USA interest

My wife and I just returned from NZ this past Monday. We spent 20 days in a campervan learning about the country, talking with recruiters, making some new friends,and understanding the pluses and minuses of moving to NZ. I would strongly and honestly recommend to anyone, especially Americans, to first take the time to use the internet to "meet" some people, both personally (friends who are former Americans now living in NZ, so you get their perspective and have someone to visit when you first go) and professional, based on your occupational interests, so you have some contacts who can "start" the job process, and also meet with them when you first go.

Then take two to three weeks and travel the country. Spend time in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, where most of the jobs are, especially those in "clusters" and needed oocupations. Meet with the friends and contacts you have established via the internet. Read all the papers you can, understand what the NZ hot buttons are, like the Maori issues at the moment, understand the tax system, real estate purchasing, and have the opportunity to drive on the left from the right!

When you return "home" you will have a much much better idea of all that is involved to migrate to NZ, know where you want to live, have job opportunties, and will be in a much better position to act.

We got fed up with Bush and our government's direction a while ago too, and have researched NZ migration for 4 months before making our first trip last month. We had established friends both personally and professionally, and they were invaluable for help and feedback. We now are working on several job opportunties which have been offered. We are looking at real estate. We are excited about the possibilities. But all this has happened because we talked with many people first, visited second, and now have jobs to choose from.

We thought we wanted the Christchurch area. Didn't want Auckland. And our jobs came from Wellington! Fortunately we visited all the areas and know we will like Wellington a lot!

But we forgot one simple thing that now has us hung up a bit. Our pets.
New Zealand is primarily an agricultural country, with most of its export dollars earned with sheep and cows. The rules for bringing your pets are extremely challenging and onerous if you have a dog and/or cat. We have several plus a horse! We did not think about the issues our animals would face because here you can move across the country with little hassle with pets. In New Zealnd, most animals are either eaten or work on the farm. For us, our pets are family and we can't leave them behind and do not desire to subject them to endless tests and lengthly (30 days) quarantines after 6 months of testing them here in the US.

So, the message I offer is check it out as completely as you can, using the internet. Then take a "working vacation" and enjoy both the north and south islands for several weeks. Then when you return, you'll know if you still want to go, where you'd like to go, and what kind of work etc will be available.

NZ is a wonderful place with great friendly people. It is very clean. They even fill up your gas tank for you...at NZ$ 1.21 for gas, NZ$ .78 for diesel, and that's per liter! There economy is booming, interest rates are around 8% or more, and many jobs for all kinds of skilled workers, from IT execs, skilled trades, medical, etc are available...at much lower wages than here. eg: IT project manager US $ 100,000 + per year here, while in NZ, same basic job NZ $ 70-90 K and the kiwi buck is worth US$ .65 !

Good luck to all!

Chuck

So, Chuck, did you decide not to move because of the pet issues? I've researched everything involved with bringing my dog over, and I didn't think it was all that bad. I've been in contact with a pet transportation company, and the quarantine facility in Chch. It doesn't sound like it's all that bad, you just need to start at least six months out for the rabies titre.

Also, how did you go about making the contacts you speak of? I've been reaching out in all communities I'm involved in. So far, I have yet to really turn up any good contacts, but haven't exhausted all possibilities yet. I'm also considering getting in contact with some customers of my current company that are in NZ. I'm not sure of the ethics involved, but they'll probably be good contacts.

J

Here are many of the web sites you can check out!

New Zealand Regional Websites
Canterbury website links
www.cdc.org.nz - Canterbury Development Corporation
www.crc.govt.nz - Environment Canterbury
www.ccc.govt.nz - Christchurch City Council
www.lincoln.ac.nz - Lincoln University
www.canterbury.ac.nz - Canterbury University
www.aoraki.ac.nz - Aoraki Polytechnic (Timaru)
www.cpit.ac.nz - Canterbury Polytechnic
www.cecc.org.nz - Canterbury Employer's Chamber of Commerce
www.canterburysoftware.org.nz - Canterbury Software Cluster - website that brings together some of the leading software developers in Canterbury

