Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
#1
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Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
Hi, this is my first thread on this forum. In 2008 I applied under Skilled Migrant category, got assigned the NZIS Beijing office, sent ITA in sept 2008, application failed in June 2009, went for an appeal and the decision was refered to the minister for a decision as being exception to the rule. Minister decided in our favour in 2011 and now have until June 2012 to get permanent residency stamped from NZIS London that will allow us to come over (if we finally decide to) by June 2013 - with three kids aged 9, 7 and 5.
Currently we are living in Abu Dhabi (UK citizens) but think the move would be good for the long term especially for the kids as we dont think the UK is a good option anymore. Hence the questions now are:
1- to buy or rent a place in Auckland?
2- Job prospects?
3- I am a secondary level teacher and teach English - have the NZ teachers Board registration valid until 2014. seems the market is saturated with teachers although my occupation was on the LTSS when we applied in 2008
4- spouse studying MA Graphic design - what job prospects could she have in Auckland?
5- Everyone seems to hate Sth Auckland- is it really that bad? We were thinking of living in a multicultural area such as Manukau/ Mangere but have heard negative news of this area.
6- It seems a 3 BR property in AKL can be purchased around $280k if you look at the estate agents websites. Are such priced properties in bad areas?
7- I believe we have to arrive in NZ, stay for two years and then get the visa status that allows to come and go as you please without time restrictions and a total of 5 years after arrival to apply for citizenship/ NZ passports...is that correct? or have time lines changed?
8- What about Hamilton - is that a nic place to live - what are the pros and cons of Hamilton? perhaps fewer jobs as its a smaller place
9- If we budget and bring NZ$ 40k with us - will that be enough to see us through the first year whilst we sort ourselves out and find reasonable jobs?
10- We presume like the UK, health care and education are free in NZ?
11- Tried applying for jobs from outside NZ but seems they dont want to know unless you are in the country and possess the 'right to live and work in NZ' - is it true that if one is in NZ its better to do the job searching?
I was thinking of coming over for 2 weeks to 'sus' the place out and get a feel for the job market, housing, kids schools etc. Is 2 weeks enough to get a good idea?
Sorry for the long thread......I tried to list all the queries we have and would appreciate some helpful replies.
Cheers
Currently we are living in Abu Dhabi (UK citizens) but think the move would be good for the long term especially for the kids as we dont think the UK is a good option anymore. Hence the questions now are:
1- to buy or rent a place in Auckland?
2- Job prospects?
3- I am a secondary level teacher and teach English - have the NZ teachers Board registration valid until 2014. seems the market is saturated with teachers although my occupation was on the LTSS when we applied in 2008
4- spouse studying MA Graphic design - what job prospects could she have in Auckland?
5- Everyone seems to hate Sth Auckland- is it really that bad? We were thinking of living in a multicultural area such as Manukau/ Mangere but have heard negative news of this area.
6- It seems a 3 BR property in AKL can be purchased around $280k if you look at the estate agents websites. Are such priced properties in bad areas?
7- I believe we have to arrive in NZ, stay for two years and then get the visa status that allows to come and go as you please without time restrictions and a total of 5 years after arrival to apply for citizenship/ NZ passports...is that correct? or have time lines changed?
8- What about Hamilton - is that a nic place to live - what are the pros and cons of Hamilton? perhaps fewer jobs as its a smaller place
9- If we budget and bring NZ$ 40k with us - will that be enough to see us through the first year whilst we sort ourselves out and find reasonable jobs?
10- We presume like the UK, health care and education are free in NZ?
11- Tried applying for jobs from outside NZ but seems they dont want to know unless you are in the country and possess the 'right to live and work in NZ' - is it true that if one is in NZ its better to do the job searching?
I was thinking of coming over for 2 weeks to 'sus' the place out and get a feel for the job market, housing, kids schools etc. Is 2 weeks enough to get a good idea?
Sorry for the long thread......I tried to list all the queries we have and would appreciate some helpful replies.
