[Andy&Carol]

After a long time of thinking about it and countless hours researching we've decided we're really going to give it go and try to emmigrate.

We feel we'd be better off with at least one solid job offer before we officially apply, but I'm not sure what order we should do things in. Do we apply for a work permit, get qualifications checked out or apply for job first?

Andy has 'expressed interest' in Instructor jobs within Dept of Corrections via recruitment in Wellington, I think now all we can do is wait for a job to come up - although we've been told they're really short on staff at present so hopefully not too long.

Meanwhile I spend every waking minute glued to this forum, checking out various towns & regions in NZ on the WWW and checking for e-mails every 5 minutes (don't ask me why, I think I've lost the plot!) :confused:

I think I'll have to wait until we get there to apply for jobs, can't find much in the childcare sector other than teaching posts. Perhaps ought to study for a teaching degree whilst we wait - that will fill my time!

Good luck to everyone who's making the move, hope to join you soon.:cheers

Carol

[Ashby]

Hi Carol-
I will jump right in and answer this because you might be sitting there waiting for an answer to appear and I don't want to disappoint you as I know the feeling:nice1

You should get your qualifications checked first so you (and potential employers) will know what you have to work with--NZQA has disappointed some with their speed!
Once you have that in hand, you can try to find a job. I haven't tried this (yet) from overseas but I hear it may be difficult.
Once you have a job, you can get a work visa.

Of course, there are other routes with Skilled Migrant etc.

Hope that helps a little until someone with real experiences posts an answer for you!

[lockstock]

Hi Carol and Andy (not necessarily in that order). Just to confirm that you haven't lost the plot - yet. But it sounds like you're well on the way so congratulations. The next stage should be waking at 3.30 am and checking e-mails using the excuse that you are acclimatising yourself to NZ time. You should be in the 'they're just going to bed/gettingup/having lunch phase by now but I wouldn't worry if you haven't quite reached that - it won't be long.

Next comes the incessant humming of Po Karekare Ana - followed by a browse for the lyrics on the Web. Then you try to sing along (word of warning - don't do this in the public library with headphones. You get chucked out). You may also have a go at the NZ rugby team's Haka - again, choose your location wisely when attempting to a) join in the words b) join in the actions.

Pretty soon you'll be checking out the prices for flights and working out how much 20kgs luggage is - or 40 kg if you pull the emigration card.

ooh, nearly forgot - get Billy Connolly's world tour of NZ on ebay, watch it, sell it again on ebay. Do similar with Buy a House/Living and Working in NZ books.

Finally, Sky 273 at 5.00am, 10.30am, 7.30 pm (kiss Coronation St Goodbye) and 11.30pm watching Location, Location, Locaction - even the repeats- is a great way to learn about how to become an ugly estate agent. I'm signing up for the course as soon as I get there.

But don't forget posting whenever you can on here. Remember - on this forum, no-one can hear you scream...:D

[Andy&Carol]

Lockstock, you've really helped my sanity thanks!

Firstly, your reply to my 'teenage offspring' thread made sense, I also consider the blood, sweat and tears used up in getting him to this stage as an investment.

Secondly, yes the time zone thing - fully there on that one! Although I haven't been up checking e-mails at 3.30a.m - yet, I've got that to look forward to!

We've tried EVERYWHERE to get a copy of Billy down under, never thought of e-bay, although I've already planned what belongings I'll be taking with me to NZ and what will go onto e-bay.

I'm pleased to say Po Karekare Ana never ever enters my head - or rather it hadn't until you mentioned it... nooooooooooo! Too late, just started humming to myself, where do you get the words from?

Thanks once again

Ashby, thanks for your advice, will get the qualifications posted off asap.

[Belmont Babes]

Sorry but I feel I am missing out. What is Po karekare Ana?

[kanatakiwi]

Sorry but I feel I am missing out. What is Po karekare Ana?

A song guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes of any ex pat Kiwi elsewhere in the world and make them thing of home. Most famously sung by Kiri Te Kanawa. words to the second line change depending on where you are from in NZ.

Pökarekare ana
ngä wai o Waiapu, 1
Whiti atu koe hine
marino ana e.
E hine e
hoki mai ra.
Ka mate ahau 2
I te aroha e.

Tuhituhi taku reta
tuku atu taku rïngi,
Kia kite tö iwi
raru raru ana e.

Whati whati taku pene 3
ka pau aku pepa,
Ko taku aroha
mau tonu ana e.

E kore te aroha
e maroke i te rä,
Mäkükü tonu i
aku roimata e.

Translation:

They are agitated
the waters of Waiapu,
But when you cross over girl
they will be calm.
Oh girl
return to me,
I could die
of love for you.

I have written my letter
I have sent my ring,
so that your people can see
that I am troubled.

My pen is shattered,
I have no more paper
But my love
is still steadfast.

