emmigrating to New Zealand
Discussion
Zadkiel said:
I really do think this thread needs to be closed.
Oh shut up.As someone looking at emigrating myself I am following this thread very closely. It is, of course, lovely to hear how wonderful it is over there from those who love it, but I already get plenty of that from the wife. The more measured responses are the more useful, obviously, but the reaction to any criticism has not gone unnoticed either.
Keep it up chaps, I will hopefully have some coherent questions myself in a bit.
Zadkiel said:
There is way too much hatred and personal attacks.
grumbledoak said:
Oh shut up.
What part would ye be thinking of emigrating to?
You're on a hiding to nothing if the wife thinks its a good idea
And as for criticism... it was a bit broad-brush , stereotypical stuff
I am surrounded by brits here in Whangarei. They love it here
Edited by lestag on Monday 13th May 11:55
Yes, the situation is a little complex, but we and our little one will be coming over. We are both decade+ Londoners, she has family in Auckland, I have an aunt there too. Nevertheless I get the impression that Auckland would not be a great move financially. $4 : £1 it would be okay, but it isn't.
REMF said:
Well, I'm back in NZ this week and my irritation with the place remains.
That MP telling a minimum wage waiter to carry on serving him because 'don't you know who I am?' - the Mighty River Power debacle, the inability of the SFO to charge corporate fraudsters, yet another idiot All Black assaulting someone and everyone feeling sorry for him rather than his victim, the Christchurch nutter who murdered his ex's daughter to scare her out of NZ (couldn't believe that one when I read the court transcript), the fact that there are still people weeing in buckets in ChCh etc.
People may argue that this sort of thing goes on everywhere, and that might be true, but it's the size of NZ in relation to these things that bothers me, the problems are disproportionately bigger than I can get my head around. You can be isolated to a certain extent from this sort of nonsense in a bigger country but in NZ it 'feels' up close and personal and that makes me very uncomfortable.
I work with Kiwis and talking to them outside of work, I get the impression that even guys earning $120000 a year are never more than one pay cheque away from financial disaster because even public servants have no real employment protections, much less some poor sod on a minimum wage and the cost of buying a place to live is just silly in the population centres. It's horribly expensive too, how do people manage? I go to some fabulous looking houses but they're made out of cardboard but they still cost a million bucks. I bought some milk, cheese and bread the other day and had 10c change out of $20, this is a diary producing country FFS, it's cheaper to buy NZ lamb back in Blighty.
While it might not solve people's problems, due to the expense there too, I can understand why people leave NZ for Aus. The Aussies have been very canny, when the minerals bubble bursts in Aus, ensuring that hundreds of thousands of unemployed Kiwis can't claim benefit is starting to look like a very good piece of fiscal policy.
It could be so good here but the top 2% of movers and shakers are ripping the arse out of the place, it's plain daft.
as an architect - retired, your comment about houses made of cardboard is quite simply ludicrous! - end of!That MP telling a minimum wage waiter to carry on serving him because 'don't you know who I am?' - the Mighty River Power debacle, the inability of the SFO to charge corporate fraudsters, yet another idiot All Black assaulting someone and everyone feeling sorry for him rather than his victim, the Christchurch nutter who murdered his ex's daughter to scare her out of NZ (couldn't believe that one when I read the court transcript), the fact that there are still people weeing in buckets in ChCh etc.
People may argue that this sort of thing goes on everywhere, and that might be true, but it's the size of NZ in relation to these things that bothers me, the problems are disproportionately bigger than I can get my head around. You can be isolated to a certain extent from this sort of nonsense in a bigger country but in NZ it 'feels' up close and personal and that makes me very uncomfortable.
