Help, wanting to move/work in New Zealand
Help, wanting to move/work in New Zealand
Hi,
Due to a really crappy couple of years I've decided I need to get away from it all and am seriously considering moving over to New Zealand for a year or so. Am a bit scared to go travelling by myself so kinda figured that by getting a job over there it'd be less daunting. I'd get to meet people and of more importantly I get to earn some money to keep me going. However I've no idea about New Zealand (apart from it's lovely) so really need some help and any advice and I've a couple of questions:
- Which part of NZ is best to go to
- How do I find accommodation, do I do this before I go or once I get there
- Would I be better using an agency such as STA Travel (they charge about £160), who will put me in contact with a recruitment agency & help find accommodation or should I do this myself
- Do I have to get a holiday working permit or can I just arrive and get a job? (I think I have to get a working visa)
I'm very serious about doing this but it's all so confusing I haven't a clue really how or where to start.
Thanks,
Vamp
Answers:
Re: Help, wanting to move/work in New Zealand
Hi,
Due to a really crappy couple of years I've decided I need to get away from it all and am seriously considering moving over to New Zealand for a year or so. Am a bit scared to go travelling by myself so kinda figured that by getting a job over there it'd be less daunting. I'd get to meet people and of more importantly I get to earn some money to keep me going. However I've no idea about New Zealand (apart from it's lovely) so really need some help and any advice and I've a couple of questions:
- Which part of NZ is best to go to
- How do I find accommodation, do I do this before I go or once I get there
- Would I be better using an agency such as STA Travel (they charge about £160), who will put me in contact with a recruitment agency & help find accommodation or should I do this myself
- Do I have to get a holiday working permit or can I just arrive and get a job? (I think I have to get a working visa)
I'm very serious about doing this but it's all so confusing I haven't a clue really how or where to start.
Thanks,
Vamp
You have to get a visa! Dont turn up without one cos you'll have a tough time getting through passport control if you tell them you're there to work (up to you if you want to pretend you're only there for a holiday, i wouldnt risk it, you'll never be allowed back in if you get caught, and its difficult to find one without a visa).
AFAIK (and its been a few years) you cant say in one job for more than either 3 or 6 months, i figure which - this is assuming you get the 1 year working holiday visa. You also need about $5k (£2-2.5K) in your bank account, and evidence of this with you when you arrive.
Accom is easy to find but i recommend booking it before you get there. You will arrive in either auckland or christchurch, im assuming auckland as its cheaper, there are lots of backpackers in the CBD (central business district) around central auckland/downtown auckland. Lots of work around there too if youre interested in businessy type work, also heeeeaps of recruitment agencies so i dont think you need to rely on STA to hook you up with them. Lots of the agencies like Manpower, Reed etc have offices around Queen St so just google recruitment agencies on google.co.nz. Head down to the westpac bank at 79 Queen Street with some ID and they should be able to open you a bank account on the spot (i used to work there!).
not sure what type of work you want to do which means i cant really advise where to base yourself but i'm from auckland, which is quite nice, and think wellington is by far the most fun city... although i've never been to the south island. Despite what you may have heard about queenstown, i'd recommend DO NOT base yourself there as its hella touristy and tres expensive as a result! Sorry i cant advise any further than that... Gimme a shout if you have any other questions.
Answers:
Hi there,
You can get one (12 month) or two year (23 months) WHV for NZ, for the 2 year you might need to prove a few more things.
It is not restricted like the Australian one, where you have to change jobs every 6 months (used to be 3) but they don't encourge people to work over 12 months in one job if you are on the 2 year visa. For more info, look on the NZ immigration website, you can also apply for the visa online.
As GT says, you will need just over GBP2k and a bank statement as proof to show you can support yourself.
Dont pay STA for anything like putting you in touch with agencies, it is easy to get work through recruitment agencies, you just need to find them yourself. Depending on the work of course, but try www.seek.co.nz - it is an excellent job website and the agencies use it to advertise positions. Make sure you have two referees sorted out before you leave - they wont give you work without a ref check.
But maybe getting a bar of cafe job will be better for you to meet more people. If you get office work, there is no guarentee that you will be in an office full of bright young things who get pissed every Friday night. You could end up in an office like I am in at the moment with 3 others over the age of 50. Lovely as they are, they are not bang up for a boozy session at Friday lunch.
For accomodation, try www.gumtree.co.nz which is a great noticeboard website for accomodation and general things and also meeting travellers etc. Maybe leave it until you are there and see how you feel when you are there, you might decide to move on to another city.
Have a look at different banks, but they are all pretty much the same when it comes to using them so maybe take GTs advice and head to Westpac. Go as soon as you can, because if you leave it too late, they will need lots of ID, if you have just landed, then they will accept your passport and address (but double check this of course).
If you stay in a hostel when you first land, you will meet people too. My rule of thumb is dont say no to any invitation (unless it is totally dodgy of course) and certainly dont be afraid to hand your number to people and ask them if they want to get a drink sometime. I became quite a pro at making friends when I got here (in Melb at the moment, heading for NZ myself in 2 months).
Also - if you intend on using your current mobile phone, check that it is chipped to accept international SIM cards.
Any questions, just get in touch,
Sbxx
Answers:
Hi,
Sorry for the delay not been able to get to the computer :eek:
Thanks very much for the info, will take a look and no doubt get back with some more questions. Getting very excited about it.
Many thanks,
Vamp
Answers:
No Probs, and like I say, just PM if you need anything. I am heading there in 6 weeks and one day.
