[rbx]

My girlfriend and I are looking at going to NZ next year and I was wondering if you could answer some or all of my questions...

1. My girlfriend is currently in her first year (NQT) of teaching Maths having completed two years of a Maths degree and then switching to do a degree in Law - can she get the points for a shortage skill if her degree is not in Maths but has a PGCE in Maths?

2. I teach Science and was wondering if it would be worthwhile for me to put in an EOI now or to go over on a temp working visa in September, get a job offer and then put in an EOI? or do I have to do one before I go?

3. Do I submit my qualifications for assessment if I get an ITA or before?

4. On the points indicator I get around 140 points but having filled in a fair bit of the form, it looks nearer 110 - any ideas why that is the case?

5. Are there many teaching posts in Canterbury that would look at me or is it all about the Auckland area being so much more heavily populated.

Many thanks:nice1

[peebles16]

Hey and welcome to the forum. Am sure someone will be along to answer your questions soon just wanted to say welcome along for the ride :)
Karen

[rbx]

Thanks peebles:cheers

[Tentun]

Hi, and welcome.

I don't know if I can answer all of your questions, I'm sure someone will come along with more experience and wisdom in these matters but I'll tell you what I know/think.

Before doing anything I would recommend getting a NZQA assessment for both of you, http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/.
In our experience, they seem to be very specific about the types of qualifications you need in order to be able to claim that you have points for a skill in a shortage area. PGCE is usually fine, but I would double check the degree bit for your girlfriend in case you don't qualify. You have to have NZQA assessment in order to get NZ Teacher Registration and you will need teacher registration in order to submit your ITA. So I would get started straight away, it's a long process and some people have waited months and months.

If you are both teachers, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding work(especially in Maths and Science). I think (not sure of this though, maybe someone could confirm) that you need to have a job in order to get a temp work permit. In other words, you will have to go over on a 6 month visitors visa and look for work and then, once you've got a job you can apply for a work visa. But if you qualify for enough points, I would put in an EOI straight away, then you wouldn't have to bother with going over on a visitors visa at all, you could just go over with permanent residence already.

I don't know about the points. Maybe if you say where you think you get points and it would be easier to advise.

Hope I've helped a little bit. I'm sure someone else will add to it.

Kerry

[Will_2007]

Might be worth filling in the whole of the EOI... it's a pain the backside but at least you'll get a clearer idea of how many points you're looking at. there might be something worth a few points that you haven't got to yet. Someone else may come along with an idea of what your qualifications are worth points-wise...

[rbx]

thanks for all the advice so far - very helpful :nice1