Most people who dream of moving to New Zealand from the UK spend years planning. They research for months. They save for ages. They wait for the “right time.”
Mark Kirker did it in four months.
He and his wife, Kelly, decided to emigrate on the 2nd of May, 2025. They set off for New Zealand on the 24th of September. In between, they sold their house, secured two jobs, got visas approved, found childcare, and said goodbye to everything they knew.
And here’s the most surprising part: neither of them had ever had any burning desire to visit New Zealand. Not even for a holiday.
So why did they go? And how did they do it so fast?
This is Mark’s story—a story of speed, faith, and the kind of mindset that turns a wild idea into a reality.
For anyone living in New Zealand or dreaming of it, his journey is proof that sometimes you just have to leap.
If you’ve been wondering is New Zealand a nice place to live , Mark’s answer is an unequivocal yes. And if you’re worried about the downsides of moving to New Zealand, he’s honest about that too.
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Who’s Brit, Mark, and Why is He Moving to NZ From The UK?
Mark is from Burnley, Lancashire. He’s married to Kelly, and they have a three-year-old son called Spencer.
Before the move, Mark co-founded a commercial insurance firm over 10 years ago. He was working upwards of 20 hours a day—finishing at 2 am, starting again at 6 am.
“It was a firm that I co-founded,” Mark says. “But things haven’t been great at work.”
Kelly was also unhappy in her job. The family had already put their house on the market—but only to move three miles down the road. They wanted to leave Burnley for somewhere like Rawtenstall or Haslingden.
Then they went out for a meal in Manchester. And everything changed.
Why Did They Choose New Zealand?
The decision happened over dinner.
Mark and Kelly sat down and admitted they were both unhappy. Mark suggested looking overseas. Kelly asked if he was serious.
“She literally started rattling through the list,” Mark says. “Costa Rica. I said no, no, no. I’ve just about grasped English. Please don’t let me start learning Spanish.”
Then Australia came up. Mark pointed out that he was 47, and Australia’s age cut-off is 45.
“So leave it with me,” he said.
That was the 2nd of May. On the 6th of May, Kelly sent him a copy of a pilot script set in Auckland.
“New Zealand, Auckland. Is it good? Shall we do it?” Mark says. “And I just said, let’s go for it.”
Neither of them had ever been to New Zealand. Neither of them had ever dreamed of going.
“But it stacks up,” Mark says. “Loads of nature. English speaking. Why not go for it?”
If you’re wondering why move to New Zealand , Mark’s reasons were simple: safety, nature, and a better life for Spencer.
What Was Wrong with the UK?
Mark is honest about why they left.
“There was a multitude of reasons,” he says. “The biggest concern was Spencer.”
They worried about knife crime. They worried about the weather. They worried about the lack of things to do.
“We used to go to a nature club on Saturday. That was a highlight of the week,” Mark says. “But beyond that, you go into a play centre, a ball pit, and you pay for an hour and a half. Then what?”
Mark had always wanted to live near the sea. In the UK, that meant either bankrupting himself in Devon or moving to Blackpool.
“I’d be downgrading from Burnley if I did that,” he jokes.
For those considering the same leap, our guide on mistakes in New Zealand can help you avoid common pitfalls.
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The Family Dynamic: A Car Analogy
Mark has a beautiful way of describing how his family works.
“We’re like a car,” he says. “Kelly is the accelerator. She will designate the speed we travel anywhere. I’m the fuel—the resources that allow us to make the travel, be it money or whatever it might be. And we both take turns in steering. Spencer is the stereo. He dictates the noise.”
With Kelly eager and Mark eager, they just went for it.
Moving to NZ Timeline: Four Months from Decision to Arrival
Here’s how quickly it happened.
2nd May: Decided to emigrate (didn’t even know where yet).
6th May: Decided on New Zealand.
15th May: Joined NZ Ahead.
28th May: Kelly had a job interview.
31st May: Kelly got the job—with a full relocation package.
10th June: Mark met with a recruitment firm.
30th June: Mark’s first interview.
1st July: Mark’s second interview.
2nd July: Mark got the job.
24th September: The family set off for New Zealand.
10th October: Arrived in Auckland.
That’s four months from decision to departure. Mark is the quickest person we’ve ever seen do this.
