New Zealand to introduce ‘eVisa’ in October
The New Zealand government has announced a new tourist entry approval process known as the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
Effective from 1 October 2019, most travelers will need to hold an ETA before entering New Zealand.
Who will have to hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority?
All visitors – whether they’re coming for a holiday, to visit friends and relations, or to study for a short time – who are eligible to travel to New Zealand without a visa will need to hold an NZeTA before they board their flight or cruise from 1 October 2019.
While Australian citizens will be exempt, Australian permanent residents will need to hold a NZeTA. New Zealand citizens and holders of valid New Zealand visas, both resident and temporary visas, will continue to be able to enter New Zealand without a NZeTA.
How will I apply for a NZeTA?
Travellers will be able to quickly and easily apply for their NZeTA either online or through Immigration New Zealand’s free app. The cost for online applications will be NZ$12, while applying through the app will only cost NZ$9.
Some travellers will also have to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy at the same time as applying for their ETA. You can read more about this levy here.
How long will it take to process my NZeTA?
Immigration New Zealand has noted that you should allow up to 72 hours for your NZeTA to be processed, although it could take as little as 10 minutes.
Would I have to apply for an NZeTA each time I travel?
No, you won’t. The NZeTA will be valid for up two years and multiple visits, while the NZeTA for crew members will be valid for five years.
When do applications open?
Applications already opened on the 1st of July 2019.
Go to Immigration New Zealand for more
This information is a summary of all the most important points to know. Also visit Immigration New Zealand’s website for a detailed look at all the requirements.
- Published in News
Your checklist for when you arrive in New Zealand
We’re guessing your head is spinning with everything you have to remember for your emigration? It’s the packing list, the shipping list, the accounts-to-settle-list…and, and, and!
You probably haven’t even had a chance to think of what has to get done once you arrive in New Zealand.
Worry not – we’ve done the work for you. What you’ll find below are the four top priorities as soon as your feet are on New Zealand soil.
1. Get an IRD number
Your IRD number (Inland Revenue Department) is your tax number.
It’s important to apply for your IRD number before you start working. If you don’t have an IRD number when you get your first paycheck, you might pay more tax than you need to.
But how do you know if you should pay tax?
New Zealand Now advises that it’s every individual’s responsibility to find out if they’re liable for a personal income tax return. As a general guideline, New Zealand will consider you a ‘tax resident’ if:
- You’ve been in New Zealand for more than 183 days in any 12-month period and haven’t become a non-resident, or
- You have a permanent place of abode in New Zealand, or
- You’re away from New Zealand in the service of the New Zealand government.
You can read more about personal income tax on the website of the Inland Revenue Department.
2. Find schools for your children
While early childhood education is optional for younger children, children between the ages of 6 and 16 must go to school in New Zealand.
When choosing where to send your children, your first choice will be the type of school. You can choose from:
- State schools: Schools owned and funded by the government.
- State-integrated schools: A former private school which has integrated into the state education system, becoming a state school while retaining its special character.
- Private schools: Schools that charge set fees for a term or year.
Your second choice will be to which school to send your children. Schools in New Zealand are grouped into areas known as ‘zones’. Your children are guaranteed a spot in a school if you live within its zone. You can apply for admission to schools in other zones, but children living within the school’s zone will get the first choice.
It’s not all schools that have zones though. State-integrated schools, such as Montessori schools, and private schools generally do not have zoning restrictions.
You can read more about school zones on the Ministry of Education’s website.
3. Find a family doctor
The relationships we build with our family doctors are some of the most valued in our life. These GPs are our first port of call for information and care if one of our loved ones fall ill.
To find a family doctor in New Zealand, you can search on Healthpoint, which is New Zealand’s National Health Service Directory.
For information on New Zealand’s other health services, such as dentistry, you can turn to New Zealand Now. Here you’ll find in-depth information on each of New Zealand’s regions. Each region’s healthcare page also tells you where to find public and private hospitals.
Please note that you’ll have to enroll with your local Primary Health Organisation before seeing a doctor. You’ll also find the contact information for each region’s PHO on New Zealand Now.
