[marcon]

Hi there

Found this website while browsing and dreaming of life in New Zealand and wondered if anyone could offer information.

About twenty years ago I went to NZ for 3 weeks holiday (Dunedin), loved the place so much I stayed for a year until my visitors visa expired. Since then I have been married, had two boys (13, 11) and am now divorced. During the divorce I found out my husband had re-mortgaged the house and through the settlement had to 'buy him out' which has left me in a very poor financial position. I would love to return to live and work with my children on a permanent basis and plan to visit the expo in Glasgow. Due to my circumstances however, I'm not holding my breath, the thought of not returning to NZ is quite depressing.

Can anyone offer any advice on my chances? Is it worth turning up for the expo?

Thanks

Lynn

[Timbo]

Hi Lynn, and a very warm welcome aboard. I guess your chances of getting into NZ are really down to your skills/experience in whatever you do to earn a crust. NZ is crying out for people in certain fields of work, so the skills stream would most likely be the best way forward.
Ask away with any specifics, and if we can help, we will. :cheers

[marcon]

Hi Timbo

Thanks so much for the warm welsome and replying so quickly.

Briefly my skills are in Internal Audit, IT Networks (Small amount of web stuff) and Quality Management Systems. I have a Certificate in Humanities and a Certificate in English Law and I am due to complete my Certificate in Accounting at the end of this year. I was previously employed with the MOD at Faslane in the Nuclear Audit and Safety/Quality department, but now work for a small publishers, publishing Marketing Journals/Books, so have quite a bit of desktop publishing experience also.

Not much really compared to many of the other threads I have read.

What do you think?

Cheers


Lynn

[Timbo]

Lynn. IT is definately not my field of expertise, but there are plenty here who can help to point you in the right direction. For what it is worth, I do believe that you should find at something at least close to your line of work on the skills shortages list at NZIS website. I will try and find the relevant link for you (unless someone beats me to it).

If you open this link and scroll to the bottom of the page, you will find the link for immediate skills shortages by region.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/generalinformation/news/SkillShortageListsAmendedJuly05.htm

[marcon]

Thanks again for the advice and link, there's a very large G&T waiting for you.

Now that I'm back from work I'll have time to look at the list instead of quick peeks in between the boss being in the office.

I'll keep you posted, and thanks again.

Lynn

[tigerlily]

marcon-

welcome!

Have you been here?
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/

The migrant path is just one of several, but it sounds like it could be your ticket (as it is for many of us here).

On the left side of the page is a link to a Skilled Migrant Category Points Indicator. That is how you will know if you have the points you need.

The kids won't count for or against you. It's just getting your ex to agree to let you take them, and the documentation to prove this.

I think after you do the points calculator you'll see that either you can make it without a job offer, or that you will need that offer to get the points you need. Don't let the job offer stand in your way. Several people here have gone on a visitor visa and found work, then applied for perminent residence.

Hope this helps. Do come back with questions.