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Questions About NZ

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Old Feb 26th 2008, 3:09 pm
  #1  
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Wink Questions About NZ

You prob seen my other threads.
Now we getting to know things more, we are getting so excited. We had doubts bout going coz of lower wages but thats not the important thing. But now we cant wait and defo going for it.
We going to a expo seminar for NZ in Leeds on 13th April to start things.

Questions please need answering from different people so we can get better ideas and not just from one view.
Some questions may be silly but i got to ask.

1...does NZ like uk have big housing estates and council estates?
2...Are roads anything like uk. drive on left, right hand drive cars?
3...My lience, will i need to convert it to NZ or take test or assesment?
4...Diesel Prices, Road tax and insurance prices.
5...Wat kind of cars is there, ford, bmw, vauxhall or unknown makes?
6...Working hours, wat they like?
7...retail. wat uk shops and brands is there.
8...Houses. We used to watch home away and neighbours. True to life or not?
9...Schools. Wen do kids start and wat hours.
10..immigration process. how long in your experience?
11..unemployment. is there a lot or not?
12..life in general in NZ?
13..Living in NZ, the normal day is wat?
14..can we get a pension when working there.
15..How long we got to be there before we are proper kiwis
16..House renting. is it expensive, secure and houses conditions?
17..wat are plug sockets volts, and will uk things work. laptop etc
18..any idea on small wagon for removals to nz
19..wat about braodband speeds etc. and is nz upto date with technologiy

any other helpfull advice will be great!!

i know lots about compare with uk, but i dont want to compare but it just helps us more for now.

Last edited by markraynes; Feb 26th 2008 at 4:47 pm.
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Old Feb 26th 2008, 3:52 pm
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Default Re: Questions About NZ

I shall answer with what i know

[QUOTE=markraynes;5985689]
2...Are roads anything like uk. drive on left, right hand drive cars?
drive on left, right hand drive cars
3...My lience, will i need to convert it to NZ or take test or assesment?
yes a theory test within 12 months
5...Wat kind of cars is there, ford, bmw, vauxhall or unknown makes?
lots of japense imports
8...Houses. We used to watch home away and neighbours. True to life or not?
a complete eclectic mix
9...Schools. Wen do kids start and wat hours.
at about 5, 9ish to 3 ish - 4 terms of 10 weeks a year with a 2 week break between each and a 6 week summer break. School year start beginning Feb
14..can we get a pension when working there.
Yes, Kiwisaver -i believe
15..How long we got to be there before we are proper kiwis
5 years
17..wat are plug sockets volts, and will uk things work. laptop etc
volts the same, plugs different no fuses, yes things will work, take lots of multi-ways and just cange the one plug.

That's about all i know - others will tell you if i'm wrong or add stuff.
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Old Feb 26th 2008, 6:14 pm
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Default Re: Questions About NZ

Originally Posted by markraynes
Questions please need answering from different people so we can get better ideas and not just from one view.
That's a wise approach.
Originally Posted by markraynes
Some questions may be silly but i got to ask.