4. Apply for a New Zealand driver’s licence
You’re allowed to drive on your overseas driver’s licence for the first 12 months of your stay in New Zealand. Thereafter, however, you must have a New Zealand driver’s licence.
You can convert your overseas driver’s licence to a New Zealand one. To do this, your licence:
- Most not be suspended, disqualified or revoked in the country of issue, and
- Must be either current or expired within the preceding 12 months.
Keep in mind that New Zealand licence classes are not exact matches to those that apply overseas. If your licence class has different specifications in New Zealand, it’s advisable to adhere to the New Zealand equivalents or to obtain a New Zealand driver’s licence right away.
There you have it – your four top priorities
We suggest that you bookmark this page for later. Then continue concentrating on getting your visas approved! Our licensed immigration advisors assist you from start to finish.
Most visitors to New Zealand liable for a NZD35 IVL charge as of 1 July 2019
From 1 July, most international visitors entering New Zealand will be charged a levy of NZD35 that will be invested in sustainable tourism and conservation projects.
The IVL enables visitors to contribute directly to the infrastructure they use and help protect the natural environment they enjoy.
Who will pay the IVL?
Most visitors entering New Zealand on a temporary basis will need to pay the IVL. This includes for a holiday, which include the working holiday scheme, some student visas and some short-term work visas.
How do you know if you should pay the IVL?
To make it easy for visitors, the immigration system will automatically identify whether or not a person should pay the IVL. This happens when the person apply for a visa online or request an NZeTA.
With that said, Immigration New Zealand has said that the following people won’t have to pay the IVL:
- New Zealand citizens and residents (including all resident visas)
- People transiting New Zealand on a transit visa or transit NZeTA
- Australian citizens and permanent residents
- People from the following Pacific Island countries:
- American Samoa
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Republic of Marshall Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Niue
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Pitcairn Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Diplomatic, military, medical, and humanitarian visas.
- People travelling to Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty (including people travelling on the Antarctic Traveller Transit Visa).
- Recognised Seasonal Employment workers.
- Business Visitor Visas (including APEC business travel cards).
- Ship and airline crew.
- Most visas for dependents (partners and children) of work and student visa holders.
- Travellers whose visa or NZeTA requirements have been waived by Immigration New Zealand.
When do you pay the IVL?
Visitors will pay the IVL at the same as paying for their visa application or NZeTA.
How will New Zealand spend the IVL?
Immigration New Zealand has said that the IVL will be split between conservation and tourism, with three areas of focus – conservation, infrastructure and systems.
The decision makers on exactly where the funds go will be made up of an advisory group with expertise specific to the aims of the IVL, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Department of Conservation, and the Ministers of Tourism, Conservation, and Finance.
Here’s how to stay up to date with future immigration changes
To know of immigration changes as and when it happens, simply follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn where we post regular news updates.
- Published in News
How does life in New Zealand compare to other countries?
There are many ways to compare the quality of life between two or more countries.
The OECD, an international organisation that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world, chose to look at factors that directly impact people’s lives on a daily basis. Factors such as healthcare, schooling, and work-life balance.
The results are captured in the OECD’s Better Life Index – and New Zealand did well!
New Zealand is among the top countries in the Index
The Better Life Index compares the 35 member countries of the OECD plus key partners such as Brazil, Russia and South Africa. The quality of life is measured against 11 topics, each with up to four indicators, and New Zealand is a top performer in most areas.
Income
New Zealand’s average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is USD33,604, which is lower than the OECD average of USD25,074.
This means that, on average, New Zealanders have less money to spend on goods and services after taxes and transfers than countries like Canada, Germany and the UK.
However, New Zealanders have more disposable income than people from Spain, Portugal and South Africa.
In fact, out of the 40 countries on the OECD Index, New Zealand is right in the middle at number 20 when it comes to disposable income.
Jobs
In New Zealand, 77% of people between the ages of 15 and 64 have a paid job. This is 9% higher than the OECD average of 68%.
Education
Schooling is important to New Zealanders – 79% of adults aged 25 to 64% have completed upper secondary education. This is slightly above the OECD average of 78%.
