Ben Wright's move resulted in a better lifestyle - and a more interesting job

Ben Wright shifted from the UK to New Zealand for a better quality of life – and got a new professional challenge as a bonus.

"I put an ad for myself in the New Zealand Chemical Engineers’ Society newsletter and an employer contacted me. He offered me a position – I got pretty much thrown in the deep end! After a week I was at Paihiatua, running a project.

"Coming here, multi-million dollar projects are generally run by a small team and you’re pretty much responsible for everything. In the UK you are put in a little box as a chemical engineer; you size pipework, you size valves and you size pumps."

Although Ben had worked as a national sales manager with a car supplied, his family wasn’t able to get ahead in England. "It was ridiculously expensive. I couldn’t afford to buy a house.

"We also felt our child would have a better future here. So far I’m happy with the New Zealand education system. Children in England are taught to pass exams, not taught a subject as such."

Ben’s financial position is much better here – and he’s noticed people in New Zealand tend to be more creative about money-making schemes for the future.

"In England you start work, you pay into a pension and work until you’re 65. You live for another 10 years and that’s your lot. A lot of people here have something going on the side – rental properties, as I do, or they have a farm or a stake in a business or commercial property."

Ben says his only regret about moving to New Zealand is not being able to see friends and family more often, but he can’t imagine going back permanently.

"I went back to England at Christmas and it really struck me how claustrophobic it was, how awful the weather was – and how stressful it was with so many cars around. Even walking was stressful because there were so many people!"

Ben comments that his country home in the Waikato seems worlds away from this. "I live right out in the middle of nowhere now. I never ever ever would have seen myself living somewhere like that, but I wouldn’t change it for anything, it’s fantastic. It’s so peaceful and quiet and if you want to turn your stereo to the max you can!"