[acisman]

Hi Moorf

In reply to my topic "Are we almost there", yes we are retiring to NZ. I have commented on several other threads over the months, but the fact is that at our age, having paid off the mortgage and already receiving occupational pensions, we can afford to emmigrate and retire. OK we won't be living the high life, but we will be comfortable until my state pension comes through in 8 years, after which I may be too old to enjoy the high life!!

How have we managed to get accepted I hear you ask. Well I guess the answer is we won the lottery. No not lotto, the Family Quota Scheme. Each year NZ run a scheme whereby if you live outside NZ and do not qualify under any other scheme and you have a close releative living in NZ, then that relative can enter you into a worldwide draw. It costs $100 and when the draw list closes in April each year, 250 names are draw out of the hand.

Guess what ? we were drawn out of the hat the first time my mother ( she lives in NZ having re-married ) applied on our behalf. The only restriction is that my mother had to sign and agree that for the first 2 years we could not claim anything and that she would support us. I told her she must owe me plenty of pocket money !!

We still had to submit an application and have medicals etc., but that went very smoothly. We are not sure exactly where we will settle, but to start with we are going to Matamata , south east of Hamilton. We have visited NZ on 3 occasions and love that area. My mother lives south of Dunedin, so we won't be going there ( too near and too cold ), but we hope to look around a few places just to the north of Christchurch, Amberley to name but one location.

We will just arrive, hire a car, stay in a motel and then decide whether to rent or buy a smaller place, before branching out to find that dream.

If I can give any more info, just add to this or drop me a line. I would add that the relative must be a NZ resident of 3 years or more, so I guess that will rule out your mum and dad for the time being.

I always enjoy reading comments from you and Diny and I am not surprised to find that you have both replied already. Keep up the good work, the more we read the more we learn.

Dave

[Timbo]

Nice post there Dave, thanks. Spookily, I intended to ask questions about retirement in NZ this very evening. Although my query is more to do with retirement/rest home faciltys. I dont mean to sound rude, but have you by chance checked this aspect of life in NZ? What I am interested in is whether there is a state system in place for long term care, as in uk, or do you have to fend for yourself.
I have seen a few "retirement villages" on the net, and they put anything I have seen here to shame. But my guess is that you have to buy into them.
By the way, if you are heading for Matamata and need to know anything, the man to talk to would probably be forum member Stu. He is a farmer out there and very knowledgable. Unfortunately, I think he is currently sunning himself on a fishing boat in the Solomon Islands, but should be around soon.
Good luck, and enjoy that retirement. :cheers

[Moorf]

Thanks very much Dave - I never even knew about that "lottery" - learnt something new there! I also sent your post to my parents as they are looking at ways to get over... at the moment the investors category seems their best route.

:nice1

Moorf

[Beach Kiwi]

What I am interested in is whether there is a state system in place for long term care, as in uk, or do you have to fend for yourself.

Yes, but you usually have to use up all your net 'worth' first to pay for your long term care. If you don't have any assets then the government will foot the bill, but you won't be living the high life in this situation. On average it costs about $700 NZ per week to 'keep' someone in a typical New Zealand resthome.

I have seen a few "retirement villages" on the net... But my guess is that you have to buy into them.

Correct, but some only let you buy a 'lease' on your part of it, which you have to sell back to the village if you move on. This kind of situation isn't very popular now, as most people prefer to own their part outright.

Some of those retirement homes cost as much as a regular house, which is why they look so nice.

[Timbo]

Thanks BK. Good info there . It sounds like a pretty fair system based on what you say. I know (maybe that should be hope ) that we wont need to consider things in this department just yet, but the day will come.
One thing. If you do have assets, can you be made to release them in order to pay for care, like the uk?

[Beach Kiwi]

If you do have assets, can you be made to release them in order to pay for care, like the uk?

You can only get government subsidised aged care if you have assets that are less than their limit of between $30-45,000 NZ. Assets above that must be 'used' first before you will qualify.

For detailed information click here (http://www.adhb.govt.nz/rcline/mic_subsidies.htm)

[acisman]

[Timbo wrote]

"I dont mean to sound rude, but have you by chance checked this aspect of life in NZ? What I am interested in is whether there is a state system in place for long term care, as in uk, or do you have to fend for yourself. "

Hi Timbo

No I haven't done any research in this area. At 57 I am not ready for a retirement village, although after this weekend's exploits on clearing out the shed, garage and loft, perhaps I am.

Yes I have corresponded with Stu and he has provided some useful info.

Pleased to see one or two of the other guys have now provided some info on retirement. My mother is in NZ and at 79 is still going strong, as is my step-father. He has a daughter nearby who will look after either of them in the fullness of time. They are both very active and retirement homes has never been discussed.

Thanks for the kind words and I will certainly enjoy that retirement ( Only 5 more weeks at work !!)

Dave
[/quote]