For those navigating the process, our guide on how to relocate to New Zealand covers the essentials.
What Visa Did They Come On?
Kelly came on an accredited employer work visa. Mark and Spencer were supposed to come as visitors and then switch.
But the visa process wasn’t smooth.
“We didn’t anticipate how long it takes to check qualifications,” Mark says. “Kelly has 30. I’ve got one.”
The plan was to switch to Mark’s accredited work visa. But that required a New Zealand qualification Mark didn’t have yet.
So they stuck with Kelly’s visa.
“It came through whilst we were on holiday in Thailand,” Mark says. “Kelly got fast-tracked, but they said they weren’t fast-tracking me and Spencer. We had to go through as visitors.”
That meant arriving in New Zealand with no visa and a lot of anxiety.
“We were petrified going through controls,” Mark says. “We had beagles all over the bags. We were supposed to have return tickets, but we’d read on the group that not many people had been asked. So we just winged it.”
If you’re concerned about your visa pathway, our guides on new Zealand work visas and New Zealand Age waiver visa can help.
And if you’ve experienced a nz visa denied , don’t give up—there are always options.
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The Moment It All Came Through
Mark was at work when the news came.
“I’d been in New Zealand about 10 or 11 days,” he says. “They called me into Swash’s, a pub around the corner. I was petrified because I hadn’t been medically assessed.”
He told his colleague about the wait times—four to six weeks for a medical assessor, then another four to six weeks for approval.
“And then I got the email saying I’d been assigned a medical assessor,” Mark says. “Within an hour, I passed my medical assessment. Half an hour later, my visa was granted. A minute after that, Spencer’s came through.”
He was sitting with his colleague, Jason, who is now adamant he’s Mark’s lucky charm.
Kelly messaged him: “Have you seen?”
Mark said yes. She said, “I’m on my way.”
They went to the harbour and had drinks.
“It was just like, wow,” Mark says.
The Hardest Part: Kelly’s Struggles
The move wasn’t easy for Kelly.
She’d taken a stressful team lead role—managing 20 people when most in the company managed three or four. She’d moved to the other side of the world at record speed. And she was struggling to leave the house, never mind go to work.
“She made that sacrifice so we could start the transition,” Mark says.
But her workplace stood by her. They changed her role, changed her hours, and accommodated her.
“On New Year’s Eve 2025, we got our second lot of visas,” Mark says. “And Kelly’s workplace totally accommodated her. It’s night and day from how Kelly was when we first got here to Kelly now.”
Now Kelly is social. She plays pickleball. She does yoga. She’s doing NZ Toastmasters—public speaking—which Mark says she’d never have done in the UK.
“She’s out kayaking. She’s out with friends from work,” Mark says. “It’s really, really good to see.”
For those who might struggle with the transition, our guide on new Zealand partner visa explains how partners are supported.
What Does British Mark Love About New Zealand?
“I love it,” Mark says. “There’s so many things.”
For kids, it’s unbelievable. Most activities are free.
“I was throwing money at people,” Mark laughs. “They looked at me like I was insane. Take your shoes off and go on. Why are you giving me money?”
He loves the birds. He loves the food. He loves the coffee—especially the flat white and Whittaker’s chocolate.
“The weather’s great,” he says. “They all apologised to me. ‘I’m so sorry you’ve had a bad summer.’ What are you talking about? This is the best summer I’ve ever had.”
He loves the diversity. “A lot of South Africans, Brits, Chinese, Koreans. Everyone from all walks of life. You’re not going to stand out as anything special just because you’ve emigrated.”
And he loves the people.
“They never complain about immigrants. They’re all really welcoming. That’s another reason why we left the UK—there was getting quite a lot of racial tension. I can’t be bothered with any sort of racism.”
For those exploring where to settle, our guide on cities in New Zealand can help.
And if you’re choosing between islands, our guide on new Zealand south island or north island is essential reading.
The Type 1 Diabetic Story
Mark is a type 1 diabetic. He was worried about getting his medication in New Zealand.
“All the information I got was from Adam, another member of our wonderful private Slack community” Mark says. “I asked him a couple of questions, and he sent me chapter and verse on every step, on what to do. That information is not available on the internet.”
Adam is a member of our NZ Ahead Moving to New Zealand Slack community. He’s also a type 1 diabetic who moved to New Zealand.