Wellington website links
www.smartwellington.co.nz - Website about investing, working and living in Wellington and NZ
www.ewi.org.nz - Education portal for international students who want to study in Wellington
www.creativecapital.org.nz - A website featuring some of Wellington's most creative businesses
www.cd.wcc.govt.nz - Wellington community directory
www.wgtn-chamber.co.nz - Wellington Chamber of Commerce
www.filmwellington.com - All you need to know about the film industry in Wellington
www.software.wellington.net.nz - Wellington software developer's cluster
www.up.org.nz - Unlimited Potential - online community connecting young IT professionals living and working in Wellington
www.nzte.govt.nz - New Zealand Trade & Enterprise
www.kcdc.govt.nz - Kapiti Coast District Council
www.uhcc.govt.nz - Upper Hutt City Council
www.huttciyt.govt.nz - Hutt City Council
www.pcc.govt.nz - Porirua City Council
www.wcc.govt.nz - Wellington City Council
www.gw.govt.nz - Greater Wellington - The Regional Council
www.wellingtonnz.com - Positively Wellington Tourism

Waikato website links
www.business2hamilton.co.nz ? Website combining the talents of 17 Waikato businesses to champion and foster business development in the Waikato region
www.hamiltoncity.co.nz ? Portal providing up-to-date information on Hamilton city
www.waikatostadium.co.nz ? Website of Waikato Stadium based in Hamilton
www.hcc.govt.nz ? Hamilton City Council website
www.hamiltoninfo.co.nz ? Website providing an A-Z guide about Hamilton city
www.waikatonz.co.nz ? Provides information about the Waikato region
www.waikato.ac.nz ? Website of Waikato University
www.wintec.ac.nz ? Waikato Institute of Technology website


West Coast website links
www.west-coast.co.nz ? Tourism West Coast: Information on where to go and what to see as a tourist

www.westcoast.org.nz ? Information for both tourists and those looking to live on the West Coast

www.nzhealth.net.nz/nz ? Information on each region of NZ, including the West Coast and its towns

www.taipoutini.ac.nz ? Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Freephone: 0800 800 411

www.westlanddc.govt.nz ? Westland District Council: Information on Council activities, and on the Wildfoods Festival and how you can participate
www.bullerdc.govt.nz ? Buller District Council

www.wcrc.govt.nz ? West Coast Regional Council

www.greydc.govt.nz ? Grey District Council

www.greymouthnz.co.nz ? Information on the community, commerce, tourism, and industry

www.westcoastdhb.org.nz ? West Coast District Health Board: Information on health care in the region

Manawatu website links
www.manawatunz.co.nz - Destination Manawatu ? tourism website

www.visionmanawatu.org.nz - Vision Manawatu ? business and job portal for the Manawatu region

www.massey.ac.nz - Massey University

www.manawatu.com - Community website directory for the Manawatu

www.palmerstonnorthjobs.co.nz - Manawatu job website

www.pnpersonnel.co.nz - Manawatu job website

Wanganui website links
www.wanganui.com - The official gateway to Wanganui

www.wanganui.govt.nz ? Wanganui District Council

www.horizons.govt.nz ? Wanganui Regional Council

www.wanganui.co.nz ? Website providing information on Wanganui including news and entertainment

www.tourism-newzealand.co.nz/wanganui - Tourism website detailing outdoor activities and sightseeing

www.whanganui.ac.nz ? Wanganui Regional Polytechnic/UCOL

Taranaki website links
www.taranakinz.org ? Taranaki?s official tourism website

www.taranaki.info ? Venture Taranaki ? a website devoted to regional business development

www.edtaranaki.ac.nz ? Information on all you need to know about studying in Taranaki. Includes information on educational institutions and student support and accommodation services available

www.stdc.govt.nz ? South Taranaki District Council

www.npdc.govt.nz ? New Plymouth District Council

www.trc.govt.nz ? Taranaki Regional Council

www.taranaki.ac.nz ? Western Institute of Technology

www.pukeariki.com/en - Unique knowledge centre portal bringing together library, museum and visitor information services for the Taranaki region

www.peanz.org ? The Petroleum Exploration Association of New Zealand

Chuck