[Moira]

Hello,
My husband and I are just learning about New Zealand and checking out the possibility of our family of 10 being able to move. We haven't pinpointed a location yet and are just trying to learn the ropes and the abbreviations!

My husband is a pharmacist, so am interested in talking to anyone that knows about that.

Two questions: From other Americans, what were the main reasons for you moving to NZ?

What's the very first thing we need to do for the process?

Oh, and three? How long does this very complicated process usually take?

Thanks so much,
Moira

[Bruckner]

We were ready for a change and wanted to experience living outside of the US. The first thing we did is was get passports for our newborns and make sure our passports were current. Then we did lots of research on this forum while we got our papers for the EOI together.

After we were granted our PR we waited six months to pay the Migrant Levy Fee and then just under a year to activate our visa. Our signature has our timelines.

PM me if you have any questions. And welcome to the forum!

Emily

[willsken]

Can't answer the questions, just wanted to say welcome to the forum.:nice1

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hi Moira...Welcome to the forum. There is plenty of good information on this forum and also on the NZIS website.
The New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC are also very helpful with any questions you may have on the Immigration process.

Hope this helps,

Suzanne.

[dilanium]

Two questions: From other Americans, what were the main reasons for you moving to NZ?

My husband and I want a slower and quieter lifestyle. I want to live on a farm readily accessible to both the ocean and mountains, and that's just not possible in the US.


What's the very first thing we need to do for the process?

Passports, make sure you have proof of your relationships, and look into whether your qualifications will work in NZ. You can sometimes find this by just searching the net, but a lot of times it may not be so obvious. you also need to decide if you want to go first on a Visa of some kind to try it out or just straight apply for residence (if you can).



Oh, and three? How long does this very complicated process usually take?


That varies by situation.

I'm doing this a completely backwards way. First we decided that we wanted to move to NZ, we noticed that veterinarians were on the long term shortage list. I decided to go back to my dream of being a veterinarian (January 2005)
I started pre-vet classes in August of 2005. And I've now applied to vet schools (including Massey University in NZ). After 4 years of vet school (once I get in) I'll apply for permanent residence in NZ. So that'll put me at permanent residence in 2012 (about).

Now if I get into Massey this year, we'll be in NZ this July.

Where in Washington are you? My OH lived all over WA from Kennewick to Sequim.

Good luck with your process!

[Wahlet]

Hi Moira and welcome!

Good to see another person from the NW US on here. My wife and I are from the Flathead Valley in MT. We are in the earlyish stages of planning and immigration. I hope it works for you to move to Kiwi-land!

"From other Americans, what were the main reasons for you moving to NZ?" - For us it is not a clear cut list of reasons. It just seems like the natural thing to do. About 16 months ago, we went from almost zero knowledge of NZ to a fascination with the country through a ton of reading and internet research that we did. Neither of us have been very content living in the US. We are the sort of people that find little fascination with pursuing the financial prosperity and material comfort as does most of the culture that surrounds us. NZ seems to suit us well. More laid back, somewhat more content, not as power hungry. I guess I could say we are moving there for the lifestyle. Several months after that first fascinating surge of interest, we decided to put our feelers out and look for work in NZ. We got a job offer six weeks ago, everything looked good, and now are going full bore to get there...probably May/June is a realistic arrival.

"What's the very first thing we need to do for the process?" - I echo Bruckner, passports. Especially for such a large family!! And if you will be bringing a pet or pets, get them vaccinated for rabies, microchipped, and rabies tested ASAP if you plan to move between 6 months and a year from now. Bringing pets is very expensive too. We're looking at $5000+ for our dog. If you don't have a pet, no worries, things will be much easier. :)

"How long does this very complicated process usually take?" As Dilanium said, it does vary with situation. I could tell you all about our process, but it wouldn't help you much. The Immigration NZ website is by far your best resource here. Once you've decided on the "path" you will take (permanent residence, or a visa of one sort or another), come back here and someone can give you more definite ideas on timing.

Best wishes! I'd be happy if you'd like to send any more questions my way.

David

[lindreth]

Welcome Moira,
My husband, Gareth, and I are in Arizona and planning to emigrate. We submitted our EOI in November and are waiting to be invited. We're also looking for jobs to help spur the process along if possible.
Gareth immigrated here from the UK 5 years ago, and we have always thought that we might move back to the UK one day. Then his sister emigrated to NZ, we visited, and that sealed the deal for us. We fell in love with the place. We are very drawn to the seemingly more laid back lifestyle. We are also pretty outdoorsy people and look forward to all of the great experiences in nature that NZ has to offer - esp. hiking and trail running. (and Gareth adds: "Because I want to be able to call people 'mate' again" ha.)
Lindsay

[holland]

Hi Moira and welcome to the forum

J and G x

[BkyMonster]

Welcome. :)
As others have said first thing: Passports!
I'd say it could take you at least 6 months without a job offer if you go the EOI-> PR route and have enough points to be selected.
Start filling that out on the NZIS website and see where you stand.

If you have pets and plan to go (and take them) in the next year I'd start working on getting them chipped and a rabies titre done.

I'm looking forward to a more rural country in general (though where I live in Oregon is pretty rural already), as well as getting away from the political atmosphere of the US.

[skibumwa]

Hi Moira,

Welcome to the forum! I came from WA as well! Family of 10 eh? WOW! I just finished the WTR visa process -> the move -> PR process -> Blue PR stickers. I cannot help you much on the family aspect of your migration, but I can answer most anything else. Feel free to PM me if you want to..

Good luck and hey where in WA are you from? I lived in West Seattle (Alki Beach)...

Cheers,

John

PS. PS have your hubby plan on taking a 3-4 week reccy (interviewing vacation trip) to NZ soon! It's long trip but it will jump start your long migration and NZ Immigrations process..

PS2. Wellington by far has the highest average salaries of all the large cities in NZ... :-)