“He doesn’t realise the comfort that he gave me,” Mark says. “As a type 1 diabetic, you’re never going to get cured. Without the right medication, you’ll die.”
Mark couldn’t get his usual insulin pump, but everything else has been fine. He’s on a waiting list for a different pump. And the support has been better than in the UK.
“The support I’ve received here is better by a significant distance,” he says.
For those with health concerns, our guide on health requirements for a NZ visa covers the medical assessment process.
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The Life Lesson on the Bridge
There was a moment when Mark was having a wobble. He was sitting in traffic on the bridge coming into the CBD.
“I was stewing away,” he says. “And then I looked to my right. Gorgeous harbour. I looked to my left. Gorgeous harbour and a little island.”
He realised something.
“This needs to be a life lesson, Mark. Don’t concentrate on all the problems that might be facing you ages away. And don’t be looking behind. Just look where you’re at.”
That’s when his mindset shifted.
For those planning a visit before moving, our guide on new Zealand in November can help you choose the best time to go.
Mark’s Advice for Anyone Moving to New Zealand from the UK
Mark’s advice is simple.
“Don’t emphasise on too much of a plan, because it won’t go to plan,” he says. “There were so many things we had to chop and change. But the important thing is mindset.”
He points out that if he can do it—at his age, with his health conditions, with that little planning—anybody can.
“Switch the mindset to: it’s gonna happen. I’m locked. I’m shutting down the UK, and I’m moving to New Zealand, and that’s it.”
He also has advice for anyone thinking of leaving New Zealand.
“I feel upset on New Zealand’s behalf,” he says. “People say, ‘I’m done with New Zealand now. I’m going to Australia, I’m going to Canada.’ This should be like a marriage. In sickness and in health. You can’t just take all the good bits and then as soon as you find someone better, you’re off.”
He says you have to become a Kiwi.
“You can’t just be banging on about what’s different or better in your country. If you don’t like it…”
He trails off. The implication is clear.
For those considering a return, our guide on returning to New Zealand covers that journey.
The Biggest Boost of Confidence
Mark credits one moment with giving him the courage to go through with it.
“I was sitting, and you were doing the monthly Live Zoom meetup that we do every month with all the members as part of the NZ Slack community,” he says. “And I would just say, ‘Fingers crossed, this will work.’ And you said with absolute certainty, ‘No, it’s gonna happen. No, I’m telling you now, Mark, it’s gonna happen.'”
Mark says: “If Liz has said it, that’ll do for me.”
That’s the power of community. That’s why we do what we do.
For those who have left and returned, our guide on why people leave New Zealand offers more perspective. And for those considering a move between cities, our guide on swapping Taranaki New Zealand for Auckland shares one family’s experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to move to New Zealand from the UK?
A: It varies. Mark did it in four months, but most people take longer. The visa process can take six weeks to six months.
Q: Do I need a job offer to move to New Zealand?
A: It depends on your visa pathway. Mark and Kelly both secured jobs before they moved.
Q: Can I move to New Zealand without visiting first?
A: Yes. Mark and Kelly had never been to New Zealand before they moved.
Q: What about healthcare for type 1 diabetics?
A: Mark found the support in New Zealand better than the UK. He couldn’t get his usual pump but everything else was fine.
Q: Is it hard to settle in?
A: The first few months can be challenging. Mark’s wife Kelly struggled initially but now thrives.
Q: What’s the best advice for someone considering the move?
A: Mark says: “Switch the mindset to it’s gonna happen. Don’t emphasise on too much of a plan, because it won’t go to plan.”
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Mark’s Experience |
|---|---|
| Speed | Four months from decision to departure |
| Jobs | Both were secured before the move |
| Visa | Accredited employer work visa (Kelly’s) |
| Hardest part | Kelly’s adjustment to a stressful role |
| Best part | Free activities for kids, welcoming people, coffee |
| Advice | Mindset is everything |
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If Mark can do it, so can you. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Your next steps:
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Head over to nzahead.com/free for our free 5-day video guide on life in New Zealand.
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On day 5, you will be given details on how you too can join our private NZ Ahead community on Slack for support from people on the same journey.
As Mark says, “I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.”
Kia kaha. Stay strong. Stay true. Be brave—because brave is unbeatable.
