Hello all, I am looking for some advice for a girl wanting to relocate to New Zealand!
So a few questions:
Thanks so much!
I don't know the visa rules for an American obtaining PR (Permanent Residency) in New Zealand, but I have met a few Americans who have done it, so it must be possible.
For photography / outdoor living, Queenstown (or nearby) is outstanding ... not sure where you're from in the US, but a rough equivalent would be Lake Tahoe.
July is good for winter sports, November is better for the start of the excellent (and busy) summer season.
In terms f jobs, I don't know and don't wish to speculate. But despite NZ's relative decline over the last generation or two, it is still a much better-off country than most in the world.
Wellington is a great city too ... rough US equivalent could be Portland Oregon.
You would have to check with Immigration NZ as to whether photographer is on the "wanted" list. I don't imagine that it is ;-(.
In addition, sometimes you are required to move to a "less desirable" place, where there are job vacancies.
I am in Wellington at the moment.
Think you will have a hard time migrating.
Lots of people on the streets coming home from work using buses.
No help wanted ads on shops either. Lots of shops have 2 or more staff members as it is.
Quite a number of for rent places around.
WHV might be an option to start with, at least if you are under 31, giving one years stay.
Fruit picking or other temp work in that industry.
Auckland is a huge city while its not the capital of NZ, (thanks Westwood for telling me long ago on here).
Admin work might exist more on WHV there... you will need to fly from US to Auckland on AA first anyway.
The first place you should look is www.immigration.govt.nz to find out if you are in fact eligible for a visa. This will decide the answers to your other questions.
You will struggle to find work as a photographer in NZ.
If your after retail work then your best to just try everywhere, especially all the camping/hiking/travel stores.
Trademe.co.nz is what we use for jobs and flats. seek.co.nz for jobs also.
Queenstown is a tourist meca while Wellington is the place for coffee and government.
Both have heaps of retails stores but unsure if any are hiring at this point.
Don't go to Auckland. it's a horrible city.
You do need to go to the immigration website and check out the rules on your visa.
It's also worth noting there has been a collapse in the global dairy product market, and this has hit the NZ economy particularly hard ... its economy is not in great shape, compared to the glory decades.
slayerspike speak with forked tongue! Auckland's brilliant!!! Personally, I wouldn't live anywhere else.
He's right about the jobs - Seek NZ and TradeMe should be your first point of call and there are a few photography jobs on Seek at the moment, including one for an outdoor company Evolve Outdoors Group based in Wellington.
Accommodation is not cheap in Auckland although there are usually a few jobs about - but not necessarily in photography, more likely in outdoor retail outlets (Kathmandu, Bivouac, Macpac).