killieboy93

Hello, im looking to move to nz along with my dad, mum and wee brother. im qualified painter and decorator time not long served. my dad is also a painter and decorator which is a skill shortage in Canterbury if we were to apply for jobs that is where we would be looking. i have noticed to get enough points for a visa we need a job offer.

Question i have is, i read alot on here about the cost of living ect in nz. with 2 wages coming in from a skilled trade would we be earning enough for a reasonable life style in? not after big house car ect just to have a new experience. is it worth applying ? dont have specific information on earning as of yet but from what i have seen would could earn $50k - $60k a year each thats reading between lines. obviously after a few years i would like to move way from my parents but thats a different bridge.

reason we want to come to new Zealand and leave the uk. is we are sick of the same old life here and wanting new challenges would need to make the move soon like within a year before my dad is to old to get a visa.
any advise would be appreciated.

escapedtonz

Hi,
You probably need the job offer to give you enough points on the EOI to guarantee automatic selection and following Invitation To Apply, go for Residency under the Skilled Migrant Category.
You could just go for the job and then get a Temporary Work Visa which will get you here sooner, allow you to live and work here for up to 3 years and in that time you could apply for Residency whilst in NZ.
So what I'm trying to say is you can get here without worrying about having enough points.

Say you started off on $50k a year each. This is what your likely to take home.

Your Salary: $50000.00

Rates as of 1st April 2012:
Tax Rate Taxable Income Tax Element Remaining
Bottom (10.5%) $14000.00 $1470.00 $12530.00
Low (17.5%) $34000.00 $5950.00 $28050.00
Mid (30%) $2000.00 $600.00 $1400.00
High (33%) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Totals: $50000.00 $8020.00 $41980.00

ACC Levy (1.70%) on $50000.00: $850.00

Total available to spend: $41130.00
Monthly: $3427.50
4 - Weekly: $3163.85
Fortnightly: $1581.92
Weekly: $790.96

All payment amounts are approximate, due to specific rounding amounts used by IRD which vary depending on payment frequency. Rates are correct as of April 2012 - March 2013 tax year but are subject to change. This should only be used as a guide.

$50k works out to around GBP 26k. Could you manage on this salary each in the UK.
Cost of living here is approx 15% more than the UK and that doesn't include rent or mortgage payments which are both more than what you would pay in the UK.

GS.83

A fellow Killie lad, good to see

lisamct

No idea about painting in Canterbury, just dropping in to say Hi from an ex Killie girl

vetnurse1

Hi
We are in Canterbury and my husband is a painter and decorator with over 20 years experience in the uk althoug no formal qualifications. For visa purposes you would be best to secure a job offer in writing before you come. Try trademe.co.nz. However be warned, there are lots of cowboys who have set up since the earthquakes and who are trying to cash in on the rebuild. Painters here used to get around $15 per hour, compared to now when you can earn up to around $30. Once the earthquake commission work dries up, and that may be some time, lots of painters are going to be out of work, and possibly back to earning less. Not trying to put a damper on your plans, but just be cautious. Make sure you choose a reputable firm who have been established for many years. My husband has found it difficult to get work as a painted here. Canterbury is still very much who you know if you want a job. In my opinion to need at least 50 to 60k to be comfortable here (not well off). The prices around Christchurch at the moment are ridiculous, again people cashing in on property after the quakes. You are looking at around 400k to 475k for a nice 3 bed house. Make sure you do your research first and get solid job offers before coming. You are welcome to private message me if you wamt any more info.
All the best

paddy234

Seriously??? Can't believe a skilled trade's man would be earning that little

lardyl

You better believe it I have mates in all sorts of trades and some have found it hard to make ends meet in the Auckland area and we are talking time served and experienced plumbers, gas fitters and sparkies.
My mate's folks got their home redecorated the other month and by the look of them, the asian painters there were not earning much, nowhere near the $30/hr.
When I came to NZ I effectively earned about $30/hr and I had a doctorate and 12+ years as a specialist forensic investigator in the largest company in the world. Earning less than a third of the UK salary with none of the benefits, no sick leave to speak of, crap holiday entitlement and just KiwiSaver for pension. The wife's professional salary (graduate speech therapist, 15 years experience) wasn't enough to live on either so I had to take the job when it came.
Anyway, rant over, supply and demand now has made the rates rise down in Chch. The rebuild will keep those rates high but who knows how long that will last and how stable that is.
NZ is a low wage economy and for those on a low income it is a high tax economy unless you can get benefits. GST on food, no tax allowances, school "donations", etc
that's why many NZers rely on handouts from churches, community groups Whānau, etc. I know a few kids that have a box of tinned/dry food in the boot of the car every week from the church/community house to make life work.

All whilst the National Govt hands out tax breaks to businesses (that's me as well BTW) and the overseas owners of land/property.
bring on the glorious revolution.........
/dons hard hat and takes cover/

lardyl

maybe some of the guys at $15/hr were supplementing their income - being a "painter" is known in NZ as good cover for, erm ...... drug dealing

vetnurse1

Yes, this was from someone who has had a painting firm here for many years. There was an ad in the local paper this week for a painter and wallpaperer and they were offering $17.50 an hour.

paddy234

New Zealand's wage's seemed to be quite good if you were to compare it's standard of living many year's ago. Unfortunately wage's now haven't risen to the increased cost of living due to a global sluggish economy but it will have to get better and the government know's this. There need's to be more investment and people need more money in their pocket's. ChristChurch now isn't the only area where construction is starting to boom, Auckland i believe is starting to see a large increase in home's being built aswell. I'd like to think this will be repeated all over the country due to the extreme demand

Persephone

Did someone buy too many Irish apostrophes this year and need to get rid of the excess?

paddy234

Fair play, awk i was just testing you that's all, you passed

BEVS

Expected wages Painters and Decorators from Careers NZ - click the link. This would be for an employee of course.

I very much doubt that trade wages will rise anytime soon but one can live in hope.

vetnurse1

A fellow grammar Nazi