New Zealand??

Hi

Anyone live or have lived in NZ? I have an opportunity to go and work in Christchurch and was wondering if anyone has any advice about emigrating or NZ or both? Do I need to ensure that I keep contributing to the NHS in the UK so that when I come back I will still be entitled to treatment etc? How do I find out whether they will stock the same medication? I'm sure I will have loads of other questions to ask but at the moment I am just too excited!!

(BTW I have APS and Lupus SLE and a few other small auto-immune things and a 9 year old (and very healthy - touch wood, fingers crossed etc) kidney transplant... other than that I am 32, very active, work full time etc so no issues with getting about etc - oh and I'm taking the dogs if it all comes off!!! EXCITING TIMES)

Hope you are all well and happy

Tx xxx

[Wenz15]

Yay exciting times ahead for you!! hope it all works out.

I'm in NZ, Nelson which is about a 5 hour drive north of Christchurch. Christchurch is a beautiful city, you will enjoy it there.

I also have APS and Lupus Anticoagulation. I hope you get the answers you are looking for. Sorry I can't help you on that ... but I'm thinking you should be able to get the same meds here.

Good luck with the move

Wendy

[stillwaiting]

Sorry I know nothing re nz but I just wanted to say thank you.

I have dithered all morning re a temporary job opportunity - my dream job, up the road, 20 hours a week for 6 weeks. Then I come on here, read your blog and say to myself "look what Tasch is doing, just go for the job - it's nothing in comparison!!" So thank you - you have inspired me

Lynn.x.

[Hidden in reply to stillwaiting]

Wow - what a message - thank you so much....

Good luck with the job - what is it? so exciting that it's your dream job though!! You should always go for your dreams, and if it isn't what you expected make new dreams!!

thank you so much for your kind words, I am chuffed to bits...

Thanks

Tx

[Tiggercat]

Tasch, are you looking at moving here permanently? If so, you should check up with the NZ High Commission as to whether you can.

As you have a life time illness, there may be restrictions on you coming to NZ.

Unfortunately there are rules on Health Care in NZ because we pay for it out of our taxes and you may have to pay for any APS/Lupus/Kidney related issues youself. I would suggest getting an "official" answer in writing before you make any serious plans. The same would go for moving to Australia.

It's a great place to live if you can do it.

[Hidden in reply to Tiggercat]

thanks for that - I will look into it...

I would be moving probably on a work visa and the contract they are discussing is 2 years at the moment, although as it is rebuilding Christchurch the scheme will run much longer...

I'll keep my fingers crossed! I get so frustrated when these illness thing that are none of our fault can potentially stop you from doing "normal" stuff.... I'll find a way!

Tx