HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

first of all Happy New Year to you guys. Hope you having a good one.

Hi guys.

me and missus have been thinking for long time bout living in NZ. Im a class 1 driver and wanted to be in contact with HGV Drivings living there so we can talk bout it and wat its like.
Got lots of Questions.

>I want a driving job where you come home every night, like a normal job. Ive heard lots jobs are where drive for weeks then go home. No good.

> Wats wages like

> Wheres best place to go

> Wats living like and how expensive it is. Like Fuel, HOuse Prices (rent/buy) etc

> How long the process takes to move, find house find schools get job etc

Be grateful for advice.

Thanks

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Hi Mark,

After a quick glance I see that you are interested in emigrating from the UK. You stated 29 August...
Not happy in the UK and looking for something better for your family and self? Fair enough. Let's go through some of your questions.
I think you may be thinking of Canada, the US or Australia. New Zealand isn't big enough where you will be gone for weeks.

What are wages like? Wages are better for people who can spell and use basic grammar. Pardon my snarky response, but SMS speak chaps my hide.

Try looking at this thread => http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477086

That's up to you I would think. It really depends on employment opportunities and your own personal tastes.

Once again, it is difficult to say not knowing your circumstances. OK, as far as fuel goes you will be paying NZ$1.71/litre for petrol and I think NZ$1.27/litre for diesel. Do be aware that is the price now. It is likely to change (fuel will probably cost more in the future).

Once again, it is something that is hard to answer not knowing your situation. You should first take a look at New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) website http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...laimingpoints/ and see first if you even qualify to immigrate here. All the other information is moot if you can't qualify to come here and work.
Do be aware that as a truckie you can get temporary work permits, but as it stands now HGV drivers are not considered skilled and therefore cannot apply for permanent residency.


Good luck and here's wishing you and yours a happy new year.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Ditto Happynz.

I did respond to your email a while back Mark but at the time you seemed to want Canada. Nothing has changed in terms of cost of living from what I told you last time wages are still in the $16 - 18 an hour bracket, house rental prices depends where you are heading check out www.realenz.co nz or trade me for up to date prices...cost of living in general high compared to UK.

Work...most companies want maximum hours, not a lot of nights out but some companies will expect it, dirtier job than the UK you load and unload yourself.

But as Happy said you can only get temporary residence...so consider things carefully before leaping in...it does have implications.

p.s. I am a truck driver over here with PR but got it through my wifes job!

pps. you're welcome to have my job 'cos I'm off back to the UK...need a break from the work culture out here! Good luck

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

ive been considering moving abroad and think we decided on nz.
canada seems to be long hours and weeks away from home.
i just want to be in contact with someone over there so we can chat over few months so i can get a feel of wat its like

also thinking bout going on holiday oct 08 to auckland or wellington. see for ourselves

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

In Canada you also have the added joy of driving over iced-over lakes if you're lucky enough. ;) Seen that programme "Ice Road Truckers"? It was on in the US, not sure about the UK.

A recce trip / holiday over here is always a good idea before you move halfway round the world, if at all possible. :thumbup: :)

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Oh no! why are you going back to the u.k? What do you mean by the work culture over there? We should be out there in March me a truck driver wife a midwife Is the truck driving that bad that you are giving it up and returning back to u.k?

Re: Work culture
 

Interesting comment that about needing a break from the kiwi work culture. When i was there (and iam going back to live) kiwis are very laid back in their work attitude. It didnt bother me but i knew many expats that just couldnt hack it.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Patrick if you mean laid back as in the ops managers don't bother about trying to get you home at night then yeah they are laid back! But definitely not in any other sense of the word. The job must be done, simple as that.

Welshwales it was an experience and I am sure you will love it. But personally I don't want to do max hours every day, had 3 different employers and they all promise you'll be home every night...8 hour days blah blah blah and not one has been that way.

Don't get me wrong we love NZ, it's a beautiful place, good weather, good beaches and we have no criticism of the place, but the wife works more hours than she did in the UK and so do I, both got good employers, nice, friendly etc... so by the weekend you feel that shattered you can't be bothered to do anything.

With trucking, each company I have worked for has me doing max hours and then when I say won't get back they say remind me to get someone to show you how to work your log book the Kiwi way...sod the log book fiddle I want a life!

