CCGM.IN.NZ

Hello everyone. We moved from St Helens, Merseyside and have been in NZ for almost 12 months now. Myself and my husband are here on a LTBV but are hoping that it will be a permanent stay as we love it so much. We have two kids, 16 and 13, who have settled in great. I'm new to forums and only found this site after reading Paul Goddards book about his move here (similar situation to ours actually). We are renting in Bucklands Beach, Auckland and plan to stay in this area as we love it by the sea. Still got stuff we dont know about so I'm sure I will be visiting quite a bit as I have found this site very friendly and helpful (wish I'd found it sooner!)

rab2n

Hi

Nice to hear you are all settling in to your new surroundings. It's always a worry with kids isn't it! 12 year old son wasn't keen at first but now he's heard you can learn to drive at 15 he's changed his mind - amazing isn't it!

We are also looking to come over in the near future on LTBV. My husband run his own computer shop in UK and wants to do the same in NZ - what business do you do and how did you find the whole process? We are going through an immigration agent which is expensive but he's offering a 98% success rate. Did you go over to buy the business yourself or did you employ someone to do this for you?

Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.
Helen & Robin

BEVS

Hi guys and welcome to this little corner of the NZ cyber world.

Plenty of friendly people on here to help and advise or simply chat with. Pop into the bar for a drink with the regulars .

LTBV - Long Term Business Visa is a specialist subject & not for the faint hearted. There is a web site dedicated to this . It has a small forum to post your LTBV questions and also a helpful website. BENZ1
( I have admin permission for this link)

I'm beginning to think I should charge Ben a commission fee.

Meanwhile, come on in . There is tons to chat about with the slightly made ex-pats in here.

CCGM.IN.NZ

Hi Helen & Robin
We decided to buy a franchise as at least you have the support behind you in a new country. Although my husband had been in the kitchen industry in the UK for many years he had no formal qualifications, so he did lots of research into franchises and we decided to go with vending machines/snack boxes. Something we can both work together and initially to get us here! We didnt use an agent as we found the fees quite high. My husband did all the paperwork and we were very lucky as the guy who owns the franchise company was extremely helpful in liasing with immigration with the more probing questions about the business. We must have done it right between us as we are here to tell the tale Good luck with your application. I'm sure your son will love it here, our kids haven't looked back. Always happy to answer your questions, where I can.
Carol

Ben.M

Tell you what Bevs, the day the forum starts making a profit I'll cut you in!

Thanks for pointing them towards us.

Ben

BEVS

This is New Zealand . I'll accept a good laying hen, a home made cake or a jar of jam. Actually, you already did me a good turn when you made a suggestion about transferring my pensions , so it's me that should be sending over a little something to you. All I have is duck eggs

Yours is the only site that properly deals with LTBV or that can help those thinking of starting a business in NZ. It makes good sense to me.