[billb]

Am thinking of coming over for 3 months. Will probably be just after Christmas.
Will see my sister again in Auckland and would also like to see Timbo down in Whitianga.

Other than these two places, what would be good to include on the itinery?

Would plan to hire either a car and have stop-overs in hotels / motels or a campervan.

The reason for the visit is to try and decide where we would like to live whilst looking for a job!

So many variables I know, but it would be good to get some idea of the different places.

Bill.

[katandbob]

Am thinking of coming over for 3 months. Will probably be just after Christmas.
Will see my sister again in Auckland and would also like to see Timbo down in Whitianga.

Other than these two places, what would be good to include on the itinery?

Would plan to hire either a car and have stop-overs in hotels / motels or a campervan.

The reason for the visit is to try and decide where we would like to live whilst looking for a job!

So many variables I know, but it would be good to get some idea of the different places.

Bill.

Hi Bill, well if its Just you - then NZ is your oyster - you could travel everywhere. 3 mths is quite a while, we did from Auckland to Welly in a few days with a stop at Taupo.

If your just interested in the Nth island then sorry I can't help you - other than say - Explore, as someones paradise is someone elses nightmare:laugh

Most forum members thought we were nuts coming down to live with the penguins....not that I have actually seen any yet! I think they live in the Catlins.

But if you want to explore the Sth Island then I would say explore the lot - from what I have seen travelling down from Auckland to Bluff every spot had its Highlights and lows... Southland & the Catlins are Beautiful, so is Otago, Then theres Queenstown, and Canterbury too.... it has mountains but the road from Christchurch to Ashburton is a bit straight and boring.. but you have the mountain ranges at the side and in front all the way...in winter it was impressive. But all those hedge rows looked weird...shelter belts - I have got used to them now and don't even notice them now:laugh

So Happy travelling, you need to also look at your Job prospects, and see which areas have jobs in your field - but I think that you can find a job anywhere in NZ as most towns/citys have vacancies - its just a case of looking and talking to locals

All the Best

Kat:nice1

[billb]

Hi Kat:)

I'll be coming over with Pam (OH)
We were over there in 2003 for three weeks. Spent 1st week up at Paihia and on the way up, we stopped off at Maungawai (?) at her friend's farm. Also had a day at Cape Reinga.
On the way back down, we stopped for a night at Rotorua which was ..........different!

My sister wanted to take us to the South Island but there wasn't enough time. Since she moved to NZ (about 36 years ago) she's lived in Auckland (twice), Wellington, Hamilton, Dunedin & Christchurch!

South Island seems so lovely and varied, but I'm drawn to the North Island, don't know if it's because my Sis lives there or just because that's the only one we visited, albeit for a short time.

I'm a carpenter by trade (1970 - 1995) but came off the tools to concentrate on site management. Would probably have to go back on the tools again as I can't see any employer taking me on as a manager. But the biggest downside is my age. I'll be 53 in a couple of weeks (Anzac Day actually!) and the cut-off point is 56 (I think!)
So it will probably have to remain a dream:wah

Ahh well, it'll be a fantastic holiday:raebanana

But thanks for your good wishes.

Bill.

[Trigirl]

i know the process can be slow but it certainly doesn't take 3 years! plenty of time for you to go for it if you want to.

you can see an awful lot of NZ in 3 months.

[billb]

Hi Mandy,

lol, I know. It's just that assuming I went over on holiday armed with :::cough::: copies of my :::cough::: CV and managed to get a job, and assuming I was going the WTR route, I'd have to work for an employer (credited I believe) for a minimum of 12 months (think that's right) before I could apply.

So, if we came over after Christmas I'd be nearly 54, I'm hardly likely to strike lucky with an employer knowing that I'd be 55 by the time my year was up with them.

I'm really trying to keep a positive outlook on this (although it doesnt sound like it!) but in all honesty, although experience is desirable, any employer would have second thoughts surely about taking someone on who can't give them more than a few years honest toil?

Bill.

[Park City Partner]

I believe your skills are in short supply so you never know...good luck! I would also suggest going to Tauranga/Mt. Maunganui area. Very nice area with a lot of building going on. We are heading there once my OH is done with school in November.