1...does NZ like uk have big housing estates and council estates?
I dunno. I've never been to the UK. However, there are housing subdivisions if that means anything.
Originally Posted by markraynes
2...Are roads anything like uk. drive on left, right hand drive cars?
3...My licence, will i need to convert it to NZ or take test or assesment?
4...Diesel Prices, Road tax and insurance prices.
5...Wat kind of cars is there, ford, bmw, vauxhall or unknown makes?
Yes, right hand drive cars and cars on the left. Be careful ofone give way law where you have to give way if you are turning left to allow a car to turn right in front of you ( something like that, I dunno. It's just something to get used to).
You have one year from date of arrival to convert your licence to a New Zealand licence. As a commercial driver you may need to do this earlier. Check with the LTSA here. Yes you will need to take a theory test at least. Don't know much about the requirement for commercial drivers.
Diesel is currently at NZ$1.25 a litre. If you drive a diesel you will also need to pay a Road Users Charge (RUC), X amount per km paid in advance is how it works I think.
The majority of cars on the road are secondhand Japanese imports. Holden and Ford are also popular.
Originally Posted by markraynes
6...Working hours, what they like?
I suppose it depends on your job. If you are a driver expect very long days.
Originally Posted by markraynes
7...retail. what uk shops and brands is there.
8...Houses. We used to watch home away and neighbours. True to life or not?
7. I dunno. Perhaps there are a few specialty retailers. However, there are no Tescos, but this is New Zealand, not the UK. Different country and all...
8. No. This is New Zealand, not Australia. (You're right. Some of these questions are downright silly)
Originally Posted by markraynes
9...Schools. When do kids start and what hours.
There are four ten-week terms which begin in February with two-week breaks between terms and a six week summer holiday.
Originally Posted by markraynes
10..immigration process. how long in your experience?
How long is a piece of string?
Originally Posted by markraynes
11..unemployment. is there a lot or not?
Currently 3.5% or something like that.
Originally Posted by markraynes
12..life in general in NZ?
13..Living in NZ, the normal day is what?
Too general. Probably is similar to most places.
Originally Posted by markraynes
14..can we get a pension when working there.
15..How long we got to be there before we are proper kiwis
16..House renting. is it expensive, secure and houses conditions?
17..what are plug sockets volts, and will uk things work. laptop etc
18..any idea on small wagon for removals to nz
19..what about braodband speeds etc. and is nz up.to date with technologiy
14. New Zealand has a superannuation system where you will draw a small government pension after age sixty-five.
15. Five years after receiving PR you can apply for citizenship.
16. Depends where you rent and what you want. Many houses can be cold and drafty during winter. Be careful in choosing a rental Look for north facing and something that gets a lot of sun.
17. Outlets have pins that look like / \ . TVs may or may not work properly. Laptops are fine. Other appliances should be fine.
18. I dunno.
19. Slow, expensive and not really.

Originally Posted by markraynes
i know lots about compare with uk, but i dont want to compare but it just helps us more for now.
Many things will seem familiar, but New Zealand is unique in many ways and you will be disappointed if you come here expecting it to be the same as the UK.
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Old Feb 26th 2008, 7:14 pm
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Default Re: Questions About NZ

Originally Posted by happynz
That's a wise approach.
I dunno. I've never been to the UK. However, there are housing subdivisions if that means anything.
Yes, right hand drive cars and cars on the left. Be careful ofone give way law where you have to give way if you are turning left to allow a car to turn right in front of you ( something like that, I dunno. It's just something to get used to).
You have one year from date of arrival to convert your licence to a New Zealand licence. As a commercial driver you may need to do this earlier. Check with the LTSA here. Yes you will need to take a theory test at least. Don't know much about the requirement for commercial drivers.
Diesel is currently at NZ$1.25 a litre. If you drive a diesel you will also need to pay a Road Users Charge (RUC), X amount per km paid in advance is how it works I think.
The majority of cars on the road are secondhand Japanese imports. Holden and Ford are also popular.
I suppose it depends on your job. If you are a driver expect very long days.

7. I dunno. Perhaps there are a few specialty retailers. However, there are no Tescos, but this is New Zealand, not the UK. Different country and all...
8. No. This is New Zealand, not Australia. (You're right. Some of these questions are downright silly)
There are four ten-week terms which begin in February with two-week breaks between terms and a six week summer holiday.
How long is a piece of string?
Currently 3.5% or something like that.
Too general. Probably is similar to most places.

14. New Zealand has a superannuation system where you will draw a small government pension after age sixty-five.
15. Five years after receiving PR you can apply for citizenship.
16. Depends where you rent and what you want. Many houses can be cold and drafty during winter. Be careful in choosing a rental Look for north facing and something that gets a lot of sun.
17. Outlets have pins that look like / \ . TVs may or may not work properly. Laptops are fine. Other appliances should be fine.
18. I dunno.
19. Slow, expensive and not really.