It's ok some days but when it's bank hols they have done it to me twice now, Easter and Christmas wouldn't get back from Auckland told them couldn't make it so they said we'll put you up in a motel for the night, which is missing the point when you want to be with your family. So jacked in the job and am going home in two weeks!

The wife loves her job but again is working more hours than she did in the UK which again is no good when you have kids...especially when you have no family out here so have to pay for afterschool and summer hols clubs.

For us we came out here for lifestyle but when you feel you are doing nothing but work there is no lifestyle.

I've got a job lined up in the UK where I will be home everynight, won't be maxing hours, won't have to load and unload myself and get paid twice as much...which is going to give us a better lifestyle 'cos the wife will be able to do part time (we can't afford her to do that out here).

I don't regret coming and may well become a ping ponger but I doubt it.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Mark have you thought about Oz at all?

Just about every house round here with a decent bit of land that's on the market seems to have massive sheds and "Plenty of Room for a Truck" advertised.

Good lifestyle, great beaches for the kids, cheap fuel....

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

With the distances involved (my late FIL was a trucker in the US), wouldn't it be more likely for him to be away more / for longer periods?

Phil, so sorry to hear it's not worked out. That certainly sucks about fiddling the log books, I hate that kind of thing! It's something that tachometers don't take into account, either. :thumbdown:

I wish you two all the best back in the UK. :thumbup:

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Add to that away for a 12 weeks at a time living in a tin sauna shared with deadly spiders and it's paradise...been there done that and would prefer to fiddle the log book in NZ than go back to Oz!

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Thanks Maz.

We have enjoyed our time here but no matter where we have travelled always get the pull back to the UK! So now happy to settle in a beautiful little village in Yorkshire, bought a house on the river with mooring and fishing rights and plotting our next adventure...a holiday home somewhere...maybe Europe or if the wife gets her way will be Florida! oooh for a quiet life!

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Florida? urghhh...not my choice in tropical getaways, but to each their own.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Phil, are you and Debbie entitled to live in the US?

Happy, know what you mean about Florida. The humidity there was unbearable, the times I was there. :eek: But the Kennedy Space Center was most awesome. :thumbup:

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

When you have 3 kids Florida is the place to be! Wouldn't want to live there but it is a great holiday destination.

We spent some time in Connecticut and some time in Seattle as we have relies in both places so we did think about living there but part of the reason for going home is the relies...wife's mum has cancer, in remission at present but last time she went for a check up they said she had some shadows and they would know more at her next 3 month check. My folks are both 70 now so seems the time is right to have some family time...do the old family party bbq thing for a few years.

A friend of ours, has lived here 10 years went back to see her mum in the UK and they knew as her mum is in her 80's that would be the last time they saw each other and we just thought aw that's awful...I know you get used to it when travelling but still hard to do!

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

The heat and humidity doesn't particularly bother me. I happily lived in the Southeast Asian heat and humidity.
I guess it's Florida's gnats -- billions of the little bastards! My two sisters live in Tampa and they had to have netting built over their pool because of the stinkin' gnats. One has to wear goggles and a surgical mask just to mow the lawns or the critters would end up the nose or in the eyes.
Florida is also home to Walt Disney World. That alone is enough to keep me on this side of the Pacific Ocean! :lol:

edit: Sorry, Mark. This thread has veered so far off tangent. Jeez, from HGV driving in New Zealand to rants about Florida's gnats!

:lol:

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL's cancer, albeit in remission. It's rough when that happens, I can sympathise and empathise. Seattle, CT and FL are 3 very different places, but that's certainly one of the strengths of the US, so much variety! :thumbup:

Ack! :blink: :eek: It was humid enough when we were in Orlando / Daytona in December one year, but I'm not sure I could handle gnats when mowing the lawn. :eek:

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Oops yeah has a bit hasn't it? :o Sorry about that Mark!

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Hi Phil sorry to hear its not worked out for you. We are due over in April with the mind set that we are coming for the experience if it works great if not well we would have lived there for a while hopefully learned more and had a good time. Are there any other truckers out there with a view on working in NZ be good to hear from you.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Hi Mark
we have been doing the same as you for some time now and are ready to go first week of April I am looking for HGV1 work also. My wife has had some interviews we don't yet Know if anything is forth coming from those. I have tried to contact a few employers out there but the answer seems to be come out here and talk to us face to face so thats what we are doing. How far down the line are you?

