The information families need about New Zealand, from the best places in New Zealand to raise a family to frequently-asked questions about the education and health systems.
Buying a house in New Zealand: A guide for migrants
Do you have questions about buying a house in New Zealand? Then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a guide with all the need-to-know information for when you have to find a place to stay in New Zealand.
Let’s start with the most important things to know…
Real Estate Authority (REA), a New Zealand industry regulator, recently launched a website, settled.govt.nz, to provide comprehensive, independent information on buying and selling a home in New Zealand.
The website address issues ranging from researching properties to making an offer. The site also features a summary of things REA consider the most important to know when buying a house in New Zealand:
- You must sign a written sale and purchase agreement when you buy a property. This agreement is a legally binding contract between you and the seller.
- Always check your sale and purchase agreement with a lawyer or conveyancer before signing. You must ensure that you understand what you’re agreeing to before signing on the dotted line.
- You can negotiate the conditions in a sale and purchase agreement.
- A sale and purchase agreement becomes unconditional when all the conditions are met.
- The agent helps you and the seller to include the conditions you both want. Even though the agent works for the seller, they also have to deal fairly and honestly with the buyer. They can’t withhold information and must inform you of any known defects of the property.
- The agent will probably use the agreement for sale and purchase approved by the Auckland District Law Society and the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.
- Before you sign a sale and purchase agreement, the agent must give you a copy of the REA New Zealand Residential Property Sale and Purchase Agreement Guide. They must also ask you to confirm in writing that you’ve received it.
The sales process
Buying a house in New Zealand is a relatively quick process. It can take as little as three to four weeks to complete a house purchase once you’ve found the place you want.
Unlike in some parts of the world, last minute offers can’t be accepted once a bid is formally accepted. This makes home purchases in New Zealand a lot less stressful than you might be used to.
The role players
Aside from yourself and the seller, a real estate agent is involved when you’re buying a house in New Zealand. You may choose to hire a lawyer, especially since you’re not familiar with New Zealand processes, but this is not required by law.
Here’s why hiring a lawyer is a good idea:
Although you’re not required to hire a lawyer, it is a good idea to do so early on in the process. A property lawyer‘s advice and assistance will prove invaluable: can assist you in a number of ways:
- Handle the legal side of the transaction. You’ll be charged a standard conveyancing fee.
- Help you negotiate a purchase price, check the contract, complete a title search and arrange the payments.
- Advise about tax implications.
- Keep you informed of your risks, rights and obligations throughout the sales process.
The Sale and Purchase Agreement
The Sale and Purchase Agreement goes back and forth between you and the seller until a price and all conditions are agreed on.
The agreement will show the date the sale goes ‘unconditional’, i.e. when all of the conditions have been met, and the settlement date, i.e. when you can move into the property. Once the sale goes unconditional, you are legally committed to buying the property.
The price
Property ads usually show either an RV or GV or CV figure:
- RV: Rateable Value
- GV: Government Valuation
- CV: Council Valuation
These figures refer to the valuation used by the local council to calculate rates for the property, but often don’t reflect the property’s true local market value.
You might also come across a BBO figure. This means Buyer’s Budget Over and is an indication of the price the seller wants.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate on the price you see. This is standard practice in New Zealand.
Home loans
If you don’t have cash to buy a house, you’ll have to apply for a home loan. There are numerous loan types available in New Zealand:
- Table loans: Most of the early repayments go to pay interest and most of the later payments pay off the principal.
- Revolving credit loans: Your income goes straight into the mortgage account and your bills are paid out of it. This keeps your loan as low as possible, reducing the interest you pay.
- Straight line or reducing loans: You repay the same amount of principal with each payment, but the amount of interest you pay reduces over time.
- Interest only: You do not repay the money you have borrowed until an agreed time, but you do pay interest.
Keep in mind thought that it might prove difficult to get a home loan when you’re new in New Zealand, as you don’t have a credit rating in the country. That doesn’t mean it’ll be impossible. You may just need to have more paperwork in order than the average person.
News to know about buying a house in New Zealand
There has been a lot of press about proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act of 2005. The bill which has been introduced propose that overseas nationals cannot buy existing homes or residential land within New Zealand.
The purpose of the bill is to ‘ensure that investments made by overseas persons in New Zealand will have genuine benefits for the country’. As such only a person who is considered ‘ordinarily resident in New Zealand’ will be able to purchase existing homes or residential property.
Under the proposed legislation, a person ‘ordinarily resident in New Zealand’ would include citizens and residents who holds a permanent visa and has been living in New Zealand for at least a year, including 183 days in the preceding 12 months.
However, the bill has not been passed yet and has received plenty of criticism, even from the IMF (International Monetary Fund).
