Hello! We are Jordan and Jenna – an adventurous Canadian couple who love being active and sharing our adventures with others!
Our journey started in September 2013 when we quit our jobs, sold our houses, cars and belongings in Canada – packed our bags and moved to the other side of the world! Looking for adventure, while still pursuing our careers, we set off for New Zealand to experience ‘Living a Kiwi Life’.
We lived in Wellington for 2.5 years and one of the biggest lessons we’ve learned since moving to New Zealand is to appreciate our free time and take advantage of the opportunity to get out and explore. We spent the previous 3 years back in Canada working full time and taking our MBA part time and we slipped into the perception that there just wasn’t enough time for all the fun things in life. When we moved to New Zealand we had no obligations, no excuses to hang on to and we were exposed to one of the most beautiful (and adventurous) countries in the world!
We spent the first 6 weeks exploring the North and South Island before settling into our jobs and life in the beach side suburb of Lyall Bay. As we continue to pursue our careers we take advantage of every spare moment to get outdoors and do something fun! We maximize our evenings, weekends and holidays to get out and explore, whether we’re climbing a mountain, surfing or pushing our limits with an adrenaline filled activity.
Now back in Canada, we are excited to explore our own backyard with a renewed appreciation!
Watch our ‘Living a Kiwi Life’ web series to see how our journey started!
You both are AWESOME ! ! ! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Guys I’m discovering your blog and I am FAN !!!
Hi Jenna,
I can’t believe I found your blog by accident with so nice content. I have my own blog too with all the experience of an immigrant in Canada (too bad it is in portuguese) and I have a list of blogs that I follow and one of them actually refereed to a post you guys posted and when I saw you in the picture, OMG.
Very nice to see that you are settled in NZ and enjoying.
I will now follow you guys 🙂
Take care,
Cristiano
Hi Cristiano!
What a small world 🙂 So nice to hear from you! Congrats on baby Manuela she is beautiful 🙂 Although I can’t read portuguese, your blog and pictures are beautiful 🙂
Wish you all the best!
Jenna
I have watched many of your videos on youtube and afterwards I knew I’ll make Work&Travel in NZ after finishing school next year. Nice inspiration. Thank you.
Greats from Germany
Finn Hollberg
Thanks Finn glad you enjoyed our videos! Good luck!
Hi Jenna!
I think you went to school with my kids, Heather, Ian and Christine…not sure. But I know your Dad coached Christine’s soccer team for a while. My friend, Susan Martin and I (both retired teachers from P.C.) will be in NZ from Feb 27-Mar 25. We are pretty excited! I just went through a lot of your blog and videos…very impressive! And helpful!
Hey Guys
Following along for awhile and I keep coming back. Love the content and the adventure you’re living…. keep it up 🙂 p.s Hello from a fellow Kiwi living expat!
Hi Victoria
Thanks for the feedback, glad you’re enjoying our adventures!! Where are you based in New Zealand?
Jenna
Awesome site and videos and you guys are very lucky to have each other, especially Jordan, most women just want to settle down with a mortgage, a mini-van and lots of kids.
Thanks Jake, yah she’s a keeper!
Your pictures and videos are excellent, very inspirational. I can’t believe how much you have been able to do in such a short period of time. You must have laid down some serious cash for this adventure, so worth it!
Thanks Jeff! Since moving to NZ we really have tried to maximize our free time 🙂 And we have learned to prioritize adventures and travel over ‘stuff’ so we do use any spare cash to fund adventures!
Hey guys – great videos and so good to see you ‘living your dream’. Very inspiring. (from a Kiwi who hasn’t seen as much of her homeland as you!)
Thanks for the great feedback Kate! It is a beautiful country 🙂
Jenna
Hey Jenna and Jordan,
I just love your videos, especially the intro song – very catchy 🙂 They in a combination with a cup of coffee are great way to start a day 😉
As I always wanted to visit NZ, you both are great inspiration for me and my fiancee to follow our own dreams and live to the fullest.
Best of luck to you both. Looking forward to more of your videos. I hope that our paths will cross one day in NZ 😉
Greetings from Germany,
Egidijus & Kristina
Thanks so much for the lovely note Egidijus & Kristina!
So happy you’ve been enjoying our videos and hope your dreams do come true!
All the best
– Jenna
I just found you guys and love your story and your site! My partner and I are heading to NZ this fall for a few months and your site has been SO helpful for us not only for planning but also in keeping us excited for what’s a head. All the best to you guys as you continue to live the dream!
Tia and Jason from Colorado
Thanks so much Tia and Jason!
So happy you’ve found our site helpful and that it gets you even more excited for New Zealand!
All the best in your adventure!
Jenna
Such a cool webpage. We just love it!!!
We will travel to NZ in 55 days for our first time and we are really excited after checking out all your posts!
Thank so much. Regards from Switzerland!
http://www.immer-unterwegs.ch and http://www.travel-north.com
Thanks Corry & Mike! Glad you’ve been enjoying out website and hope you have a great time in New Zealand!
Jenna
Awesome. I am looking forward to the WHV of the NZ in the next few years.
I watched the Ultimate Road Trip from YouTube and got the website.
Hope I can meet you in the NZ one day.
Hello Jordan and Jenna!
I’ve just discovered you yesterday and have watched all 50 of your videos and read all your “Moving to NZ blogs”. You’ve helped clear up so many questions I’ve had! I’m departing from Nova Scotia (Hey Jenna, I’m actually a fellow Pictou County gal from Trenton!) in 31 days to start my adventure in New Zealand.
