for dollar,

you do get a little bit more in New Zealand than you do in the UK.

New Zealand! SHE LAUGHS

Property may have won her over, but Sue's all too aware

that if the family are to have the home they'd love in New Zealand,

she'll need to be earning a good salary.

Back in the UK, she is a self-employed quantity surveyor,

juggling work with caring for the children.

If the family move, she'll work full-time

leaving Glenn to look after the little ones,

a plan she isn't yet totally comfortable with.

I've got to be able to travel to work easily enough.

I don't want to be spending an hour and a half a day travelling to work

and an hour and a half travelling home from work,

because I won't see the kids ever.

It has to be the right salary.

Because if it's not the right salary,

then we won't achieve the lifestyle we need to achieve.

And if we can't do that, then what's the point?

Because Glenn would have to work as well.

It's got to be something I enjoy,

otherwise I'm going to resent it.

I really am going to resent it.

And that's probably the beginning of the end.

For the adventure.

The Morses' ideal future all hangs on Sue getting the right job.

We've arranged for her to visit a North Shore construction company

where she meets project manager and expat Jamie Gibson.

How easy do you think it's going to be,

for me to find a job, in reality?

The way the market is at the moment,

I think you'll find a job quite easily.

The market is definitely picking up here

when you compare it to what it's like in the UK.

There's need for skilled, professional

construction managers and quantity surveyors.

So, personally, I don't think you'll have much trouble.

In the UK I've been contracted for 40 hours a week.

In reality, it's sort of - you've been contracted for 40 hours a week

but in reality it's probably 50 as a minimum.

-Yeah, I'd say 50.

-Is it the same here?

-Yeah, I'd say 50 hours minimum.

Depending on what size job you're on.

That's not great news.

While Sue checks out work,

Glenn's visiting Browns Bay primary School.

Grace does well at school in the UK, so he's keen to ensure that

New Zealand will offer a good education system.

Hello, Grace. Welcome to our school!

While principal Roger Hartnett's

arranged for Grace to spend some time in a class,

Glenn meets vice principal Jackie Carr

to hear about Kiwi-style education.

They seem to start school a year earlier in the UK,

which means, theoretically, Grace could arrive at this school

having already had an extra year's education.

Regardless of which class they're in

and which area they're working on,

they would be assessed and their next learning steps ascertained,

and they would work on this curriculum continuum.

So, it's not about being in year three

and this is what you do and these are the books you read,

it's about being in the year three and you're at this level

-and you're moving on to whatever comes next.

-OK.

That's exactly what Glenn needs to hear.

A move shouldn't hinder Grace's education.

And after a quick look around,

it seems New Zealand schools also offer additional benefits.

-Guess what I've seen that you would like.

-What?

You have a look. Around that way.

All right, come on, we'll go this way and have a look, shall we?

Every class uses the pool several times a week.

Every child by the end of year six

will be relatively proficient in being able to sail a little yacht.

Look at that!

Back at the construction company,

Sue has scheduled a meeting with managing director Bruno Godecki

for that all-important question.

And what sort of salary could I expect to achieve?

For a senior quantity surveyor, I'd say the starting salary

is around about 95,000, plus car,

and that really goes up to - for a senior QS,

who's managing, say, a 30 or 40 million project,

with, say, two or three QSs reporting to them -

I would say that goes up to about 125,000.

The fact that you haven't worked in New Zealand,

I'd expect that 100-110, plus car, would be about

where I'd expect someone would make you an offer.

So, Sue could initially earn up to 20,000 more than at home.

As the only owner, it's a positive outcome.

But how will it impact on her choice between work in the UK,

or New Zealand?

After a very interesting day learning about the work opportunities,

my vote goes to...

New Zealand.

I feel a little bit better about the salary,

and the possibility of getting a job,

should we decide to make the move to New Zealand.

I think overall it has been a really constructive and useful day.

That should be great news for Glenn.

-KIDS:

-Mummy! Mummy! Mummy!

Hello!

But, reunited with the children, Sue's resolve begins to waver.

-One negative for me was that he said they work 50 hours a week.

