[Rorschach]

I’ve spent some time looking through the forum and as it seems to be full of friendly, extremely helpful people, so I thought I would introduce myself and say hello!

My wife & I (and our little 1yr old boy) are starting in earnest to consider emigrating to NZ.

The truth of the matter is that since I spent 2 months there in 2002, I just felt so connected to NZ and my heart just fell in love with the place. I feel quite certain it is the right thing to do.

My wife feels differently and says her head says “Go to NZ” because of the lifestyle and a great place to raise kids, but her heart says “No”, mainly due to the support network she receives from family & friends in raising our first child, which are also very valid points.

Anyway, we’re off to the South Island in 3 weeks time for a holiday, so we will be doing a reccy of the area (mainly considering Christchurch area) for what living is like, housing, jobs, schools,… .

If we do decide to emigrate, I guess it will be along the lines of giving it a serious go for 3 years and if in that time either of us feels we should return to the UK, then we will, without pressure from either side.

A little about us:
We’re from Sussex, Southern England. I am 36, an accountant (CIMA). My Wife, 33 a secondary school teacher in Mathematics.

My initial questions:
1) Anybody any ideas whether we would score enough points without a job offer? (From looking at it, I think it might be with my wife as main applicant)
2) How long does the process take in general? And let’s say, we were accepted, how long does the offer stay valid for (after being granted PR?)?
3) Anyone else had any experience of the above, re. split feelings, went to NZ anyway for a ‘trial period’ and how did that go?
4) Any tips for what we should consider when checking out the area when we go in 3 weeks time?

Sorry, to ask so much.

Any answers, to any of the above would be a great help.

Thanks!

[Mickstim]

Hi guys. Sorry I can't answer your specific questions but doubt that you would have a lot of trouble getting into NZ with your skills. Just wanted to say welcom to the forum - always good to have some more solid Sussex folk on here!

[stephenandjulie]

Hi,
Good old Sussex. I lived in Brighton for 13 years and my partner for more than 20 years.
We came to New Zealand with PR without visiting beforehand. Fortunately we love it and have no intention of going back. The whole process took about 9 months for us, from filling out the EOI to landing in Christchurch.
If you want to meet up when you are over here on your visit, please pm me and I'll give you our details.
Best of luck with everything
Julie

[Moorf Junior]

blimey, how many of us from sussex are leaving?!!! I'm wondering if we hang on a little longer there'll be no-one left here and it'll be a nice quiet place - NOT!

[gpbenton]

My initial questions:
1) Anybody any ideas whether we would score enough points without a job offer? (From looking at it, I think it might be with my wife as main applicant)
2) How long does the process take in general? And let’s say, we were accepted, how long does the offer stay valid for (after being granted PR?)?
3) Anyone else had any experience of the above, re. split feelings, went to NZ anyway for a ‘trial period’ and how did that go?
4) Any tips for what we should consider when checking out the area when we go in 3 weeks time?

Sorry, to ask so much.



Welcome to the forum. I think these will only be the start of your questions :laugh

My opinions are.

The only person who can know enough of your details is you. You need to go through the points calculator on the New Zealand immigration web site and answer the questions there. To be honest though, I would think a secondary school mathematics teacher with a degree is pretty much a shoe in.
That depends a lot on how you go about getting here. There are so many different visas and work permits. Getting a PR before I came took me about 8 months, but I wasn't rushing anything. I'm sure it can be done in less time. With the correct skills you can get a work permit after you arrive on a visitors visa.
Still on a trial period (after a year here). But I'm single, so its easy to leave if I want to. There are people on the forum who have come and gone and still post.
The best advice I've heard is to try and live like you are living here, rather than on holiday. But that sounds hard to do when you have three weeks away from work.

[marshanite]

We have a silver jewellery shop in Huddersfield (hubby used to work in IT & I used to work in the NHS), so when we were thinking of NZ, hubby did a 10 wk return to teaching course (he has a pgce) then after only a couple of weeks of teaching he approached a government approved agency (I can get you the name) to ask a few questions with a view to relocating early in 2009. That was nov 2007, we have just booked a flight for beginning of march 2008. He was offered a job in Auckland immediately. They actually wanted us out there at the end of jan!

I have seen maths jobs in Christchurch on the gov website, but the approved agencies do not charge the the applicant. You should also be eligable for a $4000 relocation package. They are desperate for good teachers.

As regards points, had hubby not been 45 (under 40 should be fine) we wouldn't have had to bother with a job offer. However both the agency & the school have been very helpful & have made the process alot easier. The school have arranged a motel for a week & have offered help finding a rental property.

We have 4 yr old twins who are very excited about the move.

If you would like the info/link for the agency and the nz gov teaching jobs website, just let me know (can't get them right now).

Good luck, but I don't think you'll have any problems.

Best Wishes, Mrs Marshanite (aka Fi)

[Red Devil]

Hi Rorschach

... can't really help you with any answers, however thought I'd post as we're in exactly the same position as you. We've booked our 3 week reccy trip for early April, checking out both the North & South Island. We too favour the South Island and Christchurch, however we'll see what the North Island has to offer.

My wife is 38 and a RGN specialising in Renal (kidney failure), myself 36 and a CAD Draughtsman. We too have gone through the emotional decision making, as we have a 4 year old son... but you're only on this planet once so the time is right to make a go of it (especially the current and ongoing issues with the UK). It's highly likely that my wife will also be the main applicant and has approached one of the main nursing agents (Tonix) who have been very helpful at this early stage.

Are you tied to selling a property before making the move? We are, however not in the UK but France (Vosges region).

I'm sure plenty of members can help out with your questions... enjoy your reccy trip, good luck and keep us posted with how you get on.

Cheers
Simon