He took his bags off as he is changing careers but will be putting them back on to remodel a house for us!

Enjoy your trip!

[gil]

Bilb,
http://www.seek.co.nz/jobsearch/index.ascx?DateRange=999&catIndustry=1206&catLocation=1017&catoccupation=1397,1514
gives you a bit of an inkling as to how you might fit....there's plenty of construction work available. Good luck!

Gil

[zardell]

assuming I was going the WTR route, I'd have to work for an employer (credited I believe) for a minimum of 12 months (think that's right) before I could apply.


I'm really trying to keep a positive outlook on this (although it doesnt sound like it!) but in all honesty, although experience is desirable, any employer would have second thoughts surely about taking someone on who can't give them more than a few years honest toil?





I'm asking because I don't understand.............

Why the WTR route? With your skills (and evidence of such, copies of City and Guilds etc) why not PR ?

If not PR, whats so wrong with a work permit ? Because as far as employers having second thoughts about employing us (how shall I put this) more experienced in the workplace persons ;) I think that your offer of 'a few years of honest toil' would not be refused.

My hubby is a diesel mechanic (although he hadn't used his spanners in the UK for a few years) We applied for and were granted PR whilst still in the UK because we believed that getting PR before we came here was the be all and end all.........well, it isn't.

He now manages the repair and maintenance of a large fleet of HGV and plant machinery equipment and is thoroughly enjoying his work. 45 hours a week is a breeze.......:yes

You're in the building trade and your skills and experience in site management are in high demand.

Go for it I say...........

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Julie

xx

[Timbo]

I agree with Julie on this Bill. From what I have seen, plenty of people here carry on working much later in life than they would (generally) in the uk. This seems to specially apply to building trades. With your skillls and experience, you should have no problem finding an employer and at the very least getting a temp, say 2 year work permit. That can then be converted to PR later on if you decide that NZ suits you.
I cant help with the itinery, as we really didnt travel around much on arrival due to sarah getting offered a job here.

[billb]

...one and all for your valued input!

Park City Partner:
Thank you, we will look at these two areas you mentioned. Good luck when your OH finishes with school in November!

Gil:
Thanks, will check this link out later :nice1

Julie (Zardell): "Why the WTR route?"
Because I don't have my apprenticeship papers or evidence of any qualifications - you could say I'm *Time Served*.
Work Permit sounds good, but do I need a job offer to get a permit or is it the other way round? I have (I'm sure) seen posts where the there are conflicting views about this!
Congrats to your hubby, that's excellent!
Well, yes I do have a number of years in site management behind me, but that experience would not count for much (IMHO) as the Building Regs / Rules in NZ would be somewhat different than those in the UK, and they are a nightmare to keep up with at times. Over here, there is also something called the CDM Regulations (which basically puts the onus on certain sections of the construction team (i.e. Designer, Principal Contractor, Sub Contractors, Planning Supervisor etc.) involved regarding Health & Safety.)
There would almost certainly be an equivalent in NZ of which I know zilch!
Thanks for your good wishes! :cheers

Timbo:
First of all, why aren't you fishing? lol:laugh
Yes, I appreciate that some folks in NZ are prepared to work beyond their natural retirement age and I wouldn't have a problem with that. Like I said, we would come out for three months (initially) and take it from there. If (hopefully) I was offered a position within that time, then it would be a case of coming back to the UK to sell up and tie up the loose ends.

Thanks again one and all, your input has been valuable (as ever!) but.........
we're not finished with you yet!!!

Here's a link to a thread I've just started http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=124799#post124799
I know the gist of it doesn't apply to you guys, but you may know of someone that it does apply to!

Thanks once again, and if we come over and I don't get an offer, then I hope I can say "What a fantastic holiday that was"!:raebanana

Bill.

[billb]

Bilb,
http://www.seek.co.nz/jobsearch/index.ascx?DateRange=999&catIndustry=1206&catLocation=1017&catoccupation=1397,1514
gives you a bit of an inkling as to how you might fit....there's plenty of construction work available. Good luck!

Gil

Excellent link Gil, thanks very much!

Bill.