Heading to the town of Tuatapere!

Kerry, Mia, Isabeau and Meili are moving to Tuatapare, South Island, New Zealand in July of 2009. Right now, the commitment is for one year. Tuatapere is located near the city of Invercargill. While Kerry works a NZ Registered Midwife, the girls are going to be primary school students. Unfortunately, due to work and/or college commitments, Tim and the "Big 3," Matt, Emily and Zane will be staying back in the USA. Possibly coming over for a visit?

We hope to learn more about the world and ourselves, by living in another culture. We also want to have some adventures exploring one of the planet's most beautiful countries.

Why New Zealand?
1) Shortage of Midwives
2) Health system that embraces the Midwife-Model-of Care and Normal Birth
3) Women can freely choose their birth setting~hospital or home!
4) Every NZ hospital meets "Baby-Friendly" designation... supporting breastfeeding as the BEST for babies
5) The movie "Whale Rider"
6) All the NZ Rotary Exchange students who talked so passionately about their awesome country
7) English (and Maori) is spoken, so an easier transition for the girls
8) The late, Grampa Francis Dixon, father of 12, lifetime Iowa farmer, told me once that if he could go anywhere in the world---he would go to New Zealand. That comment has stayed with me for many years, and has influenced why we are going to a rural, farming area.
9) Lambs for holding (not eating)
10) The famous Kiwi lifestyle