James S

Myself and my family are moving out to NZ in the next two months and Im taking over a New Zealand based technical/construction recruitment consultancy based just outside of Auckland.

To help setup a network of contacts I wanted to make contact with any brits currently working in construction out there as I wanted to pick their brains over how busy the market is and how best to start making some in roads!

Im going to be recruiting anyone in construction/civil engineering, consulting engineering, architecture (basically any of the allied industries to construction) but purely white collar technical positions - unfortunately nothing on the trades side.

Me and my family are looking to move into the Clevedon/Whitford,Hunua areas? is anyone out there and what are they like? - I have two small children (3,5) so need somewhere with decent primary schools!

Any help/advice would be much appreciated - it all seems a bit daunting sitting in an office in Leeds (UK) and starting to do some groundwork on the internet!!!

Thanks

James Swailes.

Charlie Paynter

Hi James. Firstly, I wish you the best of luck in your new venture.

I work 'on' the construction industry here in the UK, rather than 'in', and although I am a barrister, I am also a Chartered Builder and QS (dealing in construction disputes).

I lived in NZ up until 2001, but went back there in late 2006 for a couple of weeks regarding work, and at that time the construction market was booming - a situation which I am led to believe continues to this day, although expats will no doubt confirm this.

I can give you a few employer contacts including name of company and director, and I think the best bet for you is to have some form of 'conduit' from the UK to NZ regarding potential candidates - and perhaps I could also assist in this area.

PM me if you wish and we could have a chat.
Michael

irnbru14

Hi James, am working for Fletcher Construction in Wellington, give me a shout with whatever it is you want to know and will see how I can help!! Is it an established company you are taking over then???

James S

It is an established company but only quite a small concern at the moment (Im obviously looking to grow it and use some of my UK contacts to try and get more skilled brits across to NZ!).

When I have my new contact details setup I'll pop them across to you if thats OK? Just thought this maybe a good way of meeting some people over there and starting afresh in a new country with no real contacts is a real daunting prospect!

How much construction work is going on in wellington compared with say Auckland? and do you get contacted by many recruitment consultancies over there - I know BBT and Hays are out there and I compete against them in the UK but they are so large and tend to not treat their clients and candidates in the best of ways!

Cheers

James.

James S

Any help wpild be much appreciated - I've got a number of ex colleagues in the UK who I am looking to partner with in an attempt to retain as much of a network in the UK as possible. This I hope should allow me to still be put in touch with skilled construction professionals in the UK looking to emigrate (and as I will have gone through this process myself should be well placed to advise).

I also thought about partnering with an emigration specialist - also potentially a good source of skilled people looking to move abroad.

If you have any contacts in NZ that would be great - the company Im going to work with do have a good base of repeat clients but Im keen to spread my net as far as possible.

Thanks again.

James.

irnbru14

Plenty of work in Welly just now, I know we are busy in Auckland too though, lots of new offices and redevelopment of new offices here, especially along the harbour areas and in the CBD. I used Koru Connect to get my job here before I left the UK. BBT are ok but I despise Hays with a passion, Hudson are here too but don't think they have a construction arm in NZ, I may be wrong though!

I have never heard from any recruitment companies when I've been here, apart from the ones in the UK who still bug me!!

Its interesteing here, there are only 3 really major contractors, ourselves, Mainzeal and Hawkins, yes there are other regional ones too, and I believe Multiplex do some work up in Auckland. And people tend to stick with the same company for years, I mean, if yuo work for Fletchers there is nowhere really bigger to go so why would you? I work with management who have been there 20/30/40 years!!!
Different market to the UK where most people move on every few years...

Good luck!!