From China to New Zealand - Part II.

After Dóri and her partner, áron, successfully overcame the challenges of the first few months, a new chapter began for them in their New Zealand adventure. In this article, we’ll explore how they adapted to the local environment, built new friendships, took steps towards realising their dreams, and offer advice for those preparing for life abroad.

How did your son handle the move?

Dóri: We had moved within China, too, so he already had experience. In China, he attended an international school where teaching was in English, so the language wasn’t an issue here. Currently, he attends a public school, and the learning is similar and project-based, just like in the international school in China. There’s no fixed timetable; the teacher writes down the day’s lessons. The school year is divided into four terms, and each quarter, they focus on one theme, which ties together most subjects. For example, they recently studied New Zealand’s history and are now focusing on solar energy. Science, history, and art classes are interconnected. We heard from several people that the educational demands here in New Zealand aren’t very high, or at least lower than in Hungary, and that "kids just play," but that’s not our experience, at least not in this school. In China, we, as parents, often had to help with school projects, but here, we mainly assisted with math and spelling. Fortunately, our son has enjoyed school both here and there. What he prefers here, though, is that there are more kids and it’s easier to make friends. In his Chinese school, many Korean students often spoke Korean among themselves, but here, everyone uses English, which makes it easier to socialise.

How many Hungarian friends do you have?

Dóri: We only stay in touch with a few families. We attended a Hungarian event once and plan to attend the Hungarian school. There’s a Hungarian family in our neighbourhood that Zsuzsi connected us with, and we reached out to them earlier. They helped us a lot, even recommending the school. We talk daily and meet up often. It’s nice because our son can speak Hungarian with them, not just with us.

How is your son doing with his mother tongue, the Hungarian language?

Dóri: At home, we only speak Hungarian, so he speaks it very well. We don’t worry about him forgetting the language. He also talks to his grandparents a lot on Skype.

What is life like in New Zealand? What do you like most about it?

Dóri: I love the kindness, helpfulness, and laid-back attitude of the people here. Of course, people in China were also kind, but sometimes we didn’t fully understand what they meant. Here, we don’t have that problem, and it’s much easier to strike up conversations with people.

What do you like the least? Is there anything you dislike?

Dóri: So far, there isn’t much I’d complain about. Maybe just that I haven’t had any luck with the job search yet. I’ve had to get used to the slower pace of things here. It would be nice to resolve that because saving money on just one salary is not easy. Life here isn’t cheap, and it’s more secure to have two stable incomes in a family.

Prices

We knew that New Zealand was very expensive, but it’s different when you actually face it. Everything is expensive here, especially compared to Hungary or even China. In China, food, utilities, and services were all very cheap, and you get used to that over six years.

Public Transport

Another thing that shocked us was the underdeveloped public transport. We are used to a great metro network in China where you can get anywhere quickly. Budapest also has excellent public transportation. Here, however, it’s impossible to manage without a car. Because of this, there are a lot of traffic jams, as several people warned us. Luckily, the buses can take you to many places in Auckland, so it’s not too bad, but it’s far from ideal.

What advice would you give other Hungarian families planning a similar move?

Dóri: Research the local culture and history. Be aware of the traditions to understand why people are the way they are. This is even more true for Asian countries. Still, for example, in New Zealand, it’s also important to know the history to understand the differences or even tensions between the Māori and the Pākehā (European-descended New Zealanders). Many people like this country. The fact that it’s beautiful is one thing, but it’s worth getting to know the place in depth and connecting with families who’ve been living here for several years. They can share valuable experiences, for example, regarding the education system or buying a house.

Since buying a house came up, what are your long-term goals?

áron: At first, Australia was the goal, and of course, there’s a more vibrant cultural scene there, but I’ve grown to love Auckland. I like it better than Melbourne. More natural beauty is around, so we’re not planning to move elsewhere for now.

Dóri: Since COVID-19, we’ve realised that everything is very unpredictable, and you can only plan for a certain period of time. So far, we’ve really enjoyed this peaceful life here in Kiwi land. If I can find a job and we settle more securely, we might consider buying a house.

Dóri and áron’s journey to New Zealand highlights the resilience and optimism needed to start a new life abroad. While adjusting to a slower pace, higher living costs, and being far from family has been challenging; they’ve found joy in the kindness of the locals, their son’s thriving school experience, and the beauty of their new surroundings. By blending Hungarian traditions with Kiwi culture, they’ve created a meaningful balance between their past and present. For those planning a similar move, Dóri emphasises the importance of research, connecting with others, and embracing new experiences with an open mind. As they settle further, their focus remains on building a stable, fulfilling future in a land they’ve grown to love.

Are you thinking of starting a new chapter in New Zealand or Australia? Let us help guide you through the process so you can focus on what matters most—building a life you love. Contact us at Tasman Visa today!

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