[Vim]

Hello everyone,

You all seem like a friendly lot, so I thought I'd introduce myself. We're thinking of moving to New Zealand next year and really just weighing up the pros and cons at the mo (though the pros definitely seem to outweigh the cons).

We're still trying to decide on the kind of visa to go out on. I've got (just)enough points for an EOI but I don't really want to work for a couple of years (I've got a baby and a 4 year old). My OH is a web and graphic designer but doesn't have any formal qualifications, so his points are fairly low, even though he's got lots of experience.

So we're in a bit of a pickle about where to start. We're off to the Expo in Manchester and I guess that we'll get a feel for what's available to us there. Are NZ employers less likely to take people on who don't have degrees?

Bye for now

Vicky

[holland]

Hello Vicky and Family and welcome to the forum,

I am not in NZ, so cant really comment on what NZ employers want...but from research I don't think its specifically about degrees, I think NZ rate experience very highly. I have a degree, and my husband has a modern apprenticeship but over 20 years experience, on our application we applied with hubbys quals/experience rather than mine.

Im sure other people will give you more specific advice.

J and G x

[Vim]

Thanks for that. It's still a bit confusing at this stage for us, but I'm sure things will become clearer in time. How far on are you with it all?

Vicky

[Cardy]

Hi Vicky
we were from doncaster until we moved here. we went to the epo in york at the racecourse. I,ve found most employers dont even look at my quals just want experience.:yes As i,m on my 4th job ive had a bit of ex:laugh perience

[wiki]

Hi Vicky, I'm not too far from you - Howden - and we're flying out in five weeks.

Qualifications are important to NZIS because they can help you get points, but it's experience that counts most with employers (and also helps with points)

I don't have a degree (unusual in my industry) but 13 years of solid experience, which is what landed me the job I've got.

[Vim]

Thanks everyone, it's great to hear that experience counts for something and you've been sucessful. We're hoping to go to the York Expo this month, take a few CVs and see if anything happens.

Did you visit NZ a few times before deciding to live there? Did you interviews in NZ or UK, or some other way? So many questions!

Vicky

[LesleyS]

Hi Vicky and welcome :)

We're also just about to leave in 5 weeks. :exit
I have the degree, and he has the work exp - so we're going to give it our best shot when we got there.

Don't wait too long....

[Belmont Babes]

Hi Vicky and welcome to the great forum. Don't know where I would be without it. My OH has experience and apprenticeship. I agree that experience does seem to be what they are after. For the record we have never been to NZ. Looking forward to a mad adventure!

[Silverwing86]

Hi Vicky and welcome to the forum !

Keep in mind that if you have enough points, based on your qualifications, to apply and be granted Permanent Residency outright (as opposed to a Work to Residence Visa, where certain requirements and restrictions are involved when it comes to working), nothing or noone forces you to work using those qualifications or in fact work at all ! That's the great thing about PR, once you have it, you can basically do what you like where work is concerned.

If you have the PR and you can survive on the income your OH can bring in (and I would concurr that although INZ looks very strongly at qualifications, that doesn't necessarily seem to be the case with employers), then there's no reason for you to go to work right away as well (or even at all) if that's not what you want to do.

Other options would indeed be for your OH to find a job to gain enough points to submit an EOI, either from the UK (although this tends to be difficult as most employers seem to want people to be here, shows commitment I guess), or after coming here on a holiday visa. The EOI can then be submitted in NZ.

We did come over on a recce trip in 2005, before moving permanently in January of this year, because we felt it important to 'feel' the place and compare that to what we were expecting of it (hope that makes sense :o !). Needless to say it did, in a big way :nice1 !

However, there are quite a few people who haven't been here before making the move, I guess the choice depends on who you are and what your situation is. Only you can really decide whether you need to come here first and whether your financial situation will allow it or not.

Good luck with your decision making process, the Expo is sure to be of help. There are sure to be many like-minded people there to talk to and of course this forum is invaluable for information, help and support !

Silver

[holland]

Hi Vim,

We have PR and have flights booked for November, although there is a slight question mark about whether we will be able to go on this date may have to rearrange for early next year.

We havent visited NZ either!!!

J xx

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi Vicky,

Welcome to the forum

Dave and Caroline

[Vim]

This is all great advice, thanks everyone! Good luck to everyone who's leaving.

I think we might look at the PR option again, and see if we can do it with my points. Nothing ventured....

So glad I joined this forum.

Vicky

[Vim]

Just wondered what happens if you submit an EOI and at a later date (within a few months) receive a job offer? I'm guessing they wouldn't update the information on your application, but wanted to check.

Ta

Vicky

[speckythecky]

Hi Vim, welcome to the forum.

Had an interview with an agency yesterday and they never even mentioned qualifications, all they cared about was experience and transferable skills.

Good luck with weighing up those pros and cons

[speckythecky]

Just wondered what happens if you submit an EOI and at a later date (within a few months) receive a job offer? I'm guessing they wouldn't update the information on your application, but wanted to check.

Ta

Vicky

Any changes to circumstances after you have submitted your eoi must be reported. They would want to know if you had a job offer and this would speed up your application.

[Vim]

Thanks, just about to do my EOI now.