Cheers
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 33
Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
Hi, this is my first thread on this forum. In 2008 I applied under Skilled Migrant category, got assigned the NZIS Beijing office, sent ITA in sept 2008, application failed in June 2009, went for an appeal and the decision was refered to the minister for a decision as being exception to the rule. Minister decided in our favour in 2011 and now have until June 2012 to get permanent residency stamped from NZIS London that will allow us to come over (if we finally decide to) by June 2013 - with three kids aged 9, 7 and 5.
Currently we are living in Abu Dhabi (UK citizens) but think the move would be good for the long term especially for the kids as we dont think the UK is a good option anymore. Hence the questions now are:
1- to buy or rent a place in Auckland?
2- Job prospects?
3- I am a secondary level teacher and teach English - have the NZ teachers Board registration valid until 2014. seems the market is saturated with teachers although my occupation was on the LTSS when we applied in 2008
4- spouse studying MA Graphic design - what job prospects could she have in Auckland?
5- Everyone seems to hate Sth Auckland- is it really that bad? We were thinking of living in a multicultural area such as Manukau/ Mangere but have heard negative news of this area.
6- It seems a 3 BR property in AKL can be purchased around $280k if you look at the estate agents websites. Are such priced properties in bad areas?
7- I believe we have to arrive in NZ, stay for two years and then get the visa status that allows to come and go as you please without time restrictions and a total of 5 years after arrival to apply for citizenship/ NZ passports...is that correct? or have time lines changed?
8- What about Hamilton - is that a nic place to live - what are the pros and cons of Hamilton? perhaps fewer jobs as its a smaller place
9- If we budget and bring NZ$ 40k with us - will that be enough to see us through the first year whilst we sort ourselves out and find reasonable jobs?
10- We presume like the UK, health care and education are free in NZ?
11- Tried applying for jobs from outside NZ but seems they dont want to know unless you are in the country and possess the 'right to live and work in NZ' - is it true that if one is in NZ its better to do the job searching?
I was thinking of coming over for 2 weeks to 'sus' the place out and get a feel for the job market, housing, kids schools etc. Is 2 weeks enough to get a good idea?
Sorry for the long thread......I tried to list all the queries we have and would appreciate some helpful replies.
Cheers
Currently we are living in Abu Dhabi (UK citizens) but think the move would be good for the long term especially for the kids as we dont think the UK is a good option anymore. Hence the questions now are:
1- to buy or rent a place in Auckland?
2- Job prospects?
3- I am a secondary level teacher and teach English - have the NZ teachers Board registration valid until 2014. seems the market is saturated with teachers although my occupation was on the LTSS when we applied in 2008
4- spouse studying MA Graphic design - what job prospects could she have in Auckland?
5- Everyone seems to hate Sth Auckland- is it really that bad? We were thinking of living in a multicultural area such as Manukau/ Mangere but have heard negative news of this area.
6- It seems a 3 BR property in AKL can be purchased around $280k if you look at the estate agents websites. Are such priced properties in bad areas?
7- I believe we have to arrive in NZ, stay for two years and then get the visa status that allows to come and go as you please without time restrictions and a total of 5 years after arrival to apply for citizenship/ NZ passports...is that correct? or have time lines changed?
8- What about Hamilton - is that a nic place to live - what are the pros and cons of Hamilton? perhaps fewer jobs as its a smaller place
9- If we budget and bring NZ$ 40k with us - will that be enough to see us through the first year whilst we sort ourselves out and find reasonable jobs?
10- We presume like the UK, health care and education are free in NZ?
11- Tried applying for jobs from outside NZ but seems they dont want to know unless you are in the country and possess the 'right to live and work in NZ' - is it true that if one is in NZ its better to do the job searching?
I was thinking of coming over for 2 weeks to 'sus' the place out and get a feel for the job market, housing, kids schools etc. Is 2 weeks enough to get a good idea?
Sorry for the long thread......I tried to list all the queries we have and would appreciate some helpful replies.
