New Zealand - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

[intern]

Thanks to Wayne and all who have contributed to this thread over the passed few years, it's been interesting reading, which now looks to become reality.

 

My partner was approached by New Zealand rugby towards the end of last year to do a research project for them, I kind of once in a lifetime opportunity for a sports researcher from South Africa. So I said let me see if I can find a job and if so it might be a sign that we should live in NZ for a few years.

 

I have now been offered a job in Whangarei, my partner can work from home and just needs to commute to Auckland one day/week.

 

Just a few questions:

 

Has anyone actually been to Whangarei, any comments as to what it is like?

 

Is rental housing really as bad as everyone keeps telling me and is pet friendly accommodation impossible to find? (Yes I know everyone says leave the dogs but the hospital pays me a generous moving allowance so taking the dogs  is no financial burden and my partner refuses to go without them).

 

With the new expat tax to be introduced to SA on the 1st March what are people doing to not have to be an SA tax resident? (I am still going to have to have a bank account and house in Cape Town - my in-laws are moving into our house and are financially dependant on us)

 

I go from being excited to terrified on pretty much an hourly basis about this decision.

 

Whangarei's awesome, you'll love it. And Paihia is a short drive North and IMHO one of the nicest places in NZ (Bay of Islands). Exciting times ahead! 

[intern]

Repeating what patches said

[patches]

Here's some info from the NZ government for Saffers considering a move.

 

https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/why-choose-nz/compare-new-zealand/south-africa

[patches]

 

The comments are classic!

 

 

See more here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/sydney/comments/el4vh0/hold_tight_australia_we_may_be_a_100th_of_your/

 

 

[MudMuppet]

Thanks to Wayne and all who have contributed to this thread over the passed few years, it's been interesting reading, which now looks to become reality.

 

My partner was approached by New Zealand rugby towards the end of last year to do a research project for them, I kind of once in a lifetime opportunity for a sports researcher from South Africa. So I said let me see if I can find a job and if so it might be a sign that we should live in NZ for a few years.

 

I have now been offered a job in Whangarei, my partner can work from home and just needs to commute to Auckland one day/week.

 

Just a few questions:

 

Has anyone actually been to Whangarei, any comments as to what it is like?

 

Is rental housing really as bad as everyone keeps telling me and is pet friendly accommodation impossible to find? (Yes I know everyone says leave the dogs but the hospital pays me a generous moving allowance so taking the dogs  is no financial burden and my partner refuses to go without them).

 

With the new expat tax to be introduced to SA on the 1st March what are people doing to not have to be an SA tax resident? (I am still going to have to have a bank account and house in Cape Town - my in-laws are moving into our house and are financially dependant on us)

 

I go from being excited to terrified on pretty much an hourly basis about this decision.

 

Very nice place, to me it had a "feel" like Knysna sort of vibe and weather, when we visited there. Have an ex-saffer mate who lives there, he says he will never leave Whangarai (Fangary).

[Wayne Potgieter]

Tomorrow looks like a good weather day.

 

I want to take the kids mountain biking.

 

Thinking about riding in Hunua.

 

My son will be on a 24inch and my daughter on a little trailer bike. So it can’t be super challenging. Ideally a mix of gravel road and a sprinkling of single track.

 

I know DawieO rides there quite a bit. So I am looking for a few tips on some family friendly trails? I want to get in somewhere between 15-20km of trails.

 

Is it super hilly?

[Saag]

Very hilly! I have only done some of it, can recommend you stay on the gravel. As soon as you go off the gravel it becomes an "adventure".

[DawieO]

Tomorrow looks like a good weather day.

I want to take the kids mountain biking.

Thinking about riding in Hunua.

My son will be on a 24inch and my daughter on a little trailer bike. So it can’t be super challenging. Ideally a mix of gravel road and a sprinkling of single track.

I know DawieO rides there quite a bit. So I am looking for a few tips on some family friendly trails? I want to get in somewhere between 15-20km of trails.

Is it super hilly?

Hey Wayne! The area is the Mangatawhiri reserve at Hunua.

The trails are nicely marked and the one you want is the Valley track. It is dirt road and dual track all the way and about 15km. There is one little detour through a small river that may require a short walk, but even that is very pretty.

