What factors enable New Zealand companies to recruit staff from countries where higher salaries are available? We look at a company which has enjoyed particular success, and we discover the reasons why highly skilled people from the US, UK and The Netherlands have chosen to migrate to New Zealand.
Recruiting Highly Skilled Staff
S.J., From London, UK
V.B., from California, USA
R.B., from Kent, UK
J.T., from The Netherlands
In Summary
Recruiting Highly Skilled Staff
Although salaries in NZ look lower than in the UK, Northern Europe or the US, once the cost of housing, cars and fresh food is taken into account, New Zealand becomes very much more attractive.
Some New Zealand firms have less difficulty with recruitment and retention of highly skilled staff than others. One such company is Allied Telesyn Research which designs high-performance routers and gigabyte switches for computer networks.
We had a closer look at ATR to see why they are attracting staff to come and work for them in New Zealand when more lucrative salaries, on paper at any rate, are available overseas.
In 2000, ATR employed just 27 staff in Christchurch. Last year the second stage of a purpose-built R&D centre, to accommodate over 250 staff, was completed.
ATR managing director Geoff Peck said in The Press:
"Big salaries overseas often reflect the higher cost of living or the unpleasantness of the location. We pay well by NZ standards but we do not pay British or American rates."
"We have managed to create an atmosphere inside the company that values employees. We expect a lot of them so we treat them very well. We avoid all of the corporate image nonsense and our staff are welcome to wear jeans to work."
Speaking to ENZ, Nancy MacShane, Human Resources Co-ordinator with ATR said:
"We expect staff numbers to increase from 200 to 500 in the next 2 years."
"Fortunately, we have a reputation in the industry as being a very good company to work for and we have had less difficulty than other hi-tech firms in recruiting additional numbers. We have always had a very low rate of attrition."
"We are looking overseas as well as locally for experienced engineers, and we have so far relocated people from the UK, US, Australia and India to work for us."
"Our existing complex includes a heated swimming pool, gymnasium and sauna; and a spa pool is due to be installed very shortly. These facilities are provided because we believe physical fitness and a general sense of well-being translate to higher productivity and an increased level of job satisfaction."
As to reasons for coming to work in New Zealand from overseas, ATR employees offered the following reasons:
S.J., a system test engineer who
emigrated from the UK in November 2000 said:
"From my perspective, I chose New Zealand because of the lifestyle aspect; the fact that I could travel to work in minutes and have time to pursue other activities after work and weekends. Being able to spend quality time with my family is a big bonus."
"Many colleagues in London complained about the overcrowded transport system (hours stuck in traffic jams and arriving at the train station to find your train home has been cancelled), miserable weather and the hours they were required to work. The quality of life here is much better."
VB, a component engineer, who came
from the USA on a 2 year Work Visa in 2002 said:
"I came to ATR from the Silicon Valley in California. I was getting very tired of the Valley's traffic jams and high housing costs. Christchurch is a very liveable city and housing costs are low."
"ATR's facilities are within fifteen minutes drive of most parts of the city. Bicycling to work is also practical. Very affordable country houses on large lots are within easy driving distance."
"Christchurch has low crime rates, good infrastructure, and a pleasant feeling of civility. New Zealand's public schools still provide good education. Private primary and secondary schools are relatively inexpensive and provide rigorous preparation for university."
"It was an important factor for me to live in an area with easy access to continuing education. The University of Canterbury, located in Christchurch, is a few minutes from ATR's facilities. It has a well-regarded School of Engineering and offers short-courses, post-graduate diplomas, and part-time Master's degrees in various fields, including an interesting six-course Master's in Engineering Management. There is also a good Polytechnic nearby."
"New Zealanders participate in a lot of sports. In fact, the overall high fitness level of Kiwis is impressive. There is a wide range of sports activities available, and the nearby Southern Alps offer skiing in winter. I wouldn't have relocated to Christchurch if it didn't have an ice hockey rink and several hockey leagues!"
R.B., an engineering product manager,
who emigrated from the UK in November 1993 said:
"When living in Kent and commuting into St. Pauls I left home at 6.55 a.m., caught the commuter coach at 7.05 a.m. and arrived at work (if there were no accidents along the way), at about 9.30 a.m. The return journey was shorter - a mere hour - as long as I waited and caught the 6.30 p.m. coach home! So, 3 1/2 hours travelling to and from work every day."
"In Christchurch there are no traffic jams. I can drive to work in 15 minutes (20 minutes if I have to drop my daughter off) and park my car right outside the building in my own car park!"
"The summer heat here feels like the Mediterranean.... clear air and wonderful scents in the country. The beach is 20 minutes away, ski fields one hour away. Vineyards are nearby, there are great restaurants and a lively cafe society and eating out is affordable."
"We sold our little 2 up 2 down terrace in Kent and bought a large family home in Christchurch with a big garden."
J.T., a project manager from
The Netherlands came to New Zealand on a 2
year Work Visa and is now applying for Permanent Residency.
"What do I love about New Zealand? This is a beautiful country. I once heard New Zealand described as "Little Europe in the Pacific" because it has fjords like Norway, geysers like Iceland, Alps like Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France, beaches like the Mediterranean and volcanoes like Italy."
"The outdoor life here is so accessible. Skiing, tramping, surfing, sailing - not to mention fishing (you hardly ever find salmon any more in Europe!), yet Christchurch also has all the facilities of a big city, like theatres, universities, shopping-malls, sporting facilities, museums and an international airport."
"New Zealanders are used to working with people from overseas. Integration is therefore smooth (both socially and at work) and integration for children is easy as well."
Summary
In summary, despite receiving lower wages than in the UK or Europe, many skilled employees are opting to make a new life for themselves and their families in New Zealand.
For most, the biggest recruitment-asset seems to be New Zealand itself. More recreational opportunities, more time with the family, low-cost housing and a low cost of living are New Zealand's winning attractions. If a good employer can be found, a well-rounded, balanced way of life is possible.
Successful migrants believe that their quality of life in New Zealand is simply better than elsewhere. Speaking personally, I can only agree.
Getting Work In New Zealand - The Four Essentials
Skills in Demand, Attitudes and Migrant Frustrations