-Yeah.

Erm...

-and I think, you know, five 10-hour days...

-Mm.

Potentially that could be... Could be a little bit of a problem.

That impacts on the very reason we're coming out here for.

-Yes, absolutely.

-Time with the kids.

Could the reality of so much time away from the children

be the beginning of the end of the Morses' dream?

I really love my kids, and I feel I don't want to let anyone down, but...

I can't, right now, imagine not being with them.

Sue faces a tough decision.

If Glenn's to spend more time at home,

she'll be seeing less of little Grace and Jack.

And if she can't come to terms with working full-time,

the family's dream future may be hanging in the balance.

Could a day sampling the New Zealand lifestyle

bring her back round?

Glenn and Sue's desire to uproot their young family

is driven by their need for more time together.

At home they love being outdoors as a family,

so today they take the children for a picnic by the beach.

Come on, Jack!

Come on, Jack Morse. Keep up. Quick, run through the water!

No, he's going to get soaking!

Pull your shorts up, mate.

For Sue, it's a chance to reflect on the dilemma she faces.

To look around at this, it's just stunning.

And to imagine that's going to be on your doorstep, erm...

It's really exciting, erm...

but it still doesn't take away from the fact that

it's on my doorstep two days a week,

but it's on Glenn and the kids' doorstep seven days a week.

And Glenn knows their dream of a new life is under threat.

I think she's still slightly apprehensive

that she is going to be working 40 or 50 hours a week,

which takes away from the family,

and away from the house, and away from the enjoyment with the kids.

For Sue, it's difficult balancing the hope of a better life

for her children, with the cost of earning it.

At the end of the day, they're the ones that are important.

Yeah, it's been positive.

I feel a little bit more positive than I did last night.

Because that was quite hard, last night.

I really felt quite emotional last night about the whole thing. Erm...

But a little bit more positive today.

But still can't get over the sadness.

SHE LAUGHS

To be able to come down to the beach,

spend some time like this, whenever you want to, must be fantastic.

JACK SQUEALS

This afternoon has been everything we wanted it to be.

You couldn't wish for better.

Beautiful beach, the sea is amazingly warm.

That's surprised us all, how warm the sea is.

The weather is great,

the kids have had a fantastic time.

It's cost us nothing. Erm...

It's just been absolutely fantastic.

Just exactly what we were looking for in New Zealand.

I think I can guess how Glenn's going to vote,

but having sampled just a little of the lifestyle New Zealand can offer,

what about the rest of the family?

Based on what we've done today, we vote for...

-ALL:

-New Zealand!

Well done, Jack.

With Sue voting for New Zealand,

the Morse family could be a step closer

to starting a new life down under.

But before they commit, they're keen to find out

just how easy it will be to build up a new group of friends.

-Hi.

-Hi!

-Can we join you?

Absolutely. Come and sit down here.

With Glenn potentially becoming a stay-at-home dad,

we've arranged for the whole family to visit a toddler group

for a taste of what his new life could be like.

I see there's a lot of mothers here

-and perhaps only one or two fathers. Is that normal?

-Yeah.

We get a few dads who come in.

And do you have to be a member? Sign up? Or can you just drop in?

-Just drop in.

-Oh, that's brilliant.

-Everyone's welcome.

-Brilliant. That's really good.

Jack's wasting no time getting stuck in,

but is this really something Glenn could consider doing?

I'm sure it'll take some getting used to if we do come out here,

the fact that Sue will be at work all day long

and I will have the kids.

A complete reversal of what we're doing at the moment.

But saying that, if at the end of the day the children are happy

and as a family we're spending more time together,

no matter what else happens,

that is the one reason we're looking to come out to New Zealand.

While Glenn enjoys time with the children,

Sue gets chatting to an expat.

Did you find it was easy to become accepted into these sort of groups,

and made friends easily enough?

In New Zealand so many people come from somewhere else,

people are really open to making new friends.

And certainly, when you've got children,

it's just incredibly easy to talk to other parents.

So it's a really open community.

