Testimonials
March 2010
Even though we'd already signed up with Mike and Alex at BritsNZ to help with our migration to New Zealand, we'd never actually visited NZ before, so we planned a 3 week tour of the North Island in Feb/Mar 2010.
Whilst we were aware of the post-migration support network that BritsNZ offered through their packages, we thought it would be useful for us to try and meet up with some couples/families on our way 'round to hear about their experiences, the highs and lows of moving abroad, and any advice that they could offer. We needed to find out just why NZ is the place to be.
It really was the best thing that we ever did. Whilst we'd researched a fair bit, had listened to advice, and talked a lot between ourselves, there's nothing like personal experience to set you straight.
Mike & Alex opened up a network of their friends and clients for us to contact. From the first moment that we started making contact via e-mail, I was stunned by the immediate, and 100% positive response that we had to our requests for help.
All offered to meet and /or host, and we even stayed overnight once, with other offers of accommodation, car hire, and CV/job help! Everyone had different things to say, from day-to-day things about supermarkets, schools, taxation, houses and mortgages through to healthcare and jobs.
Some moves had been relatively straight forward; others had suffered real heartache within the family. For us, it really put things into perspective. There were certainly no big, bad surprises (which was good), just a whole load of good advice, and a few things to consider. I also genuinely feel that, in addition to Mike & Alex, we've made our first new friends within New Zealand.
We already need to repay a few BBQ's and take-aways and cannot wait to be in country to do so!
Paul & Sarah Heather, Ramsgate, Kent.
2010: THIS JUST IN - READ WHAT IS BEING SAID ABOUT OUR UK SEMINARS - SEATS BOOKING FAST!!!
Hiya
Just wanted to let you know that we thought yesterday’s seminar was fab.
We have been to a few seminars in the past but this one was different. It seemed a lot more personal than the ones we have been to previously even though the same companies were there. We could have listened to Mike all day with his excellent advice and experiences. We have gained a lot more insight into New Zealand as he talked about different areas and showed us pictures. Even though we have done loads of research in books and online this cleared up questions in our mind and also gave us new ideas.
To be completely honest when we saw the agenda after the break we debated going home as we felt we had heard the moving and finance stuff so many times before. We are so glad that we didn't.
We listened to the representative from PSS who explained everything so much better than we had heard before. We even left her our number to arrange a visit to do some quotes, as we weren't aware that we could get these in advance and still change our minds about what we are taking.
We also know understand a little more about transferring money enough to open a bank account yesterday. We feel like in one day everything is falling into place just got one of our biggest hurdles to jump and that is selling our house.
Thank you so much again
Janine Houghton
I wanted to write to you to let you know how much we enjoyed the seminar, having attended quite a few now, it was a refreshing change to meet people who actually understood the personal issues of trying to migrate to NZ. I myself particularly warmed to Mike’s emotion and passion for the life you have achieved and the country you live in, but particularly the long process of trying to achieve your dream. We have been working at achieving this very same dream for over 18 months now.
I can’t help but think that such a sensitive and emotional (but, I suspect, very strong) man must have a rock of a woman supporting him and so I feel we may have something in common……,I hope I am a source of support to Paul as he fights this battle to get us what we want. People who have never travelled this gut wrenching road have no idea of the absolute control it has on your lives.
Our dream is to live and work in New Zealand, but I have set my heart on Taranaki. My only concern was that it looks isolated from the rest of NZ and this was a question I asked Mike at the seminar. His answer gave me peace of mind and only confirmed this is where I want to be.
Finally your husband gave me inspiration and the boost to carry on with this dream, as he said ‘it does not come from the head but from the heart’ and for this I will remember him.
Julie Jackson
November 2009
BritsNZ provide invaluable expertise which made my move to NZ considerably smoother and more cost effective. Not only are they very knowledgeable, but also very friendly and approachable and, all in all, a pleasure to deal with. A great find, and highly recommended.
Charlotte Markham - Auckland
September 2009
Where do I start.....
We visited Mike and Alex during a holiday to New Zealland in 2007. They welcomed us into their home and 'sold' New Zealand to us whilst we sat in their garden in the sunshine. We were convinced after that visit that emigrating was the best thing for our family, and with Mike and Alex's help set the 'wheels in motion' on our return to the UK. They held our hands throughout the whole process....answered question after question, and email after email. The fact they had 'been there and done it' was a huge benefit to us, and their support was un-stinting and extremely valuable.