When looking at New Zealand’s education system, the average student scored 506 in reading literacy, maths and science in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). This score is higher than the OECD average of 486.
Life expectancy
Someone born in New Zealand enjoys a life expectancy of 82 years, which is higher than the OECD average of 80 years. When comparing genders, women’s life expectancy is 83 years compared to 80 years for men.
Working hours
While New Zealand is known for great work-life balance, 15% of employees work long hours, which is more than the OECD average of 11%.
Air quality
New Zealand’s level of tiny air pollutant particles small enough to enter and cause damage to the lungs is 4.9 micrograms per cubic meter. This is much lower than the OECD average of 13.9 micrograms per cubic meter.
Water quality
It’s not only New Zealand’s air quality that’s great. The water quality in New Zealand is also exceptional! No less than 89% of people say they are satisfied with the quality of water in the country. This is 8% higher than the OECD average of 81%.
Community
When asked if they believe they know someone to rely on in time of need, 96% of New Zealanders said they do. This is 13% higher than the OECD average!
Life satisfaction
New Zealanders are happy people! When asked to rate their general satisfaction with life on a scale from 0 to 10, New Zealanders responded with a 7.3 grade on average, which is higher than the OECD average of 6.5.
With such a great quality of life it’s no surprise that New Zealand is a top choice for migrants from across the world! Get in touch if you’d like also like to make New Zealand your home.
- Published in Life in New Zealand
4 Tips to help you prepare for your English test
If there’s one part of the immigration process that many people underestimate, it’s the English language test.
“But I can speak English, it won’t be a problem”, we hear you say.
This may be the case, but can you speak English to the level Immigration New Zealand requires? How’s your spelling and grammar? And when was the last time you were subjected to the nail-biting anxiety of having to complete a test in a certain time?
Your English language test score is an important part of your visa application. It could even mean the difference between being able to submit a visa application or not. Won’t you want to be as prepared as can be?
Tip 1: Understand the test format
The most common English language tests are the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and the PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic).
Both of these tests consist of four parts:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
In turn, each part consists of a set of questions and tasks. Familiarising yourself with all the parts, questions and tasks will prepare you for what’s coming on test day. Going in blind is setting yourself up for failure!
Let’s give you the Reading section of the IELTS as an example:
The Reading section consists of 40 questions and you have 60 minutes to answer them. You’ll get tested on a wide range of reading skills which include:
- Reading for gist, main ideas and detail
- Skimming
- Understanding logical argument
- Recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose
The reading material will come from materials you are likely to encounter on daily basis in an English-speaking environment such as extracts from books, magazines, company handbooks, and advertisements.
When it comes to the questions, you can expect a variety of questions ranging from multiple choice to summary completion and matching features.
And while this may be the reading part of your English language test, you’ll be penalized for poor spelling and grammar!
Can you already see why it’s important to prepare for your English test?
Tip 2: Practice with sample tests
Completing sample test materials will help to prepare you for the test in a big way! You’ll be able to:
- Familiarise yourself with the test format
- Experience the types of tasks you’ll be asked to do
- Test yourself under timed conditions
- Review your answers and compare them with model answers
This is like the tests that came before the big end-of-year exams at school. Do you think you would’ve done half as good in the exam if you didn’t write the tests beforehand?
Both IELTS and Pearson have sample tests available on their websites, and you download it here and here.
Tip 3: Consider working with an English language teacher
You don’t have to prepare for this important test on your own! You are allowed to work with an English language test teacher.
Most teachers work with you over Skype but there also teachers who’ll meet up face-to-face. The content of the session and the support provided also range from one teacher to the next.
In general though you can expect English language teachers to introduce you to the test format, take you through sample tests, give feedback, and focus on your developmental areas. Some teachers also provide you with learning materials and ebooks.
Intergate has a list of English language teachers we recommend and you can access this list if you’re a client of ours. If you haven’t asked us for this list yet, do so today.
Tip 4: Know what to expect on test day
Cast your mind back to those important end-of-year exams at school. Remember how you had to be seated at a certain time? Remember that you had have at least two pens, a ruler and a pencil?
