[Hannah]

Hi, I'm a new member who has finally managed to get through the techno stuff to put an entry on the site. I'm not technological, but I'm very friendly and this appears to be a very friendly site!!

My partner and I have 2 children (6 and 9) and have booked tickets to come to New Zealand on 1st November, for six months on a visitor visa in search of work and a good time while we search! Have been to NZ travelling about 2 years ago and we all loved it but felt that six month stay would give us an idea of what it's like to live there (we travelled for six weeks - great fun, but not real life). Plan to put the kids into school and stay in Palmerston North where we have friends, and rent a house.

Have any of you any advice you could give me. Anything i've not thought of. Lots of questions,eg. do they do 'furnished' rentals in NZ?? We are coming with just clothes, teddies and lego!

Out of interest I work in public health and health service management. Have an MSc in Public Health and a degree. No nursing etc background so not capable of going down priority occupation route. Partner does everything (plumbing etc) but not qualified in anything!! Guess we'll find out jobs scene when we are there.

REally excited about the trip, even though it's 8 months away. If there's hidden costs or other issues that i'm not aware of i would appreciate any advice, warnings etc.
To be pre-warned is to be pre-armed.

Cheers guys, look forward to joining in your banter...

Hannah

[wilson182]

Hi Hannah

You can get furnished rentals in nz, but I'm in Christchurch so I'm not sure what there like in palmerston north. It might take you a while to find somewhere thats right for you and your family, cause some of the rentals overhere are pretty grusome.

I'm not sure, though, how you would stand for school fee's if you are only on a holiday visa. You may have to pay international fee's. Is this something you have checked out already?

[Timbo]

I know nothing of the area personally Hannah. But did manage to find you this. Hope it helps.

http://www.fergusoncourt.co.nz/

[Hannah]

thanks for the website - i'll take a look. Apparently we would have to pay school fees, about £1000 per child for the six month period. The kids are keen on the idea of not having to wear school uniform - i think they would fund the school fees out of their own pocket money just to experience that!! (and my son, who will then be in year 6, is delighted to be missing the lead up to the year 6 SATS tests...
Hannah

[A & M]

Hi Hannah

If either of you get a job during your stay, and therefore a work permit, your children will be able to go to state schools for free. We are here for a year, with similar aged children, and they have settled into school very well.

We couldn't find a furnished rental, and like you came with just clothes, teddies and wetsuits. We are in an unfurnished rental and have borrowed a TV, bought the absolute minimum furniture, saucepans etc from the Warehouse and the local auction house. We will just sell it all again when (if) we go back.

Happy to answer any more questions, kepe them coming.

Good luck, Mandy

[Hannah]

Thanks for your replies on my previous posting,
We have budgetted about NZ$30,000 for our 6 month stay allowing us to stay for the whole period in case we don't find jobs (I've read some worrying stories on this page - people coming over because they've heard there's teaching jobs, IT jobs etc. and then not finding work. I'm in public health and have no idea how realistic it is to get work in NZ.
Is $30,000 realistic for 6 months - to cover food, rent, buying a cheap car and general bills? We're 2 adults, 2 (permanently hungry) children, school fees (about $3,000 for 6 months) but live frugally and never buy luxuries!
Advice welcome
Hannah

[Bakehouse]

Hi Hannah

I could not help but respond to your messages because we are new to the forum and have the same ideas as you.
We visited NZ about 12 months ago for six weeks to visit relations and basically have a look around and we loved it.
We have been in the process ever since,My wife needed to get her qualifications assessed by NZQA to see if they were comparible(residential social worker before the 2 children arrived)the assessment came back with a level 4 which means that in order to get PR my wife will need to get a job offer that immigration are happy with. This is not the ideal situation but we have decided that you only get one life and you need to take a chance once in a while!
We hope to go to NZ in about June/July time , subject to selling the house.