Donna and Steve Johnson - New Plymouth
BritsNZ have been invaluable to us with our move to New Zealand, helping with everything from setting up a bank account to putting us in contact with people once we had arrived.
We have not had to worry about a thing, as they helped make our transition from the UK run as smoothly as possible and answered all our questions, no matter how mad, bad or sad, in a prompt and helpful manner.
Karen & Daran Stokes – Orpington to Cambridge New Zealand
Having met Mike at an Emigrate show and being told to get married – which we did! – we then contacted him once we were in NZ and running into a few problems with Visas and jobs etc.
Mike reassured us that things could be sorted and indeed they were and whilst we were looking initially to be in Wanaka we are now near to Christchurch and loving it!
Mike has helped us with financial matters, arranging access to a Visa specialist and probably most importantly has given us access to others who have migrated and live in and around Christchurch. This has proved invaluable and a huge relief to have people to hand with similar experiences who can help!
Mike has always been at the end of the phone and indeed has been down to see us in our breezy rental property and we know that if we get stuck or need an ear to bend he and Alex are always to hand!
We are very happy to recommend you use BritsNZ if you are looking to move to NZ although I am not sure that he still retains the marriage guidance aspect of the business – LOL!
Julie Baker & Mike Reilly, UK to Wanaka and now Christchurch!
August 2009
We used Brits NZ for all our financial issues relating to our move from the UK to New Zealand.
We were given sound advice from Mike Cole about selling our house, opening bank accounts in NZ, transferring cash, moving our personal pensions over without financial penalties to opening new pension schemes in NZ.
We were walked through the paperwork side of things step by step.
We found Mike and Alex very helpful and contactable at all times and would recommend their services to anyone.
The Ruddick Family, from Middlesbrough UK to Nelson, New Zealand.
BritsNZ have been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful throughout every step of our move to NZ. Also, they gave us great advice concerning other companies, such as transport companies and immigration advisors. All of them proved extremely reliable and trustworthy.
However, and perhaps most crucially, BritsNZ always know about the next, most-important, necessary step along the immigration route. Our own piece of advice, joining up with BritsNZ is a step you won’t regret.
Sven Schroeder & Jenny Walker – NZ bound with PR!
John Lincoln a testimonial with a difference please click HERE
Signing up with Britsnz at the Emigrate Expo provided us with reassurance. Mike and Alex have been there, done that, so they really do know what they are talking about.
For us their support and guidance did not stop once we had left the departure lounge at Heathrow - it is continuous for which we are extremely grateful.
Sarah Thomas & Kevin Palmer
With help & support from Mike & Alex at BritsNZ our transition from life in the UK to establishing our new lives in New Zealand went very smoothly.
It is also very reassuring to know there is support on hand when you are in a foreign place, by people who have them selves made the same journey.
Peter & Shelia Burton, New Plymouth [and loving it!]
It doesn’t matter how much personal research you do, your always have unanswered questions and an abundance of questions you hadn’t even thought to ask. BritsNZ have the answers, be it advice on the all important financial aspect of emigrating, how to open a bank account, when and how to move money and pensions or schools, housing and employment, they have the answers and the contacts.
Mike and Alex provided us with the information, explained our options, and took the time to go over it again and again until we got it and could make an informed decision.
When the going got tough they reminded us why we started the process and kept us focused.
So thank you Mike and Alex for the guidance and hand holding, we hope to be with you very soon.
Michelle, Eric and Jack Dean (Norfolk to Wellington)
We are Tim and Gail Breakwell. We moved to New Zealand in 2006 with our two boys aged 12 and 17 and one on the way!
We met Brits NZ at a New Zealand expo in Manchester.
From the start it was clear that they were a no-nonsense, straight talking company, delivering plain facts in a way that is easy to understand.
We felt confident to use their services from the very start and nearly three years later they are still there ready and willing to help.
We now consider them firm friends. We’ve eaten their food and drank their wine and racked their brains many a time. They’ve never failed us, even when we’ve asked some very unusual and what sometimes seemed like silly questions. They told us that there is never a silly question (very comforting when moving to the other side of the world!)