The English language test environment is similar. You’ll obviously have to be on time, but there are in fact also items to bring to the exam. One such item is a means of identification.
If you’re an Intergate Emigration client, your advisor will be able to advise you on exactly what to expect on test day. Alternatively, you can chat to your English language teacher who’ll also be able to guide you.
In summary…
This is not ‘just’ an English test.
Your English language test score counts towards your overall points score which determine whether or not you can live and work in New Zealand. Scoring well is thus important if you want to boost your chances of immigrating.
If you don’t prepare you’re potentially setting yourself up for failure – and we’re sure that’s not what you want to do.
- Published in New Zealand Immigration Advice, Your Visa Application
Your Work to Residence visa options for New Zealand
Did you know it’s possible to work to residence in New Zealand? This means it’s not necessarily the end of the road if you didn’t qualify for permanent residence straight away!
Today we’ll introduce you to all the visa options for work to residence. If you want to find out if you’re eligible for any, we suggest booking a consultation call with our licensed advisor immediately.
How does ‘work to residence’ work?
There are four temporary work visa options under the work to residence programme. When granted one of these visas you’ll be eligible to apply for permanent residence after you’ve held the temporary visa for two years (or three years for religious workers).
Four Work to Residence visa options for New Zealand
You have four work to residence visas to explore. This is provided you meet the basic qualifying criteria which is that you must:
- Be 55 or younger; and
- Meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements.
The visas are:
- Work to Residence: Long Term Skills Shortage
- Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Visa
- Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa
- Religious Worker Work Visa
1. Work to Residence: Long Term Skills Shortage
If you are qualified and skilled in an occupation for which New Zealand has a sustained and ongoing skills shortage, you may be eligible for a work visa under the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Category.
These are the requirements you’ll have to meet:
- Your skills and experience appear on the Long Term Skill Shortage List.
- You’ve received a full-time job offer that:
- Uses your skills and experience; and
- Pays more than NZ$45,000 a year.
While visas are usually issued for up to 30 months, you’ll be allowed to apply for residence after two years (24 months) provided:
- Your job was on the Long Term Skill Shortage List when you applied for your visa; or
- Your job is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List when you apply for residence.
- You worked in that skill shortage occupation for the duration of your contract.
2. Talent (Accredited Employers) Work Visa
An accredited employer is an employer that has been pre-approved by Immigration New Zealand to employ skilled or talented foreign nationals. This makes the process simpler and smoother for both the employer and the visa applicant.
To apply for temporary residence under the Accredit Employer category, you’ll have to meet the following criteria:
- You have a full-time job offer for at least 2 years from an accredited employer.
- You must work in the specific job, for the specific accredited employers, and in the specific location detailed in the job offer that was the basis of your visa application. This applies to the duration of your visa.
- You’ll earn at least NZ$79, 560 a year.
As with the Short Term Skill Shortage category you’ll get a visa valid for up to 30 months. You’ll be allowed to apply for permanent residence after two years of employment.
3. Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa
You’ll be eligible for this talent visa if you have an exceptional talent in a field of art, sport or culture. In order to be eligible for an application, you must:
- Have the support of a New Zealand organisation of national repute in your field of talent. Such an organization is one that is nationally recognized for its excellence in either:
- A field of art, culture or sport.
- Fostering exceptional talent in a field of art, culture or sport.
- Be able to demonstrate that your ability will result in positive contribution to the development of your specific field in New Zealand.
Your Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa will be valid for up to 30 months. After two years you’ll be able to apply for permanent residence provided that you:
- Were actively engaged in your field in New Zealand for two years.
- Did not apply for or were granted any social welfare benefits in New Zealand.
4. Religious Worker Work Visa
The Religious Worker Work Visa is a pathway to residence for people who are experience or trained in religious work. To be granted a temporary work visa:
- You must have an offer for religious work from an acceptable religious organisation. An acceptable organization is one that is:
- Registered as a charity; and
- Whose main purpose it is to advance religion.
- The religious organization must act as your sponsor.
