Hi there!
We moved out here in December 2008 and our kids were then 10 and 7. I would say if kids are getting older, say aged 12 or upwards, they are going to find it harder to settle than kids who are younger and will miss their old mates etc.
I would recommend that everybody comes out to see NZ for themselves .... I hear horror stories of people who come out without seeing it (I mean, would you move town in UK without seeing it??).
Van Boy, ask away any questions you have and I will gladly answer them for you.
What job are you hoping to get?
You have any idea where you would like to settle in NZ, North or South Island?
We live in Paraparaumu (known as Pom-a-pom-a-umu - ha ha!) and the weather is very mild here!
I would not recommend Wellington myself .... too flipping windy!
Cheers, Linda.