Any comments welcome

[Hannah]

Hello Bakehouse,
Sounds like we are in the same boat as you. Without a job I have 95 points (my partner has no qualifications) so I would need to find a job too. I understand that social workers are in high demand. Has you partner done the DipSW? There are loads of jobs for social workers so I guess you will have no problem when you arrive.
The irony is that I'm qualified to MSc level and yet my partner got all the job offers when we first visited NZ!! Even the campervan hire place asked him to stay in NZ and fix their campervans (he's got years of mechanic experience, but nothing in the form of a certificate). I can't get enough points without a job and he can't get enough points without the qualifications!!!!
Anyway, since returning after our first trip we decided to think...for a long time. And finally we've booked tickets for Nov. I know it's easier to find work in the country than over the internet and feel that if i don't get a job and begin to settle in six months then it's not meant to be, and we've had a hell of a lifetime's experience in the meantime. We used to be obsessed with finding work - getting local papers sent through, applying over the internet for any job going etc. and then stopped to take stock. Realised that we do actually have a lot going for us here and let's take life as it comes. I'm now going to NZ with an open mind - we may find work, we may not, but we'll have a bloody good time while we're there!!! When I left the first time i did really feel i left part of myself behind - it was special...and have to admit i'm itching to go back again!!
Good luck for June/July - keep me posted
Hannah

[dave k]

All the above is sound advice....but, Palmy? :?

Did you stay there last time you visited NZ? If so, you must like it and I'll say no more.
If not, I'd seriously consider other options. You can always visit your friends from, say, Wellington easily enough :cool

[Bakehouse]

Hi Hannah

Just thought I'd clarify the situation regarding my other half's qualifications, she was a residential Social worker (looking after children and later on adults with physical and learning difficulties) She did 2yrs full time study (city & Guildes) and then 8yrs respite care- RSW.
The NZQA came back with a level 4 in Social work,needed a level 5 for the 50 points. This is why she needs to get a job offer in a similar line of work, hopefully working with children in a school setting.
I am similar to you other half, I have loads of experience in sales and have worked for a large blue chip company for about 14yrs but have no degree other that the degree of life! Having spoken to couple of companies whilst we were over in NZ there response was very positive almost to the point of offering me a job, but there lies the problem.

I am sure things will work out and like you can't wait to get there but need to sell the house first.

Bye for now Bakehouse

[Timbo]

Is this of any use Bakehouse?

http://www.bopdhb.govt.nz/vo/displaycurrent.asp?location_id=1#0503-01

[Bakehouse]

Hi Timbo

Thank You for the info, I think that once we arrive in NZ My better half will be able to have a good look at the opportunities in her caring profession, She would really like to get into working with children with special needs (physical & learning difficulties) in a school enviroment.

Cheers for the link.

[Hannah]

Hi Dave
Regarding your question about Palmy. Actually we're thinking of two places to start - one is New Plymouth (which we liked best out of all of the places we visited) and Palmy because we have friends there (maybe not a good reason???don't know..)
If we go to Palmy our children can start school with friends they know and I will have the university as an additional site for potential work opportunities. New Plymouth, we love, but less work opportunities from preliminary research (jobs papers - but maybe I'm wrong here, again I don't know) and our children will know no-one there. Also my partner is obsessed with mozzies and got bit by black sandflies in winter there, so is worried that summer will be worse.
Have other people had these kind of dilemmas? What issues did you take into consideration?
Wellington is obvious choice - it is the centre of public health in NZ (my area of work) - but partner won't consider living in a capital. But i guess outskirts are ok - does anyone live there???
Am rambling, sorry - i keep being interrupted by my children who want to eat ice cubes in copious supplies :yes
Bye for now, Hannah

[dave k]

Wellington is not just any "capital" - don't think London, Paris etc.. - it's a fairly small, extremely beautiful city that you can pretty much get around on foot if you want to...and there's heaps of surrounding 'burbs that are equally pleasant.
Just wanted to give you a heads-up though...not put you off PN if you've made plans & got your heart set :)