Recapping what you need to know
While there are many things to know about buying a house in New Zealand, this is the most important:
You have to sign a sale and purchase agreement, which is a legally binding document. It is standard to negotiate the conditions of the agreement, including the sales price, and a conveyancer can help you do this. While appointing a conveyancer is not required by law, it is highly recommended.
With a property lawyer by your side, you’ll enjoy better peace of mind about the process and the deal you’re getting.
- Published in Family Immigration, Life in New Zealand
Driving in New Zealand
We’re willing to bet that you have a few questions around driving in New Zealand. Questions like ‘do I need a New Zealand driver’s licence?’ and ‘will I be able to drive the same type of cars if I use an overseas driver’s licence?
The good news is that we have the answers for you right here. All you have to do is continue reading.
Can I drive on New Zealand roads?
The New Zealand Transport Agency states that driving in New Zealand is legally allowed provided you:
- Have a current and valid overseas licence or driver permit, and
- Haven’t been given a disqualification or suspension in New Zealand, and
- Came into New Zealand less than 12 months ago, and
- Your overseas license is in English, or you have an accurate translation, and
- You haven’t been granted a New Zealand driver’s licence since you last entered New Zealand.
If you do not meet all of these requirements, you’ll have to apply for a New Zealand driver’s licence.
For how long can I drive on my overseas driver’s licence in New Zealand?
You’re allowed to drive for a maximum period of 12 months from the date you arrive in New Zealand.
If you’ll be in New Zealand for more than a year, you’ll need to get a New Zealand driver’s licence. If your overseas licence is still current, or has expired less than 12 months ago, you can apply to convert it to a New Zealand’s licence.
What type of vehicles can I drive on my overseas driver’s licence?
As the holder of a valid overseas driver’s licence, you’re considered to hold a New Zealand driver’s licence of a class that allows you to drive the motor vehicles you are allowed to drive under you overseas licence:
- Full overseas driver’s licence: This licence is equivalent to New Zealand class 1 driver’s licence and allows you to drive a car or light vehicle with a gross laden weight of no more than 6000kg.
- Learner, restricted or provisional driver’s licence: The weight limit will be lower than for a full driver’s licence.
- Full overseas motorcycle licence: This licence is equivalent to a New Zealand class 6 licence and allows you to drive any size motorcycle.
- Learner, restricted or provisional motorcycle licence: You can only ride specific motorcycles approved under the Licence Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS).
If your car, motorcycle or heavy vehicle (truck) licence has specified weights or limits which differ from New Zealand classes, the New Zealand Transport Agency recommends that you adhere to the equivalent New Zealand weight limits or, if you’re unsure, obtain a New Zealand driver’s licence.
What are the road rules when driving in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s Road Code is a comprehensive guide to road rules for all types of vehicles as well as cyclists.
However, most important to know is that New Zealanders drive on the left side of the road. This might take a little getting used to if you’re accustomed to driving on the right side of the road.
- Published in Family Immigration, Life in New Zealand
FAQs: Joining your partner who’s on a New Zealand Work visa
You have come to the right place if you have unanswered questions about how to join your partner in New Zealand if he or she has a work visa.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve done some research or none, you’ll find the answers you’re looking for right here:
- What visa do I apply for?
- How does INZ qualify a ‘partner’?
- How do we prove our partnership is ‘genuine’?
- Is there any other qualifying criteria?
- When do I make my visa application?
- Does this visa allow me to work?
- Can I add our dependent children to my visa application?
Let’s begin at the start…
1. What visa do I apply for?
If your partner has been granted a work visa or is in the process of applying for a work visa, you’ll apply for a partner visa based on their visa status.
2. How does INZ qualify a ‘partner’?
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) define a partnership as:
- Two people (either same sex or opposite sex),
- Who live together in a genuine and stable relationship in any of the following:
- Legal marriage.
- Civil union.
- De facto relationship.
Does your relationship tick the boxes? Congratulations! You’ve passed the first test.
3. How do we prove our partnership is ‘genuine’?
INZ will ask a number of questions to establish the nature of your partnership. These questions include:
- How long have you been together?
- How long have you been living together as a couple?
- Do you support each other financially?
- How do you share financial responsibilities?
- Do you share a property or own a property together?
- Do you have children?
- Do other people recognise your relationship?
The more proof you can provide in answer to these questions, the stronger your case will be.
4. Is there any other qualifying criteria?
Yes, there is. The most important is that you and your partner:
- Must be 18 years or older. If you are 16 or 17 years old, consent is required from parents or guardians.
- Must have met each other before applying for a visa based on your partnership.
- Cannot be close relatives.
You must also know that your partner won’t be eligible to support your visa, or a subsequent residence application, if they have supported:
- More than one previous residency application.
