An Aussie Girl Meets Aotearoa

This is the second time I have lived in New Zealand, but I still refer to my time here as a ‘brush with paradise’. I just can’t get enough of this country and its beauty. It never seems like I am here long enough to fulfill the need for its breathtaking views and fresh air. 

In 2005 my family and I left the motherland of Australia for a year and made the trip over the ‘ditch’ – as my Kiwi cousins would say – to live in this paradise.  At the time I was a little apprehensive –  I wanted to know why Australia had such a pull on the people from here. Why would it compel them to leave their homeland in droves for a so called, ‘better life’ in Australia. Surely it wasn’t that bad here? Was it?

Now, after 6 years, and two tours here, I am still non the wiser as to why anyone would want to leave this country and go anywhere else in the world (Forgive me if I sound like I am speaking ill of my own homeland. Far from it. Australia is my home and will be forever. It is unique in its own way and has its own beauties). I am a fierce patriot, but I believe that New Zealand is closer to heaven on earth than anywhere else on this planet.

This blog is an attempt to capture that feeling as best I can. Six years ago I arrived on these shores and, who was to know the kind of affect it would have on my family and I?After only experiencing one year here the first time we are now back and I think it is high time I chronicle my experiences. Not only to extoll its beauties, but also to record our progress as a family and individuals, while we enter a new phase of our lives.

Share in some thoughts, feelings and images of this country and our life here over the next three years.