I work with Kiwis and talking to them outside of work, I get the impression that even guys earning $120000 a year are never more than one pay cheque away from financial disaster because even public servants have no real employment protections, much less some poor sod on a minimum wage and the cost of buying a place to live is just silly in the population centres. It's horribly expensive too, how do people manage? I go to some fabulous looking houses but they're made out of cardboard but they still cost a million bucks. I bought some milk, cheese and bread the other day and had 10c change out of $20, this is a diary producing country FFS, it's cheaper to buy NZ lamb back in Blighty.
While it might not solve people's problems, due to the expense there too, I can understand why people leave NZ for Aus. The Aussies have been very canny, when the minerals bubble bursts in Aus, ensuring that hundreds of thousands of unemployed Kiwis can't claim benefit is starting to look like a very good piece of fiscal policy.
It could be so good here but the top 2% of movers and shakers are ripping the arse out of the place, it's plain daft.
Edited by REMF on Saturday 4th May 22:09
I agree with the wife, but there's nothing new in that statement.
You've come off the back of the wettest winter in the UK Paul compared to one of the best summers out here in NZ but, generally, NZ gets 200 hours of sunshine more than London per year (2012/13 it's probably more like 300) so if its the weather that gets you down then it's obviously a no brainer.
I'm not so sure that you'll get a balanced argument on PH as to whether NZ is right for you as most, like me, are happy with the lifestyle it provides. Getting opinions from people who have done the reverse by emigrating to Wales or others who are on an extended working placement with no intention whatsoever of ever integrating into the Kiwi way of life is likely to lead to a very skewed picture of the place. The fact is that a lot of Kiwis crave the variety that European living provides (although you'll find many of them returning when the time to raise a family occurs). Similarly, a lot of Europeans want the exact opposite and seek solace in an uncomplicated and unquestionably beautiful, quieter, corner of the planet. My position on NZ is not open for debate, hence my reluctance to join in but my decision to move was as much the 'push' from the UK as it was the 'pull' to New Zealand.
My advice would be to visit the umpteen websites open to people considering the move followed by, and in conjunction with, a trip out to reach your own conclusions. What have you got o lose? You own a TVR so you'll not be averse in taking a risk or two
Whether an All Black happens to be involved (or not) in domestic violence has no bearing on my life. However, the following issues do:
lhttp://www.infoplease.com/toptens/leastcorruptcountries.html
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/auckland-named-thi...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/1...
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/422022/20130109/10-...
All that said, you'll only be able to fuel up at one in two garages as the infrastructure can be somewhat bizarre and you need a fork lift truck to help you onto the forecourt.
You've come off the back of the wettest winter in the UK Paul compared to one of the best summers out here in NZ but, generally, NZ gets 200 hours of sunshine more than London per year (2012/13 it's probably more like 300) so if its the weather that gets you down then it's obviously a no brainer.
I'm not so sure that you'll get a balanced argument on PH as to whether NZ is right for you as most, like me, are happy with the lifestyle it provides. Getting opinions from people who have done the reverse by emigrating to Wales or others who are on an extended working placement with no intention whatsoever of ever integrating into the Kiwi way of life is likely to lead to a very skewed picture of the place. The fact is that a lot of Kiwis crave the variety that European living provides (although you'll find many of them returning when the time to raise a family occurs). Similarly, a lot of Europeans want the exact opposite and seek solace in an uncomplicated and unquestionably beautiful, quieter, corner of the planet. My position on NZ is not open for debate, hence my reluctance to join in but my decision to move was as much the 'push' from the UK as it was the 'pull' to New Zealand.
My advice would be to visit the umpteen websites open to people considering the move followed by, and in conjunction with, a trip out to reach your own conclusions. What have you got o lose? You own a TVR so you'll not be averse in taking a risk or two
Whether an All Black happens to be involved (or not) in domestic violence has no bearing on my life. However, the following issues do:
lhttp://www.infoplease.com/toptens/leastcorruptcountries.html
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/auckland-named-thi...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/1...
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/422022/20130109/10-...