The Religious Worker Work Visa is valid for up to two years. If the organisation’s work and sponsorship continues, you can apply for a second work visa. You’ll then be able to apply for permanent residence in New Zealand after three years.
To apply for permanent residence, you must:
- Have at least 5 years of religious training and/or experience.
- Continue to work for a religious organization that’s agreed to sponsor you.
- Have English language ability of at least IELTS Level 5.
- Not have applied for or been granted any social welfare benefits in New Zealand.
Family joining you?
New Zealand does not allow you to include your family in your Work to Residence application for New Zealand. However, your spouse and any dependents may apply separately based on their relationship with you. Once you apply for permanent residence, you can include these family members in your application.
Contact us if you have questions
Read something you need clarification on? Want to discuss the requirements in more detail? Then feel free to book a consultation call with our licensed advisor.
- Published in Working in New Zealand
New Zealand needs Aged Care Registered Nurses and Teachers!
There are many jobs needed in New Zealand and New Zealand’s Ministry of Business and Innovation (MBIE) regularly review the skills shortage lists to meet the changing demands of the labour market.
The MBIE just recently completed their latest review and on 8 May announced that aged care registered nurses and teachers will be added to skills lists as of 28 May 2019. The move was applauded as it is seen as a positive step towards addressing chronic staff shortages.
To give hopeful applicants a better idea of working in New Zealand as aged care registered nurses or teachers, we’ve compiled a guide addressing four key factors for each occupation:
- Job description
- Salaries
- Working conditions
- What New Zealand expects of their nurses and teachers.
Nurses are up first and then we move on to teachers.
Aged Care Registered Nurses
Aged care registered nurses provide care to elderly people. Work places can range from residential facilities to hospitals and the patients’ home.
1. Job description
Aged care registered nurses are responsible for the health requirements of their patients. This includes:
- Managing health conditions.
- Managing medication and treatment schedules.
- Maintaining medical records.
- Administering nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients.
- Taking action when sudden health changes occur.
- Educating patients and their families and community groups about health needs, long-term effects, and prevention of accidents and illness.
Often aged care registered nurses are also in management positions at residential care homes or assist in the managing of homes.
2. Salaries
Registered nurses earn between NZ$24,26 and NZ$34,38 per hour, with the average hourly rate sitting at NZ$28,59.
3. Working hours
Registered nurses in New Zealand work shifts of 8 to 12 hours at hospitals, rest homes, or nursing homes. Nurses working in the community or at medical centres usually work 40 hours per week.
4. What New Zealand expects of registered nurses
The expectations of New Zealand’s healthcare industry is no different to others around the world. Nurses are expected to have:
- Excellent nursing skills and knowledge of different nursing methods.
- The patient’s best interest at heart, advocating on their behalf.
- Good communication and problem-solving skills.
Registered nurses must also have the ability to:
- Work under pressure and remain calm in emergencies.
- Show compassion, and relate to people from various cultures and backgrounds.
- Be patient and helpful.
Teachers
The MBIE added early childhood, primary scool and secondary school teachers to New Zealand’s skills shortage lists. As such, we’ll discuss each one separately.
Early Childhood Teacher
Early childhood teachers educate and care for young children in kindergartens or children centres.
1. Job description
Early childhood teachers may do some or all of the following:
- Educating and care for babies and children.
- Helping prepare meals, clean and tidy up, give medicines, and change nappies.
- Planning daily programmes, learning experiences and routines for children..
- Making or adapt learning resourse.
- Implementing New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum.
- Assessing and recording the learning and development of each child.
- Discussing children’s progress with their parents or caregivers as well as other education professionals.
- Running workshops for parents and caregivers.
- Preparing budgets, order supplies, and helping manage the early childhood centre.
2. Salaries
Starting salaries for early childhood teachers range from $36,000 to $47,000 annually depending on qualifications. Experienced early childhood teachers in senior positions can earn between $60,000 and $85,000 per year.
3. Working hours
Early childhood teachers work between 35 and 40 hours a week.
4. What New Zealand expects of early childhood teachers
Early childhood teacher in New Zealand must have knowledge of:
- Different teaching methods and learning styles.
