Hi Masonchard, there are a lot of diffrerent experiences and situations. All I can say is that we are HAPPY in NZ, our children love it too and they are progressing very well at school. They swim daily through the summer at the school pool and the playgrounds are adventure playgrounds (not just tarmac!) They have a lot more freedom than they ever did in the UK and as a family we have settled in well, made a lot of friends and have no intentions of returning to the UK. My point is.... it's not all bad!