Many things will seem familiar, but New Zealand is unique in many ways and you will be disappointed if you come here expecting it to be the same as the UK.
thanks for that.
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Old Feb 26th 2008, 7:51 pm
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Default Re: Questions About NZ

1. does NZ like uk have big housing estates and council estates?

yes - there appears to be distinct segregation of lower cost housing and higher cost. Ascott Park v Aotea, or various parts of Titahi Bay where houses can sell for over a million, or you can get a 5 bed for under $300k in the more run down areas. Unfortunately the more run down areas seem to be more populated by the Pacifics and/or Maori population.


There is a website, qv.co.nz where you can type in an address and it will give you a demographic breakdown of the area by age, employment and wages. Gives you a good idea of the wealth of the area you are interested in.

Have tried to give a brief answer so some of my statements appear sweeping or over generalising - when you get over here you will just have to jump in a car and drive around to get a feel.

2...Are roads anything like uk. drive on left, right hand drive cars?

Drive on left. Some of the roads in my opinion just arent adequate for the volume of traffic, but mostly in good condition. Driving is aggressive out here and there are many road accidents. I have not witnessed an accident myself (been here 3 months) but lots of dreadful driving!

3...My lience, will i need to convert it to NZ or take test or assesment?

Use your UK licence for first 12 months but will need to take a test. Make sure you both have a photo card licence. It is your main form of ID over here and needs to be with you whenever driving.

4...Diesel Prices, Road tax and insurance prices.

Not sure about diesel - I drive a petrol. Diesel drivers have a different tax system to petrol drivers. Diesel owners pay a sum per 5 or 10 thousand miles i cant remember.

Car insurance you shop around for - i found it cheaper to go through my bank because i had lots of products with them and go ta huge discount. Bring evidence of no claims bonus.

5...Wat kind of cars is there, ford, bmw, vauxhall or unknown makes?

Cars, hmm, white, red, and blue ones

A lot of japanese imports - OH and I both drive Hondas.

6...Working hours, wat they like?

40 hour weeks and you are expected to work hard and put in overtime if required. OH struggles with the lack of communication in his company and finds it frustrating. And they are very reluctant to change their ways. But he is working on them and a few are starting to crack

7...retail. wat uk shops and brands is there.

Wellington has lots of designer clothes shops. There are plenty of other shops where you can buy regular clothes. Just make sure you have a front loading washing machine if you expect your clothes to keep nice!

8...Houses. We used to watch home away and neighbours. True to life or not?

What is true to life is that people just come through your front door if its open. Not had anyone help themselves to my fridge contents yet!! There is a fair amount of single level living but like someone said - you cant really compare the two - wrong country for a start!

Why dont you get hold of Billy Connolly's tour of NZ - gives you another insight into the country.

9...Schools. Wen do kids start and wat hours.

Aged 5 I believe - I do know that throwing out time is around 3pm cos thats when I get caught up amongst all the other yummy mummys in their 4x4s and jaguars!!!

10..immigration process. how long in your experience?

Took us just under 12 months start to end.

11..unemployment. is there a lot or not?

dont know

12..life in general in NZ?

we appear to have a better quality of life and i feel more motivated to do stuff with the kids. life is what you make it.

13..Living in NZ, the normal day is wat?

same shit different country!! Get up, get the kids up, make breakfast, OH already gone to work, go to kindie, do the washing, shopping, tidying, cook meals.... the difference is that we mae more effort to visit the beach just down the road and socialise from home with friends.

14..can we get a pension when working there.

yes - and you can transfer your uk pension over if you want to

15..How long we got to be there before we are proper kiwis

think its 5 years

16..House renting. is it expensive, secure and houses conditions?

dont expect the general houses to be as comfortable as the houses in the uk. Double glazing and heating is not a requirement here. But then in the Uk i never really bothered with the heating so doesnt affect me. you may need to invest in dehumidifiers - it does get damp. You get what you pay for - if you want the luxuries then there are many engineers/craftsmen (in wellington area) that could assist you. They are mostly wooden because they are more earthquake proof than brick houses. There appears to be little sound proofing!!