- The early childhood curriculum.
- Behaviour management techniques.
- Safety and emergency procedures.
- Food preparation and hygiene.
- Child learning and development, including early literacy and numeracy.
These teachers must also be:
- Skilled at communicating with children and adults from a range of backgrounds and cultures.
- Enthusiastic, open-minded and able to motivate children.
- Creative and adaptable.
Primary School Teachers
Primary school teachers is responsible for the education of children between the ages of five and 13 at primary or intermediate schools.
1. Job description
The responsibilities of primary school teachers include:
- Planning, preparing, and presenting lessons.
- Teaching a wide range of subjects.
- Keeping up to date with curriculum changes and assessment methods.
- Helping children to develop their social skills and behaviours.
- Leading a curriculum area within the school.
- Getting involved in extracurricular activities.
- Doing lunchtime playground duty or road patrol duty.
2. Salaries
The annual salaries for primary school teachers range from NZ$47,000 to NZ$74,000 with the average yearly salary sitting at NZ$54,000.
3. Working conditions
Primary school teachers are usually dealing with children from about 8am until 3.30pm. Often primary school teachers will work outside these hours on admin work, meetings, and extracurricular activities.
4. What New Zealand expects of primary school teachers
New Zealand expects primary school teachers to have a knowledge of:
- Different teaching methods and learning styles.
- The New Zealand school curriculum.
- Child development, including learning difficulties and how to deal with them.
- Behaviour management techniques, such as establishing boundaries.
These teachers must also be able to:
- Communicate with children and adults from a various backgrounds and cultures.
- Enthusiastic, open-minded and able to motivate children.
- Creative and adaptable.
Secondary School Teachers
Secondary school teachers educate students between the ages of 13 and 18 and teach one or more subjects.
1. Job description
The responsibilities of secondary school teachers include:
- Planning, preparing and presenting lessons.
- Setting and marking assignments and tests.
- Assessing students’ work for national qualifications.
- Attending departmental and staff meetings.
- Being involved in extracurricular activities.
- Keeping up to date with curriculum changes and assessment methods.
2. Salaries
Secondary school teachers earn between NZ$48,000 and NZ$81,000 per year depending on experience, with the average annual salary sitting at NZ$68,000.
3. Working conditions
Secondary school teachers work regular school hours, but often work additional hours to plan lessons, assess work, and assist with extracurricular activities.
4. What New Zealand expects of secondary school teachers
New Zealand requires their secondary school teachers to have knowledge of:
- Different teaching methods and learning styles
- The curriculum subjects they teach.
- Classroom management skills.
- To keep up to date with best teaching practices.
Secondary school teachers must also be able to:
- Communicate with students and adults from a range of backgrounds and cultures.
- Positive, open-minded, and able to motivate young people.
- Understanding, tolerant, and good at listening.
For more advice on jobs needed in New Zealand, contact us
Finding out more about the various jobs needed in New Zealand as well as work visas and their requirements is as easy as booking a consultation call with our licensed advisor. You’ll get all the advice you need and get to ask any questions you have.
Source: www.careers.govt.nz
- Published in News, Working in New Zealand
New Zealand makes changes to skills lists
New Zealand’s Ministry of Business and Innovation (MBIE) regularly reviews the country’s skills list to meet the changing needs of the job market. On Wednesday, 8 May, the MBIE announced the completion of the 2018/2019 review together with the changes that’ll be made to the skills lists.
The MBIE has decided to rename one skills list and will be adding certain occupations to the skills lists. These changes will all come into effect on Monday, 27 May. Below we discuss the changes.
The Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL) replaces the Immediate Skill Shortage List
The MBIE has renamed the Immediate Skill Shortage List to now be the Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL). While the occupations on the list stays virtually the same, the number of regions have been increased from 6 to 15.
According to Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway, ‘these changes were the first step in the Government’s plan to streamline and regionalise the skills-based visa system.’ In particular, Immigration New Zealand wants to encourage ‘the regional dispersion of immigrants to places other than Auckland and the main centres’.
