Careers lure couple overseas

Mike Anderson and his partner Lisa Blockley. Photo / Sarah Ivey

In the third of a five-part series on what it is to be a New Zealander, we find travel is a big part of our DNA.

Lisa Blockley and Mike Anderson are swapping Auckland for Sydney in April when they emigrate to Australia to further their careers.

The pair both work for Accor Hotels - Miss Blockley in human resources and Mr Anderson as sales and marketing director at one of the hotels - and say overseas experience is a huge advantage.

"Just to be able to have a little more understanding and be more dynamic in my role, overseas experience is definitely going to help with that," Miss Blockley said.

The 25-year-old will move first and stay with her brother and his wife in Sydney while she secures a job.

Mr Anderson, 29, said a stint for him in Australia in 2009 led to career advancement on his return and he is keen to work with more and bigger hotels than available in New Zealand.

He said salaries between the two countries were comparable in his field, but the shift was more about work experience.

The couple recently bought their first home and will rent it out, having set a two-year time limit after which they plan to return to New Zealand to raise a family.