It looks like making friends could be easier than they think,

and Glenn could be swapping his police car for a pink teacup.

-Stay...

-Go!

The whole family are enjoying what New Zealand could offer,

but their new life down under rests on Sue working full-time.

And if they are to avoid a huge mortgage,

they'll need to get a good price for their property back the UK,

which they think is worth £450,000.

We sent round two estate agents for professional valuations.

This is good, having a separate entrance hall.

Especially in the country.

Excellent-sized dining room.

Amazing views to the surrounding woodland outside.

Bright kitchen, a little bit small for a family house.

A little bit dated.

-It is pretty small and it is...

-Small and dated, yeah.

But it's got a range in it. He's in our dining room.

Excellent conservatory.

Probably my favourite room in the property, so far.

It is a nice room.

-It is nice to sit in there when the sun's shining.

-Look at you two.

A relatively decent-sized master bedroom.

The extension obviously would be a positive to the master bedroom,

especially if they've got plumbing

and considering an en suite/dressing room.

Might have to get that finished.

Yeah, might get have to get the en suite finished.

OK, and got a little boy's room here.

Nice views, exposed stone wall.

-Whose is that?

-My room!

He has got pink curtains, though, hasn't he, still?

This property is in a really superb location.

The upstairs accommodation is slightly limited however,

and in today's market I would value it in the region of £400-£425,000,

and for a quick sale, £375,000.

I would place this property on the market between £415 and £425,000,

for a quick sale I would place it on the market in the region of 400.

Oh-ho-ho-ho!

That's over £50,000 less than Glenn and Sue were expecting,

and could have a substantial effect on their plans.

-375 is just ridiculous.

-Yeah.

It's just... It's just not...

That's not realistic, in any way shape or form.

-Erm...

-But whether it's realistic or not, if that's what we get for it,

then that has a huge impact on what we would like to try and do.

I'm quite shocked really.

Quite shocked.

To see if they can still afford the move,

we prepared a cost of living comparison,

based on calculations they've provided.

Milk... £7.51 difference in the cost of milk.

-That's a huge difference, isn't it?

-Massive.

24 pack of cereal - £1.47 in the UK, £10.56!

And we get through a phenomenal amount of cereal.

Broccoli is cheaper - 41p a kilo.

But I don't like broccoli.

Won't be having any of that, then.

We'll have to live on it, to make the saving.

It looks like the food shop could be a lot more expensive.

That's an extra £272 a month on groceries.

Basing their sums on the second property they viewed,

they'll now have to factor in a mortgage.

-Obviously, that was based on 72.5 rather than 102.5.

-Yep.

So that's going to work out roughly...

We'd be worse off every single month, by £1,451.

That's a lot.

That could mean hopes for the family's future are over.

There's got to be something...

Your salary,

See, it's got my income.

What it hasn't shown is...

my pension.

Because when I retire from the police very shortly,

I will be getting approximately £1,200 per calendar month

here in New Zealand, as well.

And that's not showing, is it?

Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

-Is that showing?

-No. It's not.

So that would make that...

-1,451 into 251.

-251.

Well, that's better!

Phew! With Glenn's pension added in,

the family would actually be able to make the move work.

Based on the cost of living figures we've just gone through,

our vote goes to...

-New Zealand.

-New Zealand.

I was definitely going to vote for the UK.

I was going to vote for the UK until we realised the mistake we'd made.

-Mm.

-We knew we would take a hit.

-Mistake in the right way, though.

We knew we would take a hit, coming to New Zealand, financially

erm, but it's...a hit that I think we can put up with

if we tweak the figures.

Yeah, there's always going to be movement, isn't there?

Yeah, adjust our living costs.

Yeah, we can live with that.

Both Glenn and Sue are worried about leaving,

and taking Grace and Jack away from relatives in the UK.

Before they make their final decision on a move,

the Morses sit down to watch messages from friends and family.

Would you two like to see some pictures and some messages from home?

-From Nanny and Grandad?

-Yeah!

And Laura, and Auntie Nina and Nanny Pauline?

I think it would be lovely.

Hi, everyone. Hope you're having a good time in New Zealand.