Cheers
#3
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 121
Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
Dear James, thanks for the details and the info is very much helpful and appreciated. I do believe coming over for 2 weeks in nov/dec will be a good idea. Regarding the visa situation I think you perhaps misunderstood me. we have been granted permanent residency, so I am not bringing my family over in a situation where our stay is subject to me getting points or a job. We have been through that loop and will be granted PR when we send our passports to NZIS in London in July. Then we shall have a further 12 mths to take the plunge i.e land in NZ. I only wanted to come to NZ to settle if NZIS granted us permanent residency as with a family any other option was seen as being too risky.
I understand your point regarding housing, the rough areas have cheaper homes and lower rents the same as you would expect anyway. It will be a big change for our circumstances as in Abu Dhabi we are financially quite comfortable, have easy jobs and can save $4,000 a month but in NZ it would be quite the opposite hence we see alot of kiwis coming here to work as they can save up in a short period of time. Hence our worries as to how quickly we shall find jobs there. I did correspond with an employment agency names synarbor and perhaps they can help me find a job in NZ before I arrive otherwise having had a look at seek.co.nz it seems I may be able to find a job with the numerous privately run colleges that exist providing english language courses and business studies programs to mainly expat students (chinese, korean students perhaps?) but the pay rate may be low hence important to have the DW getting a job soon too.
We have opted for Auckland due to its size and better chances of finding a job quickly. Would you know that if we got our PR visa's in July this year and I was to travel on my own in Nov would they view at immigration me as using the residency visa and hence from that date my stay starts? or can they not stamp the residency and allow me as a visitor for 2 weeks so they stamp the PR when I come permanently with the family in 2013? a tricky one I know.
cheers
I understand your point regarding housing, the rough areas have cheaper homes and lower rents the same as you would expect anyway. It will be a big change for our circumstances as in Abu Dhabi we are financially quite comfortable, have easy jobs and can save $4,000 a month but in NZ it would be quite the opposite hence we see alot of kiwis coming here to work as they can save up in a short period of time. Hence our worries as to how quickly we shall find jobs there. I did correspond with an employment agency names synarbor and perhaps they can help me find a job in NZ before I arrive otherwise having had a look at seek.co.nz it seems I may be able to find a job with the numerous privately run colleges that exist providing english language courses and business studies programs to mainly expat students (chinese, korean students perhaps?) but the pay rate may be low hence important to have the DW getting a job soon too.
We have opted for Auckland due to its size and better chances of finding a job quickly. Would you know that if we got our PR visa's in July this year and I was to travel on my own in Nov would they view at immigration me as using the residency visa and hence from that date my stay starts? or can they not stamp the residency and allow me as a visitor for 2 weeks so they stamp the PR when I come permanently with the family in 2013? a tricky one I know.
cheers
#4
Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
What are your aiming to achieve by coming to NZ? I ask so that it is easier to advise and I am puzzled why it is so long since your original application in 2008 yet you want to postpone each step now you have been offered PR by as long as possible?
No $40k will likely not be enough for a family for a year with neither working, if that is the sum of your resources then I would be seriously reconsidering in your position. Even if you rent a house there are deposits and setup costs, together with vehicle/transport costs and a car is pretty vital in seeing this fantastic country.
No, medical care is largely not free. No education is not free. Given you started this in 2008 have you done much research online since? The NZ govt has a lot of information available online especially on the education system.
I would solely focus on locating where you will find work, $40k will not give you the luxury of picking and choosing I suspect.
Sorry if this sounds hard.....
No $40k will likely not be enough for a family for a year with neither working, if that is the sum of your resources then I would be seriously reconsidering in your position. Even if you rent a house there are deposits and setup costs, together with vehicle/transport costs and a car is pretty vital in seeing this fantastic country.
No, medical care is largely not free. No education is not free. Given you started this in 2008 have you done much research online since? The NZ govt has a lot of information available online especially on the education system.
I would solely focus on locating where you will find work, $40k will not give you the luxury of picking and choosing I suspect.
Sorry if this sounds hard.....
#5
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Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
Hi Simonsi- took 3 years from 2008-2011 to get PR approved as had to go through appeals and then the minister had to make a decision. Hence it has taken 4 years to now. The main issues I really have are: 1) finding a job in NZ, is this going to be hard and time consuming for a secondary teacher? The later I get a job the more we have to rely on our own resources with 3 kids that can be a issue. (2) housing: rents seem quite high in AKL (maybe $1600/mth) so that can easily gobble up half of one's salary. Seems Hamilton is reasonable for rents. (3) kids schooling - finding a good school is definitely important for us.
