[Debbie]

I know that there is lots on here about peoples experiences during there trips to NZ but I looking for some costings and info that might help plan a job hunting trip for OH.

He is in IT managment, (I should realy get around to asking him exactly what he does!) so will be looking Auckland and Welli. He would only have 2 weeks in NZ, we would look for him to fly out on a friday so that he is semi-awake for the task in hand by Monday.

Have others found it possible to do 2 cities in such a short trip?
Anyone done an 'open jaw flight' (in one city and out another) or is that only possible with one of these around the world deals?
Will I need to budget for a car so that he can get to interviews or could he manage on public transport? I figure most interviews will be CBD area.
Im very keen that he should get some experience of the houseing market while there, (the BBO / BEO thread has seriously worried me) is it practical to travel out of the CBD on public transport? I was hoping a cheap car rental for a couple of days would do. Any recommendations?
Have you found it possible to get agencies interested enough so that you have interviews pre-arrange for your arrival?
Have others that have done job hunting trips found that the interviews have been just with agencies or have they got themself in front of employers.
How have others faired when asked by employers "when can you start?". We have the visa but still have a house to sell. It is because of this that OH hasn't applied for jobs previously, he doesn't want to keep a future employer waiting.

We always thought that we would move to NZ without having the luxury of previously visiting. However, as said the housing thread has worried me enough that I think if we can afford for him to go and check it out in person he should. I just want to make sure we get as much out of the trip as possible.

I do feel a wee bit sorry for OH, by the time I've put an itinerary together for him it's not exactly going to be a relaxed trip.

Sorry there are so many questions, :eek: Im going through one of those head exploding phases.
Debbie

[clg]

Hi Debbie,

We went though this just over a year ago!

Here are a few responses. For a car, may need it in Auckland, but maybe could get away with Taxis and public transport I am sure others can tell you better. Will not need it in Wellington.

For flights, you can always book just the main international flights and then book the AKL-WLG seperately. There are a lot of flights between the two cities. We booked open jaw though so if you are solid on dates it can be done.

On interviews, he will get some but be as explicit as possible in contacting recruiters and companies. Give them the dates he will be here, let them know you are residents and this will just leave the 'when can you start question' this will be a bit tough and how long people will wait and how open ended they will be will depend on how desperate they are for his skills. It will help if you can give a date though but with the house that can be tough!

If your husband happens to work with databases at all or project management of datbases and/or anything to do with statistics I can pass him on to our recruiters, we are always looking for those sorts of people.

Good luck!
Chris

[xanctus]

Debbie,
we went to NZ for as long as 2 weeks also, covered both Auck-Welli and a bit of Palmy North and Taupo. As for hotel; we rented an aprtment hotel in Wakefield street, very very very close to the CBD (walk distance). I picked there cause we get an internet access (high speed one, we needed to send some resumes/CVs). Inside the hotel itself, it has laundry machines and kitchen. That way you can feel of really living in the city rather than "on vacation" thing. :D
As for car, that time we didn't rent a car until the day of our departure to Welli (we went there by driving a car, so might as well taking a sneak peek over North Island or to be precise motorway 1 hahaha). Reason not getting a car because parking in the Auckland's CBD is hard and rather expensive.

If in any case you need a car, you can take a lots of broschure over the airport when u arrive and search around the cheapest one. We went with AtoZ rental car. However, we had to return the car in Lower Hutt (suburb of Welli) and we came back to the city by trying the bus (you know Welli is popular with its public transportation). That way you can get the picture of the public transportation in Welli. :D
note: make sure you buy a all day parking permit, otherwise u will get ticket (as we did :@). You can get this parking permit in many gas station.
About Hotel; we rented also in CBD, again it was an apartment hotel kind of thing. The hotel was in Cuba Mall district, so walking distance around CBD.

So your question about 2 weeks in both cities is absolutely doable...
Good luck and have fun also in NZ...;)