All that said, you'll only be able to fuel up at one in two garages as the infrastructure can be somewhat bizarre and you need a fork lift truck to help you onto the forecourt.
grand cherokee said:
as an architect - retired, your comment about houses made of cardboard is quite simply ludicrous! - end of!
What!Leaky homes, no heating, crappy build quality, gaps, poor quality materials, condensation, mould, damp, so on and so forth!
Why would anyone take a mortgage on something that doesn't look like it'll last the term of the mortgage is beyond me!
http://www.escapenz.com/articles-of-interest/list-...
REMF said:
What!
Leaky homes, no heating, crappy build quality, gaps, poor quality materials, condensation, mould, damp, so on and so forth!
Why would anyone take a mortgage on something that doesn't look like it'll last the term of the mortgage is beyond me!
http://www.escapenz.com/articles-of-interest/list-...
you just described UK building standards - lol!!Leaky homes, no heating, crappy build quality, gaps, poor quality materials, condensation, mould, damp, so on and so forth!
Why would anyone take a mortgage on something that doesn't look like it'll last the term of the mortgage is beyond me!
http://www.escapenz.com/articles-of-interest/list-...
the UK is obsessed with 'bricks and mortar' - technology does move on but the UK lags miles behind
as said i'm retired as an architect - but my father is also retired MD of a large building company so I know the UK building trade rather too well
I've also worked in Cyprus/Botswana/Saudi/Seychelles etc
in my opinion UK house design is some of the worst in the world - poor attempts to try and hark back to classical design of say Georgian etc
and the UK obsession with front and rear gardens and the obsession with fences and walls to define your territorial little 'plot'
more I read from you makes me more convinced that relocation to NZ is exactly 'what the doctor ordered'!
REMF said:
What!
Leaky homes, no heating, crappy build quality, gaps, poor quality materials, condensation, mould, damp, so on and so forth!
Why would anyone take a mortgage on something that doesn't look like it'll last the term of the mortgage is beyond me!
http://www.escapenz.com/articles-of-interest/list-...
LoL I just about spat all my popcorn out REMF.... after watching that UK home renovation program they show here in NZ! I agree there have been issues here in NZ but the UK is far from perfect and NZ is at least making changes moving forward both with housing and sustainability. Leaky homes, no heating, crappy build quality, gaps, poor quality materials, condensation, mould, damp, so on and so forth!
Why would anyone take a mortgage on something that doesn't look like it'll last the term of the mortgage is beyond me!
http://www.escapenz.com/articles-of-interest/list-...
Edited by Kiwi Carguy on Tuesday 14th May 10:23
grand cherokee said:
you just described UK building standards - lol!!
the UK is obsessed with 'bricks and mortar' - technology does move on but the UK lags miles behind
as said i'm retired as an architect - but my father is also retired MD of a large building company so I know the UK building trade rather too well
I've also worked in Cyprus/Botswana/Saudi/Seychelles etc
in my opinion UK house design is some of the worst in the world - poor attempts to try and hark back to classical design of say Georgian etc
and the UK obsession with front and rear gardens and the obsession with fences and walls to define your territorial little 'plot'
more I read from you makes me more convinced that relocation to NZ is exactly 'what the doctor ordered'!
He does kind of have a point though - the quality of housing stock has historically been pretty poor here, particularly so from about the 1970s to about 2000. And a lot of the older, better built timber stuff is seriously lacking in insulation and heating. the UK is obsessed with 'bricks and mortar' - technology does move on but the UK lags miles behind
as said i'm retired as an architect - but my father is also retired MD of a large building company so I know the UK building trade rather too well
I've also worked in Cyprus/Botswana/Saudi/Seychelles etc
in my opinion UK house design is some of the worst in the world - poor attempts to try and hark back to classical design of say Georgian etc
and the UK obsession with front and rear gardens and the obsession with fences and walls to define your territorial little 'plot'
more I read from you makes me more convinced that relocation to NZ is exactly 'what the doctor ordered'!