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

We tried Oz but the gates were shut for 457 Temp visas for truck drivers.

We are now heading for NZ. We have sold the house, living with parents and coming out with not alot really. Oh yeah.....and 3 kids in tow.

Phil01....OMG. I am worried now. You seemed so happy before. Best wishes to you though.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Hello.........we are well on our way to being in Rotorua by end of Jan if you want to keep in touch.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Hi Kato
it would be great to keep in touch thanks we are also feeling a little bit worried after hearing that Phil was going home to the UK But I have a sneaky suspicion he'll be back He always seemed happy in NZ but everyones situation is different fingers crossed for you. PM me if you wish Cheers for now

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

The more we can help each other out the better in IMO.
Any kids Gazzer??
We should hit NZ in around 4 weeks. If I can get access to a PC then I will let you all know how its going with Roger's new company. The hours seem a little naff at the mo but then we got the job offer whilst still over here so don't expect to get the cream of the work.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

well my options for still open. still getting ideas bout all locations

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

we just started to get ideas. like on these threads. dont know a great deal. but we will defo not move without a job.
pm me your experiences and you may help us
thanks

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Search the web and email EVERY truck company you find. I did and thats how we got the job offer from over here.

It does happen, you just have to look and look some more. If I can help in anyway feel free to ask.

Nici

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Hi Nici,

no don't be worried, we had a great time and don't regret a minute of it.

We just prefer what the UK has to offer in terms of money, housing, infrastructure and being back with family. That goes for having lived in Oz, Germany and travelled round a tiny bit of the US! None of them are home!

And guys...we don't see that it didn't work out! We went there, got jobs, fitted in, got residency and have chosen to go back to the UK for a few reasons...partly family and partly because we miss what we had in the UK, but it did work out we just realised we didn't actually want to be there. Like I said before Nici just an adventure!

So go there get the best jobs you can, get your residency and then if you choose to stay great...but you will then have the choice...which is fab! We know we can come back if we want...right now we don't think we will but ya never know!!

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Phil and Debbie, sorry to hear that you are coming back to the UK. You have both given consistently good and welcome advice on these boards and I'll miss you both.

You had a great tiome though and as you say, no regrets. You've had a great adventure. Who knows what is waiting for you in the future. Hope things go smoothly for you back in Yorkshire (or Godsown as Steve calls it, being a Yorkshireman)

Suzi

Karma for a safe trip back home. You'll have to have virtual karma, need to spread it around a bit first.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Thank Suzi and yes Phil being a Yorkshireman says the same!

Take care and good luck for NZ!

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

That's a great shame, are there any other visas you could've applied for?

Good luck to you, hope it goes well.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Phil, I love how you two both have such tremendous attitudes about this all! Please don't leave this forum!!! :( :( :(

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Hear hear........so say I!

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Don't seem to be. I fell in love with all I read and researched on Bunbury WA. I could of called that "home" I think, but won't be going from NZ.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

What a great post. So sorry to hear that it just isn't the future you thought it would be. But you sound as positive as you can be given the circumstances. Hope the future works out to be all you want it to be.
Karma.
Karen

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

I must admit to worrying alittle over the original post, but as usual, Phil01 put me straight back at ease again.

Its not for everyone, but it does feel right for us at this moment in time. If it goes t*ts up, then we will move on to pastures new.

But as for you Karonious......your not getting away that easily so expect a visit.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Hi Mark
I'm a truck driver in NZ recently emigrated from the UK.It is still early days for me only been here 3 months.I drive log trucks in nelson and get home everyday.Start at 5am and always finish about 4.no nights out.started on $17.50 moving to $18.50 after 3months service.It is diffrent to the uk but it all depends on what you want from nz.we do alot on the weekends ie going to the beach having bbq.PM me.contact me .will tell you more
Cheers
Paul

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

Haven't seen you post before, Paul, so welcome to the forum! :) Have some karma. :)

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

I will need loads of questions answered when the OH gets off his back side and tells me what to ask :p

Hope things are going great for you guys. My OH work offer is for the hours of 4pm to 6am everyday. We are not looking forward to that too much but will see how it runs once we get there.

Re: HGV Class 1 Driver in NZ
 

fire away.i was watching this forum before we emigrated.if i remember correctly i think you won that bbc program.dont be shy to ask whatever you need to know.quite shocked abot phils decision as he gave me loads of info.
cheers
paul