Kia ora New Zealand

A year ago we made the decision to move to New Zealand. Unlike some expats, we were not running away from anything. We loved Canada but we just wanted to try something different. It has been an amazing experience.

I love Wellington! I love having a mountain in my backyard and the amazing force of the wind that blows at the top. I love that the ocean is a few minutes drive away. I love watching the ferries, huge cargo ships, yachts, sail boats and wind surfers from my window at work. I love the outdoor active lifestyle...tramping, running, swimming, surfing, kayaking...

I love how, even in the depth of winter, it only gets to 3C...at night. I love heating my house with a wood burner.

I love...really, really love...Maori culture and that the kids learn kapa haka at school. I love that Julia now speaks Kiwi English and Canadian English. I love that Ethan now says Septemba', Octoba', Novemba' and Decemba'. I love that Noah will perform a Haka at least once a day. I love that I can now describe myself as Pakeha.

I love watching rubgy at the pub and feeling pride in the mighty All Blacks.

I love taking the train to work.

I love going for a beer with my mates after work. I love that people are so nice here and that we have made some excellent friends and developed an excellent social network.

I love learning about the Pacific and that I now know there is a country called Nuie. I love that New Zealand has begun recruiting bus drivers from Tonga.

I love seeing seals, kiwis, hedgehogs, wetas and all the other fabulous New Zealand fauna. I love the ferns, the palm trees, kiwifruit, the pohutukawa and all the other fabulous New Zealand flora. I love working in biosecurity to protect this amazing biodiversity.

This has been an awesome experience and something that I will always treasure...but it is time to go home. Home to family and friends. Home to Canada!

Kia Ora!