One could sit around and whine about it, or alternatively one could do something about it. There's no law that says you're not allowed to properly insulate your house and install a central heating system or, if money permits, build a top quality house with all the latest tech.
uncinqsix said:
He does kind of have a point though - the quality of housing stock has historically been pretty poor here, particularly so from about the 1970s to about 2000. And a lot of the older, better built timber stuff is seriously lacking in insulation and heating.
No he doesn't. The british housing stock is just as s
te and for Britain it was about 1950's to about 2000I can post a link to negative s
te just like REMF canhttp://www.building.co.uk/analysis/a-typical-guzzl...
The ten reasons to escape NZ could just as well be rewritten to escape any country.
Leaky homes tend to be down to builders relying on hardie-type products and sealant "guaranteed for 50 years", crap builders.
Some would call it snake oil bound to fail.
http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/jame...
Yes insulation is missing in the old housing stock ( I have a 70's rental and it is built fine) the house I live in was built (for us) in 2004 and is built just fine, not one issue.
I agree anyone looking to buy a house should look really closely as to how it was built, but hey I would do that in any country.
lestag said:
No he doesn't. The british housing stock is just as ste and for Britain it was about 1950's to about 2000
I can post a link to negative ste just like REMF can
http://www.building.co.uk/analysis/a-typical-guzzl...
The ten reasons to escape NZ could just as well be rewritten to escape any country.
Leaky homes tend to be down to builders relying on hardie-type products and sealant "guaranteed for 50 years", crap builders.
Some would call it snake oil bound to fail.
http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/jame...
Yes insulation is missing in the old housing stock ( I have a 70's rental and it is built fine) the house I live in was built (for us) in 2004 and is built just fine, not one issue.
I agree anyone looking to buy a house should look really closely as to how it was built, but hey I would do that in any country.
well saidte and for Britain it was about 1950's to about 2000I can post a link to negative s
te just like REMF canhttp://www.building.co.uk/analysis/a-typical-guzzl...
The ten reasons to escape NZ could just as well be rewritten to escape any country.
Leaky homes tend to be down to builders relying on hardie-type products and sealant "guaranteed for 50 years", crap builders.
Some would call it snake oil bound to fail.
http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/jame...
Yes insulation is missing in the old housing stock ( I have a 70's rental and it is built fine) the house I live in was built (for us) in 2004 and is built just fine, not one issue.
I agree anyone looking to buy a house should look really closely as to how it was built, but hey I would do that in any country.
if UK houses are so great why the multitude of 'repair/modernise' tv programmes?
post war development has a lot to answer for inc 'tower blocks' the biggest social blight ever inflicted on the UK by Govt/Local Authorities and architects
I like timber houses - ie log cabins - great in terms of insulation/fire etc
also love the rustic charms - I hate the sterile minimalistic 'modern' look especially as used in warehouse refurbs in London
but I adore 'shabby chic' - random furniture from no particular era/style
and nobody in the world does 'shabby chic' better than the English 'upper class' - it comes naturally, not by design
Edited by grand cherokee on Tuesday 14th May 11:54
lestag said:
Yes insulation is missing in the old housing stock ( I have a 70's rental and it is built fine) the house I live in was built (for us) in 2004 and is built just fine, not one issue.
I agree anyone looking to buy a house should look really closely as to how it was built, but hey I would do that in any country.
I agree anyone looking to buy a house should look really closely as to how it was built, but hey I would do that in any country.
Not sure when they started to wise up with insulation, mine was built in '85 and is reasonably well insulated though not up to current new build standards.
Insulation will have been compulsory in anything newish, and double-glazing as well anywhere south of Chch from memory.
GravelBen said:
and double-glazing as well anywhere south of Chch from memory.
