Thinking of moving to nz after uni - advice please
Discussion
Currently at uni in the UK looking to come to NZ after graduation. Theres just a few things i need to know:
- Whats the govt like on the whole 'green' thing - any oppressive taxes planned etc.?
- I know theres a labour govenment - how bad are they and are they likely to win the next election?
- I know that the speed limit is well enforced so i'll be having my fun on trackdays - what good tracks are there near Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch? - howe many of them have racing schools as well - i'd like to do some racing at an amateur level.
- What are the taxes like in terms of income, sales and stamp duty?
- Csn I get in just on a degree? - i'm looking at a work to residence visa with skillsnz.co.nz
Many thanks,
johnph
- Whats the govt like on the whole 'green' thing - any oppressive taxes planned etc.?
- I know theres a labour govenment - how bad are they and are they likely to win the next election?
- I know that the speed limit is well enforced so i'll be having my fun on trackdays - what good tracks are there near Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch? - howe many of them have racing schools as well - i'd like to do some racing at an amateur level.
- What are the taxes like in terms of income, sales and stamp duty?
- Csn I get in just on a degree? - i'm looking at a work to residence visa with skillsnz.co.nz
Many thanks,
johnph
Hi there 
I take it you're a couple of years away from graduating. What are you studying?
The Labour party is in its third term and I don't think they will win (the most votes) in the next election which must be held by Sept/Oct 2008. However for the last few elections we've had an MMP system which means that almost every government (until the system is changed) will be a coalition or a minority government with side agreements. This makes the final make-up of any government very hard to predict.
Yes we have some leftie-greenie policies and tax proposals on the table. Who knows whether they will go ahead.
There are currently 6 tracks in NZ
www.motorsport.org.nz/Circuits/circuits.htm
with another one about to commence construction
www.hamptondowns.com
Most of them have a variety of trackdays and driving schools.
We have GST (similar to VAT) at 12.5% on almost everything and personal income tax in steps
up to $38,000 @ 19.5%
$38,001 to $60,000 @ 33%
$60,001 and over @ 39%
Housing is very expensive (compared to incomes) in Auckland and a few other places.
I don't think anyone would come to NZ, from the UK, for purely economic reasons. If you are looking for more of a balance however
Have a look back through some of the older threads as a number of the local PHers have been through the immigraton and residency stuff. Hopefully they'll be along shortly with the real story
I take it you're a couple of years away from graduating. What are you studying?
The Labour party is in its third term and I don't think they will win (the most votes) in the next election which must be held by Sept/Oct 2008. However for the last few elections we've had an MMP system which means that almost every government (until the system is changed) will be a coalition or a minority government with side agreements. This makes the final make-up of any government very hard to predict.
Yes we have some leftie-greenie policies and tax proposals on the table. Who knows whether they will go ahead.
There are currently 6 tracks in NZ
www.motorsport.org.nz/Circuits/circuits.htm
with another one about to commence construction
www.hamptondowns.com
Most of them have a variety of trackdays and driving schools.
We have GST (similar to VAT) at 12.5% on almost everything and personal income tax in steps
up to $38,000 @ 19.5%
$38,001 to $60,000 @ 33%
$60,001 and over @ 39%
Housing is very expensive (compared to incomes) in Auckland and a few other places.
I don't think anyone would come to NZ, from the UK, for purely economic reasons. If you are looking for more of a balance however
Have a look back through some of the older threads as a number of the local PHers have been through the immigraton and residency stuff. Hopefully they'll be along shortly with the real story
My personal view on NZ is that its a great place to start from and a great place to come back to for visits- but I don't personally want to live there (starting my second year living in Perth).
Whenever you move, there are 'push' factors and 'pull' factors. I reckon its always better to be pulled somewhere than pushed out of where you currently live, especially if the two countries are broadly similar. Try and look for some tangible differences between all the places to help you decide, otherwise you may as well not bother.
For me, leaving NZ to go to Australia was about getting a job in a good industry that pays well and has good future prospects. I didn't leave because of the NZ government or a student loan or anything silly like that, its just convenient that my tax dollars don't go to Helengrad.
Whenever you move, there are 'push' factors and 'pull' factors. I reckon its always better to be pulled somewhere than pushed out of where you currently live, especially if the two countries are broadly similar. Try and look for some tangible differences between all the places to help you decide, otherwise you may as well not bother.
For me, leaving NZ to go to Australia was about getting a job in a good industry that pays well and has good future prospects. I didn't leave because of the NZ government or a student loan or anything silly like that, its just convenient that my tax dollars don't go to Helengrad.
I moved here 1.5 years ago...
"- Whats the govt like on the whole 'green' thing - any oppressive taxes planned etc.? "
Some planned, unlikely to make it into reality, part of NZ being green is the total lack of people, its better than the UK, hydro power , close control on pests etc. On the other hand theres barely any control on vehicle emmisions etc yet.
"- I know theres a labour govenment - how bad are they and are they likely to win the next election? "
IMO (compared to UK) there almost irrelavant, almost a comedy show. People just get on with life and ignore them on th emost part, HC is likely to turn up in your staff canteen for lunch one day... As said its very unlikely they'll win the next elecgtion and its PR so no party is super strong.
"- I know that the speed limit is well enforced so i'll be having my fun on trackdays - what good tracks are there near Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch? - howe many of them have racing schools as well - i'd like to do some racing at an amateur level. "
Plenty of motorsports & the local track to me is good & cheap to use(relativly). You can have fun on public roads too, often below 100km/hr, you also have the gravel tracks and offroading options which are ace.
