Your life in NZ vs UK
Jul 5th 2011, 10:47 am
#61
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
The main problem is simply that salaries, let alone other employment-related benefits, are so, well... POOR. There seems to be little national discussion as to why this is the case.
I am currently applying for jobs in NZ and am resigned to the fact that I'll be earning around 50-60,000 dollars rather than (currently) pounds. Having said that the currencies could be at parity by the time I get there, so that will be ok
I am currently applying for jobs in NZ and am resigned to the fact that I'll be earning around 50-60,000 dollars rather than (currently) pounds. Having said that the currencies could be at parity by the time I get there, so that will be ok
Jul 5th 2011, 10:52 am
#62
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
Mid-level public sector finance management. Have been in quite a niche role for 8 years
Jul 5th 2011, 11:08 am
#64
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
They'll be my staple diet if I'm only on $50k 
Jul 5th 2011, 11:20 am
#66
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
I know a few people contracting / 'consulting' there and basically sounds like they'll be very busy for a very long time sorting out the mess and I am told you can pretty much name your price if your into that that kind of thing.
Jul 5th 2011, 11:44 am
#67
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
Whilst I agree that insulation/double glazing/leaky homes etc are a huge problem, can I please please remind people that this is an earthquake zone. Your double skinned brick house would have collapsed and maybe hurt/killed someone. We have a wood frame house with a steel roof - not without its heating issues, but it has survived three very major earthquakes, and, one day, some other houses in NZ might need to do that too.
Jan, near Christchurch
Jan, near Christchurch
Jul 5th 2011, 11:50 am
#68
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
It is not so much the posts themselves which generate interest on these forums, more the responses, especially when New Zealand is mentioned. Do the pro-Kiwi type people work for the NZ government, patrolling the internet to flame those who dare to speak out against ‘Gods Own’ ? They are a peculiar breed, especially considering they are skating on paper thin ice. Having lived and worked for a couple of years in New Zealand I can empathise with most of the negatives, but the one which can not be argued with, is the sense of History, or lack of it. Central Europe and the UK has an extremely and enviously rich and varied history. Not only that, it is accessible. Breakfast in London, hop on the Eurostar, lunch in Paris then off to the Orsay. Or breakfast in London, hop on a plane, and spend the afternoon gazing at the Farnese Cup and other wonders in Naples museum. The list is literally endless. ‘Time Team’ will never make a series (or a program) in NZ! That was not the reason for leaving however, it was more to do with the problems of small country syndrome, which manifested itself as a distinct iteration of the mental processing. Free thought in the worklplace was not encouraged, and ‘we have always done it like this’ is something of a mantra there.
The lack of history also applies to Oz, but there is much more freedom of thought, and it is certainly somewhere I will be very happy for the foreseeable future.
The lack of history also applies to Oz, but there is much more freedom of thought, and it is certainly somewhere I will be very happy for the foreseeable future.
Jul 5th 2011, 12:10 pm
#69
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
I think $50k per annum is above the kiwi average wage.
But trust me, you dont want to be earning less than that, not unless you have cash reserves in any case.
Otherwise you would be in the same boat as the locals with little prospects of travel, and resigned to living in one of the less salubrious districts of town. And if you have seen any of those, you would certainly not want that.
But trust me, you dont want to be earning less than that, not unless you have cash reserves in any case.
Otherwise you would be in the same boat as the locals with little prospects of travel, and resigned to living in one of the less salubrious districts of town. And if you have seen any of those, you would certainly not want that.
Jul 5th 2011, 1:54 pm
#70
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
WFF tax credit on a $50K salary:
* 2 kids aged 12 or under = tax credit of $158 per week, $684 per month, $8,216 per year
* 2 kids aged 13-15 = tax credit of $167 per week, $723 per month, $8,684 per year
* 2 kids aged 16-18 = tax credit of $202 per week, $875 per month, $10,504 per year
http://www.ird.govt.nz/calculators/k...mate-2012.html
Last edited by Black Sheep; Jul 5th 2011 at 2:00 pm.
Jul 5th 2011, 8:22 pm
#72
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
I know that is tongue in cheek, but the pro-nz lobbiers are a vile bunch at times ie when utopia is questioned. They must be working for the government and are worried at the amount of people leaving - strange that, people leaving utopia in their droves. The frustrating thing about New Zealand is that it has such an opportunity to be a lovely country.
Jul 5th 2011, 9:15 pm
#73
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
I can't agree with that statement I’m afraid Woodlea. I’m sure you could find a few examples, but most “things” are more expensive here, and by a good stretch.
Jul 5th 2011, 9:34 pm
#74
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
Tax (including "National Insurance", "Council Tax", "TV Licence" and one or two other British stealth tax specials), Housing and Transport are all considerably cheaper in NZ. Food is about the same. Energy possibly more expensive in NZ, all things considered. In general NZ is cheaper, imvho.
All this despite the debasing (devaluation doesn't do it justice) of Sterling, which is highly relevant to the debate.
All this despite the debasing (devaluation doesn't do it justice) of Sterling, which is highly relevant to the debate.
Jul 5th 2011, 9:51 pm
#75
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Re: Your life in NZ vs UK
Tax (including "National Insurance", "Council Tax", "TV Licence" and one or two other British stealth tax specials), Housing and Transport are all considerably cheaper in NZ. Food is about the same. Energy possibly more expensive in NZ, all things considered. In general NZ is cheaper, imvho.
All this despite the debasing (devaluation doesn't do it justice) of Sterling, which is highly relevant to the debate.
All this despite the debasing (devaluation doesn't do it justice) of Sterling, which is highly relevant to the debate.