Hi all,

First of all I'm new to this forum, so i apologise in advance for any dumbfoundedness or reposted threads!

I recently applied for a speculative role at Fletcher construction in Auckland, New Zealand.

My background is in Quality & Risk Management, and i am from Aberdeen in Scotland.

I received a call from Fletcher Building asking me more about a possible move to NZ, and other things like current salary and benefits etc. I was also notified that if i was successful that my one-way flights would be paid, paid relocation for my furniture (i am guessing i may get the choice to say no and purchase new furniture instead?), and the first 4 weeks will be hotel accommodation with a car.

I have a Skype call set up for tomorrow with 2 Managers in Fletcher Building.

I have been advised that if i pass this stage that the next stage is a face to face meeting on the 15th/16th October in London, as they are holding a Down Under live exhibition here on the above dates.

Can anyone give me any advice on Fletcher Building, what i can expect, are they a reputable good organisation?

If anyone has went through the Hiring process then what can i expect? After the face to face interview is it the case of a job offer with references to follow? I noticed Flecther building are an approved Visa hiring company, does this make it easier for me and my partner to ascertain a visa if succsesful?

I will be taking my partner with me if i am successful, She works as an administration supervisor/Team Leader.

We are excited at the prospects, however it all seems to quick and too good to be true.

I appreciate any responses.

Cheers,
K

Hi K
Can't help on the Fletcher front but if they are an accredited company and your job is on the Skilled Occupation list then you and your partner, if you can prove that you have been in a stable intwined relationship for at least 12 months, can uplift a Work to Residency visa which allows you a temp work visa for you both for 2 years, you will have a criteria to stick to for those two years and if met them, you can then uplift a Residency from work visa which allows you to stay in NZ permanently.
On that 2 year visa are travel conditions - which means if you stay within NZ for a set amount of days during that 2 year period and can prove you are contributing to the country you can then have the travel conditions removed which then means you are free to come and go from NZ as you wish.
You do not need to upgrade this visa just means you have no right of entry after the 2 years if you leave at any time. Then after 5 years of being on that visa you can apply for Citizenship again if you met the criteria. (7 years in total to become Citizens).

Hi K,
Welcome to the forum. I don't have an intimate knowledge of Fletcher Building but do know they are one of the biggest building companies in the country. I moved from Aberdeenshire (Turra) 10 years ago so can recommend the move. Any questions, please ask. Good luck in that interview!

Great to hear from a fellow Shire! I live in Mintlaw.

Thanks. I will let you know how it goes after tonight.

Keeping my fingers crossed, as both me and my partner are looking forward to moving if i secure the position.

Cheers,
K

We have done something similar and I have an interview next Tuesday in London while my wife is being quizzed - or finding out more info - at the same time.

What we are trying to find out about is schooling in NZ, we read that expats get charged for schooling and we have two at school and its a little confusing what we have found out.

As a couple we are all for it but the only thing that would scupper it for us would be the schooling transition and finding the right school.

Any direction from expats already in NZ would be greatly appreciated....

Good Luck K....

Bates Family

Hi Bates family,

I am flying down to London for an interview a week on Friday.

No kids for us, however a high BMI of 35 to look forward to at the medical stage should it get that far.

We are both looking forward to the move.

Would be interested to hear more about your application so far and hearing from you after your interview to get an idea of what questions may be asked.

Looking forward to your reply.

Cheers,
K

Hi K

So far I've had a similar experience to you, had a telephone convo. then a Skype call, now a interview lined up for next Tuesday then they have also asked me to attend the event on Thursday night so I'm spending half my time training up and down to London...how lovely..not!

Just seen the BMI thingy...im a 32.8 so ill have a little work to do!

They are a 100% pucker company, one of the largest listed companies in NZ and have a market valuet of over $7 billion. Kind of company one could do very well in one would imagine. Good luck!

please look to see if you met the 160 requirement before spending out any time or money.

Do not know what the lower limit with job offer is now so it may be worth seeing what the next pull selects.

Thanks Mrs Fychan

Thats good advice, i looked into that and think i'll be in the 195 category, so should be OK.

Bates Family...

Does the EOI points score matter with an accredited employer?

My understanding was that these employers would be able to ascertain a work to residency visa for potential candidates if they meet health and character requirements? Also salary for over $55,000?

As they are accredited they have powers to bypass certain immigration things such as an EOI as it is classed as a talent visa?

Cheers
K

yes it does depend on what route you want to go visa wise. Some accredited companies have jobs on skills list that would enable you to gain a permanent visa rather than the temp visa

On the subject of schools, the fees depend on visa status and the type of school.

From what I can gather about schools in NZ, there are no completely free schools. There is always usually a compulsory fee to pay at the beginning of the school year (end of January/first week February) that covers admin and stationary etc amounting to maybe $250 or so. On top of this some schools may also ask for a voluntary fee maybe $50 or $100 to assist with sports or whatever. This doesn't have to be paid but in general everybody will pay it for fear of being labelled a tight arse. I've also heard of pupils being left out of specific school activities just because their parents elected not to pay the voluntary fee.
From this point you can then get state integrated schools which charge compulsory attendance fees in the small to high thousands of dollars per year depending on the school and up to maybe $20 000 per year (in Tauranga) if the pupil is boarding. On top of all these fees there's also extra fees for school uniforms, lunches, any before/after school clubs, school trips and outside school activities / holiday club stuff etc.
Also, depending on the decile rating of the school parents will be expected to help contribute or fund raise to help earn more money for the school. For example a high decile school receives less funding per child than a lower decile school so the school with the higher decile rating will still have the same costs but will have to make the difference up by asking for more assistance from the parents and families of the children that attend so fund raising events and other donations etc.

Also as I said before it all depends what visa the child is on. No problem if they are a Resident or their parents are on a work visa for at least 2 years but if they are on anything less they may have to pay as an international student where the fees can be high although no idea of the cost.

QG

Sorry I didn't reply to you, I just have in your PM..

Bates Family

Hi, my husband had an interview with Fletcher Build end of July and was offered a job. We're are hoping to make the move to NZ in February next year, I would be happy to answer any questions you have ( if I can!)
Sue