MAZ-10

Well said with regards the bullying and I totally agree that perhaps Justcol should avoid any threads from people who have been here less than 18 months 😄

MAZ-10

Thanks Clappy. I love the country and the people so it's frustrating that we're having difficulty with finances etc. We're still battling on and trying to find solutions to the problems, but I appreciate all the views and feedback.

MAZ-10

Thank you to everyone for the comments and suggestions even though this wasn't my original thread 😬😀. I was just giving my view which I thought might be helpful and somehow it turned into something else.
I appreciate all the support and good to know that others have views which aren't all through rose tinted specs! 🤓

escapedtonz

Don't wanna be telling you how to suck eggs as I'm sure you're on top of it if outgoings are an issue but have you had a sit down and itemized all your incomings and outgoings to see where you can save ?
Rent will be your highest outgoing I'd expect so have you considered moving to somewhere cheaper, moving in with relatives or building a temporary cottage at a relatives or even getting your own place and paying mortgage etc so at least you're getting something out of it going forward ?

sr71

Depends on the company but the one I used to work for had unlimited sick leave, 4 weeks annual leave is pretty standard

MAZ-10

We’re taking into consideration all aspects, and what we can do to help make it work.

kingacat

I work at Tauranga hospital as a nurse.
Have a look on the BOPDHB website for job vacancies.
I really enjoy working at the hospital and recommend it.
Happy to answer any questions 😀

carcajou

OP - New Zealand can be a really tough go, for a lot of the reasons already said - less pay, more work, high cost of living, remoteness and isolation.

The stuff in the tourist brochures looks great but you have to be able to afford it, to take advantage of it. The idea that you may be sacrificing salary but will be making it back through some nebulous concept of "lifestyle" is a naive one. Lifestyle costs $$$ and as others have already discussed there is less of it in NZ. You also won't be working any less than you do in the UK. There is a reason 15% of all New Zealand Citizens live in Australia.

While some forum members have done very well in NZ, posters like MAZ and MrsFrychan are by no means alone or outliers in their New Zealand experiences.

Hopefully you will come and make it, and the locals will be open to you.

But some will also treat you with suspicion and envy because you are an outsider, and delight in trying to haze you into the "Kiwi Way."

If you want to come, come. But watch your money very carefully, and keep a reserve amount set aside that is your "Back to the UK" fund.

MAZ-10

Very well said, thank you.
Knowing both sides and being realistic can only help with a well informed decision. My family are very much in the NZ camp of it being the best place on earth and are making good lives here. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for all. Best of luck to everyone making life changing decisions.

garethwm

Carajou, I think its a fallacy to suggest moving to NZ will necessarily mean a drop in pay these days. There are some areas where this is so, but others where it isnt, and still others where NZ salaries are better, nursing being one example. Not saying NZ is better or worse but I know there are plenty of Brits on average salaries able to afford an enjoyable lifestyle here. It isnt a given that there are less $$, or longer work hrs for that matter. Most people would know their likely working conditions and salary before arriving, wouldnt they?

Justcol

You'd think so, but apparently not

bourbon-biscuit

They might well (hopefully!) know them on paper and they might have done the sums and have an idea about how it will be but nothing compares to the lived experience. You don't know a long, damp, boring winter in a cold house until you've done it a few times. You don't know what it is to miss family and your first culture until it kicks in. Those things can make the employment conditions that you knew about before arriving seem less doable and more stressful.

I feel for you, OP. Hang in there though: it'll either get better or it won't. If it doesn't, be brave and make a new plan.

JustCol has had a lot of support from this forum over the years. I can remember two periods when he wanted to return to the UK and during one of those he was quite negative about NZ and both those times he got so much support! Some folk just have short memories and minimal empathy.

aklbob

NZ is a difficult move, but start in Auckland, then explore the rest of NZ. We are a family who started in Auckland, but have moved in the last two years down to Tauranga. <little snip>

Justcol

My job in the UK pays $20k less than here

Northern Man 49

Hi GlynnY81
My wife and I are in the same boat in that we're starting this process. Our daughter is at Uni and looking at finishing her degree there.
We liked Tauranga when we visited a few years back so I get where you're coming from. We'd like to go to the Wellington area (similar family reasons) if we can but what I've seen a lot of is comments about try not to be too picky - what I mean is that you get in and then look to move to Tauranga at a later date. You might have to consider other areas (to be honest Rotarua and Taupo are nice as well) in which to find work. Napier is a pretty cool place to visit as well if you're prepared to look further afield.

I've seen a few threads about the fact you get taxed on every cent and there's no NI. Apparently (I'm sure others will correct if wrong), the medicals include a standard check for syphilis - unless someone's pulling my leg!
I think there are taxes on some things we import (cars, white goods like fridges etc). Not sure if taking a car is worth it tbh but it might depend on its age. I'm sure others will clarify for us.

Most contributors will say that we must do the due diligence and homework; after all it’s a massive challenge and risk with our families so that's our next step. I've already asked about if using an agent is better to help us with immigration, looking for work etc. (The Emigration Group for example) so any comments from any others would be great

Finally, the best of luck to us both in our adventure!