Hi, everyone. How are you?

Are you having a nice time?

Hello, Sue and Glenn, Jack and Grace. How are you?

I know that if I was to call on Glenn,

he'd be down to help me straightaway.

And vice versa. I'd do the same for him.

-FATHER:

-He's good boy. He is a good boy.

He is a very, very, hard-working lad.

And devoted to his family.

I've always gotten on well with Sue,

with her being my stepmum. We've always had a very good relationship.

She's always there with a laugh and a smile

and usually a glass of wine, as well.

If I just need someone to talk to,

and sometimes you talk to the children and...

it lifts you.

It gives you that feeling that...

you've really got a purpose in life.

Grace is a very, very caring little girl.

If our Jack develops a sense of rugby,

don't let them play for New Zealand.

Bring him back home, we need him.

Jack is his own little character.

He can be very stubborn if he doesn't want to do something.

There's no way you can do it unless you bribe him with some chocolate.

I will miss you a lot when you go.

Especially little Grace, I have to say.

But do have a brilliant time, if you do decide to go out there.

And don't worry at all about us, we will be absolutely fine.

When you think that both he and Sue

and the children are going to the other side of the world,

and keeping in mind my age,

it could be the last time I see them.

It's a heck of a wrench.

It really is.

Whatever you decide, we will always, always be here for you.

Love you all.

I think your Dad saying that...it could be the last time they see us...

That's quite harsh, because, erm...

That's sort of taking them away from the kids,

and the kids away from them.

And Laura.

Laura and Grace is such a special thing, isn't it?

Sorry, Grace.

Watching messages from back home

has been a painful reminder of what the family would be leaving behind.

Combined with Sue's concerns about spending so much time

away from Grace and Jack,

could the Morses' dream of a new family life in New Zealand be over?

The family are about to decide, once and for all, where they are

about to spend a future, and the consequences are not lost on Glenn.

It comes down to make-your-mind-up time,

and this is really no longer a pipe dream.

We're talking about shall we/shan't we, could we/can't we.

This is it.

We now need to make up our minds - are we coming out, or are we not?

It's the biggest decision we will ever make in our lives.

Without a doubt.

And we've got to get it right.

I'm pretty sure Glenn's going to vote New Zealand,

because I think Glenn looks at things from a practical

rather than an emotional point of view.

I was hoping that I would be very clear by now, erm...

..with how I felt about things,

and I voted New Zealand without exception, so far.

For everything.

Erm...

And that almost makes it contradictory,

but I still do feel in turmoil about the final,

the actual final vote.

For Glenn, moving to New Zealand seemed like the only way

to get more quality time with the children.

After this week, which has been very intense,

and has answered a lot of questions for us,

it's given us the very thing that we're looking for.

Quality time with their kids.

Something that we cannot achieve in the UK.

I think it's quite feasible and quite achievable here in New Zealand.

But it's a much harder decision for Sue,

who's had to face the reality of what life would be like

as the family's only earner.

The decision literally has been...

..the last half an hour.

And that is...as true as I'm sat here now.

The decision I'm going to make -

I almost feel it rests with us -

is fine.

So, for better or worse, it's time for the family to choose

between a future in New Zealand or the UK.

We have had an absolutely amazing week this week.

It's been full of lots of highs and lows

and been incredibly emotional,

and at times quite difficult.

But based on everything that we have seen and done, we vote for...

ALL: New Zealand.

GRACE LAUGHS

That's not New Zealand, you Wally!

Did you... You voted New Zealand?

-Yeah. And, Grace, New Zealand?

-Yeah.

-Do you think you'll be happy to live here?

-Why, Grace?

Because I just thought it would be a better place.

With four votes for New Zealand,

it seems the Morses have made up their mind.

-All right?

-Yeah.

-Good girl.

Wait for us! Wait for us!

After a week of soul-searching,

Glenn and Sue have finally decided they can give their young family

a better future in New Zealand.

Hopefully, their new roles will mean more time together as a family,

making their frantic UK lifestyle a thing of the past.

We wish them all the very best.