[Leccy-Lee]

My God, doesn't time fly eh! You might find this story somewhat more unusual to most "1 year" posts!

At 8am in the morning, i will have been in New Zealand for twelve whole months / one year / one hundredth of a century / a tenth of a decade /31 556 926 seconds.... You get the idea ;)

And what an odd year! I think its fair to say the "majority" of forum users arrive in NZ having PR and just settle into a new way of life, i like to be different and i arrived with mere pocket change and no return ticket and just a one year work visa, no job, no home, no plans....! Madness you say? Hell yes i agree, ironically i agree even more today, one year in..

I mean how many people leave there home ALL ALONE and move to the opposite side of the planet not knowing anybody at all here!? My god i must be certifiable....

But considering i only had pocket change one year ago at Auckland airport, and i am now working and living in Wellington, sharing a house, have a car and a huge overdraft (LOL) i have done reasonably well to still be here, i think?

Cutting a long story short, i bought a rusty probably illegal campervan for a few hundred dollars and toured the North Island for 3 weeks, until i run out of cash and ended up in a carpark in Wellington panicking about being broke! I looked for suitable temporary work and had trouble on that front, BUT i had several offers of permanent full-time work as my trade. So money being very tight (2 transfers from brother in UK.. Oops) i had to take a job. So i took a job as an Electrician and well, i am still doing it!

Went through the nightmare of red-tape to get NZ Electricians Registration, and still paying for it today! lol

As you probably know from my many panicking posts (me= male drama queen) i am STILL having some issues and nightmares legally staying in the country!

As from midnight (looks at the clock) i am OFFICIALLY an illegal overstayer! AND to top that, as NZIS have had my passport for weeks, i havent been able to do my theory driving test, and also means of course i cant drive a vehicle from midnight! (very popular at work i am!). Consultants tell me that a visa could still take another 2-3 weeks, my bank is about to cnacel my huge overdraft as i quote "you are no longer legally in NZ sir".

So all in all, its been an up and down year, and right now its all still going wrong! :o BUT i still got my sense of humour and i still just had a pint to celebrate my year in the south pacific either way.

The funny thing is, i had planned to spend six months travelling NZ to see where i may like to settle down, but cashflow meant i ended up in the capital and still not sure its where i plan to stay in NZ, i do love Wellington dont get me wrong, but still not sure its what i came to NZ for... But right now it suits me with a home and an income.... :)

Any advice? Well honestly i dont recommend just coming over on a whim like i did UNLESS you have the cash, or someone at home to back you up. There has been some scary moments when i wondered where next meal was coming from, or where i may sleep.. And not sure those worries gone just yet. BUT on the flipside, if i had never taken the huge risk of giving up everything in UK and coming over with one bag of clothes and a wallet of not-a-lot i know i would still be in UK saying to myself "one day i still plan on living in NZ".. So i suppose i am glad i took the leap, just wish i had planned it a bit better!

And one final thing... i couldn't have done it here alone! "but you did come alone didnt you Lee?" i hear you say.....

Hell NO, I've had you lot.... awesome people, so kind friendly and always here when a guy alone and stuck needed some words of support. (hell i am welling up here!) Thankyou all so very much, i have met and had some great times with some of you, others i feel i know you so well anyhow..

You guys are awesome, this IS the greatest forum and bunch of friends i have had the pleasure to belong to..

[Mels]

Hi Lee,

I really hope you get your residency sorted and quick. You deserve it for determination and resourcefulness alone and courage.

And your right, if you hadn't done it you would always wonder...

Mels

[Caroline and Dave]

Excellent post Lee.
I think you will find things will sort themselves out. Incidentally, our 2 are on Student visas at different colleges and they have both been told when their visas run out they have 3 months to either find work etc or get out of the country, so you may not be ilegal after all. Not sure if same applies for work visas.
All the best anyway

Dave and Caroline

[JandM]

Yes, indeed. All the very best.

[Potato]

A famous quote: You're more likely to regret the things you don't do, than you are to regret the things you do!

All of us here are (in this sense anyway) lucky people, in the minority of the world, to be able to have the ability to try out a new country.

