"When I started training I knew I could take my nursing qualification anywhere."
Christopher is studying while in full time work and says they initially considered moving to KeriKeri for the lifestyle.
"We realised we would be limiting ourselves when it came to work," says Christopher. "So de9cided to stay within the triangle of Hamilton, Auckland and Tauranga.
"Heather will be able to get a job anywhere as a nurse, so it came down to my construction background -- and with Tauranga being the fastest-growing city in the country -- we figured it would be the best place to go. It will be easy for both of us to find work."
Once she graduates next year Heather will need a year's work experience before being able to leave Auckland.
Christopher used to work in hospitality, but when their children started to come along he wanted a job with more social hours and so became a builder -- although he almost joined New Zealand Police.
"It just so happened that I started enjoying working in construction, and I would have had shift work with the police anyway. So it has all worked out for the best."
With years of experience as a builder Christopher will complete his studies in 2017.
"I want to go more on the management side," he says.
"So I started a construction management course, and that will take me into project management, which is where I'd like to go."
A couple who have already made the leap from Auckland to Tauranga are Aimee and Blair Driscoll. They moved to Tauranga in December last year, but say it was a tough and unsettling decision.
"We both worked full time, we lived in three bed home in Hillsborough, with a shared bathroom and shared drive way," says Aimee.
"We were each driving an average of about an hour-and-a-half a day to work and back. We weren't getting to see our children, the traffic was getting worse, and one day I started searching for jobs I could do in other parts of the country.
A job in the PR department of Tauranga City council popped up, she applied within an hour of the deadline and before she knew it she had been offered the job.
"It all happened very quickly," says Aimee.
"Then Blair and I had to decide what we wanted to do -- it created quite a lot of anxiety, the thought of moving out of Auckland, going away from a job market with plenty of options into the unknown.
"I was worried about schooling, and access to things such as theatre and sport activities. But I needn't have been - it's all here.
"We took a leap of faith, sold our house in Auckland, headed down to Tauranga with our three girls, and bought what I'd describe as the Parnell lifestyle -- we have a beautiful four bedroom Art Deco house in a lovely leafy street that's three minute's walk from work."
"When I was looking for a job I searched the Bay of Plenty and was surprised every day when I saw how many new jobs had been posted. There is a lot of innovation going on, particularly around industries such as marine biology, horticulture, and niche industries are developing around in areas such as IT and engineering.
"It is easier to start a business in Tauranga as the commercial rents are cheaper than Auckland. But the job market out here is really growing."