Vicky

[leachio]

Hi Vicky,

We moved out here from York in March this yr with a 1yr old and 3 yr old. OOoooooooohhhhh how I long to wander through the shambles, see the minster lighten up in winter, go into lush and just sniff :laugh Tesco, Asda, M&S, Clarke's!!!! I read the press most days on-line and frankly can't wait to see the place again!

We never experienced much trouble with EOI ITA and visa's etc but my hubby had a firm job offer on paper so Im not sure about doin it any other way. Good luck and any Q's just ask, we are a pretty friendly bunch!!

[Joanne100]

Hi Vicky welcome to the forum and good luck
Joanne

[Vim]

This is going to sound a bit strange Amanda, but did your little one Jack go to toddler group in Acomb with Sue?

Vicky

[leachio]

Yip uve sussed me Vicky!!!!! Nanna Sue took Jack to toddlers every wed, me and Dan would pop along occassionally too. She was/is broken hearted when we left as u can imagine if uve met her. She is now overjoyed that we are likely to return home nx yr. Who's mummy are you then?

[Vim]

Small world eh?

I used to go with my daughter Mae though we stopped last summer as we moved to Wilberfoss. We've since had another daughter Ava who is just coming up to one.

Jack and Mae used to play together, and I seem to remember that Jack really liked the cars and garage. I'd heard that Jack was moving with his family and I remember thinking 'I wish we could do that'.

I don't suppose Jack remembers Mae as they were both quite young, but we have a photo of Jack with Mae in the sandpit at Monks Cross Farm that Mae has in her room.

I remember Sue as being really lovely and I'd heard with she was broken hearted about you leaving. How likely is it you'll return? It must be really hard leaving family and friends behind. We don't live near ours and don't see them that often, so I'm hoping it won't be too much of a wrench but I expect it will.

Anyway, got to go as Mae has her first day at school today!!

Vicky

[marky]

Hello everyone,

You all seem like a friendly lot, so I thought I'd introduce myself. We're thinking of moving to New Zealand next year and really just weighing up the pros and cons at the mo (though the pros definitely seem to outweigh the cons).

We're still trying to decide on the kind of visa to go out on. I've got (just)enough points for an EOI but I don't really want to work for a couple of years (I've got a baby and a 4 year old). My OH is a web and graphic designer but doesn't have any formal qualifications, so his points are fairly low, even though he's got lots of experience.

So we're in a bit of a pickle about where to start. We're off to the Expo in Manchester and I guess that we'll get a feel for what's available to us there. Are NZ employers less likely to take people on who don't have degrees?

Bye for now

Vicky

all i can say is if i had the choice of york or new zealand, I'd pick yourk all the time. fancy a swap?

[Vim]

Why? Is it that bad?

Where are you?

Vicky

[marky]

Why? Is it that bad?

Where are you?

Vicky

christchurch. I miss the history, the pubs, the sense that something is going on, the culture

[K&CS]

Welcome to the forum. I'm from Harrogate and know York well (used to live there too) although I'm not a huge fan of York tbh (far too crowded) and way prefer Christchurch.

Good luck with it all anyway. You'll get there in the end

Kate x

[Vim]

Seems like there are loads of people from Yorkshire on this forum!
Glad you like it in Christchurch, it looks like a nice place. We'd like to get away from the overcrowding and traffic, and hope we can make the move next year.

I like York but we hardly ever go into the city centre as it's normally so busy, and parking these days is a nightmare and expensive. We don't go out much anymore, so we won't really miss the nightlife.

Not sure where we'd like to live in NZ but hopefully somewhere fairly quiet and child friendly, with decent schools for our daughters.

Vicky

[Yorkie495]

Moved over to NZ from York 3 years ago, now living by the sea in Gisborne just been back over to the UK for a Holiday great to see friends & family but much prefer the quality & pace of life in NZ.

Ian

[Vim]

It's good to hear that. Not sure if we're a bit crazy wanting to make the move with two small children but we really want to do it. Whereabouts is Gisborne?

Vicky

[Yorkie495]

[QUOTE=Vim;153165]It's good to hear that. Not sure if we're a bit crazy wanting to make the move with two small children but we really want to do it. Whereabouts is Gisborne?

Gisborne is on the East coast about 3 hours from Napier, lots of great beaches some of the best weather in NZ & a really laid back lifestyle, about 30,000 in town good facilities a little bit out of the way but lots to do & see around the area & if you want more you can fly out of town to Wellington or Auckland for $100.

Miss friends & Family but do not miss the Assdas & Tesco & sitting in trafic day after day on the bypass & spending weekends walking around Clifton Moor.

Lifestyle in NZ is more geared up to the simple things in life with, more focus on outside lotsa Golf, Fishing, & spending time on really great beaches.

Cheers Ian

[Vim]

I was up at Clifton Moor the other day, can't say I'll miss it much - I hate shops and shopping.

We really want to get away from all the materialism that exists in this country, and move somewhere where you can have a good quality of life. We're pretty relaxed and I reckon we'd fit in well and appreciate whats on offer, especially the outdoor stuff. Beaches, fishing etc sounds like paradise from where I am. I suppose there's always Scarborough...

Vicky