Change of plans,need some advice please

MichelleW

Hi Everyone,
We have had a change of plans.We decided it is to risky to do our plan the way we originally thought because everything really does hinge on my husband being able to get a job since we can't afford to pay 33,000 a year for our sons to go to school.
So we are going to have my husband fly out there in early April and see if he can find a job.If he is able to then we will join him,if not he will come back and I am going to do my RN degree in the states first and then migrate with me as the main applicant.I just can't spend 3 years away from my kids.We also may consider Australia again since his skill is on the shortage list there.
I could really use some help with these questions.

We are trying to decide if he should try Wellington or Auckland for a job,does anyone have any advice on that?

He has done a/c and also sheetmetal for years.I see they are both on the basic skills list but not on the shortage list.
Does one really even have a chance at getting a job thats not on the shortage list considering the extra work an employer would have to do?

Should he go on a visitors visa? Someone told me about a limited purpose visa,would this be a better bet?

thanks so much for any help!!
Clink

Michelle

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi Michelle,

I think your new plans sound very sensible. I agree that international fees for children are very expensive.

Regarding the 'Limited Purpose' visa - it seems that it's only for citizens of countries that normally require a visa to enter NZ. Being from the US, your husband doesn't need one to go and try to look for a job offer.

Also, on a Limited Purpose visa, you cannot change your status whilst in NZ (apply for a work permit).

I would say it's best for him to go on a visitors visa - that will give him nine months!

I don't know for sure - but I would say maybe Auckland is a safer bet for securing a job offer......simply because it's a bigger city than Wellington.

MichelleW · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:01 pm Post subject:

Hi Charlotte,
Thanks so much for your reply.I think you are right about Auckland.I will have him start there.
How are things going with you?

Michelle

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Things are going good, we're hoping to be able to move by the end of this year. fingers crossed

The high cost of education, plus the *initial* cost of the move will mean that our son will have to be home schooled for our first year in NZ. That's not a problem, as my husband and I have been homeschooling him for the past year anyhow (he's five now), and he's been doing really well with that!

Once we've been in NZ a year, the costs should have balanced out - and we'll be able to find a good school for him.

So now we're just trying to get all our finances together here.....

Anyhow, do keep us posted on how things progress for you and your family.

MichelleW · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 10:01 am Post subject:

Charlotte,
I didn't realize that you could homeschool in NZ.I thought I had read something about kids between 5-16 must be in school.If they don't mind homeschooling that could be good news for us as well as I homeschooled the kids for two years before sending them back this year.I was convinced that it wasn't an option in NZ,have you checked into it and found out if NZ would allow it?

Good luck with your plan!!!

Michelle

MichelleW · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 10:44 am Post subject:

Hi again Charlotte,
I just googled it and saw that kids can homeschool in NZ.However I wonder if this includes the children of people who are over there on a holiday visa?

Michelle

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Hi Michelle,

Yes, I did some research on homeschooling NZ, and it is permitted within the law over there. I found quite a few resources/links online: http://www.piperpat.co.nz/nz/educ/homesch.html

Including some great advice on legal issues: http://www.home.school.nz/homelaw.htm

It seems that most NZ parents file for an 'exemption'. However, I'm not sure if that's necessary for the children of visitors, or work permit holders.

Probably, the best bet is to telephone the Ministry of Education, or NZIS (just to confirm).

I am quite confident that we can homeschool in NZ, should we choose to.

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Now that I've had a chance to go through all the links, this one seems to have the best information on legal issues: http://www.homeschooling.org.nz/law.html

veronica · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:57 am Post subject: home schooling

Seems strange to me that given the small number of people in this forum, all hopeful of emmigrating, that more than one family has home schooled. We did too until our kids were 11 here in the U.K. Perhaps it requires an unconventional person to up roots and go and live somewhere else. cheers Veronica

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

MichelleW · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 10:12 am Post subject:

Thanks so much for the info Charlotte,this is something i'm going to consider having either my husband or I do for the first year if he has a difficult time finding a job.I had never even thought of it as an option and now thanks to you this makes our chances of success in NZ more possible. Nice One

Veronica I think you made a really good point.I don't consider myself very conventional.I think all of us on this forum share an inner determination to go the extra mile for what we want instead of just accepting things as they are.

Michelle

lesly · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:19 pm Post subject:

This is a great idea, I too could homeschool my youngest, so he wouldn't need to go to a special school, wich would make him a burden to the State! Thanks for the tip. Nice One

Though I'm afraid I don't have any experience in homeschooling fingers crossed

cheers, Lesly

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Michelle: I'm just to have been of help! Nice One

Lesly: don't worry, I've found homeschooling comes quite naturally once you start.