When you say schools are not free - does this mean each school going kid in a govt school is paying fees? how much? Is it the $300/ year approx fee that a schools requests but a vast number of parents simply dont pay?? Howcome health care is not free? Cant imagine Kiwi's on meagre salaries paying thousands for operations... Something is not quite right here. When an immigrant comes with PR surely they have the same rights as the locals, dont they?
When you say schools are not free - does this mean each school going kid in a govt school is paying fees? how much? Is it the $300/ year approx fee that a schools requests but a vast number of parents simply dont pay?? Howcome health care is not free? Cant imagine Kiwi's on meagre salaries paying thousands for operations... Something is not quite right here. When an immigrant comes with PR surely they have the same rights as the locals, dont they?
#6
Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
went for an appeal and the decision was refered to the minister for a decision as being exception to the rule.
#7
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Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
Appeal no 16600 if you can find it on the appeal tribunal website
#8
Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
Hi Simonsi- took 3 years from 2008-2011 to get PR approved as had to go through appeals and then the minister had to make a decision. Hence it has taken 4 years to now. The main issues I really have are: 1) finding a job in NZ, is this going to be hard and time consuming for a secondary teacher? The later I get a job the more we have to rely on our own resources with 3 kids that can be a issue. (2) housing: rents seem quite high in AKL (maybe $1600/mth) so that can easily gobble up half of one's salary. Seems Hamilton is reasonable for rents. (3) kids schooling - finding a good school is definitely important for us.
When you say schools are not free - does this mean each school going kid in a govt school is paying fees? how much? Is it the $300/ year approx fee that a schools requests but a vast number of parents simply dont pay?? Howcome health care is not free? Cant imagine Kiwi's on meagre salaries paying thousands for operations... Something is not quite right here. When an immigrant comes with PR surely they have the same rights as the locals, dont they?
When you say schools are not free - does this mean each school going kid in a govt school is paying fees? how much? Is it the $300/ year approx fee that a schools requests but a vast number of parents simply dont pay?? Howcome health care is not free? Cant imagine Kiwi's on meagre salaries paying thousands for operations... Something is not quite right here. When an immigrant comes with PR surely they have the same rights as the locals, dont they?
Medical, split out accidents for which there is a well funded (from insurance and employers), scheme, from illness, for which there isnt. Adult dental is also not cheap and not state funded. This is true for those on Work Permits, PR and citizens.
I understand why your application took so long. My point is that having (presumably) struggled to get the result you have wanted, you propose to run each stage now down to the wire - get visas at last minute, plan on arriving just before visa expires??? Your migration plans will need some contingency, you are planning on having little in either funds or time, that concerns me as you may then not be able to cope with inevitable unforseens in the move.
#9
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Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
what happens when one needs heart bypass surgery? do people pay consultant and surgery costs before the op or do they all have private medical insurance cover? NZ is a welfare state afterall so cant possibly leave people without health cover. Now my predicament is that I need to come over next year and have three things in place as a bare minimum: A Job, Place to live and Schools for kids. It may be better if I came alone in January and did the ground work and then the family followed 6 mths later and by then I will have a better idea as to whether NZ would be right for us or not. The sum I mentioned $40k was meant to tide us by for 9-12 mths (food & rent) which I was basing on $4k a month approx. If the need arose I could even bring all our finances and buy a place as I can see some places in AKL and Hamilton going for around $260k and perhaps prices are low now due to subdued demand in a recessionary situation. I still feel better to rent for the first 6 mths as no point in buying a house and getting stuck if finding a job is going to be next to impossible. I want to keep the option of moving to the UK open if we have problems in settling in NZ. Can you shed some light on how I may start to approach the 3 areas I mentioned above i.e. job finding, schools and places to live? Thanks
#10
Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
No. You dont seem to want to believe what i have to say. Good luck.