- A successful residence application for a previous partner in the last 5 years.
- A previous partner in a successful residence application in the last 5 years.
- Or have been included as a partner in a successful residence application the last 5 years.
5. When do I make my visa application?
The partner of a New Zealander work holder visa application can be made at the same time as the work visa application.
In fact, the norm is to do it this way so that both partners can travel to New Zealand together.
6. Will I be allowed to work?
Yes, you can work in New Zealand on this visa. The option to work is also an open one as your visa won’t be specific to a single employer.
7. Can I add our dependent children to my visa application?
No, dependents cannot be included. However, dependents may make an application for a visa in their own right. As an example, dependent children of school-going age can apply for a dependent child student visa.
Want to apply? Then you should contact us
Intergate Emigration has helped many couples successfully migrate to New Zealand.
Let us do the same for you. You can speak to our licensed advisor by booking a consultation call.
Our advisor will assess you against all the requirements and help with your application.
- Published in Family Immigration, FAQs - New Zealand Immigration
Living in New Zealand: 7 Tips to help you settle in
The first few months of living in New Zealand is guaranteed to be a roller-coaster ride.
You’ll start a new job and set up a house. At the same time, get used to everything that’s new. And it’s bound to be a lot!
Fortunately, there are ways to make the settling-in period easier.
For starters, you’ll need to acknowledge that it’s going to be tough. After that it gets easier.
1. Accept that the first few months are going to test you
You’re living in New Zealand. You are thousands of miles away from what has been ‘home’ up to now.
It’s going to be tough. Perhaps tougher than you thought.
Get through the hardest patches by cutting yourself some slack. It’s okay to feel isolated, scared, homesick or even disappointed. Many expats, if not most, feel the same way in the first few months!
Sit down with the family for regular chats too. Talk to your partner about your feelings and invite them to do the same. Ask your children how they’re coping with the change. Kids might only speak up if you speak to them first.
2. Get connected as quickly as possible
We’re talking cell phones, Skype and emails here. The quicker you’re set up, the quicker you’ll be able to connect with friends and family back home again. Talking to the people you love most will get you through all the tougher moments.
3. Establish a routine
Routine makes most of us feel safe. You know what to expect and when to expect it. To expats it means a bit of calm in a stormy time.
Establish routine at home by drawing up a weekly schedule for the family. Add work, activities, even grocery store trips. Then put the schedule on the fridge where all the family members can see it.
You’ll feel much more in control of your situation in no time.
4. Explore your city
The sooner you get to know your city, the sooner it’ll start feeling like home.
Take a walk or do a sightseeing tour. Use the public transport system. Find out about festivals, sports days…anything that’ll introduce you to the local way of living and doing.
5. Make new friends with locals as well as other expats
Making friends is about much more than establishing a social circle. It’s about connecting with locals who can give you advice, information and support.
Here are a couple of ways to meet new people:
- Introduce yourself to neighbours, colleagues and other expats.
- Get back into a hobby or take up a new one and join a hobby group.
- Join a sports club if you’re sporty.
- Shop at your local grocer, go to the pub on the corner, have a breakfast at a local eatery and strike up conversations.
- Look for Meetup groups in your areas.
- Join an expat club or group.
6. Make time to relax
Scheduling regular downtime will refresh you to continue dealing with the stress of adapting to a new country. It doesn’t matter if it’s a massage, going for run, painting, a day out with the kids – do whatever relax you the most.
7. Deal with homesickness
You could do the best job possible at adjusting to your new life, but still get homesick. It usually happens to most expats at some stage, so don’t feel guilty.
Keep your heart and head happy by focusing on the positives of living in Australia. And believe that your homesickness will get better – because it will.
Don’t forget that you can always pick up the phone or switch on Skype for a chat when you’re missing home too much.
A final note on living in New Zealand
Remember why you made the move. You did it for a reason. Just focus on getting connected, exploring, setting up a routine and making new friends. You’ll be a fully-fledged, happy New Zealander in no time.
- Published in Family Immigration, Tips for Your Move to New Zealand
Can I bring my parents to New Zealand?
Leaving aged parents behind when emigrating is hard. It’s why so many of our client ask us ‘can I bring my parents to New Zealand?’
The short answer is ‘yes’, your parents can also come to New Zealand – which a lot of people are happy to hear! However, of course, this is subject to certain conditions and qualifying criteria.
Here we’ll tell you more about the three types of visas parents of New Zealanders may apply for:
- Parent Retirement Resident visa.
- Parent Resident visa.
- Parent and Grandparent Visitors visa.
1. Your parents can support themselves financially…
Parents with an adult child in New Zealand may apply for the Parent Retirement Resident visa. Applicants will have to meet certain income and capital requirements.
