simonmoon99

Hey everybody, just joined the site and wanted to rack peoples brains and advice if thats ok??

I am a 30 year old, single male and have decided that enough is enough of England so am moving to New Zealand in October, at the moment I am finding myself drawn to Christchurch for whatever reason and just wanted to know some peoples advice!?

My main questions really are that im a fully qualified Electrician and I was wondering whether/ what the state of the construction market is over there, also how bad the earthquake situation is, as for whatever reason you dont really hear much about it anymore here and despite my efforts I cant find too much online either!

Lastly Ive read a few posts and Ricarton sounds like a nice part of town as I would like somewhere fairly lively and not too remote..yet! (im leaving london so one step at a time) Am I right in thinking this?

Guys thanks for any advice you can offer me as the time is approaching and I for the first time in my life feel like I should be a little organised!! maybe im getting old!!

thanks again

simon

alanmacc

Hi And welcome

Give Chch a few months and it will start to boom with the whole rebuilding process, might be a good idea to contact Fletcher Construction who have the contract for this and see what they have.

Riccarton is fairly central to the or what was the CBD and is probalb ymore lively now that there is no CBD, tons of us live here in CHCH so most questions can be answered

Kija

Hi and welcome to the forum Sorry I can't offer you any advice as we've yet to get there but I'm sure you'll find plenty of advice from everyone here. You should also consider posting a thread in the main forum to get more exposure:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=83

Best of luck with your plans

Luckybird

Welcome Simon and good luck with the planning and lucky you - just in time for the summer

Dustybin

ok earthquake happened was a bitch and hopefully is all over but the singing, so don't worry about it (it won't help and you'll drive yourself mad).

It you are looking for lively you can have Riccarton (younger drunker) or Merivale (slightly older, just as drunk). Neither is anything like London (but nowhere in NZ is.)

If you are a decent spark then you shouldn't have much of an issue getting a job. Just a matter of getting started somewhere and then look for the job you want. Chch isn't really building anything yet, but apparently about 5000 people are going to need a new house

Mostly, good luck and enjoy NZ for what it is, foreign.

simonmoon99

hey guys,

Firstly thankyou for the quick replies and honest answers! I think that just a tiny part of me is being apprehensive as work is pretty good here at the moment but I feel its something I need to do! I think that I will stay with Christchurch as although ive heard some bad things it still sounds like its full of good people and if there is rebuilding to be done I would love to be a part of it!

I saw this meetup thing on here and it seems like a good idea so if anyone needs a drinking partner or a lodger im your man! I.. cannot .. wait!

thanks again!

Snazishaz

Hi, simon apart from the earthquakes which are still ongoing, christchurch was a great place to live. Unfortunately the night life which was in the heart of the city is no longer. There are plenty of other pubs in the surrounding areas, and sorry riccarton wouldnt be my choice to live, its not classed as one of the desirable areas im afraid. im curious as to why you choose there?. As already said by another member no where in NZ is like london. Its all very quiet here at the mo. As for a sparky job i dont think you will be short of work, with the rebuild of the city, houses the upgrade of the airport and the new hospital being built the worlds your oyster so to speak, also consider how much you will earn. My cousin is a sparky here i can ask him some questions, re-jobs and income if you want. What type of visa you coming over on?

simonmoon99

Hey thanks again, I am not expecting anywhere to be anything like London in fact that is why I am getting out of this country as well as some of the other obvious reasons.. I chose riccarton just because I had read a few posts and alot of people said it was a good part of the city that was quite lively, and seeing as im coming completely on my own I thought I would have more chance of meeting people/making friends in a lively part... does that make sense.... I could of worded it better I know!

If you can ask your friend about sparky work that would be awesome and at the moment I am coming over on a 2 year working visa with thoughts of getting sponsored, applying for full etc etc...

simonmoon99

Oh and as for considering how much I will earn... I know it will be nothing like here but as long as it covers what I spend I will be more than happy as thats what lifes about!

Snazishaz

Ok i will ask and get back to you as soon as i can!

BEVS

UUmm. Actually NO. You can't do that at all.

It is a job offer first and then you apply for a temporary work visa.

You will also need to start sorting out getting your Sparky quals & work experienced assessed by the EWRB here in NZ as you will not be allowed to work in that trade without a license..

BEVS

I'll move this thread to the main forum as registration for Sparkies etc is somewhat specialised. &I have read that Simonmoon99 is not au fait with how the NZ visa system works.

Cheers.

chauxfleur

Hi Simon, you will need a job offer first as you won't qualify for the working holiday visa. Try WWW.seek.co.nz for jobs. If you look for an accredited employer you visa should take no time at all.

I'm moving to Christchurch in November after getting a job offer last week. I know most of my workmates live in St. Albans or Merivale... I'm still thinking about Summer to be near the sea but I need to see the EQ damage first hand to understand what it will be like to live and commute there.

Jan n Neil

Hell and welcome, expect about 25/30 bux an hour 12/14 quid once you have your Kiwi regs you can charge what you want but untill then you will get spanked on your rate

baltej_ashat

Hi Simon,
I completed my EWRB assessment got offer of limited certificate.I applied with recruiters , they advised that I must appear for an face to face interview to secure a job, I came to Christchurch on a visitor visa. After reaching here a work visa was demanded from me to offer a job.Immigration NZ needs a job offer to issue a work visa. Same situation is with EWRB, they will issue you a certificate if you provide a employer and a supervisor's details.It is a situation of which is First an egg or a hen? I wrote a mail to ewrb but till not got any info.This information may be useful to you.
ALL THE BEST
BALTEJ