It was Hawke’s Bay fantastic weather and wine that attracted English couple Stephen and Jayne Mills to emigrate to Napier with their family two years ago.

Now owners of the Fountain Court Motel in Napier, the couple were looking to move out of England to find a better lifestyle for them and their three growing children.

While visiting a friend in Timaru for a month-long holiday they fell in love with New Zealand, and after returning to England the investigations into the big move began.

Stephen stumbled onto some information about the Napier “Win a Life” competition organised a couple of years ago by the Napier City Council. The winning family basically won the right to live in Napier for six months and the prize package included a job, house, and car.

Stephen did a little more investigation and made contact with Napier City Council’s Economic Development Manager, Ron Massey. And while the Mills' didn’t win the competition, it set the wheels in motion for them to move to Hawke’s Bay.

“Ron helped us sort out all our immigration requirements, and put us in touch with real estate agents who were able to help us find a suitable business to buy,” says Stephen.

After two years in Napier, Stephen says the family wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“The motel’s hard work, but we just love it here, we’re here to stay.”

The family is on a long term business visa, but will be able to apply for residency in December, something Stephen says they’re all looking forward to.