Lee, I love your story of "just going for it". Somewhat like what I did....only I must admit I did have more than pocket change.....at that time anyway! ;)

"Good on ya!"

[benandclare]

Good on Ya Lee, reckon with a fair wind you'll be writing your 2 years in post a year from now :clap:clap

[Kim39]

In your hour of need matey you still have that laugh inside of you, and that in itself is a gift. Keep smiling Lee, as i can see you posting the 18 month update just down the line.:yes


Kim

[Leccy-Lee]

Thanks guys, hopefully in that 18mth and 24mth posts i wont be in hiding still without a visa! LOL

And hell yea, we all have bad days, but laughter is the best medicine, if you dont laugh you cry... And hell i'd rather cry with laughter! :)

They wont grind me down, if theres one thing i am, its a stubborn old fool!

[zardell]

Well if NZ don't want you Lee, theres always a bed here in OZ.

Loads of jobs for leccies too...

Good luck with the rest of your journey to residency,

:nice1

Julie

xx

[Jo Jo]

Good luck with it all, Lee.

[dusk]

:clap:laugh
I didn't knwo the start of your journey lee, that's fantastic (if, as you say, a bit on the completely nuts side)

good luck with a speedy process, you deserve it for you chutzpah if nothing else :D

[Genie]

Wow Lee!! I admire your pioneer spirit, I don't see you as crazy, just optimistic : ) Good luck with the process, got my fingers crossed for you.

[NZ Hopeful]

Got everything crossed for you Lee, hope it works itself out soon! :yes

[dilanium]

Lee, you are a much braver person than I. I admire that a lot. Good luck with becoming legal again. :)

[Red Devil]

Great post Lee... wish you the best of luck at sorting matters out :nice1

Look forward to reading your 18 month post... once we've legally arrived in NZ ;) :D

[napiers]

I think you're very brave (and, without intending to offend, perhaps a little mad/daft etc). Not many people would have done what you did but probably even less of them would have lasted as long as you. Good luck with sorting out the visa. :nice1

[StevieD]

Lee, fab, funny post, if it wasn't for the more serious side I would have been hooting laughing!! Good luck with all that goes, but don't worry, you still have some "Lee"way as NZIS are dragging their heels with the visa side of things, doesn't help with the bank though, does it "sir".

When reading your post I just had something going through my mind all the time, something like this....



Good luck Lee, keep on smiling.

[shakyle2906]

Great post Lee, had me in stitches in some parts!

I am sure all will work out well!

Sharon
x

[The Hodges]

Hi Lee,

Good luck with getting everything sorted out.

I hope that I don't see you on Border Security (TV One Monday nights) being interviewed by NZIS. Still at least you'll have compassionate grounds to stay - we'll all miss you too much! :nice1:cheers

[slider]

Great post Lee :nice1
I bet you didn't expect you'd be writing a 1 year post when you were sat in that Wellington car park 3 weeks into your journey.
I'll lay another bet - you'll be writing another one in 12 months time.

Good luck with the immigration service over the next few weeks.

You're an inspiration to all of us. :cheers

[lockstock]

You are officially bonkers Lee. But that's par for the course for most of us I guess. You have stuck to your guns and now look at you. Illegal immigrant, carless, huge debts. Bliss!!! You stay right where you are while we sort it all out for you (figuratively speaking).The place just wouldn't be the same without you. It won't be long before it all falls into place and you can look back and crack up properly:D

Roll on next year's V8s:nice1

[jackie m]

Awwww Lee

You will be fine & I loved your post:) I'm sure with out a doubt you will be posting your 18th month one before we know it. Anyway like others say you are not going anywhere. A petition Keep Lee in NZ sounds like an idea :D

Jackie

[swissmissdesigner]

WOW!!
Just for the excellent post you should get the residency!!!!
I vote for it..

and I wish you all the best Lee, you rock!!!

Anna

[LesleyS]

Lee

You're such a likeable rogue, how could they not want you to stay?
THIS FORUM NEEDS YOU! Hows that?

