Anyone moved to NZ?
Discussion
If you are bringing money over, rent for a bit then build your own house. In the UK only people on Grand Designs seem to build houses. Over here everyone does. 80/90% of our work is new builds.
And get used to the lounge being the only warm room in the house, I wondered why everyone still used electric blankets until the winter came.
And get used to the lounge being the only warm room in the house, I wondered why everyone still used electric blankets until the winter came.
You may find this site helpful; I used to be the main contact at one of their partner firms:
http://move2nz.com/
Mike and Tammy are the owners. He's now a fully qualified immigration adviser. Used to do "tour" dates around the UK. That stopped when the economy slumped. Don't know if they've started them again.
http://move2nz.com/
Mike and Tammy are the owners. He's now a fully qualified immigration adviser. Used to do "tour" dates around the UK. That stopped when the economy slumped. Don't know if they've started them again.
I've been here just over five years now. Moved from Reading to Auckland with kids of 8 and 10 years old. Originally here for 2 years, that became three, then four, now permanent (or as much as anything in life is permanent).
There's a saying I've heard here that NZ will be a great place once it's finished
I've heard rumours someone here is inventing something called double-glazing down here soon. They'll probably work out a way to heat a whole house eventually...
But most people's comments above are spot one. Really depends where you are for climate, how big the town/city feels, what you like doing. Auckland is warmer than down south, less windy that New Plymouth, and reasonably cosmopolitan. I go to a lot more events now than I used to in the UK - like seeing Robbie Williams (don't judge me) at the one decent-sized arena in Auckland (which even then is only about 6,000 people, so feels like a pub gig compared to some UK venues), and being back home within 30 minutes at the end. Bit different from going to the 02 or something.
The main downsides are no family here and the 30 hour journey if you want to get back to see people in Blighty. One key thing I'd say is be confident you can get a job before you get here, with an idea of what it'll pay and be aware of the cost of housing. realestate.co.nz or trademe.co.nz will give you an idea (though loads of stuff is auctioned, so doesn't list prices).
There's a saying I've heard here that NZ will be a great place once it's finished
I've heard rumours someone here is inventing something called double-glazing down here soon. They'll probably work out a way to heat a whole house eventually...But most people's comments above are spot one. Really depends where you are for climate, how big the town/city feels, what you like doing. Auckland is warmer than down south, less windy that New Plymouth, and reasonably cosmopolitan. I go to a lot more events now than I used to in the UK - like seeing Robbie Williams (don't judge me) at the one decent-sized arena in Auckland (which even then is only about 6,000 people, so feels like a pub gig compared to some UK venues), and being back home within 30 minutes at the end. Bit different from going to the 02 or something.
The main downsides are no family here and the 30 hour journey if you want to get back to see people in Blighty. One key thing I'd say is be confident you can get a job before you get here, with an idea of what it'll pay and be aware of the cost of housing. realestate.co.nz or trademe.co.nz will give you an idea (though loads of stuff is auctioned, so doesn't list prices).
gejl said:
I've heard rumours someone here is inventing something called double-glazing down here soon.
Double-glazing has been effectively compulsory for new houses & renovations (in the south island at least) for I dunno, a decade or so now. 
Still a lot of cold older houses around though to be sure.
Yeah double glazing compulsory on anything built in the last 10-15 years or so.
Mind you, anywhere in the North doesn't need it as a cold day in Auckland is 5-10 degrees and we MAYBE get one or two frosts a year. Dampness is more of an issue as it's a humid climate so you need a properly vented and heated home more than you need double glazing.
On the whole I think average wages are about the same in NZ as for UK, certainly to most people. If it's higher in the UK that's just because we don't have the population of the London finance/banking industry dragging the average up. As a Mechanical Engineer, I earn about the same here as I do in the UK. It fluctuates based on the exchange rate though, in recent years at $2 to the pound I earn much more here than I would in the UK, at $3 to the pound, I'd earn less.
Participating in Motorsport over here is so much cheaper and easier and it's a GREAT country to be a petrolhead in. Yes we have draconian speed enforcement on the roads and it's easy to lose your licence here coming from the UK where you can often drive happily at 90mph up the M1. In NZ the key is to not speed on the main roads, save that for the deserted country roads as the cops just don't go there
Mind you, anywhere in the North doesn't need it as a cold day in Auckland is 5-10 degrees and we MAYBE get one or two frosts a year. Dampness is more of an issue as it's a humid climate so you need a properly vented and heated home more than you need double glazing.
On the whole I think average wages are about the same in NZ as for UK, certainly to most people. If it's higher in the UK that's just because we don't have the population of the London finance/banking industry dragging the average up. As a Mechanical Engineer, I earn about the same here as I do in the UK. It fluctuates based on the exchange rate though, in recent years at $2 to the pound I earn much more here than I would in the UK, at $3 to the pound, I'd earn less.
Participating in Motorsport over here is so much cheaper and easier and it's a GREAT country to be a petrolhead in. Yes we have draconian speed enforcement on the roads and it's easy to lose your licence here coming from the UK where you can often drive happily at 90mph up the M1. In NZ the key is to not speed on the main roads, save that for the deserted country roads as the cops just don't go there
jimothy said:
I may or may not know someone who is in the process of doing this now, albeit with a job offer from an accredited employer so I'll be watching this thread with interest...