You guys are awesome please continue creating content!
Much love,
Victoria
Hi Victoria!
Wow what a small world 🙂 Hello to a fellow Pictou Countonian! (is that even a word? haha)
So happy to hear you’ve enjoyed our videos and blogs – amazing you’ve watched them all already!
Wish you all the best on your adventure to New Zealand!
Jenna
Hi Jordan and Jenna,
It’s a bit late to be emailing but there’s still a few hours until New Zealand hopefully wins the Rugby World Cup!
I’m a kiwi and live in Wellington too. A couple of months ago on a gloomy winters day I needed cheering-up and searched for the Routeburn Track on YouTube. Your video popped up and I quickly became a fan.
I’ve walked the Routeburn Track a couple of times and your video reminds me why I went back. I’ve seen it in pouring rain and clear blue skies. I will never forget the feeling of exhilaration as I crested Harris Saddle and saw that amazing view. The views from the top of Conical Hill weren’t bad either! That video makes me want to go back so badly!
I think I’ve worked my way through most of your videos now. You’ve really developed a special talent there. Award-winning in fact! Congratulations on your very recent New Zealand Geographic Photography Award for your glow-worms time-lapse video! You deserved to win.
I’ve traveled and tramped all over New Zealand and absolutely love the beauty and diversity of this place. Many kiwis take what we have for granted. Your videos and kind words make me appreciate even more what a beautiful country this is and how lucky I am to live here.
Thanks to both of you. I don’t know why Tourism New Zealand don’t have you on the payroll!
Cheers
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Antz. It really means a lot, especially coming from a Kiwi as we hope to inspire not only visitors but Kiwis to explore this beautiful country 🙂
So happy you’ve enjoyed our videos – Routeburn is still one of my all time favorites 🙂
As for Tourism NZ – we’ve been working on it but it’s not easy!
I know this is a little late now but…..welcome to your new home!! I’m just discovering your blog and I love seeing NZ through new eyes. Your content is beautifully put together and showcases our amazing country from a unique perspective. Congratulations on your award winning glow worm video, that was just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us, you are a long way from home but I hope you view NZ as your new home, you both look like you fit right in!
Look forward to seeing more of your videos
Arohanui
Jasmyn
Thank you so much for the lovely note Jasmyn!
Hello Jenna and Jordan ,
I reach here accidentally but i am in love with this blog now. Actually, i am also trying to migrate to Canada or NZ. I haven’t decided it yet. I know Canada is very nice country and as well as NZ. But to migrate, sounds like NZ is easier than Canada. However,i have heard that NZ has racism issue to Asian. Is it correct? If you were not Canadian, where will you choose to live among Canada and NZ? I want to hear more about comparison of Canada and NZ if you have time.
Wish you both all the best Jenna and Jordan,
Thank you.
Bella
you guys rock! I’m super inspired.
Thanks Erika!
Hi.
Hey there. If you could live anywhere in New Zealand (I work for myself so I can). Where would you chose as the best access to all the good outdoors? Any tips appreciated.
Thanks R.
I would say Wanaka. It’s surrounded by beautiful mountains, chill town and much less touristy than some others.
Lucky to have that option!
Hi Jenna, Jordan
Why did you decide to leave New Zealand and come back to Canada?
Thanks S.
It was for many different reasons. Might be easiest to read about why on our blog “Why we’re leaving New Zealand…for now” http://www.stokedforsaturday.com/2016/02/why-were-leaving-new-zealand-for-now/
Hi, what do you think about Asians moving to New Zealand? Is there some sort of subtle hint of racism even though people are generally friendly? I recognize that there is a spectrum of all sorts of people, but have you encountered any unpleasant situation where Asians get discriminated or marginalized? I am also considering moving there haha. Love your videos!! Continue inspiring people guys! 😀
Hello,
I always felt like New Zealanders were very welcoming of everyone. It’s a very multi-cultural country, especially in the cities. I never felt like there was any form of racism while we were there
Jenna
I stumbled across your videos and blog looking for ideas for our trip to NZ next year. All are just amazing! Cool style and technique you have….short but telling the story perfectly.
Jordan you are a lucky guy, Jenna is a proper trooper. Awesome … and nice to find another with the same name as my daughter’s . She always complained as a kid to be the only one! 🙂
Anyhoo… I wondered if you had done any “behind the scenes” videos to explain what goes into filming one your videos? You must always be running to catch up like I am! lol.
Cheers, Tim
Hi Tim!
Yes we have a blog and a full behind the scenes video on how we make our travel videos 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
http://www.stokedforsaturday.com/2016/01/making-cool-adventure-videos-our-gear-list/
Jenna
Great site and great videos! How do you guys do the map trick in Ep2 of Living a Kiwi Life?
I found the “making of” tutorial the next time i was looking at your NZ videos. Excellent…just want i was looking for. The knee bent walk is a great tip…lol Also to simply hold the camera up high…simple idea but effective. thank you for the inspiration. keep up the good work! 🙂
Hello! Great website – I’m just starting to take a full look around. My husband and I are thinking about moving to NZ at the start of 2018 on a working holiday visa. We’re both Canadian citizens, currently living in England but we both grew up in Canada. We want to do something different and take full advantage of our opportunities in life. Your website and videos look fantastic and I can’t wait to keep exploring the website – it’s very inspiring. Thank you!
Glad you’ve enjoyed our blog! Best of luck on your own NZ adventure!
Hopefully you two are coming back.
You’ve provided a great insight into what we have outdoors.
Beautifully produced and fun to watch. Well done!