The accidental migrant

I remember sitting outside a Napier cafe on a lovely sunny day and saying to myself 'I could live here without too much difficulty'

While many Brits make a determined decision to emigrate to New Zealand, some live happily in the Land of the Ring by happen stance. So what string of accidents can make a curious arrival stay for the long term?

Daniel Farley hasn't lived in the UK since 1996. His qualifications and experience in the oil and gas industry have led him to many countries around the globe, including four years in the Middle East, and he met his wife while working on a project in Indonesia.

But when the couple came to New Zealand in December 1999, they had no ambitions to stay whatsoever.

Yet there had been an inkling of what might follow: "I'd been here about a year before and I remember sitting outside a Napier cafe on a lovely sunny day and saying to myself 'I could live here without too much difficulty'. But I didn't pay attention to that and tucked it away subconsciously," Daniel explains.

However Daniel's wife applied to do a Masters degree at Massey University, since New Zealand seemed an ideal place for study. "The cost of living wasn't too bad, and I could take some time out," he says. And for fun, he found himself also enrolled, for a Classics and Philosophy degree.

"At the time, I suppose, my intention was to go back to the Middle East and continue my career," he says.

New Arrival
Yet is was never to be. The couple moved from Palmerston North to Wellington and had a baby, and Daniel explains how at that point "the decision about being a home husband started to evolve."

"I never really considered uprooting and permanently living somewhere else, and I think our decision to emigrate to NZ was one that came about by accident really. It was not our original intention, but that said it became more and more of an attractive proposition," he adds.

All this took place some six years ago, and Daniel is now a permanent resident, busy with his now two children, working part time and supporting his wife's career.

Permanent Residents
The couple found the immigration process, based on points, to be fair and equitable, but Daniel wonders if the Immigration Department's changes to a discretionary 'Expression of Interest' system is making the whole process more uncertain, difficult and more likely to be subverted.

His thoughts are supported by the recent revelations of nepotism and systematic incompetence at all levels of the New Zealand immigration service, and certain requirements for new immigrants seem uneccessarily harsh.

"They've now made the criteria for English language proficiency so high that 40% of native born New Zealanders wouldn't actually make it," he says. "It's what most countries require for post-graduate degrees."

Yet these details and the legendary Kiwi inability to laugh at themselves are the few criticisms he has of life in New Zealand. Yet he doesn't agree with a recent NZ Herald proclamation that Brits think the country is paradise on Earth.

Nearly Paradise
"Your quality of life here, beyond pure economics, is probably, on balance, better than you can expect to get in the UK; in terms of population density, choices of where to live and stuff like that. And also education is pretty good."

On the other hand, he says, the pace of life is slower, like the UK in the early sixties or even late fifties. (Daniel is 60 so has experience in this respect) "I'm very comfortable living here, but you don't come here to make a fortune! It's a life style choice."

The amenities they put on, particular kid's parks and things like that are very good. And then of course they are less vandalised.

And he can't help but be impressed by Kiwis' attitude and generosity of spirit. While this doesn't necessarily extend to being lavish with their cash, they will always help out an acquaintance or neighbour, lend you furniture, or let you borrow a trailer for a pick up.

"They're always willing to do things without any kind of favour or recompense in turn. I've always thought people want do the right thing here," he says. "I'm not suggesting there's any great moral imperative, but people don't park on yellow lines generally or obstruct entrance ways.

He also sings the praises of the local councils comparing them to the expensive, do-nothing councils in the UK. "The amenities they put on, particular kid's parks and things like that are very good. And then of course they are less vandalised," he says.

So now, after arriving with no intention of staying, Daniel and the family have no intention of leaving."This is home," he says.

Comments

[Domestic Executive]

Nice story - I liked the notion of an accidental migrant. It sounds so much more romantic than something planned!

[Avalon]

I agree - what a lovely story. I also actually had no intention of leaving the UK, but in my case I was only here a few days when I uttered the words "You know - this would be a really nice place to live".

I still cant always quite beleive that I really did it :)

[Alan]

Having had no specific 'cunning plan' to emigrate - once Avalon saidbthose words the whole 'i could live here' conversation just didn't stop. :)
On that trip we met quite a few Brits who came on their OE trip or long holiday, fell into a job and just never felt like leaving.

[home builders]

I like how playful the plot is. It is definitely unexpected and original.