I'm thinking of emmigrating to NZ in Jan, does anyone have any advice?

Question

I'm in the beginning process of emigrating to NZ from the UK, has anyone here done it before? If so what was your experience? Where's the best place to go and what are the job opportunities like?

I'm interested really in just knowing what NZ is like for someone coming in from the UK?

Answer 1

Hi,

I have come to NZ from the UK recently. I think you'll find it surprisingly familiar here. A lot of things are like in the UK, but what's missing (thankfully) are the yobs. So far, the best comparison I could make to the UK is North Wales, anything from Conwy out to Anglesey, and Snowdonia feels a lot like NZ.

I found it unbelievably easy to settle into NZ life. I bought a car on my first afternoon, started a job the following day, and bought a house the following week. Place-wise, my impression is this: Coming from the UK, you'll find only the five big cities abundant enough in amenities to keep you for longer - cities are tiny here. You'll also find that the South Island is a lot more relaxed and that you can buy more for your money there, especially real estate-wise. Auckland is just some huge place - might as well move to Cardiff in the UK. Depending on your job ideas, I'd probably recommend Wellington and Christchurch for bigger cities, and also check out Dunedin, it's quite something ("Edinburgh of the South"). If you have pets, just wheel'em in. No quarantine, but transport and paperwork must be faultless (brought two Cheshire cats with me).

Good luck!

Answer 2

I am a kiwi and I work in a hotel. We have had plenty of people from the UK through the doors and HR at my work is really good at taking care of the immigration stuff. There are also plenty of people that will sponsor you to stay here and HR at any big place will take care of everything. When the Lions were here there was a big campaign to get more people from the UK to stay here so I imagine that it is a bonus on your application. It depends what your field of work is but there is a massive shortage of skilled workers here. If you need a job to just tide you over til you find what you want, there are plenty of hospo jobs available in all areas. Auckland is great for going out but the people can get to you after a while. Queenstown is good too. Beautiful but seasonal work is the big draw card there when the ski fields are humming. Cool town really. and did I mention Beautiful!! Wellington is good if you are more of an arty type. Big arts scene with great restaurants and bars and the people are friendlier than in Auckland. Best advice, I think, is to start out in Auckland and get a job and a cheap tiny inner city apartment, get the feel of it and then travel around, check out the sights and cities and then decide where you might like to settle. If you do come here, I hope you enjoy it =)

Answer 3

Hi, I'm born and bred in NZ also. You must visit the South Island , it's really beautiful...also the far north. There are just way too many beautiful places to see, so when you get here go and get some brochures from a travel agent or information centre and have a great time. NZ is different than so many other countries, and we have absolutely everything you could want, also a big plus is our standard of hygiene regulations in supermarkets and local shops (something I really missed while overseas)..people are friendly and at the moment work isn't too hard to find as long as you have some skills. Lovely beaches and bush walks, coming from the UK I'm sure you'll love it and adapt very quickly....All the best.

Answer 4

cool, thats a big step. well i was born and grew up in new zealand. i'm 20 and now live in london for the last 10 yrs. NZ is a wonderful country and i'm not just saying that, coz i was born there. i have lived 10 yrs there and lived 10 yrs in london.Anyway getting back to your question,  i lived in auckland, so you should think about living near one of the bigger cities, so that the jobs are avaliable to you.I personally think of NZ as a retired place to live, because although there are jobs there arn't that many opportunites since it is a such a small country, but u dont have to worry much, since ppl that have NZ visa are also allowed to live and work in Aus, so if jobs dont really work out in NZ then u dont have to worry. You should go on the nz and aus yahoo section and search for jobs in nz, so u know a bit more.

New Zealand is a very quite peaceful country and ppl are generally nice. If u can find the right job there u can have a good life there, but if not, then look at aus, coz its also a lovely place.

if u want to know anything else contact me and good luck.

Answer 5

We are considering doing the same and will be going to an Expo in Manchester in October...there will also be one in London.

Here is the link to it...

http://www.expo-newzealand.com/

If you have a look and follow the links regarding immigration, you will find all the information you require.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

yea dont hook up with a chick named toni h. she is a hor****..........

Answer 7

Hi there,

Have you established whether you are eligible to migrate to New Zealand?

Most people go down one of the following pathways:

- Skilled migrant

- Work permit (sponsored by a company in NZ)

- Working holiday visa (if you are British and under 30)

If you would like to know if you are eligible for any of the above visas feel free to contact me -- [e-mail].