Are New Zealanders friendly? what's your opinion about these areas?

Question

Hawks Bay region- Napier,Hastings, Waipukurau or surrounding areas?

I'm seriously thinking about relocating to NZ. Would the above be a good area to get started? I want to be in a metroplitian area with good bus transportation, and employment opportunities. However, I'm not aiming to live in the biggest town.

Also I'm a little perplexed about the work visa conditions. It seems like a catch 22. You can't get a work visa without a job, and you cant get a job without a work visa. Is it the fact that I will have to stay/look for a job offer while on my first "visit", then apply for a work visa after I get a job offer, then return on my work visa?

What's you opinion about the general friendliness toward immigrants?

Answer 1

the visa thing is a catch 22 most times...

i can tell you the kiwi's i have met have been nothing but lovely...they are a little more laid back and don't take things quite as emergent as americans...i know you have to be careful of certain areas which aren't as developed but they will tell you about them and just heed the warnings...good luck to you...you will have a great time with a bunch of kiwi's!