Willow, Kim, Ed and Elijah made the leap to New Zealand for a better life (Image: undefined)
A couple who relocated to New Zealand seeking a ‘better future’ for their children say they will never return to Britain. Ed Porter, 35, and his wife Kim, 34, were living in Henley-on-Thames, South Oxfordshire, when they booked a family holiday to Center Parcs in 2024 and were shocked by the £1,200 cost.
This prompted them to question how much more expensive life in Britain would become for their children, Elijah, 12, and Willow, seven, particularly when it came to purchasing property. The parents subsequently decided to move the family to a remote New Zealand village for a scenic rural lifestyle, enhanced financial prospects and greater stability for Elijah and Willow. They completed their £30,000 move to Warkworth on North Island in June after a year of planning – and now Ed and Kim say they cannot imagine ever returning to Britain, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The house the family are renting – they have plans to secure a small /latest/new-zealand (Image: SWNS)
The family now enjoys an “idyllic” existence in a five-bedroom coastal property costing £1,600 monthly to rent – claiming the equivalent in Britain would cost approximately £2 million to purchase.
Their new residence enables them to “live their dream” whilst securing a brighter future for their offspring.
Ed and Kim said they cherish the “positive” community spirit, the welcoming and courteous nature of their Kiwi neighbours, the magnificent weather and stunning landscapes.
Whilst they admit they “miss a Tesco shop”, the pair insist New Zealand is their home for good – and even boasts a ‘thriving pub scene’ that can rival Britain’s – with premium pints costing under £3.
“We started thinking about the future of our children in terms of having their own independence with buying properties in the future,” Ed, who works in property, explained.
“We initially considered a move to the States but that has its fair share of problems too, and we settled on here. The move was very nerve wracking and an emotional rollercoaster – but we love it.
“We’re blown away by how welcoming everyone has been, and we can already see ourselves growing old here.”
He continued: “You’re never more than ten minutes from one of the beaches – which have crystal clear turquoise seas and white sands.
“Plus pints are £2 something and the the pies alone are worth moving for. It’s a slice of paradise.”
Kim on the beach in their new home of Warkworth (Image: SWNS)
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Prior to departing the UK, Ed and Kim’s independent coffee shop was facing challenges. They determined that investigating an overseas move could improve the family’s financial situation whilst offering them a different lifestyle.
After settling on New Zealand, they began the process – filing applications for £600-per-person visas, £195-per-person health checks and £100-per-person document verifications. They also managed to secure a rental property and hired a £12,500 shipping container to transport all their furniture and belongings on an 11,500-mile journey to their new home.
After closing their coffee shop, both Ed and Kim embarked on building new careers – Ed ventured into property while Kim pursued a self-taught role in website development and data entry.
Having spent a month living in an empty house after their belongings were collected for shipping, the excited yet nervous family boarded their £830-per-person flight on 26 June and said their final goodbyes to Henley-on-Thames.
“We didn’t even go for a trip there to visit before we moved. We just had a gut feeling it was where we needed to be,” Ed revealed.
New Zealand offered the family a life in the sun (Image: SWNS)
“The first two weeks were a roller coaster – we kept thinking one day how amazing it was, and the next we’d be questioning if we made the right decision.
“But once the kids came home from their first day at school and told us they loved it, we finally gave a sigh of relief.”
Ed praised the “welcoming, helpful and kind” local community – along with the “positive” outlook that New Zealanders possess.
“The kids walk themselves down the lane, and get the bus to school and back,” Ed shared.
“Other British expats here have compared it to England in the 1970s.
“The kids cycle home and throw their bikes down without locking them up, doors are left on the latch, neighbours share food – people have time for each other. It’s just this amazing rural community.”
Mum Kim with kids Elijah and Willow (Image: SWNS)
Some aspects of New Zealand life were a surprise – including the Kiwis’ “dark humour” and fondness for wandering around barefoot, even in supermarkets.
Pub culture is very much alive in New Zealand too, with Ed’s local community all heading out for pizza and beers together.
He revealed that the most expensive pint at his local costs “£2-something”, a third of what he used to pay in Henley-on-Thames.
“Everyone loves a drink here and it wasn’t hard to find a decent English cider either,” Ed commented.
The couple currently reside in a five-bedroom rental property overlooking the seafront, but have aspirations to purchase land in the future.
The £30k move to New Zealand was to give kids Elijah and Willow a better life (Image: Edward Porter / SWNS)
They are on the hunt for a smallholding – a building surrounded by land – where they plan to construct two additional houses for their children, Elijah and Willow.
“I can’t see us coming back – we can see ourselves growing old here,” Ed confessed.
“If our kids want to travel, back to the UK or Europe or America, they can do – and they’ll have this safe HQ back in New Zealand. We’re not wealthy, we just had a dream and we did it.
“It took us 12 months – nothing happens overnight.
“But we paid around £30k – less than some people pay for a car – to buy a decent future for our children.”
