the how and the why
Lately, we've met quite a few people from other parts of the world and many have been intrigued by why we moved to New Zealand and how we went about it. This post is a series of (slightly edited) emails which tells our story. Firstly the "why", written in a lengthy corespondance, followed by bits of the "how". Funny, I still get knots in my stomach reading these:
Hi Kathleen,
Well, its a big story - bigger than I thought until I typed it!
The idea of our dream life started as a series of conversations Tracey and I had about the state of the UK (crumbling health service, tragic education, underfunded public transport, gutless politicians) and what we wanted for our children. It was something that had come up before and we looked at moving home to the West Country but always felt that the small town attitudes, resistance to change and narrow mindedness - as well as shops that shut at 4.30pm on a Wednesday, wasn't going to sit well with us. Mainly it was the lack of work. Graphic design only goes as far as t-shirt printing and big vinyl banners in Somerset.
We looked to Europe - Spain was a possible, so we visited it to see - good weather, but the language barrier was an big issue.
I dreamed of living on mountain teaching snowboarding - but in my 3 years experience as an instructor I realised it was a job for young, single people - certainly not a wage that you could raise a family on, besides Tracey wouldnt be able to use any of her skills - in essence in would be my dream, not our dream.
Some friends gave us a book on NZ and it looked so beautiful, but we both thought "Its as rural a Somerset with 40 million sheep, what will we do for jobs?" - how little we knew back then!
As early as 2003 (when I was "working" for Southwark Council - read: plenty of time of my hands - I started researching what it would take for us to get there. Believe me, there was a ton of stuff to understand, restrictions, conditions, as with all emigration. I felt totally overwhelmed but managed to glean that the first stage was to get my qualifications assessed by the NZ authorities. So I went ahead and did that - just in case.
Then all at once New Zealand seemed to be calling. Friends with pictures and stories, Whale Rider, Lord of the Rings, the snowboarding scene, the surf was great (2 really important conditions for me!) As it turned 2004 I had made a decision - and hoped Tracey would see it too. I had read and digested all the paperwork and knew what was involved. I printed bits out and showed them to Tracey. She thought it looked comnplicated but do-able. It was all top secret.
NZ emigration is based on Work Experience, age, qualifications, health and police clearance. With 2 degrees and other things in our favour, it looked good. But it all was all based on points and a passmark.
In Feb 2004 the passmark stood at 180 - without a job offer we had 110 :( There seemed to be a catch 22 - I couldn't get a work visa without a job offer but I wouldn't get offered work unless I was legally allowed to work in NZ. We hit a dead end.
We tried to be philosophical, we hadnt even been there as yet, so we reserved judgement until we could go and check it out. Then another coincidence - Niels' wedding! The perfect opportunity and perfect timing. By this time I was certain but Tracey was more cautious "lets not make any decisions until we get there". Everything I read about NZ, from laws to environmental projects seemed well considered, intelligent, and forward looking. It was safe, clean, green, spacious, with a healthy outdoor lifestyle. But best of all, it had a shortage of skilled workers. And graphic design was an identified future growth area.
Not making a decision until we got there evaporated when shortly before touchdown when we caught site of the place through the plane window - we were both moved to tears, it was so beautiful. Minutes after leaving the airport Tracey turned to me as said "yeah, lets live here baby, lets do it!"
Our adventures in NZ were extensive: Bungie jumping, skydiving, kayaking, hiking, horseriding. The food too was amazing and the wines, delicious. We were struck by the genuine warmth, friendliness and generosity of the kiwis - the guy at the hotel even drove us to a 24hr supermarket after we overslept and woke up ravenous at 10pm but room service and delivery food had stopped. What a nice guy!
Then there was the wedding - great to see Niels and meet his bethrothed, Debs. We toured the South Island then returned to Wellington to stay with the newly weds. When I saw their house, their view, their life, I was deeply jealous for the first time in my life. We hung out in Wellington and fell in love the city.
We had originally hoped for Wellington but Auckland is a good place to start. So thats the story.
Phil
Now to a blow-by-blow of the "how".
Hi Phil,
Thanks for your application for the Senior Design Position, we would be very interested to meet with you and view your portfolio. How does Monday the 18th of October sound any time before 4pm, hopefully this will give you enough time to get over the jetlag. Let me know if you can make it this day and what time would suit you. If you can get to NZ any sooner let me know.
Thanks & Best Regards
Joseph
Joseph,
That date is fine. Is 11am okay?
Phil
Hi Phil,
11am is fine, we'll see you then.
Regards
Joseph
Hi Phil,
Sorry for the delay, we'd like to offer you the job - I have spoken to Greg and we are working on sending all the necessary paper work to you by tomorrow.
Hope all is well with you.