My love will never
be dried by the sun,
It will be forever moistened
by my tears

[Tia Maria]

Andy&Carol wrote:

Meanwhile I spend every waking minute glued to this forum, checking out various towns & regions in NZ on the WWW and checking for e-mails every 5 minutes (don't ask me why, I think I've lost the plot!) :confused:

Nope you've not lost the plot but it does sound to me like you've possibly run out of things to 'click' on, so just to keep you busy :D

Plan your route getting to NZ:

www.airline-network.co.uk
www.opodo.co.uk
www.travelbag.co.uk
www.singaporeair.com
www.airnewzealand.co.uk
www.ebookers.com
www.seatguru.com

Look at houses:

www.open2view.com
www.realestate.co.nz
www.allrealestate.co.nz
www.trademe.co.nz
www.premium.co.nz
www.homesell.co.nz
www.harcourts.co.nz

Decide what you'll see when you first arrive:

www.flightcentre.co.nz
www.itchyfeet.co.nz
www.travelinfo.co.nz/newzealand
www.aatravel.co.nz/101-must-dos-for-kiwis
www.tourism.net.nz

Look at what you might buy

www.woolworths.co.nz
www.shopnewzealand.co.nz
www.whitcoulls.co.nz
www.farmers.co.nz
www.stoffels.co.nz
www.noelleeming.co.nz

Schools:

http://www.ero.govt.nz/
http://www.schoolzones.co.nz/enrolmentzones/

Buy some NZ goodies before you go:

www.kiwifruitsnzshop.com

Or if you are feeling practical start an inventory of all the stuff you are taking, on the computer, putting in UK prices and researching NZ prices. You'll need to do this for insurance purposes.

Or start a massive sort through of all the cupboards and throw out what you don't need.

Or start writing 'Moving to NZ' letters, informing banks, utilities etc that you are going, ready to date and print out when the time comes.

If you already have all these links and need more, just give me a shout I've plenty more! :D

Cheers

Tia

[lockstock]

Ah, Tia Maria - insanity is restored. Click, click, click:clap

Kanatakiwi:
Dum dumti dumti dum dum
Hmm Hmm Hmm-hmm hmm-hmm hmmmmmm....

:exit

[MB]

Andy&Carol,
Hi. This teeters on the brink of giving you advice for which you didn't quite ask, and probably don't need, but as you crack on with your plans here are three very general things to occupy you, that worked for us big time:

1.) From the word 'go', provide NZIS with exactly what they ask, right up front. Get paperwork (e.g., letters from ex-employers) in progress as early as you can without seriously risking it becoming invalid. Use the NZIS operations manual (PDF available on NZIS site) to guide you, plus instructions accompanying, e.g., the EOI and ITA. The reason this is such an acute piece of advice is that the more work you can do to make your CO's life easy, the better. To give a favorite example: help yourself, your CO and your ex-bosses by drafting letters confirming your employment there. This way you get to exercise at least some control over the content of the letter, so that it ties in with exactly what NZIS want to know about your old job.

2.) I don't know your money/travel circumstances, but consider a recce trip to NZ very, very seriously. Everything about such a trip (even if brief) -- such as visiting banks, potential employers, cafes, property folks, supermarkets, parks, public transport, etc. -- can help clothe your imagination and your application terrifically. Not doing a recce trip is a little like trying to get to know someone just from their CV, family snapshots, and e-mails... you might read between the lines and anticipate their nature accurately, but actually spending time with them gives you so much more.

3.) Point two is very much an example of this: get to grips with the detail and actuality of NZ as much as you can. Chat with Kiwis on the phone; look at train timetables; visit; find out the real deal about what kind of jobs are really available in a given town; find out how much a beer or a coffee cost, etc., etc. One point at which all this becomes hugely important is at NZIS interview time: the more real details you can casually throw into conversation -- or at least have on hand -- the more you will be taken seriously.


So click around as much as you like, take notes, and be imaginative about finding stuff out online, on the phone, and/or in person!:nice1

[Nick88]

Not for the first time I agree completely with MB.

Supply the CO with as much info as humanly possible, and try and anticipate any problems (no matter how likely) and give the info at the start. When my wife and I came in we had absolutely everything our CO could ask for in a clear leaf file arranged in the order that the paperwork would be required to back up the form. He didn't seem enthused when he sat down with us, but by the time he finished he was grinning like a Cheshire cat (easy cases make them look good). He told us that despite what we might have heard about the time taken to process applications ours wouldn't take nearly as long. I was hoping it would all be sorted out in a couple of months.......10 days later we had our PR.

My parents did the exact same thing and got their PR in 7 days! And their application was quite complicated.

Admittedly things are very unlikely to move so quickly now, but every time the CO hits a snag you go to the bottom of the pile, and it could be several days until your case gets looked at again.

Good luck, this really is a very pleasant place to live.

[Andy&Carol]

I LOVE this forum, thanks to everyone for such amazing advice. Wow! I really didn't realise I needed such a lot of information for the CO. Does it all become obvious what details/evidence you need to provide? I wouldn't know where to begin.

cheers, Carol