Canadian Interest

Laurie · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 7:40 am Post subject: Canadian Interest

Just wondering if there is anyone who is interested or has already taken the step and is trying to emigrate to New Zealand from Canada.

My husband and I are very interested in doing this...both going through the "mid life" crisis and are looking for a new challenge. Thinking New Zealand can be it!

I am a IT professional and my husband is a winery owner. Would be looking to purchase a small acreage established vineyard but don't have the capital to qualify as an investor. Will be heading down in December to check out the possibilities in both of our fields to see if this is something that we can seriously do or are we both off our rocker!!!!

I am glad to have found this forum as reading as been very interesting and informative.

Any insight from fellow Canadians would be appreciated.

Timbo · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 8:14 am Post subject:

Hi Laurie and welcome to the forum. I am not Canadian (english) but can assure you that you are not "off your rockers " at all.
Does your hubby own his own wine business? If so you may get into Nz on long term business visa or entrepenaur Think that is spelt correctly) visa. There are certainly a lot of wine growers out there, and as Iam sure you know they produce world class products. Not sure which areas are most prolific, but certainly Marlborough and Nelson are famed for wine growing. Good luck.
Tim fingers crossed

Laurie · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 8:49 am Post subject:

Thanks Tim for the welcome.

Yes we own and operate a small wine business in Quebec, Canada. We do everything from growing the grapes and taking care of the vineyard to producing and selling the wine. The laws in Quebec are pretty restrictive.

I was thinking of the LTBV but was wondering how much working capital you really need? We can't qualify under the Investors category as we don't have the 1 million NZ. I am wondering if non residents can purchase land...an established small vineyard...and also be able to take out a mortgage?

I work in IT and figure that I would be able to pick up a job but am not sure how best to proceed. I will keep plugging away, gathering as much information as I can. I will check out the website information that you sent to me.

Timbo · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 9:37 am Post subject:

I think you can buy up to 10 acres or some such thing. This point has already been discussed here but cant find the posting at the moment.
LTBV revolves more around business experience than funds available. Having said that you would have to show investment capital as well as living expenses etc. The main thing is to be be able to show benefits or potential benefits to NZ. This could be by employing kiwi(s) or bringing in new technology. I would suggest you contact Jamie Smith. He is part of a NZ based company specialising in this field. You will probably have seen postings from him on this forum already. www.businessplans.co.nz
Keep the postings coming, as there is bound to be someone out there with the asnwers to your questions.
Tim

Jamie Smith · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:28 pm Post subject:

Hello from NZ

I agree that LTBv is perhaps more suitable.

For funds, you will need to show you have enough either by way of personal capital and/or bank letter confirming they will lend you the balance needed once the business purchase has being negotiated (conditional preapproval of funds).

Business ideas that would suit LTBV are any of grape growing, winemaking operation, most services to the industry, labour hire (?) etc. in combination or separately.

Fund level is to be as needed, specifically what money is mentioned in the plan (as a result of research). What is in the plan has to be spent in real life after the visa is approved, ie if you say $400,000 you must spend $400,000 +/-.

Laurie · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 1:55 am Post subject:

More I check things out more confused I get. My hubby is worried about putting all our assets in property right off. He is looking to get his feet wet first in a management job in a winery and seeing how the business is in New Zealand. Sounds like a sound idea to me also.

Wondering what the difference is between the Priority Occupation list and the Occupation Shortage list? Which would be easier to get a work permit?

I am assuming there are a lot of jobs in winerys or vineyards available but are the employers open to people from other countries.

Anybody have any experience especially in this area?