Moving to New Zealand

suzanne62 · Jun 13, 2005

Hi There,
I am from England and I'm a Registered General Nurse (RGN), Registered Children's Nurse (RCN), Bsc Hons Degree, Nurse Practitioner, Worked within Accident & Emergency for 5 years and 2 years in primary care working as a Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor.
I have a Family my husband works for the Lincs. ambulance service and a have two children aged 3 years and 14 weeks. And we are looking at moving to NZ as a permanent move but need more information about, hospitals (A&E), pay, schools, housing best areas and areas to avoid. At present all areas, except the middle of the city's.
And if possible would like other nurses who have come from England to NZ to talk to as pen friends to help with these questions and probably many more later when we think of them.
What sort of relocation packages and help with immigration and moving?
Many Thanks
Francoise :) :) :) :)

HI Fran

we moved to New zealand 2 1/2 years ago we love it.

I went through an agency who were great but they charge the hospital 10% of your first years salary so going it on your own I think they will be more likely to give you a relocation fee. You would have to ask as they don't offer I didn't but a colleague who got a job at the same hospital said he did.

If you have two kids I think it would be wise to stay away from the big cities as if you need child care it will be more expensive, and the don't start school here until they are 5.

I live in a place called Whangarei which is a small population of about 50,000

sbut has a hospital that covers a lot of the out lying areas. They are always looking for nurses especially scbu.

If there is anything else I can help you with you can e-mail me

Regards :nurse: Suzanne

HoLlIe :) · Jul 28, 2005

haha and im here in New Zealand, and am overlly keen to leave this beutiful LITTLE island and travel to some place bigger!!!

but yes it is a wonderful place!!! im sure i will miss it dreadfully!

shazniko · Jan 2, 2008

Hi Suzanne

I am a midwife from Scotland who is seriously considering emigrating to New Zealand with my husband and two young children (1 & 3). I noticed that you said you live in Whangerei - that is our ideal place to live and work! Are the nurseries and schools good?

We are coming out to New Zealand for 3 weeks in February to tour around different areas and will definitely check out Whangarei. We really fancy living in a rural area where the kids can play safely.

You said that scbu is always looking for staff but do they employ nurses only or do they employ midwives too? Its just that I am direct entry trained not dual trained, however, here in Scotland I am neonatal trained and core staff in our neonatal unit.

I was thinking about contacting the Northland hospitals to see if I could visit in February when we are over.

Kind regards

Sharron

Hagabel · Jan 9, 2008

Sharon,

Hi there. I am considering the same thing with my dh although we are 2-3 yrs away from any move as we would have to sell our house and the housing market crashed in the US. I trained in the UK and have been in the US for 15 yrs. I currently work ER and ICU. I am planning a trip in July this yr for 2 weeks to check things out. DH will stay here as we have 2 kids 3 and under.

Would love to hear how your trip goes?

Sue

shazniko · Jan 9, 2008

Hi Sue

I definitely will let you know how we get on. I have arranged to visit Whangarei hospital while we are there in February. I just looked up the health boards on the internet and got email addresses of who to contact. So the midwifery manager was really keen to meet with me and emailed me an application form to complete prior to my arrival in New Zealand! We chose Whangarei as it seems to be quite rural and a lovely place to live according to the research we have done so far.

I can't believe how friendly New Zealand people have been so far - its been a real culture shock actually! So we are really looking forward to our 3 week visit.

Keep in touch as I would love to hear how your trip goes too.

Take Care

Sharron

Hagabel · Jan 10, 2008

Sharron,

Thanks for your reply. I am excited for you, sounds great. Not sure which area to check out when I go, I think definitely Wellington. Where is the area you are talking about? How is life in sunny Scotland???

Sue

shazniko · Jan 10, 2008

Hi Sue

We had thought about Wellington too but it is city living. We don't want that at all. We decided that we would prefer further north for the weather really! Whangarei is on the east coast of the Northland. Everyone seems to love it there.

I hear that South Island is a lot like Scotland even the weather - so I think we will stay clear of there!!! Fed up with the weather in Bonnie Scotland! It's always miserable. Really fed up with work at the minute too so things can't happen quick enough for us.

So why have you decided on a move? Why New Zealand? Does the reduction in wages bother you?

Hopefully hear from you soon.

Sharron

bhenicole · Jan 17, 2008

Hi guys... I am an RN in the Philippines and I received a Job offer to work as caregiver in Christchurch, New Zealand... My working visa is now on the process and I'm praying and hoping to receive it this year. Could anyone give me a brief idea about the place? the working conditons? the best place to find a good and affordable place to live in? etc.

I am a bit afraid to work in a foreign land since this is my first time to leave the country to work.

thank you very much

any reply would be a great help...:redpinkhe

Hagabel · Jan 19, 2008

Hi,

Sorry took so long to reply. NZ is somewhere I have fancied for a long time, have a couple of good friends who are Kiwi's and have heard great things about the country. The reduction in wages does not bother me and I realise things will be rather different to the US.

We are booking my flight this weekend. I have been in contact with Auckland hospital so far.

Sue

shazniko · Jan 20, 2008

Hi Sue

Good luck with everything. Let me know how you get on anyway. We've only got 4 weeks to go so not long now! We are going to check out some properties in Whangarei while we are there to see what our budget can buy us. Really looking forward to it.

Take care.

Sharron

shazniko · Jan 20, 2008

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could help me. As I am coming to New Zealand for 3 weeks holiday, I was wondering whether I should just bring New Zealand Dollars. If I brought sterling travellers cheques, would it be easy enough to change them into new zealand dollars? If so, where would I change them?

I would be really grateful for any suggestions.

Sharron

Kiwi Ali · Jan 21, 2008

My birth mum comes over every year, and she usually brings cash and changes it here, I think she finds the exchange rate is lightly better, she usually looks at the exchange rate on the ANZ bank's website before coming. (anz.co.nz)