[ChristieLee]

Hi all,

I've just joined as we are thinking of moving to New Zealand for a year. We have always wanted to live overseas for a year or so just for something different. We just had 10 days driving around the South Island in a camper and are now in love with New Zealand. It's so clean and fresh! I especially love Queenstown, but would most likely end up in Christchurch for work. My husband is currently a contractor for Coca Cola so it would be good if we could get him working for coke in Christchurch

Anyways, I have absolutely no idea on what is involved in moving there. What is the first step? How long does the application process take? If we are going to do this it would have to be for next year because our son starts school in 2010. Do we need a Visa? I know nothing! lol

Hope to get to know you all.

Christie :)

[dusk]

Hi Christie,

I believe that if you are Australian citizens then the process if fairly straightforward :)

welcome to the forum.

[NZAussieGirl]

Hi Christie

As an Australian you do not need a visa - just pack up and move over.

Good luck

[ChristieLee]

Wow that sounds easy! :raebanana What about for work? Can we just start working over there?

[zardell]

Wow that sounds easy! :raebanana What about for work? Can we just start working over there?


Yep!!

Have a look on the NZ Immigration Website - it tells all.

Good luck with your plans,

Julie (A Brit currently in Melbourne)

xx

[ChristieLee]

Thanks Julie. I had a look on http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ but I cannot find where there is info about moving from Australia. Maybe I am blind lol

[IanW99]

Thanks Julie. I had a look on http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ but I cannot find where there is info about moving from Australia. Maybe I am blind lol

The immigration website is playing up again, so you may want to look at this one instead NZ Embassy (http://www.nzembassy.com/topic.cfm?c=18&l=60&s=go)

In particular it says the following:-
Citizens and permanent residents of Australia (who do not have certain criminal convictions) may visit, live and work in New Zealand indefinitely. Upon arrival, Australian citizens are exempted from the requirement to hold a permit and Australian permanent residents are granted a residence permit.

Ian

[Leanne]

Hello and best of luck with your plans!
:)

[melly]

Hi Christie,

Welcome. We live in Brisbane and are planning to move to NZ by Jan 09. Where do you live in Queensland?? Christchurch is also our preferred destination, but it depends where OH gets a job (we want to have a job secured before we move).

As others have said been an aussie citizen means you can live basically like you were born in NZ. You don't need permit to live, work, you can buy property and the education system is pretty transferrable (ie. it is the most similar you will get to Australia). You can also get their equivalent of medicare. Just be careful with the social security payments - to get some of them there is the condition for Aussie citizens that you have had to live in NZ for 2 years, this includes unemployment benefits and student allowance.

If you have other questions (because we are Aussie citizens some of the stuff about emigrating that the UK, US etc. people talk about on this website doesn't apply to us), you can ask and I'll try and answer if I know the info.

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Hello and welcome to someone swimming against the tide.

[JandM]

Hello.:)

[slider]

Hello, and welcome to the forum :)

[mish&al]

Hi girls,

As an Aussie married to a Kiwi, I can tell you straight from the horses mouth, after extensive investigations, that yes, you can basically just buy your ticket and go to nz.

Check out seek.co.nz for jobs, and the only thing I can't tell you about is any sort of family assistance or social security, as I don't receive it now or will over there, I haven't looked into that side of things.

Good luck for both of you.

Michelle :cheers

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hello and welcome.




Suzanne.