Should I ask for more?
May 13th 2009, 8:38 pm
#1
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Should I ask for more?
I've just been offered a job from the NZ Transport Agency which I've already decided to accept - can't wait to arrive in NZ!
Its for $56k/year and it will just be me (no family/girlfriend etc. to look after), but the location of my office has yet to be determined. If it turns out to be in Auckland (or anywhere else for that matter), will that be enough to live comfortably on?
I'm pretty careful with my money and not looking to live anywhere fancy, but I won't be arriving in NZ with much cash besides my new salary (about $10,000 in savings).
So what do you reckon? There's still time before I formally accept the job, should I ask for more? After all, I'll probably need to rent a furnished flat and may need to get a car..
Its for $56k/year and it will just be me (no family/girlfriend etc. to look after), but the location of my office has yet to be determined. If it turns out to be in Auckland (or anywhere else for that matter), will that be enough to live comfortably on?
I'm pretty careful with my money and not looking to live anywhere fancy, but I won't be arriving in NZ with much cash besides my new salary (about $10,000 in savings).
So what do you reckon? There's still time before I formally accept the job, should I ask for more? After all, I'll probably need to rent a furnished flat and may need to get a car..
May 13th 2009, 8:45 pm
#2
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: Should I ask for more?
$56k on your own is "sweet as" in terms of living if your on your own 
. You'll probably want more later though, especially if you end up in Auckland 
.
Good luck, mate.
. You'll probably want more later though, especially if you end up in Auckland .Good luck, mate.
May 13th 2009, 9:33 pm
#3
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,787
Re: Should I ask for more?
I've just been offered a job from the NZ Transport Agency which I've already decided to accept - can't wait to arrive in NZ!
Its for $56k/year and it will just be me (no family/girlfriend etc. to look after), but the location of my office has yet to be determined. If it turns out to be in Auckland (or anywhere else for that matter), will that be enough to live comfortably on?
I'm pretty careful with my money and not looking to live anywhere fancy, but I won't be arriving in NZ with much cash besides my new salary (about $10,000 in savings).
So what do you reckon? There's still time before I formally accept the job, should I ask for more? After all, I'll probably need to rent a furnished flat and may need to get a car..
Its for $56k/year and it will just be me (no family/girlfriend etc. to look after), but the location of my office has yet to be determined. If it turns out to be in Auckland (or anywhere else for that matter), will that be enough to live comfortably on?
I'm pretty careful with my money and not looking to live anywhere fancy, but I won't be arriving in NZ with much cash besides my new salary (about $10,000 in savings).
So what do you reckon? There's still time before I formally accept the job, should I ask for more? After all, I'll probably need to rent a furnished flat and may need to get a car..
and word of advice ..stay single....
and enjoy
May 14th 2009, 5:31 am
#4
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Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Back in NZ & loving it - living in Orewa
Posts: 1,183
Re: Should I ask for more?
This is a good starting salary for what is probably quite a secure job.
$56k isn't loads, but if you share a house or get a small flat you should be OK. Going rate for flatshares seems to be around the $150pw mark - and an instant social circle.
$56k isn't loads, but if you share a house or get a small flat you should be OK. Going rate for flatshares seems to be around the $150pw mark - and an instant social circle.
May 14th 2009, 6:41 am
#5
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Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Whitby Wellington
Posts: 2,440
Re: Should I ask for more?
On ya tod, you'll be living the high life!!
May 14th 2009, 9:23 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Should I ask for more?
Yes, you should ALWAYS ask for more! A trick for new players in the NZ workforce, it is almost expected that you will not accept the first offer and that you will ask for more. Imagine, if you can live quite happily on $56k, you would be ecstatic if they came up with an extra $2k. $2k goes along way towards a holiday or a trip home, so what do you have to lose by asking. They can only say no, that's the best we can do or okay how about $ xx.
Go on, dare ya! You might be surprised.
Go on, dare ya! You might be surprised.
May 17th 2009, 11:20 am
#7
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Re: Should I ask for more?
Thanks for the advice folks 
, given me plenty to think about. Should all things go according to plan, I should be arriving in NZ around September - I'll keep you posted..