Best Regards
Joseph
From: "Phil Roberts"
To: Tracey Roberts
Subject: its going off JC! Job offers and interviews
Hello T,
Yep, got offered the job in Auckland as I suspected. CHRIST! What do we do? They were hoping to have me back in Auckland to talk before going back to the UK, but as its Sunday... Still waiting for them to call me back.
Not only that, I have 2 job interviews here in Wellington tomorrow!!! Lets see if anything else is offered.
As for Auckland, I was told again today by Jason at Origin that I should take it - its just a year after all. I still dont feel quite right. It would mean moving twice. But the foot in the door aspect is a fair point.
All these roles are destined to commence for early next year (Jan/Feb). We will need to talk and I think its only fair that employers allow me/us at least a few days to discuss it when I return.
Its all so exciting!
P
Hey you,
God, I have been thinking about this all so much today and have nearly been in tears thinking about leaving here and all the repurcussions and I have had butterflies in my tummy all day with the excitment of it all.
If you get this call me either tonight (Thursday) or tomorrow 8am.
T
Sent: Wednesday, 1 December 2004 1:27 p.m.
To: Pat Billett, New Zealand Immigration
Subject: ITA timings
Hi Pat,
We have our ITA, thanks. We have our flights booked for Jan 17th. Our
Police Certs arrived lastnight.
Is it likely that the ITA can be processed before we leave? Or is it
more realistic to get a work visa and continue the process in NZ?
Regards,
Phil
Dear Philip
Thank you for your message.
At the present time, I am processing skilled migrant applications in
about 2 weeks. So hopefully, mid January should be fine, providing we
have all the documents we need and there are no other issues. Stick
with the residence application first and we shall endeavour to process
it urgently.
Cheers.
Pat Billett
Visa Officer
NZIS London
Sent: Monday, 6 December 2004 8:24 p.m.
To: Pat Billett
Subject: Appointment for submission of ITA
Hello Pat,
My wife and I have our meds this thursday 9th December. After this, we
have all the required documentation.
When is the earliest appointment available so we can deliver it in
person to you, and how long will we need to see you for?
Also, do both of us need to by there?
Regards,
Phil Roberts
Hi Phil
Can you come in at 10.30 on Friday 10 December? Only one of you needs
to come. It takes about 20-30 minutes to lodge. If you bring in the
original documents, please also provide a photocopy of each which we can
keep. I can endorse the copies with "original sighted". Will your
medical reports be ready on 09 December? It usually takes a few days
for the blood tests to come through.
I await your reply.
Pat Billett
Visa Officer
NZIS London
Direct dial: 020 7208 1143
Fax: 020 7973 0370
Hi Joseph,
me and my wife are looking at places to rent. We thought Ponsonby, Mt Eden or nearby. Is this an expensive area?
Can you suggest any places to try, or areas that are an easy commute.
thanks alot
Phil
Morning Phil,
Rent in these and surrounding areas range from $250-$600 a week the higher end would be a 3-4 bedroom house. Do you have maps of the areas? Balmoral, Grey lynn, Kingsland, Mt Roskill would be slightly cheaper than Mt Eden/Ponsonby and are not much further away.
Let me know if you need any further help with this.
Best Regards
Joseph
Hi again Joseph,
The airline released more flights this evening and we snapped them up. We got the earliest date we could: 17 Jan, arriving 19th Jan - much more what we were after. I hope thats agreeable.
Now to sell all our junk!
regards,
Phil
Hi Phil,
Yes that’s great the earlier the better, I will be mailing your contract out tomorrow, do you have a computer at home? I would like to send you pdfs and a redesign brief. I would like this to be your first job but we will probably need indesign templates before you arrive in NZ, is this possible. It will go from a B&W with a couple of 4 colour pgs to a higher quality gloss paper full cover saddle stitched Mag/Newspaper.
Please let me know if you are able to do this.
thanks & Best Regards
Joseph
Hey Debs,
thanks for your spare room and wellington life.
Please, please, thank your mum and dad again for their warmth, advice and wonderful hospitality. Food is always fine and abundant in the Sweeney household :)
As its transpired, the Welly job didnt work out, so were taking the one in Auckland.(this has also been the advice from nearly everyone in Welly both design and recruitment). Its not a bad start. They are sending the paperwork this week so I can get the work permit!
Plan to stay 6-12 months in AKL then head to WLG to be your neighbours, have babies, open the surf cafe, start a blues jam and drink beers.
T & I are frantically labelling things for sale at car boots, ebay, getting chest X-rays, medicals, police certificates etc. All the things we need for permit and residency.
Then of course, its breaking the news to family. Mainly its been a complete secret and even those who know we are planning wont realise its going to be so soon. Its going to be hard. T has Mum, dad, brother and sister to leave behind, for me its just my mum.