Brits NZ are solid and dependable. They understand and have empathy for the whole emigration process.
We are happy and extremely confident to recommend BritsNZ’s services to anyone moving to New Zealand.
Tim & Gail Breakwell, New Plymouth
I wanted to thankyou both so much for making us so welcome when we visited recently. I can't tell you what a difference that made to how we felt. You were both so enthusiastic that it was infectious but most of all you were so helpful and willing to answer any stupid question!! We were really grateful for the time you spent with us and for setting up the meetings with the school and hospital.
Patricia Smaldon
We moved to New Zealand two years ago and although we had met Mike at an exhibition in Edinburgh and found the information given to us interesting we did not need to use it for our move, what we did find useful and did take on board was the transfer of our private pension from the UK and a little later after we moved, on recommendation, the insurance policy which covered us if we needed to travel back to the UK in an emergency.
Mike and Alex are professional, friendly and always available.
Lynette & Dave Hardy, Paraparaumu, Wellington
Having met Mike at an emigration show in London March 07 we were immediately struck by his passion and enthusiasm for NZ combined with his approachability as a person.
He was able to quickly ascertain our eligibility into NZ and put us in contact with suitable recruitment companies and a visa specialist. We were fortunate enough to make a tour of the North Island and obtain employment easily, putting the wheels is motion to emigrate on our return to the UK.
Throughout the whole process from initially meeting Mike to the present day Mike has been our 'backbone' throughout our journey. He has been able to answer all our questions allowing us to make informed decisions. His expertise and knowledge has proved invaluable allowing our journey to run smoothly and quickly.
Even after our arrival into NZ his support has continued, assisting us as and when needed and providing that comfort zone when we have been so far from friends and family.
We would recommend the services of BritsNZ to anyone wishing to travel this path and wishing it to be a smooth ride!"
Sarah & Geoff Collard, Taupo
The only thing BritsNZ didn't do for us, was to pack our suitcases! Mike was always at hand (or Skype) to talk to us about anything that was on our minds, be it financial, logistical, employment, family or even the inane questions such as "should we bring our washing machine or buy a new one when we get there".
Always supportive - both before and after we moved to the other side of the world.
We'll always be indebted for your help in starting our new lives in New Zealand - although we still haven't gotten as far as exploring New Plymouth!
Kevin, Karren, Ben, Tom (and now our new little kiwi - Rosie) Akers – North Shore, Auckland
Mike and Alex were inspirational in making us continue to try to overcome the intricacies of the NZ Immigration system!
They gave us heaps of useful information, as well as helping us establish a social network out here for when we arrived, which was a tremendous help.
They have a lot of knowledge of the systems here, which is invaluable for anyone hoping to emigrate. From little details such as computers and TVs, to huge things, such as currency conversion and Banking systems.
I thank them both for all their continuing help and support.
Lesley Hooson - Very happy, single mum of 3, Wellington
We moved to NZ in 2005 and as soon as we arrived I started the process to move my UK pension fund to NZ using my NZ bank. Due to new UK rules at the time, we had to wait for the NZ bank to become recognised and filled out many forms. After two years continually chasing the process I found out that my NZ bank would not allow the transfer due to some of their own rules. I wrote to Mike Cole (after seeing them at an emigration show years before in the UK) and within a few months Mike had found a recognised pension fund and the money had been transferred into it. Mike explains all the options before you start the process and it was easy. We're now just looking at some transfer options with my husband and haven't hesitated to contact Mike once again."
Virginia Lang, Auckland.
September 2008
Hello Mike,
I live in Whangarei and have recently taken out one of your Kinsure/Repatriation policies.
I am just writing to tell you that I was very pleased to hear of this type of cover and the fact that it puts my mind at rest in case of any emergency in the UK which would see us needing to get home in a hurry.
In fact I am so impressed I have photo copied the policy and your website and with working in the hospital here in Whangarei with many nationalities I have passed on your details and those of the cover to many of the people I work with.
Many have been very interested and if not already done so, intend to take out the policy.
I just wish I had known about the policy last year before my father-in-law died! However I’m covered now and can sleep with the comfort of knowing things will be sorted if we needed to go back to the UK in a hurry.
Once again thank you!
