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New to New Zealand

New to New Zealand

Old Dec 11th 2011, 10:18 am
  #1  
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Default New to New Zealand

Hi there.

My wife and I move to Cambridge in early January (skilled migrant resident visa), luckily we have friends in NZ who have sorted our rental house, etc.

I will be getting a salary of $70,000, my wife is deciding whether to work full or part time...we do not have great expenses, play badminton, walk, listen to music.....I have a few questions, hope someone can answer:

Will we be okay on $70k?

How much will I take home a month on $70k (about $3,800?)

Anyone know of some expat meetings in Cambridge so my wife and I could get to know area and folk?

I have diabetes and take metformin, what is cost of metformin in NZ

that'll do for now, appreciate any advice info...really up for the move, little nervous of course,

Paul
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 10:39 am
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

Hi Paul welcome from this side. You should be getting a few grumpy Monday morning replies about 19:00hrs our time until then try a search as this topic has been subject of much debate in the past.....
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 10:49 am
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

This will give you an indicator for your tax.
http://ird.govt.nz/calculators/keywo...-tax-rate.html
Most people here are paid fortnightly, on 70k you would get $2150 approx/fortnight, less any Kiwi Saver (pension) if you join.
Should be OK on that, depending on your rental cost.
Re. Metformin, Google it for NZ. Plenty of sites out there
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 11:24 am
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

Thanks folks, that was quick...gonna go look up metformin costs now
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 7:27 pm
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

I moved out of Cambridge 6 months ago after spending 3 years there.
AFAIK there were never any expat specific meetings there although the place
is crawling with brits.
When I was there ALL my friends were expats, I only knew one kiwi !!
There's usually one or two in the PA but thats about it. You might want to try hooking into the Hamilton meet ups.
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 8:54 pm
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

Originally Posted by mickey_d
This will give you an indicator for your tax.
http://ird.govt.nz/calculators/keywo...-tax-rate.html
Most people here are paid fortnightly, on 70k you would get $2150 approx/fortnight, less any Kiwi Saver (pension) if you join.
Should be OK on that, depending on your rental cost.
Re. Metformin, Google it for NZ. Plenty of sites out there
Grumpy Monday morning reply here: do not forget that rent is weekly!
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 9:16 pm
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

cheers, sussed the rental was weekly ta. Going to pay a few months up front so we have one thing out of the way.

Seems like a million things to do when we get there, just need to take one thing at a time I guess.

best

Paul
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 10:21 pm
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

I wouldnt pay anything up front, the place might be a shithole. They often use old photos in ads for rentals so be careful.
There are lots of new places to rent on the subdivisions (oaklands, kings garden etc), if you on these you'll be fine.
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 10:23 pm
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

Agree - do not pay upfront, just pay rent by bank transfer (Like a standing order) as and when it falls due. They will want some kind of deposit though.
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 10:35 pm
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

luckily our friends went and looked it over and sent a video to us....no shithole but they also said, like you, don't pay too much up front...ta
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Old Dec 11th 2011, 10:40 pm
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

out of interest, what do you reckon best bank is...will be transferring some money from UK, but mostly having salary paid in direct from NZ employer, ta Paul
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Old Dec 12th 2011, 12:44 am
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

pretty much all the same but like uk its down to personal choice.
I bank with ASB and think they are very good, my ex uses The National bank and thinks they are very good.
They all charge for everything they do but its easy to set up an account with one then change it to another if you
think the other will suit you better.

ASB on Victoria St have very helpful and friendly staff, they have helped me with personal and business accounts,
credit cards, international transfers and investments and I cant fault them.


PS, there is a thriving Badminton club on Thornton Rd in Cambridge.

Last edited by Justcol; Dec 12th 2011 at 12:46 am.
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Old Dec 12th 2011, 3:30 am
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

we have been in Cambridge since Jan this year , moving out of our rental next week in Oaklands to move into house we are having built behind the High School , taken a while to find our feet but started to meet a few people now - had good night last week at Cambridge Races ( couldn't pick a winner tho ) , give us a shout when you get here
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Old Dec 12th 2011, 3:31 am
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

just realised how many smilies I put in the last post , sorry !
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Old Dec 12th 2011, 3:36 am
  #15  
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Default Re: New to New Zealand

I pay 3 dollars for my metformin 3 dollars for my test strips and i used to be on glicazide and u guessed it that was another 3, but you do pay every time you go to the docs also you will pay more untill you funding comes thru for you GP

I can say that the diabetes care here is among the best in the world they have a lot of expirience with it

Neil
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