blackburn lass

We (me and the hubby) have decided that we are going to make the move, with child (11) and dog. The plan is for him to go in a couple of months (June) find work, (landscape gardening) apply for work permit. Then we will follow a couple of months later when job, accomm, and stuff sorted.

Doing it this way as neither of us are on the skill shortage list, he is as mentioned a landscape gardener and I am a teaching assistant.

Once we get there we will apply for residency, and I will find some kind of a job.

We are thinking Aukland or Wellington or even Palmerston North as we have a friend there. But really it will be where he finds work.

Does this sound realistic? Or crazy?

One more thing, are dogs welcomed in NZ or not very popular?

And another, my daughter will be 12 by then, she obviously has began high school here, what year would she be in, and do think an intermediate school would be helpful?

All these things are going round my head.......any advise would be appreciated. Thanks

Kiwiprincess

I learned to ski at intermediate. I also rockclimed for the first time, and went caving.

No children for me but it seems like 12 is quite a good time for her to come over. She would still get a year at intermediate (presumably) and be a bit settled in her friends etc before starting high school. But, like I said, I don't have children.

UKNZAUS

Yippee! When he comes over, tell him to head on up to us. We'd love to know how the place is doing since we left.

You have made a very brave, tough decision and I wish you all the very best.

Hokey-pokey

Arriving in the middle of winter to find landscaping work may not be the wisest thing to do.

blackburn lass

The winter may be a problem but surely spring must start in about sept/oct and employers would be looking then right? We're not expecting to find something straight away...but you never know your luck!!!

eddie_nz

and recession

blackburn lass

Has the recession hit NZ as badly has here or is there still some optomism alive in NZ?

eddie_nz

NZ beat the UK to recession,

As for optimism yes house prices are now cheaper, however still unafordable if you earn NZ $.

shirl

I don't think we are as bad as the UK re the recession and house prices are cheaper, we earn the new zealand dollar, have a mortgage and a nice house so not all doom and gloom. I am sure something will come up - stay positive.

Bellasmum

No problem with dogs here, there are very popular in NZ ( we are a cat family).

As for the recession, UK versus NZ. I think you will find that just as booms don't filter down to NZ quite as much as other places nor do recessions.

I am not saying we are not affected because we are, but we do have the benefit of learning from what is happening elsewhere simply because it happens sooner.

Our govt departments have had their funding pulled back a great deal and the govt are doing as much as possible to lesson the fall.

eddie_nz

[QUOTE=Bellasmum;7292869]
As for the recession, UK versus NZ. I think you will find that just as booms don't filter down to NZ quite as much as other places nor do recessions.

I am not saying we are not affected because we are, but we do have the benefit of learning from what is happening elsewhere simply because it happens sooner.

[QUOTE]

That’s an entertaining outlook as NZ biggest earner is tourism its arguable that recessions hit it first( after all it technically went into recession before the UK) and will take longer to recover... After all it takes a while after the other countries has running better before people book that big holiday.

Look at the other big earners trees and farming, well cost of travel it hitting them both and lack of overseas building is hitting trees as well...

Gov is cutting back as its has:-

1) Just changed to conservative

2) Has no money

Lots of my friends at the moment are being made redundant and the outlook aint pretty.

Charismatic

True .

I'm not aware of the specific environment in your specialist area but there are still jobs out there but you may need to look hard and be accomadating.

There have been a few infrastructure projects announced (and may well be more) so that could be a good place to start with construction companies etc. . We're not in a very good position but so far the government has been making the best of a bad situation .

j19fmm

Good for you! Think we'll probably end up doing the same. Faint heart never won fair maid and all that....you know what I mean...JUMP!!

Charismatic

Thats the thing, you can always find a reason not to do something but really to make a leap forward you have to be willing to set aside habit and justifications that hold you back.

Most people find their fears are never realised. Friends and family come to stay etc.

blackburn lass

Thanks for your responses. I have spent about a month measuring how many days I am excited about going and really keen compared to how days I have doubts.

The latter were very few, and I don't want to look back in 2 years wishing I had gone. We aren't expecting to earn a fortune or have a absoloutley fantastic life!!! We just want to each earn a wage, have our daughter able to go out with friends without being scared (I know NZ will have it's gang culture aswell), lead a more laid back life and watch the news without hearing about terroist being arrest in the next town.