sparkie down under

I am one of those new socialists who works his nuts off
I work for myself as an electrician and electrical inspector. I am co-director in a training company, I work for someone as an employee, (yes sir, maser, boss) and we run what the inland rev love to call a hobby farm. IT'S NOT A F*ING HOBBY!!! in short from the moment my eyes open to about 9 at night it's work, work, work, and because of the farm that's every day - weekends what the hell are they
and incidently I earn about a third of what I did when we got here, (downturn) and about a qauter of what we did when we left 'ome

Kiwi-Irish

Right, well sounds fairly full-on then, but I guess in a good way. Are you glad you moved out to Auckland?, it was Auckland wasn't it? We're hoping to move to the North Shore, and yeah, ideally get a small plot of land, or a couple of paddocks where I can keep some horses possibly. So what would you say the "ball-park" would be on a plumber there in Auckland - have you any idea of what a plumber would earn working for someone? obviouslyu we're going to have our own business, but just to get an idea, as we might want to employ someone. Someone earlier was saying its quite good in NZ when you run a business as you get tax breaks on your income - how much better off are you by running you're own show?

sparkie down under

Not in Auckland - and wouldn't want to be either

On the east coast now which is ok but not too many people and as someone once said to me back home, "count the chimney pots. The more pots the better it is for business". And how right he was.

I don't see being in business here as being any better than back home. In fact I understood the tax system so much better back home I was definitely better off there.

I don't know about Auckland re wages but if it's like here then there has been such a down turn you'd hardly believe it. Hardly any new build going on and fix-ups have dropped off all together.

In terms of wages expect anywhere between 18-28 an hour and if you find 28 let me know and I'll be a plumber

BEVS

Kiwi-Irish would have to employ a craftsman plumber if his business was to in any way touch any form of plumbing, even down to changing taps. Rough guide I would guess at around the $26+ mark. Perhaps more for Auckland.

sparkie down under

Hey Bev aren't home owners allowed to their own plumbing (like elecrics) BUt have to get them tested once done??

BEVS

Apologies to all for going a bit off topic.


Kiwi-irish is free to do certain bits of plumbing in his own home if he wishes.

sparkie down under

Make me laughthat link
there are more restrictions with water than electric - yet get it wrong with electric and you will kill someone, or set fire to your house and yet you can play with upto 15Kg LPG, which is a heavy gas and that will most definitely blow up any house.

Just where are they coming from here??????

BEVS

Think back-flow prevention for starters.

I have an answer for that which I will keep to myself.

NakiMan

Strictly speaking, I dont think this is allowed. I believe that once you have been out of the UK for 3 months, you loose access rights to the NHS, except for acute (emergency) treatment.

In other words after 3 months you only have the same rights to NHS treatment as any other visitor from New Zealand

Bo-Jangles

Only thing I can suggest is to stop the kids smoking and drinking so much. Perhaps you could cut them back to rollys.

Littletoe

Haha - food is for wimps anyway, you'll get all you need from alcohol! You tell your kids that.

Kiwi-Irish

Thanks for that link Bev, will show hubby

MrCFD

Really? But aren't you liable for NICs for 52 weeks after you leave? And what about if you are making voluntary top up contributions??

With my situation, if I spend even one day in the UK for work, I am taxed on that income (so I've been told by HMRC!). So surely that should mean that if I spend one day in the UK I should be covered by NHS?? (Ie. when I arrive in the country for treatment!) Maybe my situation is slightly different than the norm.

BEVS

The right to free NHS treatment is based upon your country of residence, not what one has paid in NI contributions. Neither is it dependent on your global taxation.

Eligibility for free treatment under the NHS

NakiMan

Thanks for that BEVS. I certainly was not aware of this till a couple of months ago when I read about it in this forum. I always assumed I would be eligible because I'm still paying UK tax. BUT NO.

I think every UK expat should read through the link you posted