We want a relaxing life!!!!!!

lor · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 10:30 am Post subject: We want a relaxing life!!!!!!

Hi everyone I am a new user, I think this message board is just great! having read through most of the messages I find such interest in why people have such differant reasons to come to nz, we are a family of 5 married couple with 3 children, I am a counsellor and my Husband in the Uk works on a self employed basis as a multi skilled tradesman, he is qualified in many things (never away from college!) he is a plasterer, joiner, ceramic wall and floor tiler, bathroom fitter, and wooden floor fitter, he basically works 7 days a week here and we spend no family time together as the phone is aways ringing and he is always booked up at least 1 month in advance. We are looking to live and work in nz, main reason what a lovely country and great people and to spend more quality time together as a family and take whatever work we can find, and leave the weekends for quality time together as a family, Is that possible though? Are visas just issued upon high flying jobs or can you get one based upon working as a classroom assistant lets say? I want to work with children, and bonus being school hours so I am always home for the children and my husband is pretty much willing to try anything, is it possible we could move out there and change careers to jobs which are less pressured and not really professional positions? We are at that stage in the UK whare its now or never, we are planning to sell up and come over on a visitors visa we have money to bring with us and willing to work really hard but we just want a relaxing life and quality time with our children, we understand the process of getting a work visa upon gaing a job offer but what are the chances on the above jobs we want?
Thanks for any advice

Graham Barnes · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 11:26 am Post subject:

Hi Ior,
A few general comments from what I've learned along the way. Don't take it as Gospel truth, but this is how I understand it. (Our situation is rather more straightforward, having a job offer on the POL, but here goes....)

1. NZ is a fantastic place to bring up children, particularly if they're into outdoor activities, sports, etc. Nice outdoors way of life.

2. Nowadays, visas strictly require a job offer...I don't think it is possible to just turn up on spec in NZ, get a visa and hope for a job to turn up.
You either need a definite job offer (which may need qualifications, or your husband will need to persuade an employer to take him on...I gather trades skills are in very short supply), or you set up a NZ business (but you need to prove that you have done this in UK, and can employ a certain number of NZ-ers in the future). Does your husband run a formal business operation at the moment, which could be transferred to NZ? Does he have any formal qualifications? If he does, this can make things much easier.

3. Any sort of teaching position requires registration (I am a teacher!). Depending on actual position, registration will require qualifications and/or experience. NZ seems to be expanding the number of teaching assistants at the moment. It may be worth contacting teaching agencies to see where you stand. You will find links to officially recognised agencies on www.teachnz.govt.nz.

4. Personally....with a family, I wouldn't sell up and arrive in NZ on a holiday visa hoping to find work. It's a BIG gamble!. Perhaps your husband could apply for jobs, and attend interviews during a family holiday?
You don't need a visitors visa to travel to NZ...your UK passport allows you to stay there for 6 months. But officially, you're not allowed to visit NZ "on holiday" for the purpose of looking for a job.

Pretty vague and general, but I hope it helps to get you started!

Graham