Anyone from the USA looking to move to NZ?

sfobrian · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:19 am Post subject:

Just posted my experience with being an American and trying to get into NZ:

Need help with "No Visa / No Job Offer" Catch-22

After doing what I could, I'm pretty much as a deadend myself. Have enough points to go, IF I get a job offer. That's where the deadend comes in.

Now that I've had the opportunity to read the forums a little bit more, I'm a little disappointed at the fact that the vast majority of the people posting are from the UK, who have a slightly different set of hoops to jump through (from my understanding).

veronica · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 12:15 pm Post subject:

don't think it's a difference in the set of hoops, just maybe the advice and stratagies for the jumps are different.

sfobrian · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 1:56 am Post subject:

While I'm the first to admit that I haven't studied up on the intricacies, perhaps it was the WHV that my immigration consultant was referring to when he mentioned that it was a bit easier for folks from the UK (which makes sense, since I was well under 30 at the time). US citizens don't have the opportunity of getting any such visa (and please don't think I'm insinuating that it's a cakewalk to get into the US to work).

muttony · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 2:12 am Post subject: Me too

I'm an attorney in Massachusetts and things are just getting a bit to scary in the USA. Patriot Act, Draft, economic disaster on the horizon, do we even have a Constitution anymore?; I just don't see much future here.

I keep running these self-tests but I only get 100-120 points. I know that's not enough. My wife is a salesperson for a large corp. with an important commercial account that sells millions in "widgets" every year. I have my own law ofice so I can't go work for a corporation or something.

I have a feeling that if NZ wanted a whole slew of well-to-do well educated Americans, they'd just have to ask. This current system seems designed to get bricklayers. If I was a bricklayer, I'd have 185 points.

Hell, I could move there and with the exchange rate I could live off my interest for two-three years while I found work. I really don't get the point of NZ's immigration policy Do they want industrious people with $ or not?

I asked someone here about this already and was advised to go down there and look for a job. I don't know how realistic that is. In my line of work (I've been at it 13 years) the laws would be different enough that I'd have to start from the bottom again. I'm not sure that a NZ law firm would want someone who's 38 years old, with a funny accent, taking a job that is usually filled bya 25 year old.

I'm going to keep toying with this idea, and if they put the draft back in then I'm going to find a way. My sons are not going to war for this bunch we have running things here. That's that.

sfobrian · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 2:47 am Post subject:

Hey Muttony-

While there are obviously different laws between the two countries (compounded by whatever specialty you're in), I would imagine that there's enough common ground that you can make up the difference (without having to start from the beginning). If you have your own office, I'm presuming that you aren't in any sort of corporate/ip/whatever specialty, but you might be able to go the "entrepreneur" route and set up your own practice there. I'd suggest talking to an immigration consultant. It might not be as hopeless as you think.

Good luck!
Brian

veronica · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 4:54 am Post subject:

Hi, as I understand it the WHV is a Commonwealth thing and New Zealand has so far kept its links with the U.K. You may remember that the USA opted out of that scheme a while back.

The criteria to emigrate is the same whatever country you come from, it could be that NZ is turning out enough home grown lawyers, (the culture there is certainly not as lawyer based as the USA) but they are short of tradesmen and women.

If you read through this forum you will find plenty of UK people who can't get the number of points they need too. We couldn't get out through Petes line of work so we have gone through me.
3 years ago New Zealand was an easier place to get into, now they are oversubscribed.

Tate6 · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 6:23 am Post subject:

I've been reading this forum for a few months now, and I don't think it is any easier for people from the UK to get in. I do, however, find that there are many more avenues of help for the UK. In the way of websites, free gatherings in the larger cities with people there to answer questions and migration offices. Living in Wisconsin, and in a very rural area, any help is over the phone in another state or a few consultants online. But no specific websites for US migration to NZ. We just have to be a little more creative! Wink

I would really like to find people who have already moved from US, to get a complete take on the whole process and their outcome. No luck yet! I have searched and searched!
There is a website with a huge list of migration to NZ links from many different countries. Here it is, in case it has not been posted before.

http://www.piperpat.co.nz/nz/law/immigrat.html

Good luck to all of you and keep posting!!
Terry

sfobrian · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 7:04 am Post subject:

Hey Terry-

Thanks for the link! As I mentioned in my earlier post, I'm guessing the "easier" route came from the fact that UK citizens have the opportunity of getting the WHV (if under 30 years old), an opportunity we as US citizens do not have. But I do have to agree with you on the fact there are resources available to the UK that aren't available here.

The best resource I've found by far in terms of the intricacies of the process is getting an immigration consultant - they take care of basically everything outside of finding you a job (hence my particular dilemma). Absolutely love mine and am more than happy to pay the man his fees - I just need a little help in getting a job offer down there.