, given me plenty to think about. Should all things go according to plan, I should be arriving in NZ around September - I'll keep you posted..
May 17th 2009, 12:58 pm
#8
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Should I ask for more?
What kind of visa will you have? Temporary or permanent?
May 18th 2009, 11:53 pm
#9
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Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 977
Re: Should I ask for more?
I've just been offered a job from the NZ Transport Agency which I've already decided to accept - can't wait to arrive in NZ!
Its for $56k/year and it will just be me (no family/girlfriend etc. to look after), but the location of my office has yet to be determined. If it turns out to be in Auckland (or anywhere else for that matter), will that be enough to live comfortably on?
I'm pretty careful with my money and not looking to live anywhere fancy, but I won't be arriving in NZ with much cash besides my new salary (about $10,000 in savings).
So what do you reckon? There's still time before I formally accept the job, should I ask for more? After all, I'll probably need to rent a furnished flat and may need to get a car..
Its for $56k/year and it will just be me (no family/girlfriend etc. to look after), but the location of my office has yet to be determined. If it turns out to be in Auckland (or anywhere else for that matter), will that be enough to live comfortably on?
I'm pretty careful with my money and not looking to live anywhere fancy, but I won't be arriving in NZ with much cash besides my new salary (about $10,000 in savings).
So what do you reckon? There's still time before I formally accept the job, should I ask for more? After all, I'll probably need to rent a furnished flat and may need to get a car..
You may also want to ask about relocation allowances.
No harm in asking, the worst that can happen is they say no... theyre not going to reduce your offer if u ask..lol
You WILL need to get a car
I think looking at flatsharing is a good option, under $200 a week gets you into a nice house in a nice suburb, you get to know ppl right away, house/ flatshares are usually already set up for wireless broadband, sky-tv etc.
Look on trademe.
56k is okish for auckland, if your single, but you will find your money goes a long way further if u dont have to fork out 350 a week for a furnished studio in the city centre with no car park....
May 21st 2009, 8:31 pm
#10
Banned
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24
Re: Should I ask for more?
ALWAYS ask for more and don't forget the:
1. Company car with enormous personal mileage allowance
2. Healthcare & dental plan for you & your spouse & dependents if & when you do get married and have lots of kids
3. Pension contributions
4. Relocation allowance (Esp if Akl, Welly or Chch)
5. Private school fees paid for up to 3 kids
Oh, and of course...
6. 48 weeks of the year off as holiday
7. Services of a personal masseuse/-eur (hey - it's OK - we're a progressive bunch!) during working hours for 30 mins every 2 hours working in front of the time-vampire (sorry, I meant computer.)
No, seriously NZD56k's a good wage for a singleton.... but like someone else said you'll probably want to increase that over time - rampant Worldwide deflation won't hurt your post-tax income at the moment - the only thing that might is your ability to travel abroad when planning holidays abroad due to the erratic and very volatile NZD on the international currency markets - travel to Oz is cheap though.... which is nice... just don't get drunk and go to sleep near a river/estuary up in the far North-East - one of the commonest forms of croc-attack apparently...
AM x
1. Company car with enormous personal mileage allowance
2. Healthcare & dental plan for you & your spouse & dependents if & when you do get married and have lots of kids
3. Pension contributions
4. Relocation allowance (Esp if Akl, Welly or Chch)
5. Private school fees paid for up to 3 kids
Oh, and of course...
6. 48 weeks of the year off as holiday
7. Services of a personal masseuse/-eur (hey - it's OK - we're a progressive bunch!) during working hours for 30 mins every 2 hours working in front of the time-vampire (sorry, I meant computer.)
No, seriously NZD56k's a good wage for a singleton.... but like someone else said you'll probably want to increase that over time - rampant Worldwide deflation won't hurt your post-tax income at the moment - the only thing that might is your ability to travel abroad when planning holidays abroad due to the erratic and very volatile NZD on the international currency markets - travel to Oz is cheap though.... which is nice... just don't get drunk and go to sleep near a river/estuary up in the far North-East - one of the commonest forms of croc-attack apparently...
AM x
