Hi Taffy,

I just read the NZ Herald and the article about problems you are having. My daughter Sarah runs a very successful IT recruitment company in Auckland www.itmaniacs.co.nz. She emigrated 5 years ago from the UK, working first in the industry and realised that there was room for improvement on the recruitment front. Most employers in NZ apply to agencies for employees.

I`m sure she would be happy to offer advice/help on securing a job and how to get the necessary work permits: e-mail sarah@itmaniacs.co.nz.

My son went out on a work visa obtaining work and his company have agreed to become `accredited' to the immigration department in order that he can apply for a `work to residency' visa. This means he does not have to wait indefinitely not knowing if he will be given residency on the points system. The minimum salary to be considered for this scheme is $45,000 so is something that has to be taken into consideration when applying for a post and asking the employer if they are accredited or willing to becoming accredited. I believe work to residency takes about 2 years to achieve.

My husband and I are both semi-retired and have just been granted permanent residency but because of the very precarious nature of the immigration system were fortunate enough to be able to buy a property in NZ as required for our application, but also hung onto our property and business interests here in UK until we were certain of getting that stamp on our passport. We now feel confident enough to wind down our interests in the Uk and move them over to NZ.

Good luck and give Sarah a call.

Joan