#11
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Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
what happens when one needs heart bypass surgery? do people pay consultant and surgery costs before the op or do they all have private medical insurance cover? NZ is a welfare state afterall so cant possibly leave people without health cover. Now my predicament is that I need to come over next year and have three things in place as a bare minimum: A Job, Place to live and Schools for kids. It may be better if I came alone in January and did the ground work and then the family followed 6 mths later and by then I will have a better idea as to whether NZ would be right for us or not. The sum I mentioned $40k was meant to tide us by for 9-12 mths (food & rent) which I was basing on $4k a month approx. If the need arose I could even bring all our finances and buy a place as I can see some places in AKL and Hamilton going for around $260k and perhaps prices are low now due to subdued demand in a recessionary situation. I still feel better to rent for the first 6 mths as no point in buying a house and getting stuck if finding a job is going to be next to impossible. I want to keep the option of moving to the UK open if we have problems in settling in NZ. Can you shed some light on how I may start to approach the 3 areas I mentioned above i.e. job finding, schools and places to live? Thanks
#13
Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
what happens when one needs heart bypass surgery? do people pay consultant and surgery costs before the op or do they all have private medical insurance cover? NZ is a welfare state afterall so cant possibly leave people without health cover. Now my predicament is that I need to come over next year and have three things in place as a bare minimum: A Job, Place to live and Schools for kids. It may be better if I came alone in January and did the ground work and then the family followed 6 mths later and by then I will have a better idea as to whether NZ would be right for us or not. The sum I mentioned $40k was meant to tide us by for 9-12 mths (food & rent) which I was basing on $4k a month approx. If the need arose I could even bring all our finances and buy a place as I can see some places in AKL and Hamilton going for around $260k and perhaps prices are low now due to subdued demand in a recessionary situation. I still feel better to rent for the first 6 mths as no point in buying a house and getting stuck if finding a job is going to be next to impossible. I want to keep the option of moving to the UK open if we have problems in settling in NZ. Can you shed some light on how I may start to approach the 3 areas I mentioned above i.e. job finding, schools and places to live? Thanks
I heard on the Radio this morning that there is currently a glut of teachers with 100 applicants for jobs. UK is fine, pick your area, NZ no different good bad everywhere. UK probably has more teacher shortage than NZ right now unless the cutbacks really have bitten.
Another one to bear in mind, in UK the first 9k of your salary is tax free, in NZ you pay tax on every dollar earnt.
Last edited by luvwelly; Apr 23rd 2012 at 1:46 am.
#14
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Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
Hi, there is stiff competition for teaching jobs at present. I know of quite a few teachers without job's for this year.
Rent wise, $1,600 per month will not get you anything decent in either Auckland or Wellington. $260,000 will not buy you anything decent in either Auckland or Wellington. And $40,000 will not go far, with set up costs you will be surprised how quickly that will go.
You pay for doctors and perscriptions and dental. Waiting lists for surgery on the public lists are long. I would imagine though that heart surgery would be a priority.
You make a donation (and they schools are pushy) as they rely on this to buy equipment, repairs and improvements to the school. You need to provide your childs school books and equipment and uniform (it all adds up)
Kaz
Rent wise, $1,600 per month will not get you anything decent in either Auckland or Wellington. $260,000 will not buy you anything decent in either Auckland or Wellington. And $40,000 will not go far, with set up costs you will be surprised how quickly that will go.
You pay for doctors and perscriptions and dental. Waiting lists for surgery on the public lists are long. I would imagine though that heart surgery would be a priority.
You make a donation (and they schools are pushy) as they rely on this to buy equipment, repairs and improvements to the school. You need to provide your childs school books and equipment and uniform (it all adds up)
Kaz
#15
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Re: Advice: Moving to Auckland with a young family
wow bebay bella- thanks. seems NZ is too pricey these days. If $1600 + is the rent then people must be taking $5k net home each month? Is this a reasonable salary to expect? Afterall people are paying for medical cover for the family, car insurance, petrol, food, utilities etc. so perhaps 5k a month wouldnt go far. Yes I can see that $40k being consumed in just 3-4 mths.