Good luck to you as well!
Brian

veronica · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 8:22 am Post subject:

If you have been reading the postings you will have picked up on the number of people in the same boat. Alot of the more determined ones are just taking a chance, giving up their jobs and going out on a holiday visa with a view to getting the job offer on the spot. Once they have the job they get a 1 year working visa which can be renewed if they choose or they can apply for perminant residency with the right no. of points.
Is that an avenue you would consider taking?

sfobrian · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 9:53 am Post subject:

vlad · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 5:18 am Post subject: More pictures of NZ from Russians

I was searching some Russian web sites about NZ and found few links, here is one of them in English http://www.newzealand.net.ru/
Russians everywhere ask them how to immigrate to NZ .
I read there is about 10'000 recent Russian immigrants in NZ. They don't even speak English , and sure they have even funnier accent then us Americans. I personally like my son speaking American English , not that I hate UK accent .
I think the life in US is not as bad as you say otherwise why UK people
seem to be more interested in NZ.
I can't even convince my wife to go on a 3 week trip to Coramandel on the North Island. She thinks there is no better place then California.

richsadams · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 6:13 am Post subject: Russian in New Zealand

Hi Vlad and Welcome!

Being born and raised in California (a rare species!) I can understand your wife thinking there aren't too many better places to be. I can attest however that there are. And in my humble opinion New Zealand is one of them...in fact number one for my wife and me. That's why we're moving there the end of this month! Clapping

You can tell her that if she were to visit she would find it very much like California...about 50 years ago! Mr. Green

The land mass between the two islands is about the same as CA. and the make up is even better. Beautiful coastlines, incredible rolling green hills, mountains to ski on and lots of great wildlife (including the human kind! Laughing

) Much of the North Island is like San Diego (although Auckland reminds me a lot of San Francisco and Seattle) and the South Island is a lot like Northern California and all of the diversity in between. It's very clean and green and the Kiwis intend to keep it that way. (So do we!) Nice One

The best part is that there are only about 4 million people there...less than the population of L.A. and Orange County Eek

and a quarter of them live in Auckland! That leaves the rest of the country open and free. The people are friendly and warm and...well I could go on. Trust me, from one Californian to another...she will LOVE it! Wink

The UK and NZ have a long history, much more so than with the U.S. I think that's why more Brits are headed there. Most Americans I speak to hardly know where NZ is, much less anything about it. If they know anything about where it is, they confuse it with OZ on a regular basis. Or they think the only things there are sheep! Laughing

So it's a well-kept secret and I suspect the Kiwis like it that way...can't blame them.

ranton

Right now I have never been more disappointed with the U.S. government and the direction this country has gone in the last three years. It makes me want to scream sometimes! I'm proud to be an American, but truly ashamed of what the current administration has done to a wonderful country. Best not to get me started on that subject! Nutcase

That's one of the reasons we're leaving...but not the only one. And hopefully common sense will prevail and a new President can start to straighten out the mess we've made of things. Yes

So pack your bags and surprise her with an incredible vacation. You both will love it. You may not want to settle down there...it's not perfect and it's not for everyone...but we think it's just right for us! Mr. Green

P.S. The Russians and everyone else that have immigrated to NZ (about 19% of the total population) have to have a working knowledge of and ability to speak English...it's part of the immigration requirements. whip

vlad · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 8:12 am Post subject:

Hi Rich,
Thank you for your welcoming reply.
I would like to buy a video tape about NZ not a 15 minutes Real Estate
thing rather something unique. Something that explains
in greater details about lifestyle, people and customs of NZ.
Somewhat like National Geographic plus some urban clips. Maybe even
directly recordered from NZ cable/TV since I have a multi-system VCR that outputs/plays/records in PAL/SECAM/NTSC

and I could watch it in PAL as well Nice One

.

Vlad.

richsadams · Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 7:58 am Post subject: NZ Video

Hi Vlad,

Tell your wife NZ is just like in the Lord of the Rings! Laughing

Kidding.

There is a good video I can recommend. It's called "The Pilot Guide to New Zealand". Perhaps you're familiar with the "Globetrekker" series on PBS. This video is made by the same folks. It's not nearly long enough to encompass everything and is more of a travel log, but pretty good non-the-less. You can order it at:

http://www.pilotguides.com

A theatrical movie that's pretty decent is called "Whale Rider". It was filmed in NZ and is a nice story about the Maori culture...good for a Saturday afternoon watch. Yes

It should be available at your local video store.

Another NZ movie that you might want to see is called "Once We Were Warriors". It's the story of a Maori family living in/near Auckland. Be forewarned, unlike Whale Rider it is a very depressing look at current living conditions of some of the native people. It's violent and sad, but very well done. Seeing the underbelly of Godzone will open your eyes to the depressing state some of these people are in...not unlike the native peoples of many countries including the U.S.

There’s also a new New Zealand movie just out called “Her Majesty” which we haven’t seen. Something about a girl that’s fascinated with the Queen of England in the 1930’s. It’s gotten some very good reviews. All shot in NZ, so it might be worth a look.

Periodically there are some good specials on PBS...we set our TiVo to record anything New Zealand. (But watch out for a really bad Scooby Doo cartoon that pops up pretty regularly!)

Hopefully some other folks on the forum can add some to the list. Nice One

westie · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 12

Not sure if it is available to buy, but peter blake did an excellent documentary about NZ .I am sure if you hunt around you could find it.