We're going to be in NZ in Jan, will let you know dates when the paperwork is done!
later piglets,
P
Hi Kathleen,
Well, its a big story - bigger than I thought until I typed it!
The idea of our dream life started as a series of conversations Tracey and I had about the state of the UK (crumbling health service, tragic education, underfunded public transport, gutless politicians) and what we wanted for our children. It was something that had come up before and we looked at moving home to the West Country but always felt that the small town attitudes, resistance to change and narrow mindedness - as well as shops that shut at 4.30pm on a Wednesday, wasn't going to sit well with us. Mainly it was the lack of work. Graphic design only goes as far as t-shirt printing and big vinyl banners in Somerset.
We looked to Europe - Spain was a possible, so we visited it to see - good weather, but the language barrier was an big issue.
I dreamed of living on mountain teaching snowboarding - but in my 3 years experience as an instructor I realised it was a job for young, single people - certainly not a wage that you could raise a family on, besides Tracey wouldnt be able to use any of her skills - in essence in would be my dream, not our dream.
Some friends gave us a book on NZ and it looked so beautiful, but we both thought "Its as rural a Somerset with 40 million sheep, what will we do for jobs?" - how little we knew back then!
As early as 2003 (when I was "working" for Southwark Council - read: plenty of time of my hands - I started researching what it would take for us to get there. Believe me, there was a ton of stuff to understand, restrictions, conditions, as with all emigration. I felt totally overwhelmed but managed to glean that the first stage was to get my qualifications assessed by the NZ authorities. So I went ahead and did that - just in case.
Then all at once New Zealand seemed to be calling. Friends with pictures and stories, Whale Rider, Lord of the Rings, the snowboarding scene, the surf was great (2 really important conditions for me!) As it turned 2004 I had made a decision - and hoped Tracey would see it too. I had read and digested all the paperwork and knew what was involved. I printed bits out and showed them to Tracey. She thought it looked comnplicated but do-able. It was all top secret.
NZ emigration is based on Work Experience, age, qualifications, health and police clearance. With 2 degrees and other things in our favour, it looked good. But it all was all based on points and a passmark.
In Feb 2004 the passmark stood at 180 - without a job offer we had 110 :( There seemed to be a catch 22 - I couldn't get a work visa without a job offer but I wouldn't get offered work unless I was legally allowed to work in NZ. We hit a dead end.
We tried to be philosophical, we hadnt even been there as yet, so we reserved judgement until we could go and check it out. Then another coincidence - Niels' wedding! The perfect opportunity and perfect timing. By this time I was certain but Tracey was more cautious "lets not make any decisions until we get there". Everything I read about NZ, from laws to environmental projects seemed well considered, intelligent, and forward looking. It was safe, clean, green, spacious, with a healthy outdoor lifestyle. But best of all, it had a shortage of skilled workers. And graphic design was an identified future growth area.
Not making a decision until we got there evaporated when shortly before touchdown when we caught site of the place through the plane window - we were both moved to tears, it was so beautiful. Minutes after leaving the airport Tracey turned to me as said "yeah, lets live here baby, lets do it!"
Our adventures in NZ were extensive: Bungie jumping, skydiving, kayaking, hiking, horseriding. The food too was amazing and the wines, delicious. We were struck by the genuine warmth, friendliness and generosity of the kiwis - the guy at the hotel even drove us to a 24hr supermarket after we overslept and woke up ravenous at 10pm but room service and delivery food had stopped. What a nice guy!
Then there was the wedding - great to see Niels and meet his bethrothed, Debs. We toured the South Island then returned to Wellington to stay with the newly weds. When I saw their house, their view, their life, I was deeply jealous for the first time in my life. We hung out in Wellington and fell in love the city.
We had originally hoped for Wellington but Auckland is a good place to start. So thats the story.
Phil
Now to a blow-by-blow of the "how".
Hi Phil,
Thanks for your application for the Senior Design Position, we would be very interested to meet with you and view your portfolio. How does Monday the 18th of October sound any time before 4pm, hopefully this will give you enough time to get over the jetlag. Let me know if you can make it this day and what time would suit you. If you can get to NZ any sooner let me know.
Thanks & Best Regards
Joseph
Joseph,
That date is fine. Is 11am okay?
Phil
Hi Phil,
11am is fine, we'll see you then.
Regards
Joseph
Hi Phil,
Sorry for the delay, we'd like to offer you the job - I have spoken to Greg and we are working on sending all the necessary paper work to you by tomorrow.
Hope all is well with you.
Best Regards
Joseph
From: "Phil Roberts"
To: Tracey Roberts
Subject: its going off JC! Job offers and interviews
Hello T,
Yep, got offered the job in Auckland as I suspected. CHRIST! What do we do? They were hoping to have me back in Auckland to talk before going back to the UK, but as its Sunday... Still waiting for them to call me back.