So I appear to have myself a work visa! Just got to wait for my wife and daughter to get theirs (waiting on a police check) and we'll be over! so I'll be watching this thread with interest...
TheLordJohn said:
Excellent news, congratulations.
Have you got a job sorted yet or do you know what you'll be doing?
Just waiting on my wifes visa - delayed on a police check. The immigration website says you need a police check for any country you've spent more than 5 years in since you were 17, but it turns out you also nee one from your country of citizenship as well even if you've never lived there. Wife has a Dutch passport but has only spent about 4 days in the Netherlands in her life yet still needs a Dutch police check. Was applied for a couple of weeks ago but no idea how long it will take as she doesn't speak Dutch and the only way to get an update is to phone them up and wade through an automated telephone system in Dutch...
Once that's done though we'll be on the first flight out!
Well done.
I'm a type 1 diabetic as well, I've found the health care here in Wellington pretty good. Although before moving here my control was a bit hit and miss, but that's a separate discussion.
Wife and I have been here almost 13 months. Generally NZ, and Wellington in particular, is a nice place to live.
Although after Brisbane a bit cold.
Good luck with your move.
I'm a type 1 diabetic as well, I've found the health care here in Wellington pretty good. Although before moving here my control was a bit hit and miss, but that's a separate discussion.
Wife and I have been here almost 13 months. Generally NZ, and Wellington in particular, is a nice place to live.
Although after Brisbane a bit cold.
Good luck with your move.
Esprit said:
it's a GREAT country to be a petrolhead in
I'm guessing you're in the north island.Down south, when it comes to cars I feel like I'm surrounded by neanderthals lol If your interest in cars goes beyond driving a 15-year old Japanese import with a loud exhaust (probably due to a hole) then you're going to feel pretty lonely. I truly had no idea that Toyota, Mazda and Honda made about 10,000 models that all look almost identical, but not quite. They're all here in the South Island
HOWEVER, the roads here would have to be among the most incredible I've seen anywhere in the world, and virtually deserted, and in remarkably good condition (IMO).
haggisone said:
I'm guessing you're in the north island.
Down south, when it comes to cars I feel like I'm surrounded by neanderthals lol
Ugggh blaagh snort. Down south, when it comes to cars I feel like I'm surrounded by neanderthals lol
...well what else did you expect from a TVR owner?
I suspect that you'll find South Islanders see cars as tools for a job rather than a status symbol. So we may drive Toyota's during the day, but during the weekend we drag out the rally/race/super car... for a bit of a play.
Edited by HellK9 on Sunday 3rd January 02:07
dai1983 said:
I'm currently working as a mechanic (hgv, LR and generators) in the armed forces and looking to leave in about two years. The wife is keen on moving to a warmer climate so Oz is top of the list for her but I'd also consider NZ. Let us know how you get on.
As an ex- VM A and having spent 3 years as an HGV mechanic on civvy street I'll be using my trade to get in to wherever we end up. As a side note, we have ended up with the 3 year posting to Gibraltar, so any move abroad will be after this now.
Thanks for the reply.
How does civvy street compare to being in the forces? I'm a bit nervous as TBH it's easy money for what we do but it's just so bloody borIng. I do more James work And other admin than actually spanner w
king. It's been like this for the last 4 years and two postings. Promotion would mean 100% office work and they've changed the pay so no incentive there.
Two years ago I was very keen to leave as I had mates who had quit for the rigs etc and I had done some research on mining jobs in Oz. That's all gone to rat st by the sounds of it though.
How does civvy street compare to being in the forces? I'm a bit nervous as TBH it's easy money for what we do but it's just so bloody borIng. I do more James work And other admin than actually spanner w
king. It's been like this for the last 4 years and two postings. Promotion would mean 100% office work and they've changed the pay so no incentive there.Two years ago I was very keen to leave as I had mates who had quit for the rigs etc and I had done some research on mining jobs in Oz. That's all gone to rat s
t by the sounds of it though. Only left as my now wife is doing well in the RAF, I wasn't likely to get promoted anytime soon (came off the board once I'd signed off...! Lol) due to having a large gob and we weren't seeing each other.
I was one of the much better ones and I struggled for the first year/18 months. It's completely different to what squaddies are used to. Much higher standards, usually, and much more bhy. You have to work 60 hours a week to earn anywhere like decent money, more so up North. They're quite well paid (£14/15/16 an hour) down south but they want to be able to sell your time as much as possible every day, so they'll be on your back to get stuff done.
Squaddies don't realise how easy they have it 80% of the time. I wouldn't get out if I was in now (and my wife was a civvie), it's easy money, none contributory pension, see a Dr or dentist the same day, cheap housing etc etc
PS - I must have spent £10/12k on tools since leaving 3 years ago. So that's something else to bear in mind.
I was one of the much better ones and I struggled for the first year/18 months. It's completely different to what squaddies are used to. Much higher standards, usually, and much more b
hy. You have to work 60 hours a week to earn anywhere like decent money, more so up North. They're quite well paid (£14/15/16 an hour) down south but they want to be able to sell your time as much as possible every day, so they'll be on your back to get stuff done.Squaddies don't realise how easy they have it 80% of the time. I wouldn't get out if I was in now (and my wife was a civvie), it's easy money, none contributory pension, see a Dr or dentist the same day, cheap housing etc etc
PS - I must have spent £10/12k on tools since leaving 3 years ago. So that's something else to bear in mind.
Gassing Station | New Zealand | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff