[Stapleton-Gray]

Hi Everyone

We are new to the forum.

If I can give you a quick run down of our situation and hopefully you will have some positive words for us or any advice!

Well, for ages now, me and my partner have been wanting to move to NZ to better our lifestyles. We have lived in the UK all our lives and quite frankly have never felt 'at home' here. I have cousins and friends in NZ and have been there a few times and its the only place that feels like home.

So last year we decided to start the ball rolling and was looking into all the options of how to get there, how to become residents. OMG, it was the most confusing thing and it totally freaked us out. But we knew we wanted to do it so we continued to go forward.
In November last year we came over for a month and visited our friends and family and decided to have a look around at properties, so we could get a feel for everything and maybe head back to NZ this year and sort something out. Well, after looking around Auckland we fell in love with a house in Albany and instead of waiting...we just bought it! There and then! It was the craziest thing but it just felt right.

So we have legally owned it since January of this year but haven't yet moved in, as were are still here in the UK trying to figure out the best route in terms of visas etc. We have been renting the house out instead of letting it sit there, all lonely!

We have been applying for work for over a month now. I've been appplying for varied roles as I have skills in administration and graphics and teaching and my other half has a strong IT background working for some high profile companies and therefore has been applying fot IT support and manager roles.
So far we have had good responses saying we both have strong CV's, however it is too difficult to sort anything out from this end. The agencies we have spoken to suggest that we just come out to NZ on a visitors permit and they can set up interviews for both us and they say we should find work fairly quickly and then we can apply for visas once securing work.
This scares me slightly as it would mean being in that 'unknown territory'.

I can actually get a working holiday visa, as Im under 30. But my other half is just over 30 and therefore can't get one.

We have spoke about it and have decided to come over in about 6 weeks, so the middle of July and start going for interviews and hoping that we can find work and get sponsorship.

How does this sound? Is this possible? Can it happen that quickly? We are so excited at the prospect of achieving our dreams so soon but at the same time a little scared that it could all go wrong.

What are your views? Or is there anyone out there that can help us find work? Or know of anyone who is looking?

We have been told that employers will find it reassuring that we already own a house there as it shows our 100% dedication and commitment to staying in NZ.

Gaaaaaaahhhhh, its all so scary!

Ooops, I did say a quick run down didn't I?! Sorry to have gone on, but I needed to get all of this off my chest, I've been a little stressed about all of this!

We look forward to hearing from you all.

Thanks

James Stapleton-Gray
x

[dawn]

Hi James

Welcome to the forum.

I just want to say, that it can be done, I had some video-conferece interviews in February and I start my new job in NZ in August, so don't give upo hope of finding a job from the UK.

A lot of people have gone over on the visitors permits and found work, then applied for PR from NZ and have been successful.

Going over for 6 weeks sounds like a great idea, getting a job out there will certainly make things easier ofr you. I wish you the best of luck.

Dawn

[Jameelka]

Hi James,
Like Dawn said buying the house certainly shows you want to go!!!
We will if we have to take the visitors visa and then look for work,but just having returned on Friday from NZ, and my OH having 2 chats and 2 interviews we are still hoping that we can arrange the visa before we go if we can get the job offer in writting. (still no news! speaking to the 2 agencies tonight! they are too laid back at times!!)
But we did get the impression whilst over there that they are quite wary, incase you say you'll come and then don't.
Sure if you have to take the tourist visa route then you'd find them quite eager,since you are there and can start asap.
Good luck which ever route you take! :exit

[Jenny & Mark]

Welcome to forum James. :)
Teachers are in high demand. If you are qualified, you could get started in NZ with some LTR work, but you will need to get your qualifications checked by the NZQA asap. There even is a relocation bonus via this route.

Mark.

[Smiler]

Welcome to the forum James.

It is possible to get jobs from the UK. My OH did and so have many others.

Had he not got a a job, we were coming anyway, by hook or by crook. The reaction from a lot of agencies was 'let us know when you are here'

I'm not sure about the family visa side of things but do you have family here who can sponsor you?

Which ever way you choose, good luck with all your plans and dreams. :nice1

[Stapleton-Gray]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for your responses.
Dawn - Congratulations! How exciting to have secured work before you left!
Jameelka - Good luck!
Mark - I'm not an actual qualified teacher, I have been working with children for the past 5 years teaching dance and drama in a stage school. Also teaching assistant in nursery and primary schools. So I'm not sure that will help secure anything.
Smiler - I think because we have owned the house since January we are now just so eager to start living in it, so we are definitely coming over in July and looking for work. My cousin lives in Wellington and has done for over 10 years but I think it has to be a close family member to sponsor you. Besides which, what does it actually mean by ;sponsored' by a family member? Do you know how it works?

We so can't wait till next month to come, but we are having to tie all our loose ends up here and obtain all certificates and documents before we leave, so the process doesn't take to long whilst in NZ.

[NannyOgg]

Hi and Welcome!

We are also taking the scary route - our house sale is going through and we are on a plane at the end of August (us and 2 kids!) on a "holiday" - like you my OH has been told that once he is in NZ he will get work, we will then apply for work permit and PR from there.
Do you have any commitmets (apart from terror!) that would stop you taking this route?
Nanny

[Stapleton-Gray]

No major commitments here NannyOgg!
We are living in my parents home, well they actually live in Spain, but we are in the UK property. Also, we both finished work earlier this year, so we can just leave as and when!
It is very nerve wracking though, isn't it! I hope all goes well for you too.

[pinkpiggy]

We are also taking the scary route - our house sale is going through and we are on a plane at the end of August (us and 2 kids!) on a "holiday" - like you my OH has been told that once he is in NZ he will get work, we will then apply for work permit and PR from there.

NannyOgg - whereabouts are you and your 2 children heading for? What line of work is your OH in? We're (me, OH and 2 boys) are still looking into SMC as I think we might have 130 points (subject to OH's qualifications being recongized) but if it doesn't work that way we are considering 'upping' sticks like you. We'd like to head for towards Christchurch but it's not set in stone.

[jaycee]

James, you're not alone in buying a house in the hope of one day living in it - me too :) I've thought it might demonstrate commitment, but maybe that's in the sense of mental institution ;) And I understand exactly what you mean by the feeling of being at home - I can remember the precise moment and place I was, when I realised NZ was 'my place'.

I think having the house also means one less thing to sort out when you make it out there - provided you can find employment within reasonable travelling distance.

Lots of people on here have managed to get jobs, but seems to me there are many employers who will only consider applicants with an appropriate visa. I found a job ad the other day that matched my (unusual) skill set, but despite being on the Accredited Employers List, the employer doesn't accept applications from anyone who does not have residency or a work permit. I don't quite get that, since they have sought approval from NSIZ to recruit staff from overseas...

Anyway, best of luck - hope you will soon be able to call that house your home :)

[Stapleton-Gray]

Hi Jaycee

It is definitely a frustrating time, but I guess its a case of having hope and faith! Returning to England is just not an option!

Where was you when you knew NZ was 'your home'?