Teachers and aged care registered nurses added to skills lists
The New Zealand Aged Care Association has applauded Immigration New Zealand’s decision to add aged care registered nurses to the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL). The Association believes that this is positive step towards addressing chronic nursing shortages.
It’s not just registered nurses that are needed in New Zealand. There is also a teacher shortage. So much so, in fact, that Immigration New Zealand launched an intensive recruitment drive at the end of last year. The goal was to attract 400 teachers from overseas for the 2019 school year.
Considering the above, it is not surprising that MBIE has added Early Childhood Teacher, Primary School Teacher, and Secondary School Teacher for all regions to the new Regional Skill Shortage List.
Other occupation changes to skills lists were:
- Extending the ‘Construction Project Manager Roading and Infrastructure’ listing on the LTSSL to include ‘Construction Project Manager’.
- Amendments to the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL):
- Adding Building Associate.
- Extending Plumber (General) to all regions.
- Removing Stonemason for the Canterbury regions. The occupation will remain for Auckland and Northland.
Want to stay informed about future changes? Connect with us!
Are you following us on social media yet? This is the best way to know about immigration changes as they happen. You can follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn, or both.
- Published in News, Working in New Zealand
See New Zealand in all its glory!
New Zealand is a country of extraordinary beauty! From the country’s mountains and rivers, to its forests and beaches. You could never see it all in one go (but you should try at least once in your lifetime).
We could write about New Zealand’s sights and sounds all day but only photos would do them justice. Here is New Zealand in all its glory:
The Mars-like Putanqirua Pinnacles
The lone tree of Lake Wanaka
Sunset over Tunnel Beach
Lupine season in full bloom
The Land of the Long White Cloud
The Southern Lights
Paddling along the Waikato River
Bright autumn colours
The mighty Mt. Cook
- Published in Life in New Zealand
5 Bucket List Adventures in New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the world’s ultimate destinations. That’s because few countries can beat New Zealand when it comes to breathtaking scenery and things to do.
But how do you choose what to see and do first? We admit, it’s not an easy choice to make. However, everyone agrees that the adventures below are bucket-list worthy!
1. See the Southern Lights
While seeing the Northern Lights in person is a bucket list item for many travellers, the Southern Hemisphere’s Southern Lights is no less spectacular. This night-time light show in nearly all the colours of the rainbow is best appreciated against New Zealand’s clear dark skies. The best places to see the Lights are in the Otago region, just outside of Dunedin, as well as the night skies above Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.
2. Cruise, raft and go spelunking in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
New Zealand’s Glowworm Caves are unlike anything else you’ve ever seen! Here the pitch black caves are lit up by thousands of glowworms that have made these limestone caves their home.
To explore the caves, you can opt for a gentle boat cruise or choose to raft the caves on rubber tubes. You’ll also get the chance to jump into cascading waterfalls and climb through the caves. You can add abseiling to the experience to make it even more of an adventure!
3. Get up close to the Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular sights. To experience it, you’ll have to book a helicopter ride as it’s the only way to reach the glacier. You can either go straight to the top of Franz Josef or challenge yourself with up to four hours of guided ice-climbing.
However you explore the glacier, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and get to warm yourself in the glacier hot pools. Not that you’ll be as cold you imagine perhaps. The Glacier’s day time temperatures only dip to between 5C and 15C.
4. Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is New Zealand’s most famous day hike. The 19.4km route takes about nine hours to complete and reveal incredible scenery along the way. You’ll encounter steaming vents, glacial valleys, ancient lava flows, alpine vegetation and colourful crater lakes, all with breathtaking views.
This hike is not necessarily for everyone though. You should have a good level of fitness and ideally have hiking experience. The hike can become treacherous during winter when there is snow and ice on the ground.
5. Visit Milford Sound
This list would not have been complete without adding Milford Sound. Milford Sound is in Fiordland National Park and one of the most spectacular places on Earth. Here majestic peaks tower over crystal-clear lakes. You can explore the area by hiking through the forested landscapes or cruising along the water to see the hundreds of cascading waterfalls up close.
- Published in Life in New Zealand