Good Luck!

[Bruckner]

Great post Lee and all the best to you!

Emily

[StevieD]

something like this..... my link didn't work!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIPpA5BqWpE

[peebles16]

Fab post Lee and yes agree with the slightly bonkers comment but it helps :D

All the best and hope to hear your good news soon :)

Karenx

[victoria24]

an awe inspiring story lee. for those of us that dont know your story, could you post a small prequel outlining your story leading up to the move when you were still in the uk?
regs neil

[cappuccino]

Great post Lee - good luck with the latest part of your 'adventure'. With your kinda attitude how could they not let you stay? :cheers

[Beachcombers]

Good day Lee, as someone who been through a similar situation (work permit expired whilst waiting for PR), I know what a complete nightmare it is. First a couple of things to consider.

Did you apply for PR and hand in your passport BEFORE your work permit expired? If so, then you are NOT a over stayer (it a bit of a grey area, but if push comes to shove, as long as you have application pending, you can stay). However if your work permit has expired, you are NOT allowed to work.

How I got around this, was after several calls to the NZIS help line, I got a operator who was 1 - Knew what they were talking about, 2 - Could emphasise with my situation, 3 - Give me a course of action and a "name"

Basically I had the name of a supervisor in the work permit processing team and I was given a fax number and had to send a fax addressed to this person, stating my situation and underlying the fact that I could not work and relied on this income for food, rent etc.

24 hours later I had a call from NZIS, they had issued a new work permit!

The key to all of this, was phoning the NZIS, explaining my situation in calm and polite manner and asking the helpline person for help. I took three or four calls before I got hold of someone willing to listen.

Good luck!

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

You don't have to be mad to work here, but it helps springs to mind.

It's been a tough journey, but you've won the battles so far to get where you are today, only a couple more to go and I really can't see you giving up the fight so it's all but a sure thing you'll be here for the long haul Lee.

One things for sure, you'll never be short of somewhere to lay your head or get a hot meal in this country with the friends you've made on here.

Keep on smiling, as if you need to be told.

[marcia]

Great post lee.

Good luck with everything, hopefully we will get to meet up with you at the racing at the start of the season! (ifthey don't throw you out first! :D)

Your posts are always good read, we love you on here, they can't send you away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (except to a loony bin!)

[gil]

Fabulous post Lee! It won't let me rep you again yet tho'. Echoing what everyone else has said...
Gil
x

[nippa&pippa]

Great post Lee:nice1 Good luck on getting visa asap! :laugh

[StevieD]

Repping is not allowed for overstayers :laugh

[TrentBridge]

Great post Lee. Hope you have good news soon - keeping everything crossed for you :yes

[mgbridges]

What a wonderful post Lee, I always seem to end up smiling after reading something you've posted and you soooo deserve to stay so good luck with it all.

Anneliese

PS - meant to say ages ago - REALLY pleased you went back to your old avatar.

[Leccy-Lee]

Guys and Gals......

I am touched... (Back Later)

[KerryS]

As someone who had a similar start to their journey, I can only say Good On Ya Lee, and here's hoping that you get your residency woes sorted soon!

[Kate D]

With your irrepressible sense of humour and all your forumites cheering for you, I am absolutely sure this will happen for you!

When (not "if" surely!!) you get the PR there'll be people in Welly wanting to buy you a beer (or cider!) to toast the achievement.

We're all waiting with baited breath for you...

[Rabbit]

Your doing well Lee, I hope this helps.

http://www.dailyinspiringquotes.com/determination.shtml

Rabbit

[james the mechanic]

Is there a finder’s fee or bounty paid for illegal’s in NZ?
Or does some top secret elite repatriation task force just raid their last known address with guns and teargas in the small hours?
Best of luck, ether way mate. laugh

[zardell]

Hi Rabbit.

Loved this one -

'The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible.'

How true is that...

:nice1

Julie

xx

[Leccy-Lee]

James, if there is, there not looking too hard.. I was working in lets say, a very secretive government departments office yesterday! With full ID and SIS security clearance! lol

Could i claim a bounty on myself? hmmmmm

[Leccy-Lee]

Fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you one on the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round - remembering that the man who always fights one more round is never whipped.

