TheEngineer

Hi All

An opportunity has arisen for me to come to work in NZ. There are a huge number of issues for me to think about, not least we would be giving up a small business in the UK.

Because of the nature of my job I would have to be based near Auckland and would probably be able to bring over £100,000 with me eventually to use as a house deposit.

I am interested to know from the Brits who have made the move, what they would, knowing what they know now, want as a salary to make NZ a "good move"? Obviously I realise that there is far more to it than money and I am aware of the issue of "same sh*t different bucket" but like many people on here I would hate to regret turning down a job and the chance for a different life.

Thanks

TE

lapsed kiwi

Very hard to answer this one. It depends what your expectations are re lifestyle, and what your occupation and skill level is. Average NZ full time income is around $50k I think. As a very rough rule of thumb, double the number of pounds you're used to earning, and if you earn that in dollars you're not far off the mark. This assumes you don't live in Welsh valleys, or somewhere similarly cheap - remember Auckland is NZ's London (with much nicer beaches)

TheEngineer

Thanks for that LK.

As I said in my original post I have a lot to consider as this would mean a major change in life goals and priorities for me. I also have think of the wife and kids (especially the 16 year old).

Probably not the best time to make a decision as I am swamped with the business at the moment and working some crazy hours to keep up with demand (not that I am complaining!).

TE

PHONEJUNKY

Try this for start

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-me-jo...uide/index.htm

Genesis

My thoughts are C$100k plus. But if you have a big mortgage and other fiscal responsibilities like kids etc I would say much more. We live in a cheap part of NZ, have no mortgage or debt and we manage to plough thru $83 ish K a year no probs. And that is without regular holidays and being very prudent with our cash flow. We have 3 kids and 2 cats (and a dog on the way)..that is where the money goes I reckon!!!!!!!!!! If we did not have the latter we would spend waaaaaaaaay more in indulgent stuff.

Charismatic

I second that (as a soon to be engineer).

Justcol

NZ average = $50k
Auckland average = $65k

sue1234

this quote is good...... however,..... even $65 for Auckland....it maybe average, but it aint enough, really think Genesis has got it more accurate,in fact spot on and from my experience , take heed in what Genesis has to say .....he aint far wrong.... suexx

TheEngineer

Thanks for all the feedback.

It gives me a good sense of where to begin my negotiations!

Any move would be a pretty big deal so I need to weigh up all the options.

Would hate to regret not making the move but then would hate to give everything up in the UK we have worked so hard for and then find out things didn't work in NZ!

Decisions, decisions!

simonsi

There are several threads on here where people detail the real cost of living here, might be better to search for those and come up with a ground-up acceptable salary based on your knowledge of your own spending... or at least it would give you an additional viewpoint.

TheEngineer

Thanks for that but I think

might be more accurately phrased as "based on your knowledge of your wife's spending"

Genesis

Thank you. Apart from investment advice unless you need to lose a whole heap of savings. I am the classic 'buy high sell low' ejit who has lost more money than I can even think about on crap investments. The fool and his money are soon parted. We were.

sue1234

Apart from investment advice unless you need to lose a whole heap of savings. I am the classic 'buy high sell low' ejit LOL I didn't want to mention that