Yours sincerely
Sharon Stiff
September 2008
“Transfer values are calculated by our actuary each month………….new UK rules concerning transfer value calculations are being implemented……………
May I add that you are the very first overseas financial adviser I have come across who is aware of the UK rules on transfers to overseas schemes, and the information that is required. It is most refreshing!”
Pensions Manager
Royal Doulton Staff Pension Scheme
September 2008
Just a short note to pass on our sincere thanks to you and Mike for all your sound advice. Your financial advisor capacity is well documented however life coach and New Zealand mentor is a very valued commodity and we cannot thank you enough in helping making our dream a reality.
Huge thanks once again and will look forward to our next meeting or SKYPE call.
Adie Jayne & Benn Williams (kiwi's in training)
July 2008
I forgot to mention on the phone that the only people that we know in NZ are moving back to the UK after three years. They have however, struggled with the basics right from the word go, e.g. bank account, getting paperwork for visas etc etc. Working with BritsNZ has just made ours such a different experience to the one that they described to us
Nigel & Gill, Sheffield [leaving the UK September 2008
May 2008
Mike and Alex, we want to thank you so much for all the help and advice given to us by both of you, and make a promise that at our soonest possible opportunity we will be back in touch with you to commit to our emigration. When we find people who "do exactly what it says on the tin" we stick with them - good service and honest people are almost impossible to find, so hang on to them when you find them!
Thank you again for everything you have done, and for the promise of a better life which you have shown us!
With best regards and heartfelt thanks!
David and Caroline Taylor
November 2007
Living in New Zealand is everything we hoped for and a whole lot more besides. The emigration process, however, shouldn’t be underestimated. It can be lengthy, frustrating, stressful and expensive. If you want to make the process as stress free as possible then Brits NZ should be your first port of call.
We first encountered Brits NZ at an Emigrate Show back in the UK. Mike Cole was speaking at one of the seminars and his enthusiasm for New Zealand was infectious (at this point we were all set to move to Canada!). Contacting Mike and Alex after the show was absolutely the best thing we could have done. Their advice and support throughout the whole emigration process, and beyond, was invaluable. Nothing was ever too much trouble and their knowledge and resources meant they were able to help in many more ways than we had expected. We can’t recommend Brits NZ highly enough!
Clare & Andrew Ward, Auckland
August 2007
Hi Mike/Alex and team,
Thanks so much for the link - fantastic article!
You are all fabulous ambassadors for Taranaki!
Keep the passion!
Kind regards,
Peter
PETER TENNENT
MAYOR OF NEW PLYMOUTH
(Want to check out the article? See our Articles button - Australian/New Zealand Mag)
March 2007
Mike and Alex Cole have become firm friends since we met them through their company, BritsNZ. Originally it was good to meet up with other Brits who had made the emigration journey and Mike and Alex had a similar story to ours, lots of waiting for officialdom. Since that first meeting some 3 years ago, Mike has provided us with first class financial guidance. He has guided both our pension and investment portfolio and we are delighted with all aspects of his professionalism, advice and support. Mike and Alex are truly decent, in the old-fashioned sense and have done more to help us settle in NZ than anyone else we know. We are truly delighted to have met them.
Stephen and Linda Cox
Oakura, New Plymouth
Taranaki
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Out of curiosity I asked Mike Cole of BritsNZ to take a look at the pension funds we had with an old employer together with our contracted out SERPS funds. We have both been gob-smacked at the amounts of Capital we can get out of these funds.
So if you do have any UK pensions or have contracted out of SERPS it might well be worth investigating - So far Mike has been excellent and he seems to have a very firm understanding of the Rules!
James, Tauranga
Mike is looking into transferring my pensions over here - I have three, all low[ish] value, from various work schemes.
He certainly seems to know his stuff.
Rob, Wellington
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:19 am Post subject: Pensions
If you have any queries or are unsure on anything regarding pension transfers, I'm another one who would thoroughly recommend Mike from Britsnz. Even if you don't go ahead and transfer I'm sure he will explain the ins and outs so to speak.
Carol
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:30 am Post subject:
Thanks Carol.
You are right. I am very unsure or wary of this move. I've found the site so I will contact Mike of BritsNZ.
Thanks.
Marie, Wellington
Mike Cole has just emailed me from Singapore; he has offered to send me an email covering the "Traps", issues, concerns and rules. This is great service by any standards.
James, Tauranga