"- What are the taxes like in terms of income, sales and stamp duty? "
No stamp duty, no (sort of) CGT, income tax is someqwhat comparable (+ ACC @ about 1% instead of NI @ 10%), GST = VAT @12.5%
IMO life here (with an ok job , ignoring housing) is cheap(ish) and great. Housing (without a few GBP behind you) on kiwi wages is NOT cheap for the most part (citys).
"- Csn I get in just on a degree? - i'm looking at a work to residence visa with skillsnz.co.nz "
You have a few options, your young(guessing) & skilled(or will be) so theres an under 30's visas worth a look. Work visa, WTR or residence can all take a while to get with low points totals & no job. Cost you 700-800 GBP min I think (inc medicals etc). You'll have to be on a skills shortage list too. Doable though I'd just say come over here on as cheap & quick visa as you can (student/working holiday) get a job then apply for a more sderious visa once your here.
There only intrested in a few things, you can work & support yourself (in skills shortage areas), your not a criminal & your not an expensive health risk. Fill all those and your likely to be fine.
Now for my opinion. Assuming your young & at uni (18-20).
Get a degree, get some experience, earn some GBP, see Europe/US. Move here once you have a few quid & done all you want in Europe, and have some work experience (and also not to old, i.e. less than 30).
Unless your life is ALL about the outdoors (hiking, skiing, surfing, sailing, walking, camping, etc etc etc) or are planing to raise kids, you'll miss something from UK, get that in now then come.
"- Whats the govt like on the whole 'green' thing - any oppressive taxes planned etc.? "
Some planned, unlikely to make it into reality, part of NZ being green is the total lack of people, its better than the UK, hydro power , close control on pests etc. On the other hand theres barely any control on vehicle emmisions etc yet.
"- I know theres a labour govenment - how bad are they and are they likely to win the next election? "
IMO (compared to UK) there almost irrelavant, almost a comedy show. People just get on with life and ignore them on th emost part, HC is likely to turn up in your staff canteen for lunch one day... As said its very unlikely they'll win the next elecgtion and its PR so no party is super strong.
"- I know that the speed limit is well enforced so i'll be having my fun on trackdays - what good tracks are there near Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch? - howe many of them have racing schools as well - i'd like to do some racing at an amateur level. "
Plenty of motorsports & the local track to me is good & cheap to use(relativly). You can have fun on public roads too, often below 100km/hr, you also have the gravel tracks and offroading options which are ace.
"- What are the taxes like in terms of income, sales and stamp duty? "
No stamp duty, no (sort of) CGT, income tax is someqwhat comparable (+ ACC @ about 1% instead of NI @ 10%), GST = VAT @12.5%
IMO life here (with an ok job , ignoring housing) is cheap(ish) and great. Housing (without a few GBP behind you) on kiwi wages is NOT cheap for the most part (citys).
"- Csn I get in just on a degree? - i'm looking at a work to residence visa with skillsnz.co.nz "
You have a few options, your young(guessing) & skilled(or will be) so theres an under 30's visas worth a look. Work visa, WTR or residence can all take a while to get with low points totals & no job. Cost you 700-800 GBP min I think (inc medicals etc). You'll have to be on a skills shortage list too. Doable though I'd just say come over here on as cheap & quick visa as you can (student/working holiday) get a job then apply for a more sderious visa once your here.
There only intrested in a few things, you can work & support yourself (in skills shortage areas), your not a criminal & your not an expensive health risk. Fill all those and your likely to be fine.
Now for my opinion. Assuming your young & at uni (18-20).
Get a degree, get some experience, earn some GBP, see Europe/US. Move here once you have a few quid & done all you want in Europe, and have some work experience (and also not to old, i.e. less than 30).
Unless your life is ALL about the outdoors (hiking, skiing, surfing, sailing, walking, camping, etc etc etc) or are planing to raise kids, you'll miss something from UK, get that in now then come.
Hi. Just wondered why you didn't also consider Aus. What are you looking for here? Pretty conclusive reply above.If you're worried about this Gov, wait til National gets in!( just winding up the , mostly National voting(?), PHrs here)I'd agree with above advice-get here on temp visa, see if you like it and then apply for residency if you do. Oh, and if your reason for fleeing Uk is overpopulation or crap weather, don't come to Auckland.
Don't bother yourself with who's running the Government today/tomorrow - in the context of the decision you're weighing up and the impact on your life here that's completely irrelevant IMO.
I agree with the earlier comment about staying around UK/Europe for while. Some saved £s will let you get on your feet here much quicker, and although NZ is a great place to live I think you best appreciate it's unique assets (and forgive its shortcomings) after you've seen the best (& worst) of working and living in UK/Europe.
If you really want to come here now (sorry I realise this sounds condescending, it isn't meant to be).... IMO you're too young to be 'emigrating' and if you're like I and most of my graduate friends were at that age you don't know enough about yourself or what you want from life to know whether NZ, UK or somewhere else is the best place to live out your life. It's great that you've chosen NZ and I'm sure your personal reasons for doing that are well considered, but I suggest you don't think too hard or too long term about it - just come for a working holiday with equal emphasis on working and having fun, and see what happens.
Don
I agree with the earlier comment about staying around UK/Europe for while. Some saved £s will let you get on your feet here much quicker, and although NZ is a great place to live I think you best appreciate it's unique assets (and forgive its shortcomings) after you've seen the best (& worst) of working and living in UK/Europe.
If you really want to come here now (sorry I realise this sounds condescending, it isn't meant to be).... IMO you're too young to be 'emigrating' and if you're like I and most of my graduate friends were at that age you don't know enough about yourself or what you want from life to know whether NZ, UK or somewhere else is the best place to live out your life. It's great that you've chosen NZ and I'm sure your personal reasons for doing that are well considered, but I suggest you don't think too hard or too long term about it - just come for a working holiday with equal emphasis on working and having fun, and see what happens.
Don
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