Can be as far as Northland depending on house builthttp://www.dbh.govt.nz/guide-energy-efficiency-nor...
http://www.dbh.govt.nz/quick-energy-guide
grand cherokee said:
you just described UK building standards - lol!!
the UK is obsessed with 'bricks and mortar' - technology does move on but the UK lags miles behind
as said i'm retired as an architect - but my father is also retired MD of a large building company so I know the UK building trade rather too well
I've also worked in Cyprus/Botswana/Saudi/Seychelles etc
in my opinion UK house design is some of the worst in the world - poor attempts to try and hark back to classical design of say Georgian etc
and the UK obsession with front and rear gardens and the obsession with fences and walls to define your territorial little 'plot'
more I read from you makes me more convinced that relocation to NZ is exactly 'what the doctor ordered'!
I'm familiar with it too, my Father was a director for one of the large housebuilders in the UK.the UK is obsessed with 'bricks and mortar' - technology does move on but the UK lags miles behind
as said i'm retired as an architect - but my father is also retired MD of a large building company so I know the UK building trade rather too well
I've also worked in Cyprus/Botswana/Saudi/Seychelles etc
in my opinion UK house design is some of the worst in the world - poor attempts to try and hark back to classical design of say Georgian etc
and the UK obsession with front and rear gardens and the obsession with fences and walls to define your territorial little 'plot'
more I read from you makes me more convinced that relocation to NZ is exactly 'what the doctor ordered'!
I think the changes made to the building code because of leaky homes has helped but your comparing apples and oranges, the quaility here is woeful and it's a very common gripe.
lestag said:
Yes insulation is missing in the old housing stock ( I have a 70's rental and it is built fine) the house I live in was built (for us) in 2004 and is built just fine, not one issue.
This is more what I was getting at, but I have also lived in a few places that were clearly built to a price level not a quality level and really weren't ageing well. The current place was built in the 1940s, but has some 1970s add-ons. It's painfully obvious which is which just by the quality of build (rock solid in the 40s bit, a bit nasty in the 70s bit)Yes, there are crap houses in NZ, but I have seen crap houses in Oz, the USA and the UK too. It's simple really. Do your research before buying and buy the best you can afford. My place is 131 years old and will very likely last another 130 years and beyond. Wasn't insulated, but is now (electricity bills are in the $150-$200 a month range)... Has character in bucketloads, wonderful views, plenty of room and didn't cost the earth. Old houses are not everyones cup of tea, but we love ours.
I am an immigrant, and I am not from the UK, and I say to the OP that you seem determined to migrate to NZ. I am also a NZ citizen and I say come on down if you are granted the visa. The only way to know NZ is to live in NZ. However, are you aware of the health requirements? I suggest you sort out every negative aspect of your health before you apply to live here as NZ immigration will assume that any existing condition might be a future expense: you may have the resources to pay for it now and they will question why you haven't already. You will be subject to paying for your own health care until you meet NZIS requirements. Many NZ immigrants in your position have been denied "permanent residence" before the end of their initial entry visa because of health reasons.
You should also be aware that the purchase of some rural land is limited to NZ citizens only. Do you know that NZ is a bi-cultural society and that the Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of this country? Do you have any idea what this means? I suggest you study the Treaty as it will greatly affect your life here in NZ. Many of the problems the UK faces are based upon their Colonial history and you will not escape them by immigrating to NZ.
You should also be aware that the purchase of some rural land is limited to NZ citizens only. Do you know that NZ is a bi-cultural society and that the Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of this country? Do you have any idea what this means? I suggest you study the Treaty as it will greatly affect your life here in NZ. Many of the problems the UK faces are based upon their Colonial history and you will not escape them by immigrating to NZ.
aklyank said:
You should also be aware that the purchase of some rural land is limited to NZ citizens only.
Just to clarify this - up to 5ha (12ac) anybody can purchase, larger areas than that (or certain 'sensitive areas') need approval from the LINZ overseas investment office for non-residents to purchase.Gassing Station | New Zealand | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff