[Moorf]

Of course, now we are here the whole family and band of friends wants to move... we are being asked to recommend a book but we didn't use one :oops: so I wonder if you guys can give me some pointers to info that you used when making decision to move here (or even just for general info).

I guess they don't need a book as such, any references really will do!

I already told them about this site before you ask!! :laugh

[Paul]

Moorf

I am currently reading through "Going to live in New Zealand" by Mary Neilson and Mathew Collins (www.howtobooks.co.uk) and I have Paul Goddard's book (from Tv series "Get a New Life" on my Xmas list!

The first book is quite factual with its information and published in 2004 so upto date at the mo with most of its info

Personally I think this and other forums give almost 100% of the info you need if you ask the right questions!

Regards

Paul

[cloudboy99]

Paul,

How UK-centric is that book? 276 pages sure sound like some good information, however if it deals only with UK issues then I don't know if it would help me over here in the States. If it is good general purpose information, I found a "stateside" link for it: http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=1857039653;;slnc=1

--Stephen

[Paul]

Hi Stephen

I would say the book has a enough generic info in it to be of interest to anyone looking to go to NZ, for instance it covers driving, rental properties, cost of living, education, tax and a number of other chapters including outlining the whole immigration process.

As I say there is probably not too much here that you couldn't find on the internet for free BUT it is sometimes useful to have all the info in one handy book!

You can also order it through www.amazon.com

Go on put it on your Christmas list!

Paul

[deebat]

I bought the NZ Immigration and Relocation Report developed by NuKiwi (http://www.nukiwi.com/299t7mFw.htm) several months ago. After finally reading it (it's an online book) last week, I think it's worthy of a recommendation. It discusses everything from the EOI process to, oh, driving in NZ and other life-in-NZ issues.

And Stephen, it worked well for me as a US citizen; I think the writers are very mindful that their audience can be coming from anywhere.

-Dan

[Timbo]

Hi Helen. I have kept a copy of The Rough guide to NZ next to the computer for the last year, and it has proved invaluable.
It does not give much on the immigration process, if anything. But as far as researching the various regions and facilitys goes, it is superb. As recommended by Bill Bryson.
ISBN; 1-85828-896-7 The penguin group. Every half decent bookshop will have it.

[Lil]

Well I'm a sucker for a book so here is a quick overview / review of the ones I have read. I have almost every travel guide for New Zealand and they are not really much good for emigration purposes other than to see where the tourist spots are, which may or may not sway you when looking for ideas of where to go.

Where to live in Auckland is truly excellent - only of course if you are considering going to Auckland. :roll:

Paul Goddard's "Get a New Life" is far too wishy washy and really gives no insight into the trials of emigration. It is sponsored by the New Zealand Tourist Board and the endless advertising / and references to the people he had to help him, such as the Relocation Company, BBC, Shippers and his franchise business are very tiresome. It has absolutely no content and you can read it from cover to cover in about 3 hours.

"Living & Working in New Zealand" is pretty good for for basic stuff and good for a start as long as you get an up to date version. My one was based on the old points system before EOI was introduced.

"Kiwis might fly" is a good light hearted read for a girly.

Even, the AA Road Map is pretty useful for reference purposes and looking up where places are.

Best of all though, better than any book, as we all know is the priceless (all for free) first hand experiences of the folks on websites like these.

[Lil]

PS. We are having bets on the fact that at least one person we know, be they friends or family will follow in our footsteps. Odd isn't it? The amount of people who say, "Oooh, I'm so jealous, I'd love to do that." No disrespect but it's sad that they don't have the imagination or dreams of their own.

[Moorf]

Lil - you are so right - have tried to tell people this isn't a "me too" decision for them and they really really have to WANT to move to NZ (or anywhere far from home really).

Thanks for all your suggestions - from my parents point of view they don't really "do" forums - I guess those on forums are already pretty sure they want to move (am I wrong?) and therefore are at a more advanced stage than those simply seeking some basic info - another comment my brother made was "how do I trust forums, they aren't experts!!" hmmmm

Does experience make you an expert? :? I don't think so necessarily but I sure learned most of what I know today by participating in one :nice1

[Timbo]

Moorf. I think you should tell that bro of your`s that you are officially a GURU. :nice1

[veronica]

hiya, Moorf I have to agree with your brother in principle, but they are good places for getting information you can then confirm for yourself.

[Timbo]

I have to say that, to my cost, I put a little too much faith in a so called expert. This was in the form of a visa agent, with our personal case officer being a born and bred New Zealander.
An awfull lot of the information that came directly from this source, and therefore from my point of view was pretty well un-questionable, turned out to be at best a little mis-leading and at worse just plain wrong.
For this reason, I have more faith and trust in the good souls here than I do in officialdom (Jamie Smith being an exception).

[veronica]

Timbo when I said confirm I meant with NZIS. (although the answers from different people there seem to vary).
You do know the defination of an expert don't you:
X is an unknown quantity
spurt is a drip under pressure.
For some reason that would make me very hesitant to say I was an expert anything (I'm not anyway so perhaps its sour grapes)

[Timbo]

:laugh :laugh A drip under pressure describes me having a bad day at work.

[real_sunfire]

There are at least a couple of books called "Liviing and working in New Zealand". I recommend the one subtitled "A Survival Guide" by Mark Hempshell. Very, very good - the best book on NZ lifestyle I've seen so far.

Do not touch "Living and Working in New Zealand" by Joy Murihead. The 5th Edition even though it was published in 2002 is very out of date - they even still think the National Party is in power. *:)

Rgds.,
Nick.

[heimatseeker]

For a good (and current) first-person account of an American who moved to NZ, I'd recommend Slipping into Paradise: Why I Live in New Zealand by Jeffrey Masson. This isn't so much as guide on how to migrate, but rather the author's personal declaration of love for his new country, with lots of good info on history, culture, nature, and everyday life in NZ. Sometimes his style can get a bit too overbearing and lecturing ("I, the American intellectual"), but overall I found it quick read and good introduction to Kiwi country and culture.

[T-and-L-PDX]

I'd like to recommend Culture Shock New Zealand: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette (http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=17-155868784x-0) This book has been a great supplement to forums and online reading. This book is written by an immigrant (albeit a 40-year resident) who has some solid advice (well, I hope it is) for avoiding the shock of the unfamiliar.

Also, there are intermittent and uneven but often good posts at www.escapeartist.com. Search on "New Zealand" and you'll find impressions from recent emigres.

[foolsgold99]

For a good (and current) first-person account of an American who moved to NZ, I'd recommend Slipping into Paradise: Why I Live in New Zealand by Jeffrey Masson (Amazon US link). This isn't so much as guide on how to migrate, but rather the author's personal declaration of love for his new country, with lots of good info on history, culture, nature, and everyday life in NZ.

I hated this book, and would advise people to aviod. He writes an entire chapter about what's wrong with other countries, including one about why he didn't like Germany because of the Nazi death camps :eek

[Nicola]

For a good (and current) first-person account of an American who moved to NZ, I'd recommend Slipping into Paradise: Why I Live in New Zealand by Jeffrey Masson (Amazon US link). This isn't so much as guide on how to migrate, but rather the author's personal declaration of love for his new country, with lots of good info on history, culture, nature, and everyday life in NZ.

I hated this book, and would advise people to aviod. He writes an entire chapter about what's wrong with other countries, including one about why he didn't like Germany because of the Nazi death camps :eek

Totally agree here I am half way throught this book and it is so depressing. Interesting for good background to NZ culture, racial issues, flora and fauna. A good one for getting rid of rose tinted glasses. There are some very funny passages that I feel are maybe not meant to be funny. Especially his comments on how refreshing "the chopping tall poppy syndrome" is, while telling the readers how differen he ist from the average Kiwi and how intellectual he is. I would not recommend you buy this book, but if the local library has a copy, have a dip into it and take the facts you need from it.

Apologies to those of you out there who perhaps enjoyed this book, everyone is different and this is only my personal view point.

Nicola