How much income and capital are required?
Applicants will need:
- An annual income of NZ$60 000;
- NZ$1 million to invest in New Zealand for four years; plus
- NZ$500 000 to live on.
What you can do on a parent retirement resident visa:
- Live, work and study in New Zealand.
- Include a partner in the visa application.
- Apply for permanent residence after 4 years of keeping funds invested in New Zealand.
Read more about the Parent Retirement Resident visa here.
2. Your parents want to join you on the basis of your residency status…
The Parent Residency visa allows parents to pursue residency in New Zealand based on their adult child’s status as a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. This will allow parents to live, work and study in New Zealand.
BUT unfortunately this visa is temporary closed to new applications.
This is because INZ has already made a sufficient number of selections and invitation to fill the cap set by the New Zealand government.
New applications will only be invited when all the current applications have been processed. According to INZ, this is likely to take until after the end of the 2017/18 financial year.
You can read more about the reasons for the closure here.
3. Your parents want to visit for long periods at a time…
Parents, and grandparents, can visit family in New Zealand on a Parent and Grandparent Visitors visa.
The great thing about the visa is that it allows multiple visits on the same visa for extended time periods. And it could be an alternative to the Parent Resident visa for your parents!
Travelling on the Parent and Grandparent Visitors visa
- The Parent and Grandparent Visitors visa is a three-year visa which allows multiple entries into New Zealand.
- Over this three-year period you may remain in New Zealand for 6 months at a time.
- The 6 months starts from your date of arrival in New Zealand.
This means you can visit often and for longer periods of time on one visa.
What does the visa allow?
With the Parent and Grandparent Visitors visa you can:
- Visit children or grandchildren in New Zealand.
- Travel in and out of New Zealand multiple times.
- Include your partner in the visa application.
Read more about the Parent and Grandparent Visitors visa here.
Start here
To assess the chances of your parents joining you in New Zealand, simply have them book a consultation call with our licensed advisor. Your parents will find out their visa options and learn how the visa application process works.
- Published in Family Immigration, New Zealand Immigration Advice
New Zealand School Zones
The education system in New Zealand is one of the best in the world. In order to keep their schools at the high standard which they are, certain rules and procedures have been put into place.
The New Zealand school zones system is one of the methods that New Zealand uses in order to prevent overcrowding.
If you are planning on migrating to New Zealand with your children, then it is highly advisable that you learn more about the New Zealand school zones and the zoning system which is in place.
What is the New Zealand school zones system?
Firstly it is going to prove useful to understand exactly what ‘zoning’ means. Children who live in the school’s area are guaranteed a placement at their local school. When you enroll your child into school, you will need to provide your address. This has to be your official place of residence.
If you are being dishonest and are caught, this could result in your child’s enrollment being cancelled.
Do all schools have zoning in New Zealand?
No, not all schools have zoning in New Zealand.
How do I know if a school has zoning and whether I’m in their zone?
If you wish to check if a school has zoning and if you fall under that zone, it is going to be best for you to make use of the nzschools website. You can type in a school or specific address and do a search.
You could also approach the specific school directly and ask them if they have a zoning system. They will be able to give you all the information which you will need.
What happens if I live outside the zone?
If you live outside the zone of the school that you wish to enroll your child in, then you will need to understand how the New Zealand school zone system works. In many cases the school may have additional places available. Children who live outside the zone are then able to apply for these extra placements.
Every year schools are required by law to place a notice in the newspaper stating:
- The out-of-zone places which are available.
- The closing date for applications for these places.
- Any ballot dates for out-of-zone places.
At what age can I enroll my child in school?
You can enroll your child in school once they have turned five years of age. It is always best to do as much research and homework as you can. It is never a good idea to leave this to the last minute. You may even want to start collecting your information and talking to various schools before your child turns five.
Do schools in New Zealand get reviewed?
Yes, schools get reviewed every three years in New Zealand. Schools are reviewed by The Education Review Office. Aspects such at the school’s curriculum, performance and special features are all taken into account. Demographic information is also included. These reports are made open to the public.
This is really good news for parents who wish to enroll their children into a specific school in New Zealand, because it means that you can freely look up reports on a school that you are interested in. You can find a school report here.
What should I do if my application is rejected?
If your application is not successful do not despair because New Zealand has a very fair system in place. You will be put onto a waiting list. The moment that a place becomes available the first person on the list will be contacted and will be offered the placement. If the person does not accept the placement, the next person on the list will get called.
The waiting list expires when the next ballot is held. You will however be required to enrol your child into another school in the meantime. There are never any guarantees when it comes to waiting for a placement.
- Published in Family Immigration