 

The Mumukai Farm track is the one with some great single track, but quite twisty and steep, and can get technical so keep that for when you want to have a bit of single track fun.

 

The River track, yeah nah...

 

I’ve been out there 3 times this last week and the place is in great shape. Enjoy it!

Edited January 11, 2020 by DawieO

[Wayne Potgieter]

any hikers around? Need some advice on family friendly overnight hikes.

 

North island because i spent all my money in Brisbane

[SlowManiac]

Tomorrow looks like a good weather day.

 

I want to take the kids mountain biking.

 

Thinking about riding in Hunua.

 

My son will be on a 24inch and my daughter on a little trailer bike. So it can’t be super challenging. Ideally a mix of gravel road and a sprinkling of single track.

 

I know DawieO rides there quite a bit. So I am looking for a few tips on some family friendly trails? I want to get in somewhere between 15-20km of trails.

 

Is it super hilly?

 

 

Some inspiration....

 

[patham]

any hikers around? Need some advice on family friendly overnight hikes.

 

North island because i spent all my money in Brisbane

 

Another sucker loses their shirt in BrisVegas !

[Wayne Potgieter]

Another sucker loses their shirt in BrisVegas !

 

totally unplanned trip that we had some fun on. Lets just say, my domestic travel budget for the first few months is non existant.

 

Had a jol though. 10/10 - would do again.

[DJR]

.................

I go from being excited to terrified on pretty much an hourly basis about this decision.

Someone once said to me to always remember that if a roller coaster wasn't scary, it would be just a boring train ride. Enjoy!

Edited January 13, 2020 by DJR

[Slowbee]

Thanks to Wayne and all who have contributed to this thread over the passed few years, it's been interesting reading, which now looks to become reality.

 

My partner was approached by New Zealand rugby towards the end of last year to do a research project for them, I kind of once in a lifetime opportunity for a sports researcher from South Africa. So I said let me see if I can find a job and if so it might be a sign that we should live in NZ for a few years.

 

I have now been offered a job in Whangarei, my partner can work from home and just needs to commute to Auckland one day/week.

 

Just a few questions:

 

Has anyone actually been to Whangarei, any comments as to what it is like?

 

Is rental housing really as bad as everyone keeps telling me and is pet friendly accommodation impossible to find? (Yes I know everyone says leave the dogs but the hospital pays me a generous moving allowance so taking the dogs  is no financial burden and my partner refuses to go without them).

 

With the new expat tax to be introduced to SA on the 1st March what are people doing to not have to be an SA tax resident? (I am still going to have to have a bank account and house in Cape Town - my in-laws are moving into our house and are financially dependant on us)

 

I go from being excited to terrified on pretty much an hourly basis about this decision.

good on you Nix !!!

 

ummmm no mention of your bicycle collection ....

[l4y3rcake]

So my wife and I have started exploring the possibility of moving down to NZ. My BIL lives in Wellington and brother is busy getting document ready for a move to Auckland. 

 

I am in the ITC department of THE infamous television company but I don't have a formal qualification. My current title is Senior Architect for Process Systems. I specialise in high level solution providing and 4IR. I work on a lot of automation, AI and cloud projects and manage requirement analysis, interface mapping and roadmap management. I'm basically a glorified Business Analyst on a slightly higher accountability and responsibility ladder. I see that Business Analysis is on the LTSSL but having an ITC degree is a requirement.

 

My wife has a Bcom Accounting degree but didn't do her Honours. She worked in Auditing for 4/5 years and then moved to financial services for 9 years where she is still based. She is responsible for bookkeeping for multiple international companies doing general management accounts, PAYE and payroll for these businesses.

 

My question here is, has anyone gone over into ITC without a degree?

 

Do you think it's possible to go over on my wife's qualifications?

 

edit -  Is it worth it to use an agent for your visa applications? This basically means double the amount for visa applications if I do the math right.

Edited January 13, 2020 by l4y3rcake

[DawieO]

any hikers around? Need some advice on family friendly overnight hikes.

 

North island because i spent all my money in Brisbane

Yup and a beautiful peaceful campground. Walking and mtb trails are separate and marked (and the horse trails also).

 

Facilities are basic, loo and water only, place is heavenly.