That one sums me up.... I aint going down without a fight :p

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

I aint going down without a fight

As the actress said to the bishop :laugh

James, I now have a mental picture of Kiefer Sutherland entering Lee's house after dark via rope/window drugging him and dragging him off. Lee then waking up in an empty Aeroflot plane over Siberia just in time to see the pilot parachute away and the fuel guage reach zero.....

Lee, keep a box of milk tray in your black pyjama's tonight. If you get out alive there's bound to be a lovely lady awaiting your triumphant return.

[holland]

Hey Lee, I have pm'd you but wanted to say great post! Hopefully all the visa stuff will get sorted soon..

If you ever fancy another trip up here you know where we are...we'll get the beer, meat and potatoes in!...oh and plain gravy!! -no onion rubbish! lol:D:nice1

[M-Squared]

Best of luck, Lee! NZ and this forum would be a much sadder place without you. Beachcombers did hit the nail on the head, though. If your PR application is in, I don't *think* you're classed as an overstayer. :nice1 (always best to check it out though ;) )

[Leccy-Lee]

I have no PR application, only a visa extension folks (yet).

[Rabbit]

I remember stumbling around the graveyard in Collingwood, Golden Bay a few months ago. Having read a number of the gravestones many of the people seem to have drowned in crossing the rivers. Within the context of immigration, there was one stone that had a quote that stood out, it said ‘come unto me and rest’ as I pondered the experience of these very early immigrants even though a hundred and fifty years on I felt some empathy.

http://www.crossroad.to/Victory/poems/come-rest.htm

Not being morbid nor am I religious, just saying that even in the 21st centuary immigration is very tough, perhaps different pressures and challenges and still quite demanding.

Rabbit

[RedKev]

Soooo, let me get this straight. You "had pocket change one year ago at Auckland airport" and you "had planned to spend six months travelling NZ to see where i may like to settle down, but cashflow meant i ended up in the capital"????

LOL, you think NZ was a third world country or something ;) You ain't gonna get very far on pocket change here. :nice1

"I mean how many people leave there home ALL ALONE and move to the opposite side of the planet not knowing anybody at all here!?"

Me :laugh And a helluva lot of other Irish. It's how we roll tho :D

[Leccy-Lee]

LOL Kev, well by pocket change i meant to find some backpacking kind of Temp jobs and just kind of backpack or rough it round, but i cant deny i spent too much too fast. I have friends who fly on same flight as me for a gap year with about the same cash and spent a whole year touring NZ, i just got carried away.

Isnt NZ a third world country then? ;) lol :exit

And you can get away with more risks you see, i mean you have the "luck of the irish" on your side! :nice1

[pinkpiggy]

"They're coming to take him away hahahehe".

Sorry Lee, couldn't resist. :p Seriously though, I hope you get your Visa sorted quick smart. Who else would be able to keep OH (BBB) and StevieD in line?? :exit

[lockstock]

Is there a finder’s fee or bounty paid for illegal’s in NZ?
Or does some top secret elite repatriation task force just raid their last known address with guns and teargas in the small hours?


LOL! What do they do to those who harbour them unwittingly!!!

[Leccy-Lee]

I was legal when you harboured me Gilly..! lol
And as a huge 24 fan, i would love to see the 24 team come get me.... :)

[Alan]

You could set up as an Immigration Advisor, good luck with getting it sorted.

[RedKev]

Yup it's easy to get carried away spending, that why I went to SEA first :) Doesn't cost as much to get carried away there!

Good luck with your Visa status, drinking test and whatever else is around the corner for you :nice1

EDIT: I meant driving test ... where is my mind...

[tea drinker]

Hi Lee
got everything crossed for you
somethings are meant to be and surely you are just meant to be in NZ:yes
td

[StevieD]

Seagoing is an excellent form of enjoying yourself and getting paid to do it I have to agree :)

Lee, you know what it is, you didn't bring some lucky shamrock with you, I knew something was niggling me about this :laugh