From California to New Zealand: Why I’m Grateful We Made the Move, and Why I Now Help Others Do the Same

A few years ago, my family and I made the decision to leave California and start a new life in New Zealand. It wasn’t easy. We had stable jobs, family, friends, and a life that was familiar. But we also had a strong feeling that we wanted something different for our kids and for ourselves, more balance, more time together, and a lifestyle that felt healthier and more sustainable.

Fast forward to today, and I can honestly say that moving to New Zealand was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

We now live in Auckland, our kids are thriving in school, and we’ve found a sense of community and stability that we were really searching for. Life isn’t perfect (no place is), but the pace, the people, and the opportunities here have been an incredible fit for our family.

My Role as a Journey and Migration Consultant with Working in New Zealand

After sharing our journey on the Cali Kiwi YouTube channel and website, I started getting a lot of messages from people who were feeling the same way we once did, uncertain about the future, frustrated with what was happening back home, and wondering if a move to New Zealand could actually be possible for them.

That’s what led me to my role as a Journey and Migration Consultant with Working in New Zealand.

In this role, I speak with people from all over the world who are interested in working and living in New Zealand. I help them understand:

• what options may be available to them,

• whether their skills are in demand,

• what employers are typically looking for, and

• what realistic next steps should look like.

  
  

From there, clients can choose to move forward with a full Job and Visa Assessment, where our team takes a deeper look at their situation and provides more detailed guidance.

What I love about this work is that I get to help people move from “Is this even possible?” to “Okay, now I actually have a plan.”

A More Personal, One-on-One Option Through Cali Kiwi Consulting

Alongside my work with Working in New Zealand, I also offer Cali Kiwi Consulting for people who want a more personal, one-on-one experience with someone who has actually made the move themselves.

Sometimes people don’t just want official information, they want to talk through the real-life stuff too: schools, housing, cost of living, healthcare, culture shock, and what it’s really like raising a family in New Zealand.

With Cali Kiwi Consulting, I focus on information gathering, personal guidance, and sharing practical insight from my own experience as an immigrant, a parent, and someone who has navigated this system firsthand. It’s more informal, more personal, and tailored to your situation and questions.

If you’re interested in Cali Kiwi Consulting, you can reach out directly at:calikiwi.consulting@gmail.com

How This Connects With Fehrensen Speech

Alongside migration consulting, I also run Fehrensen Speech, where I work as a Speech-Language Therapy Assistant supporting clients and families here in New Zealand. Both roles come from the same place: helping people build better lives, whether that’s through communication support or through creating opportunities to start fresh in a new country.

Moving countries is stressful. So is navigating health, education, and work systems. I’ve done all of that as an immigrant, a parent, and a working professional, and that perspective shapes how I support the people I work with.

Happy to Help Others Take the Leap

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just curious about whether New Zealand could be an option for you, I’m genuinely happy to help you explore that.

Not everyone who talks with me ends up moving, and that’s okay. Sometimes the goal is simply clarity and peace of mind. But if New Zealand is a good fit, I love being part of helping families and individuals take that next step with confidence.

We took a big leap when we moved here, and I’m grateful every day that we did. In these challenging times, I’m thankful to be in a position where I can help others explore a path that could lead to a better future for themselves and their families.