17..wat are plug sockets volts, and will uk things work. laptop etc

my uk stuff worked so far - bought around 40 plugs so far!

18..any idea on small wagon for removals to nz

who?

19..wat about braodband speeds etc. and is nz upto date with technologiy

NZ has got it right in many digital aspects and not in others. This isnt a 3rd world country. It has broadband and all that jazz - just seems expensive to me. We are lucky getting staff discount as OH works for Telecom.

any other helpfull advice will be great!!

Just keep reading, and watch NZ movies such as Whale Rider and Her Majesty where you can get an idea of landscape.
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Old Feb 26th 2008, 8:07 pm
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Default Re: Questions About NZ

1...does NZ like uk have big housing estates and council estates?
Some areas are nice, some not so, just depends on where you will be staying and what you can afford, nothing zoned as council estates that I've seen so far...

2...Are roads anything like uk. drive on left, right hand drive cars?
Roads are variable, not a lot of motorways around, mostly what we would class as A roads in the UK, and they build round things here and not through things, so lots of windy roads in some areas, so it takes a bit longer to get from A to B

3...My lience, will i need to convert it to NZ or take test or assesment?
within 12 months of arriving, but if you leave and come back its 12 months from the last time you entered I believe...

4...Diesel Prices, Road tax and insurance prices.
Like Dreamfish stated, get all your insurances through your bank, more you have cheaper they seem to get!?!

5...Wat kind of cars is there, ford, bmw, vauxhall or unknown makes?
I'm driving a European car, not many others do as lots of Jap imports here as its one of the nearest car markets! Lots of slightly older BMW's and stuff for not too much cash, and Holden (Vauxhall to you!) and Ford are big..

6...Working hours, wat they like?
I work 8ish - 5ish, no weekend working, much like home really!

7...retail. wat uk shops and brands is there.
Very few stores you will know as import tax is high on goods so no GAP or Next or M&S and stuff like that, you will find some brands like Levi Store, Esprit, Borders Books, Sony etc that you will be aware of, there are lots of Kiwi equivelants of the UK stores, and more surfy/outdoors kind of shops too. Welly is great as it has a good mix of places, lots of lil boutiquey kind of places that sell locally made products...oh make sure you bring nice shoes, shoe shopping here is a bit expensive/rubbish/limited...

8...Houses. We used to watch home away and neighbours. True to life or not?
Yes, and Doctor Who is also a good soci-economic commentary on life in the UK just now, what do you think...

10..immigration process. how long in your experience?
Depends which route you are going down....

11..unemployment. is there a lot or not?
Unemplyoment is something like 3 or 4%, hence the need for so many skilled migrants into the country...

12..life in general in NZ?
You can't beat Wellington on a good day

13..Living in NZ, the normal day is wat?
Much the same as home really, bit more scope to do stuff in the evenings and weekends, especially in the summer months, whether its go watch some cricket or rugby, hire some bikes, go tramping, boating, whatever, there is alsways something to do...

14..can we get a pension when working there.
Kiwisave, but only when you have residency...can probably organise a private one yourself!?

16..House renting. is it expensive, secure and houses conditions?
Renting is still much cheaper than buying here, shop around, look on www.trademe.co.nz for rentals (and for anything else you may need!) to get a feel...

17..wat are plug sockets volts, and will uk things work. laptop etc
With adaptors, my laptop, chargers etc all work fine

18..any idea on small wagon for removals to nz
I think you would be better off with a boat or plane, there is a lot of water to drive through to get here and the horses may not be able to swim

19..wat about braodband speeds etc. and is nz upto date with technologiy
Well, Broadband (aye right, its ADSL) is pretty expensive for what you actually get.
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Old Feb 26th 2008, 8:53 pm
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Default Re: Questions About NZ

Originally Posted by irnbru14
18..any idea on small wagon for removals to nz
I think you would be better off with a boat or plane, there is a lot of water to drive through to get here and the horses may not be able to swim

ha ha ha, very funny - made me giggle!
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