Not only that, I have 2 job interviews here in Wellington tomorrow!!! Lets see if anything else is offered.
As for Auckland, I was told again today by Jason at Origin that I should take it - its just a year after all. I still dont feel quite right. It would mean moving twice. But the foot in the door aspect is a fair point.
All these roles are destined to commence for early next year (Jan/Feb). We will need to talk and I think its only fair that employers allow me/us at least a few days to discuss it when I return.
Its all so exciting!
P
Hey you,
God, I have been thinking about this all so much today and have nearly been in tears thinking about leaving here and all the repurcussions and I have had butterflies in my tummy all day with the excitment of it all.
If you get this call me either tonight (Thursday) or tomorrow 8am.
T
Sent: Wednesday, 1 December 2004 1:27 p.m.
To: Pat Billett, New Zealand Immigration
Subject: ITA timings
Hi Pat,
We have our ITA, thanks. We have our flights booked for Jan 17th. Our
Police Certs arrived lastnight.
Is it likely that the ITA can be processed before we leave? Or is it
more realistic to get a work visa and continue the process in NZ?
Regards,
Phil
Dear Philip
Thank you for your message.
At the present time, I am processing skilled migrant applications in
about 2 weeks. So hopefully, mid January should be fine, providing we
have all the documents we need and there are no other issues. Stick
with the residence application first and we shall endeavour to process
it urgently.
Cheers.
Pat Billett
Visa Officer
NZIS London
Sent: Monday, 6 December 2004 8:24 p.m.
To: Pat Billett
Subject: Appointment for submission of ITA
Hello Pat,
My wife and I have our meds this thursday 9th December. After this, we
have all the required documentation.
When is the earliest appointment available so we can deliver it in
person to you, and how long will we need to see you for?
Also, do both of us need to by there?
Regards,
Phil Roberts
Hi Phil
Can you come in at 10.30 on Friday 10 December? Only one of you needs
to come. It takes about 20-30 minutes to lodge. If you bring in the
original documents, please also provide a photocopy of each which we can
keep. I can endorse the copies with "original sighted". Will your
medical reports be ready on 09 December? It usually takes a few days
for the blood tests to come through.
I await your reply.
Pat Billett
Visa Officer
NZIS London
Direct dial: 020 7208 1143
Fax: 020 7973 0370
Hi Joseph,
me and my wife are looking at places to rent. We thought Ponsonby, Mt Eden or nearby. Is this an expensive area?
Can you suggest any places to try, or areas that are an easy commute.
thanks alot
Phil
Morning Phil,
Rent in these and surrounding areas range from $250-$600 a week the higher end would be a 3-4 bedroom house. Do you have maps of the areas? Balmoral, Grey lynn, Kingsland, Mt Roskill would be slightly cheaper than Mt Eden/Ponsonby and are not much further away.
Let me know if you need any further help with this.
Best Regards
Joseph
Hi again Joseph,
The airline released more flights this evening and we snapped them up. We got the earliest date we could: 17 Jan, arriving 19th Jan - much more what we were after. I hope thats agreeable.
Now to sell all our junk!
regards,
Phil
Hi Phil,
Yes that’s great the earlier the better, I will be mailing your contract out tomorrow, do you have a computer at home? I would like to send you pdfs and a redesign brief. I would like this to be your first job but we will probably need indesign templates before you arrive in NZ, is this possible. It will go from a B&W with a couple of 4 colour pgs to a higher quality gloss paper full cover saddle stitched Mag/Newspaper.
Please let me know if you are able to do this.
thanks & Best Regards
Joseph
Hey Debs,
thanks for your spare room and wellington life.
Please, please, thank your mum and dad again for their warmth, advice and wonderful hospitality. Food is always fine and abundant in the Sweeney household :)
As its transpired, the Welly job didnt work out, so were taking the one in Auckland.(this has also been the advice from nearly everyone in Welly both design and recruitment). Its not a bad start. They are sending the paperwork this week so I can get the work permit!
Plan to stay 6-12 months in AKL then head to WLG to be your neighbours, have babies, open the surf cafe, start a blues jam and drink beers.
T & I are frantically labelling things for sale at car boots, ebay, getting chest X-rays, medicals, police certificates etc. All the things we need for permit and residency.
Then of course, its breaking the news to family. Mainly its been a complete secret and even those who know we are planning wont realise its going to be so soon. Its going to be hard. T has Mum, dad, brother and sister to leave behind, for me its just my mum.
We're going to be in NZ in Jan, will let you know dates when the paperwork is done!
later piglets,
P
posted by Phil at 4:53 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home