How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Hi all, apologise to anyone who replied to the similar question I asked a couple of days ago but unfortunately the discussion became a bit of a free for all and I didn't really get a straight answer.
My details;
I am a qualified Motorcycle technician of 43 years old. I have been offered a job in Helensville. NZD $45,000 per annum for an average of 47.5 hours per week. My Wife will eventually be working but does not have a job offer at the moment. We also have a Son of 14.
We will be renting a property for the time being as I don't want to get involved in purchasing a property until we have residency.
Could anyone who currently lives in New Zealand tell me if this seems a reasonable salary for my qualification in the Helensville area ?
I am asking as I fully appreciate that the quality of life may be better but obviously I want to live a life to a similar standard (financially) as I do here in the UK otherwise I don't see the point in the upheaval of making the move. In other words I don't want to be worried where the money will be coming from to pay the next bill or to replace the kids shoes etc. Please can someone give me a straight forward answer to this as it is worrying me stupid.
Thanks :confused:

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Only you can answer this question.
Basically you have a way into the country. You don't know yet if it is enough money.
You can either:
A) give it a go. It might be fine.
B) ask for more money for your first job.
C) give it a go, it is not enough money. Get a new job. Maybe your wife finds work. Maybe move cities, or move south.
D) stay at home.

Your first job in a new country is likely to be less money than you could be earning after a year of being here. You need to build up a network, NZ referees, NZ work experience. Once you have been in the job a year, then you can always start looking for something else that better suits your family's needs. I don't think you can expect your first job in a new country to be perfect, but at least it gets you in.

You don't say anything about whether your visa ties you to a particular job for a period of time, or what sort of work your wife might be interested in doing.

If you want to move from one of the richest countries in the world to one that is less rich, then it is likely that you will not have the earning power you are used to. For many families this does not mean that they are on the breadline, and less cash in the hand is made up for in other, non-monetary ways.

BTW, I don't live in Akl, I live in ChCH, and that is a normal working wage down here, and many people support their families on less. The "Working for Families" assistance gives many locals more cash in hand, I am not sure if you would be eligible for this given your visa status. As to whether you could survive on that wage in Akl, I have no idea.

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Hi there Apple12. Thanks for your comments. You have certainly put things into perspective for me. I hope you can understand my concerns regarding money. Never having lived anywhere other than the UK I am scared that we wouldn't be able to make end meet. Your comments have certainly made me think about it all from a different angle. Thanks again.
Steve :)

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Hi Steve,

Unfortunately I can't give you a straight answer on salaries, but can give you a bit of info. My boyfriend is a motorcycle instructor/mechanic in the UK, and we looked into him doing similar work in NZ. The thing is, there are only 4 million people in NZ, as opposed to 60 million in the UK. we discovered that there just isn't the demand for bikes as there is in the UK, (I did my license cause I was sick of sitting in traffic!) it's more of a recreational thing, and the majority are off road bikes. I thought that every man and his dog would have a bike cause the roads are just fantastic!
There are 600 bike shops in NZ, from what I could find salaries were $30-40k, depending on experience, and what area you live in. To give you an idea as to whether or not you can live on this, have a look at what the cost of renting a house is in the area you want to live in, and work it out that way. good luck...

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Hi there, Thank you very much for sharing that research with me. Sounds like $ 45000 is a good wage for a technician then. I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to support my family and we would be living near to the bread line. My Wife will be working when she finds a job but in the mean time it will fall on my shoulders.
I am an old worry nut I know :eek: :rolleyes:
Thanks again
Steve

Less than you might think
 

Hi Steve, know we're not even there or thereabouts yet but just for comparison my missus has applied for a job where salary is $55k and their HR people have to provide "special dispensation" to offer this to her. She is a specialist speech-therapist with 13 yrs experience and that's about 56% of her current salary (plus its in Auckland) - my comparison is *much* worse - my application is for a job at 41% of my UK salary with no pension benefit, no health cover, no car, no permanent health insurance, no death in service benefit, a much worse holiday entitlement and a longer working week - plus this is for the only employer in NZ so no chance of "if you dont pay me more I'll be off".
But if the job is offerred I will bite their arm off...... am I crazy??? who knows and only time will tell!!!!

Re: Less than you might think
 

Hi Lardy, Ok Ok I am an old worry nut I admit it. Guess you are right, to live in a beautiful country like NZ is worth a little personal sacrifice. Just had a long chat with the Wife and I am back on track again. Can't wait. maybe see you over there one day. Meet up for a drink or 2 :p
Steve

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

I replied on the original thread, good luck with your decision

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Stevie - hi again. If your wife wants to travel into Auckland itself she can earn $45k straight away as a PA. Obviously not every job offers that but it's not difficult to get - that was my starting salary in the first job I took. Outside of the CBD (central business district) it's probably around the $35k mark for a senior role. You've suddenly gone from $45k to $80-$90 and that would be VERY doable most places in Auckland, never mind out Helensville way where house prices are lower. Have you seen www.seek.co.nz - there's loads of administration jobs on there and a lot of them have the salaries on. For houses check out www.allrealestate.co.nz www.realestate.co.nz and www.open2view.com although the last one tends to have more expensive houses on it. www.maxx.co.nz will give her transport details and (approximate) travel times.

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Hi Stevie,

Just been speaking to my sister-in-law out in NZ who's an estate agent, basically it's a buyers/renters market at the moment, which is good news!!! Anyway, give me a shout when you make it out there, we'll be looking for fellow bikers to go out for a blast!!!

Don.

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Hi Don, Thanks for the info. I am due to come over Nov/Dec to start my new job and can't wait now I am over my jitters. Will be in touch when I do and will take you up on the offer of going for a blast once I buy a bike which won't be very long I can assure you.
Speak soon
Steve

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

That's great Batty, Thanks for the links. They will come in very handy and have given me some idea already.
Steve

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

Hi again. Now I over my panic jitters I am back on line and can't wait to get over there. I am due to start my new job Nov/Dec so will keep you informed of how I get on.
Bye for now
Steve

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

good luck m8ty!
missus got her first telephone interview lined up for Thursday - now there's just the small matter of an interview for yours truly (still got gingers crossed!!!!) ian

Re: How much should I expect to earn ?
 

All depends on where and the value.

And the agents you talk too, agents get huge commission on the sale so they work the answer to house/market question to suit themselves and help line there pockets.