:faint:
Hi,
Due to a really crappy couple of years I've decided I need to get away from it all and am seriously considering moving over to New Zealand for a year or so. Am a bit scared to go travelling by myself so kinda figured that by getting a job over there it'd be less daunting. I'd get to meet people and of more importantly I get to earn some money to keep me going. However I've no idea about New Zealand (apart from it's lovely) so really need some help and any advice and I've a couple of questions:
- Which part of NZ is best to go to
- How do I find accommodation, do I do this before I go or once I get there
- Would I be better using an agency such as STA Travel (they charge about £160), who will put me in contact with a recruitment agency & help find accommodation or should I do this myself
- Do I have to get a holiday working permit or can I just arrive and get a job? (I think I have to get a working visa)
I'm very serious about doing this but it's all so confusing I haven't a clue really how or where to start.
Thanks,
Vamp
Answers:
Re: Help, wanting to move/work in New Zealand
Hi,
Due to a really crappy couple of years I've decided I need to get away from it all and am seriously considering moving over to New Zealand for a year or so. Am a bit scared to go travelling by myself so kinda figured that by getting a job over there it'd be less daunting. I'd get to meet people and of more importantly I get to earn some money to keep me going. However I've no idea about New Zealand (apart from it's lovely) so really need some help and any advice and I've a couple of questions:
- Which part of NZ is best to go to
- How do I find accommodation, do I do this before I go or once I get there
- Would I be better using an agency such as STA Travel (they charge about £160), who will put me in contact with a recruitment agency & help find accommodation or should I do this myself
- Do I have to get a holiday working permit or can I just arrive and get a job? (I think I have to get a working visa)
I'm very serious about doing this but it's all so confusing I haven't a clue really how or where to start.
Thanks,
Vamp
You have to get a visa! Dont turn up without one cos you'll have a tough time getting through passport control if you tell them you're there to work (up to you if you want to pretend you're only there for a holiday, i wouldnt risk it, you'll never be allowed back in if you get caught, and its difficult to find one without a visa).
AFAIK (and its been a few years) you cant say in one job for more than either 3 or 6 months, i figure which - this is assuming you get the 1 year working holiday visa. You also need about $5k (£2-2.5K) in your bank account, and evidence of this with you when you arrive.
Accom is easy to find but i recommend booking it before you get there. You will arrive in either auckland or christchurch, im assuming auckland as its cheaper, there are lots of backpackers in the CBD (central business district) around central auckland/downtown auckland. Lots of work around there too if youre interested in businessy type work, also heeeeaps of recruitment agencies so i dont think you need to rely on STA to hook you up with them. Lots of the agencies like Manpower, Reed etc have offices around Queen St so just google recruitment agencies on google.co.nz. Head down to the westpac bank at 79 Queen Street with some ID and they should be able to open you a bank account on the spot (i used to work there!).
not sure what type of work you want to do which means i cant really advise where to base yourself but i'm from auckland, which is quite nice, and think wellington is by far the most fun city... although i've never been to the south island. Despite what you may have heard about queenstown, i'd recommend DO NOT base yourself there as its hella touristy and tres expensive as a result! Sorry i cant advise any further than that... Gimme a shout if you have any other questions.
Answers:
Hi there,
You can get one (12 month) or two year (23 months) WHV for NZ, for the 2 year you might need to prove a few more things.
It is not restricted like the Australian one, where you have to change jobs every 6 months (used to be 3) but they don't encourge people to work over 12 months in one job if you are on the 2 year visa. For more info, look on the NZ immigration website, you can also apply for the visa online.
As GT says, you will need just over GBP2k and a bank statement as proof to show you can support yourself.
Dont pay STA for anything like putting you in touch with agencies, it is easy to get work through recruitment agencies, you just need to find them yourself. Depending on the work of course, but try www.seek.co.nz - it is an excellent job website and the agencies use it to advertise positions. Make sure you have two referees sorted out before you leave - they wont give you work without a ref check.
But maybe getting a bar of cafe job will be better for you to meet more people. If you get office work, there is no guarentee that you will be in an office full of bright young things who get pissed every Friday night. You could end up in an office like I am in at the moment with 3 others over the age of 50. Lovely as they are, they are not bang up for a boozy session at Friday lunch.
For accomodation, try www.gumtree.co.nz which is a great noticeboard website for accomodation and general things and also meeting travellers etc. Maybe leave it until you are there and see how you feel when you are there, you might decide to move on to another city.
Have a look at different banks, but they are all pretty much the same when it comes to using them so maybe take GTs advice and head to Westpac. Go as soon as you can, because if you leave it too late, they will need lots of ID, if you have just landed, then they will accept your passport and address (but double check this of course).
If you stay in a hostel when you first land, you will meet people too. My rule of thumb is dont say no to any invitation (unless it is totally dodgy of course) and certainly dont be afraid to hand your number to people and ask them if they want to get a drink sometime. I became quite a pro at making friends when I got here (in Melb at the moment, heading for NZ myself in 2 months).
Also - if you intend on using your current mobile phone, check that it is chipped to accept international SIM cards.
Any questions, just get in touch,
Sbxx
Answers:
Hi,
Sorry for the delay not been able to get to the computer :eek:
Thanks very much for the info, will take a look and no doubt get back with some more questions. Getting very excited about it.
Many thanks,
Vamp
Answers:
No Probs, and like I say, just PM if you need anything. I am heading there in 6 weeks and one day.
:faint: