Calling all New Zealanders! I'm Thinking of Heading East

[81stubee]

I know it's not the right time to change but I'm currently working in a crap job at the moment, i've had enough after three years, I also got screwed over last year by another employer, so i am looking around. I seem to be having some trouble finding what I want in Victoria, which is supervisory/mangement roles.

There seems to be quite a bit elsewhere in Oz, but this afternoon an Idea popped into my head. Why not expand my parameters to include New Zealand. I was there in November and absolutely loved it. They also have great Beer :twobeers:

So my Questions:

What is it like to work in NZ?
What would my electrical Qualifications be worth over there?
How different is it conditions wise?

I have been a sparky here for 8 years, but have only just got around to getting my license.

Any Suggestions?

Stu

[jimbo110]

New Zealand Immigration: The Free Guide: NZ Immigration (http://www.emigratenz.org/)

http://www.movetonz.org/forum/general-nz-chat/5794-electrical-registration.html

Dont go near the north island!

[81stubee]

Dont go near the north island!

Any particular reason, or is it just like me saying 'don't go to adelaide'. I would assume its not as slow a pace as the south, which i liked.

Stu

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Kiwi land was nice for a Holiday but what I found out is Wages are low $8-$13 NZ an hour this is what Kiwis told me, The link for Wages in NZ posted above by jimbo110 say a lot more? . Cost of living is dearer. Fuel is dearer. NZ imports more than it produces
Ok as a tourist as Aussie Dollar is better and we found it cheap as we had an extra 25% to spend with the exchange rate. But Kiwi bros are doing it tough

[Rayngie]

$8-13 an hour???, where do you get that from?, i employ unqualified furniture installers at $30-35 an hour ( in Wellington )
, sounds like a teenagers Macca's wage to me.

Mind you, when i was 16 ( 21 years ago ), i was earning $15 an hour as a cleaner in Wellington,

[steveG]

I was born and grew up in NZ and worked there until about 17 years ago. I've lived in both islands, but much prefer living in the South Island. Less people, better scenery, slower pace.

There are some nice places in the North Island, but I'd stick away from the bigger cities (Auckland and Wellington). If you want a city job I think you'll find that the opportunities and pay are better here in Aus.

From the discussions I've had with my father (retired electrician) who still lives over there the cost of living is definitely higher, and the wages lower than doing the same job in Aus.
I sat next to a lady on the plane back from NZ last year, and she is now earning less in NZ than she was as a public servant in Canberra 15 years ago, for pretty much the same job.

My advice: - If you are considering it for the money - don't bother.
On the other hand if you are looking for the lifestyle, or an opportunity/experience that you cant find locally then go for it!!

Steve

[p38arover]

I quite liked Christchurch when I was there in December. Probably 'cos I didn't meet up with Jimbo110! :D

However, the cabbies and bus drivers told me it's a bloody cold place in winter. 'Tis nice but I suspect windy judging by all the windbreaks around there!

[DirtyDawg]

"I was born and grew up in NZ and worked there until about 17 years ago. I've lived in both islands, but much prefer living in the South Island. Less people, better scenery, slower pace."






A lot less,buggers all live here:p

[p38arover]

Kiwis "to flock home for the dole&" | The Courier-Mail (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25002771-953,00.html)


Kiwis 'to flock home for the dole'
February 03, 2009 02:22pm

NEW Zealand politicians predict thousands of Kiwis living in Australia will soon start heading home to claim the dole as tough economic times hit.

The country has been fighting to end the so-called "brain drain'' and lure nationals back to its shores since recording one of its biggest migration outflows ever last year.

But now politicians fear people will return for the wrong reasons.

Opposition finance spokesman David Cunliffe said expatriate Kiwis who lost jobs in Australia because of the global economic slump would return home to collect the unemployment benefit.

Restrictions introduced in 2001 rule that only permanent residents can collect social security in Australia.

''(NZ) Prime Minister John Key might get his wish that less Kiwis net go to Australia, but that's probably not for the reasons he would have liked,'' Mr Cunliffe said to Radio New Zealand today.

"We might find that people going to Australia to make big wages come home when they need welfare benefits.''

The comments come after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd revealed that tax revenues had collapsed by $115bn, sending the Budget into deficit.

New Zealand finance minister Bill English agreed tough times would prompt more Kiwis to return home, but it was a trend the country should try to capitalise on.

"If New Zealanders come home we want to make sure we're building the strength of the economy so that when we do get through this recession there are jobs for Kiwis coming back, particularly from Australia, so we don't lose them again,'' Mr English said ahead of a meeting with his Australian counterparts.

Professor Graeme Hugo, an expert in labour migration at the University of Adelaide, said the trend was not yet captured in statistics but was "very likely''.

"It's ironic considering all the efforts to attract Kiwis home, that they'll probably now get them.

"It's important though that they see that what they're getting is an addition to their economy, very employable people coming back, rather than seeing it as more people on the benefit.''

He said New Zealanders were invaluable in the Australian workplace, with a lower unemployment rate than Australian-born workers, "because they participate more effectively in the workforce''.

In the 2007/08 financial year, 46,000 people moved from New Zealand to Australia and only 13,000 went back the other way, making it the biggest net migration since the new laws were introduced.

One can only hope! :D

[Utemad]

Our Kiwi neighbours say the reason they are here is because the cost of living in NZ is higher than Oz but the wages are lower.

I've been there a couple of times too and loved it but there must be a reason why they all come over here.

I've been told though that if you are educated in a required field (meaning they can't get anyone else I guess) then the pay can be very good.

Just look up Seek.com and compare. Plenty of NZ jobs on there.

[jimbo110]

Professor Graeme Hugo, an expert in labour migration at the University of Adelaide, said the trend was not yet captured in statistics but was "very likely''
He said New Zealanders were invaluable in the Australian workplace, with a lower unemployment rate than Australian-born workers, "because they participate more effectively in the workforce''.;):wasntme:

[Utemad]

Professor Graeme Hugo, an expert in labour migration at the University of Adelaide, said the trend was not yet captured in statistics but was "very likely''
He said New Zealanders were invaluable in the Australian workplace, with a lower unemployment rate than Australian-born workers, "because they participate more effectively in the workforce''.;):wasntme:

Trust a Kiwi to listen to someone from Adelaide :D:wasntme:

[stevo]

You could head further south as in Southland it is about the only region that is not feeling the crunch as bad as the rest of the country heaps of work still going on and people needed with trade backgrounds.

But it does get cold and wet during winter and sometimes during summer aswell.

[Randylandy]

I moved to oz 4 years ago and tripled my pay over night. Nice place to live but hard to survive. was speaking to a bloke in the pub the other day who worked for a trucking co over there drivers over there are on between $15-$20 NZ per hr flat doing 80hr weeks.

[clean32]

Its the Flat rate, loss of penal rates that stuffed things for NZ.

Now work is put off to the weekends or afterhours as not to inconvenience the core business. And why not costs the same.
Here I get the weekend off no one wants to pay 1 1\2 or double time

[p38arover]

Its the Flat rate, loss of penal rates that stuffed things for NZ.

Yair, they stopped paying all the Kiwis in gaol, so they all moved to Australia! :angel:

[clean32]

Yair, they stopped paying all the Kiwis in gaol, so they all moved to Australia! :angel:

yeppa they would feel more comfortable in a larger community of crims

[p38arover]

yeppa they would feel more comfortable in a larger community of crims

Yep, all the other Kiwis!

[jimbo110]

I quite liked Christchurch when I was there in December. Probably 'cos I didn't meet up with Jimbo110! :D

However, the cabbies and bus drivers told me it's a bloody cold place in winter. 'Tis nice but I suspect windy judging by all the windbreaks around there!

Sorry I missed you Ron, Airport security did get a shot of you though after you went through the "nothing to declare" line at the terminal.;)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[jimbo110]

Its the Flat rate, loss of penal rates that stuffed things for NZ.

Now work is put off to the weekends or afterhours as not to inconvenience the core business. And why not costs the same.
Here I get the weekend off no one wants to pay 1 1\2 or double time
I get time and a half after 40hrs and double time after 55hrs, It's not all flat rate over here, unless you work for Maccas.;)

[p38arover]

Sorry I missed you Ron, Airport security did get a shot of you though after you went through the "nothing to declare" line at the terminal.;)

http://www.thetf.net/uploads/Starscream/2008-08-21_154829_Gary_Glitter.jpg

Flamin' hell! Sprung! I had a good business running there, too! :mad:

:D:D

[clean32]

I get time and a half after 40hrs and double time after 55hrs, It's not all flat rate over here, unless you work for Maccas.;)

Unlike SA where penal rates are legislated. in NZ penal rates are not. If penal rates exist its due to an individual contract or a site contract. Many site contracts have loosed there penal rates. You will usually only see penal rates are available for the people in the trades. Since the abolishment of the formal apprentice system NZ has a shortage of all trades. Even though Aussie immigration list has most trades listed as needed in Australia ( easier visa) NZ is in a much worse situation.

as for the cost of living, sure petrol is more, diesel is much less, food is less, housing is less, and second-hand cars are much less and of course income is less. but having said that compared to SA NZ electricity is about 1 1\2, water is much less, electrical goods TVs etc are much less car registration, medical food are all less( no import tax) so over all it balances out about the same. The biggest difference I believe is since the penal rates got the chop you will see yourself working more hours.
senior management can earn more in aussie, as a general comment have to work a bit less, a tradesperson will generally do a bit better. But the real advantage in aussie is the unskilled or semi skilled workers can if they choose have a much better standard of living.

As for Kiwis moving to Australia there are some facts that most aussies seem to over look, or choose to over look. The numbers reflect this as well as a couple of recent news articles. If a kiwi in aussie falls on hard times or is no longer a productive member of the Australian economy they tend to pack up and go back, they don’t end up sitting on the Dole.
As a percentage Kiwis in Australia are less represented in the DOLE numbers than any other Group.
NZ is not used as a stepping stone into Australia; IT is much harder to immigrate to NZ than it is to Australia. they tend to just move to Australia in the first place.
NZ crims can’t gain access to Australia we need a visa.
aussie crims often move to NZ, aussies don’t need a visa.
A kiwi can not move to aissie and go on the DOLE. And aussie can move to NZ an go on the Dole.
The Dole with family benefit housing allowance and funded training is more than what it is in aussie.
So most of the Australian vies of Kiwis moving to Australia are wrong.
Having said that successive NZ governments have done much to encourage immigration out of NZ.
Just a couple of scenarios
Uni students finish university with such a debit burden that many just leave NZ with there shinny new BA etc leaving there debt behind them. NZ government tried to cut a deal with the aussie government to collect these debits from Kiwis living in aussie, I believe the aussie government didn’t want to get involved (could be wrong).
If you have kids ( as a male) and separate from your wife, the percentage taken from your income ( that has no bearing on what you kids and EX receive) can be massive if you are on a good income. But moving to Australia will not help there as the Australian government will track you down here. At least you will have a bigger income and with exchange rates you can live afterwards.
But the worse one is there is no Wife Visa like Australia has. If a kiwi makes the mistake of marring a non kiwi citizen even if they are already in NZ on another visa ( student etc) or are in a relationship with a non kiwi citizen ( immigration NZ do not recognise marriage) you WILL fined your partners Visa requirements change. IE you must demonstrate a stable relationship for a minim of 2 years before you can apply for a visit for your wife. If you are in NZ and take up a relationship with a non kiwi citz his or her visa requirements will change from what ever visa they were on to a visa that requires this 2 year demonstration BEFORE they can get there next Visa. IE they must leave NZ. The aussie government has a special class of visa just to capture such couples caught up in this Kiwi blunder.
Add to this the differences in professionalism between aissie and kiwi immigration staff stationed overseas in various different consulates and embassies. In short some of the kiwi staff are just an embarrassment. Just a couple that I have experience with at different times, Moscow – the biggest Cow in Russia ( and that’s what the Kiwis called her) BBK – Key Nock,( bird poo). Beijing – the smelly one. India – below cast. And then there is the corruption with the local staff which the aussies have been able to eliminate or reduce

Rant over

[clean32]

Yair, they stopped paying all the Kiwis in gaol, so they all moved to Australia! :angel:

As posted before, Kiwis need a visa to get into aussie, IE no kiwi crims coming here. Unless the aussies are converting them to crims.
On the other hand aussie crims don’t need a visa to go to NZ.
What was not uncommon a few years ago, if a kiwi was living on the wrong side of the tracks a move to aussie was a clean brake.
I personally know of a couple of kiwi guys who did some silly things in there teenage years, who latter on moved to aussie to get away from bad influences, who settled down married brought a house had kids as well as good jobs ( one was a CEO) who were denied access back into Australia after a quick trip back to NZ ( one was for his fathers funeral)

[p38arover]

Unlike SA where penal rates are legislated. in NZ penal rates are not. If penal rates exist its due to an individual contract or a site contract. Many site contracts have loosed there penal rates.

<snip>


NZ crims can’t gain access to Australia we need a visa.

I didn't realise you were a crim! No wonder you are on penal rates. :D

[clean32]

I didn't realise you were a crim! No wonder you are on penal rates. :D

LOL as I am here, I cant be a crim or your renamed border police were asleep.

We are here on some sort of visa that came with a nice letter that said something along the lines of grateful services to the commonwealth bla bla bla and a funny little box with a bit of tin attached to a blue and red striped rag in it. An offer that was made a few years ago which we elected to take up last year. I will add to that we are grateful and very pleased we have settled in Adelaide. Me a crim LOL don’t think so but a very exciting and different life to date. The only distasteful part was visiting the aussie pedophiles and wanabe drug smugglers in the BBK Hilton.

[sclarke]

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[p38arover]

LOL as I am here, I cant be a crim or your renamed border police were asleep.

Don't wake up we govt. workers.....



.The only distasteful part was visiting the aussie pedophiles and wanabe drug smugglers in the BBK Hilton.

..... oh, it seems you are in the govt., too! :D

No, I wouldn't like that part of your job, that is for sure.

[clean32]

..... oh, it seems you are in the govt., too! :D


good guess but no

[Randylandy]

Another thing to add. You can bring your dog or cat from NZ into Oz with no need to go into quarantine but can't take pets into NZ without going in for 6 months.

[Rayngie]

We bought our dog into Sydney from Wellington 8 years ago, on the same plane, took him straight home with us, going back to NZ you would have to quarantine the dog due to Australia having more dog bugs than NZ..