Hi,
Just starting to make enquiries for relocating to NZ, My husband 53, myself 52 and a son 23, but North or South Island, what is really the difference between the two, your views/opinions greatly appreciated to start with. I am sure I will be posting on and off for any advice, also anyone else just starting the process!

Tracey

Which visa were you thinking of applying for?

It will be either a business or skilled visa, just weighing the options as to what will be better for us.

If you can get a Skilled Migrant Visa I would go for that over a Business Visa. So many more hoops to jump through for a Business Visa IMHO.
Have you visited NZ at all?

Not as yet, unlike when we went to Oz we visited a couple of times, this time we could possibly not visit before, hence asking what part of New Zealand would suit, Wellington is looking good as I do know somewhere who is there,
also getting a job first could decide were to go. What is the difference between. North and South.

That is extremely hard to answer .

The South Island has less people.
Some of the types of scenery can be different between the islands.


What would you be looking for?

Would you have enough points to be picked under Skilled Migrant ? You would likely need a job offer for that so that could really dictate when you could end up.

Australia is quite different to New Zealand, so I hope you are not basing your move to New Zealand on this. The two islands are very different as well, but as you have already stated you may need to go where the jobs are. Will your partner and son be looking for work as this may also change where you end up living.

Cost of accommodation can also differ between cities and towns; availability of work; type of hobbies you have may also dictate the location you may chose.

The more information you can give us the better we will be able to respond to your questions.

I have to say a business visa has a lot of strings attached and if your business is not successful (not saying that it wont be) could have a huge impact on your ability to stay in New Zealand.

Good luck with your journey

Thank you so far for the replies and as our research continues I am sure I will be posting on and off.
My husband has got enough points for skilled visa but needs to get a job offer which is what he is looking into, myself and son would have to find employment aswell but son especially.
Our hobbies vary from fishing, swimming, walking and socialising, nearer to the sea would be nice.

How many exactly?

Look. I am not being 'funny' but this is all so vague & you have to understand we see a bit of this , many times.

So. What drives this from you.

What have you researched and what do you want.

I really think we all need to hold off more until we read more.

Depending how far past the 53rd birthday he is, time will be much against you to turn this around before he reaches 55 unless in a high demand job. Not impossible no, but what of your son? He's going to have to apply in his own right and wouldn't be able to just walk in with Mummy and Daddy.

Oh yes BoJ . That's true. I didn't think about that for this couple.

We are all happy to help but I do feel we need a bit more.

Nelson and Tasman for instance have the best of NZ weather in my opinion , however the city and surrounds are not the busiest & you could have trouble finding work here depending on your occupations. Also it can be quite isolated in that it is a long drive or a flight to another city .

It really does depend on what your aspirations are and what you do for a living.

All you can do is your own research, asking for someone else's opinion is like asking what your favourite flavour crisps are.
I live in Cambridge on the north island and I love the place, but I would love Cambridge just as much is it were on the south island.
its geographical position is irrelevant, its the town and the people here that make it what it is.
I've not been to the south island yet but I have spent 2 years in Aux and quickly learned to hate it. I wouldn't live anywhere north
of Aux. I've been to Taupo, rotorua, wellington, gisborne, napier, whakatane, palmerston north plus lots of small towns dotted about
here and there and I wouldn't live in any of these places. Not because they're on the N/I but because I just don't like them.

Hi I suggest you look into making sure your son is classed as a dependent or can get a residency visa of his own accord due to his age. I also live in Cambridge after moving to nz a year ago, it's a great place to live with good schools and an easy drive to Hamilton. A lot of English people live in Cambridge and it's quite difficult to get a rental as there are normally 3 or 4 couples wanting one place but we managed ok. A new nice 4 bed detached rents for around $440 a wk here.

South Island is even more stunning than north, and we have the mountains. And even more friendly people!