[Jameelka]

Hi All,
It's lovely to read everyones experiences,advice and just friendship on these forums.
We are looking into relocating to New Zealand as soon as we can,and so looking at all the optional ways of doing this.
Without my other half actually being offered a job over there before we go,then we don't have enough points to go any further.Having read alot of comments, alot of people have found it hard to find a job in NZ from this part of the World,so we are looking into the other options we have.
Some very brave peops have gone over on a tourist visa and then applied for PR whilst over there,so that is one option that we may have to do,but just a few questions about that if anyone has knowledge of this;
1. Is it poss to take our Golden Retriever dog with us on a tourist visa? (could n't go without her!)
2. I pressume we would have to pay for schooling for our 2 girls aged 10 and 8 yrs,anyone any idea of cost?
3. Can we still ship all our stuff across on this visa? (that would be after we have sold our house,which is up for sale)
4. Any restrictions on purchasing property on this visa?
5. Would we have to pay any medical bills?

Anything eles anyone else can advise would be great.
At this stage we are keeping all options open,just need to sell the house!! like everyone else!
Many thanks
Jameelka

[Leccy-Lee]

Would be interesting also to read peoples eperience on this, as it still looking like my best option too.

[Hannah]

Hi again, I know we've spoke a bit already via PM but i'll try and answer what I can here based on my personal experiences to assist others thinking of the same thing:

We (my, partner, 2 children aged 7 and 10) came over in November on visitor visa and got our children into a local school (for which i had to apply for student visas) while we job hunted. OH found work first and applied for 1 yr work visa and I applied for a family work visa (an open work visa for partners of those with a work visa). I got offered a job in Feb and submitted our EOI as I am the best placed to be principle applicant (due to my qualifications). Our house has not been put up for sale yet so we still have to organise this. We may rent it out. I can't answer all of your questions but i can answer some:

2. I pressume we would have to pay for schooling for our 2 girls aged 10 and 8 yrs,anyone any idea of cost?
International school fees vary. We asked one local school what their costs per term were - one said $2000 per child (total $8000 for 2 terms for both children) where as another school actually charged $1200 for both children for 2 terms!! (i.e $300 per child per term). Apparently the first price ($2000) is the norm although schools can set their own fees. The school charging the cheaper price was a catholic school that kindly made a point of not wanting to put international students families in hardship due to high school fees and hence charged 'cost price' only (i.e. for cost of books, admin fees etc). The school asked that we help them out where possible (e.g. helping in school) and we did this until we found work. It is important that you check whether schools take international students first as not all are registered to do so. Also note, that as soon as you get a work permit (or PR of course) your children will not pay school fees (other than those voluntary contributions requested for all students, about $300 a year for my 2 children at our school) plus another $500 for both children paid to the catholic school board (affecting catholic schools only). They will not have to pay school fees for as long as the work permit is valid and you are working. Another point, you will have to apply for student permit (costing $120 since price rise in Jan) - you will need an offer of a place from an international registered school before student permit issued. From experience I would chose school when you arrive - the school that looked good on the internet was not the school our children or I chose when we got here, partly because we ended up renting on other side of town and wanted a local school.

3. Can we still ship all our stuff across on this visa? (that would be after we have sold our house,which is up for sale).
I am not entirely sure whether you can ship stuff over on a VISITOR visa, but I do know that you will be charged GST (and possibly other charges?) if you come on a work visa (According to my ITA paperwork). I have heard on the forum that you cannot ship a container over on a visitor visa. Maybe others can clarify? I vaguely remember Dave G (Do Be Brief) once posted that he had to keep his stuff in storage until he got the work permit.

4. Any restrictions on purchasing property on this visa?
I am aware that some people have problems getting mortgages, credit cards etc. but am not aware of any problems buying property if you are a cash buyer. Overseas buyers are purchasing property over here without a problem, partly contributing towards the rising house prices over recent yrs.

5. Would we have to pay any medical bills?
Emergency medical care in A&E would be free, and if you have a GP appointment I believe you are charged what other patients in NZ would be charged (around $40 - but varies). This is called a 'reciprical fee' as NZ has a reciprical arrangement with UK. Any other non emergency care would incur a charge and children would have pay dental bills (which are otherwise free to residents and those on work permits of 2 yrs and above). Had to fork out about $150 if i remember correctly when my son needed tooth out just after we arrived!!. Basically, the only medical fees that are free would be emergency care in A&E only (ie. not emergency care in an emergency primary care centre/out of hours doctors surgery - even residents have to pay for this although they can claim back from ACC in the case of accident/injuries. The medical costs are difficult to get your head round and there is a real divide between the treatment you get which is funded via ACC (accidents/injuries as a result of 'outside influence') and those funded via the district health boards and ministry of health (e.g chronic disease and ongoing health problems not covered by ACC). ACC funded services are better quality/more timely and at no additional cost to you. If you don't qualify for a community services card (for those on low income) you will have to pay for a fair amount of your ongoing care if you suffer chronic disease/illness - that's what you could really do with medical insurance for. That's my understanding of the system anyway!
Would advise you have a pot of money put by to cover emergency medical costs in first few weeks (dentist, trips to GP, etc.) just in case. Or have some medical insurance for first few weeks (although we didn't bother, we never take out med ins for holidays as it's so costly).

Hope this helps, i'm sure others out there may add to this or pick me up if i've got some of my facts wrong. I've only been here 4 mths and i'm still learning.

Good luck, hannah