New Zealand Defence Force recruiting:
Salary wise, with the current exchange rate, its on a par with the UK. There are also many areas that come in cheaper than the UK that haven't been previously highlighted such as Home and Car insurance, the cost of fresh food - not from the supermarkets !! but from the local market. Electricity, all the DIY stuff from tools to raw materials. The second hand car market is extremely good with quality Japanese imports and cars don't seem to rust much where I am - probably because we only get a frost once or twice a year so roads don't need to be salted.
Discretionary spending items tend to be a bit cheaper as well, such as concerts, sporting events, quality eating out.
Last but by no means least there are the intangibles - it is a wonderful place to bring up kids especially as, after 5 years residency, they will have a kiwi passport, a UK passport, and also entry to, and no working restrivtions in Australia.
Cheers
Discretionary spending items tend to be a bit cheaper as well, such as concerts, sporting events, quality eating out.
Last but by no means least there are the intangibles - it is a wonderful place to bring up kids especially as, after 5 years residency, they will have a kiwi passport, a UK passport, and also entry to, and no working restrivtions in Australia.
Cheers
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A lot of gross NZ overselling going onhere.
Don't even bother going. It's rubbish.
Stay and make the UK a better place.
Whatever you do don't go to NZ. Leave it well alone, stay away, you'll hate the long journey anyway.
Don't even bother going. It's rubbish.
Stay and make the UK a better place.
Whatever you do don't go to NZ. Leave it well alone, stay away, you'll hate the long journey anyway.
Last edited by kluge; 6th Mar 2012 at 05:07.
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No seriously, dont do it. Why do you think there are all the vacancies?
Cost cutting has ripped the heart out of the NZDF, trades and people are being civilianised and those that aren't affected are leaving indroves anyway as there is no loyalty to the servicemen anymore.
Cost cutting has ripped the heart out of the NZDF, trades and people are being civilianised and those that aren't affected are leaving indroves anyway as there is no loyalty to the servicemen anymore.
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My accountant, [my wife!] tells me that exchange rate between the British Pound and NZ Dollar is due to the weakness of the pound and surely she is correct
It is a great country and I only wish it well, but people who are looking to go need to be aware it's not all sweetness and light (which UK most certainly isn't too).
Kluge - we won't throw you in that there briar bush . . .
I was out there about 15 months ago and have spent a lot of time there in the past, but Europe is my home. The countryside is beautiful but parts of the society are violent and Auckland seems to be one large, and not particularly attractive, building site (not through natural disaster, but through the determination of developers to tear down anything more than about 20 years old!).
The food and wine culture is great and WASPs (ie you and I) tend to have an affluent and healthy lifestyle. However, cosumer goods are expensive - and cars - unless you want a second hand Japanese import with hockey stick mirrors - are very, very expensive. There is still a lot of 'Cultural Cringe', so much so that local media will report what car someone was driving eg ' John Smith arrived at the rugby ground in a BMW/Mercedes/Audi', irrespective of the age of the vehicle. They wouldn't comment if it was a Mazda or Holden!
I could go on...but the bottom line is that most Europeans who immigrate here do have second thoughts (especially wives). However, most do stay and most do have a great lifestyle - but just don't compare it with living in Britain.
The food and wine culture is great and WASPs (ie you and I) tend to have an affluent and healthy lifestyle. However, cosumer goods are expensive - and cars - unless you want a second hand Japanese import with hockey stick mirrors - are very, very expensive. There is still a lot of 'Cultural Cringe', so much so that local media will report what car someone was driving eg ' John Smith arrived at the rugby ground in a BMW/Mercedes/Audi', irrespective of the age of the vehicle. They wouldn't comment if it was a Mazda or Holden!
I could go on...but the bottom line is that most Europeans who immigrate here do have second thoughts (especially wives). However, most do stay and most do have a great lifestyle - but just don't compare it with living in Britain.
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Whenurhappy
I like the reference to cars.
It was only 32 years agao when I first went to NZ that the majority of cars were still old English bangers of the 50's and 60's vintage, the 2nd hand Japanese imports not having started. Seeing a lot of the cars from my parents era was an eye opener.
Aukland was not really planned so it always looks messy and unfinished in my opinion.
Violence - yes, it can be in certain areas and at night, just like most cities.
And if you do go to NZ, don't mention the French !!!
I like the reference to cars.
It was only 32 years agao when I first went to NZ that the majority of cars were still old English bangers of the 50's and 60's vintage, the 2nd hand Japanese imports not having started. Seeing a lot of the cars from my parents era was an eye opener.
Aukland was not really planned so it always looks messy and unfinished in my opinion.
Violence - yes, it can be in certain areas and at night, just like most cities.
And if you do go to NZ, don't mention the French !!!
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What!
I live in Australia, spent time in NZ and have just returned from a month in the UK (loved it, but I don't live there...). I feel qualified to speak.
I reckon there's around 5 maybe 10 together places in the world to live, NZ is definitely one of them.
Scandinavia, Canada, Australia, NZ, Germany maybe, Austria, France maybe, Netherlands, UK (if you have money), Belgium (apparently it's broke), maybe some of the South American countries? Argentina? Not sure...
Sorry for the ones I've missed, but out of 200 odd countries not many make the grade.
Greece is broken, Ireland and Iceland not doing well, Italy, Spain and Portugal on the edge. USA, who knows where they're going but it's not good. Just have a look at the current crop of Republican candidates for president.
If you happen to be a New Zealander, you're f#$^ing lucky, it doesn't get any better out there in the big wide world...
A country larger than the UK with only 4 million people and a very good standard of living, where you're friends with your neighbours and you can greet a stranger with "hello"....
NZ is a great place: friendly people, sporty, green, fresh, great food and wine, nature, scenary etc etc etc. Great environment for kids...
People who try to convert it all into dollar or Pounds are just completely missing the point. How do you put value on a lifestyle......Most people I know that have gone to NZ to live haven't come back.....
I reckon there's around 5 maybe 10 together places in the world to live, NZ is definitely one of them.
Scandinavia, Canada, Australia, NZ, Germany maybe, Austria, France maybe, Netherlands, UK (if you have money), Belgium (apparently it's broke), maybe some of the South American countries? Argentina? Not sure...
Sorry for the ones I've missed, but out of 200 odd countries not many make the grade.
Greece is broken, Ireland and Iceland not doing well, Italy, Spain and Portugal on the edge. USA, who knows where they're going but it's not good. Just have a look at the current crop of Republican candidates for president.
If you happen to be a New Zealander, you're f#$^ing lucky, it doesn't get any better out there in the big wide world...
A country larger than the UK with only 4 million people and a very good standard of living, where you're friends with your neighbours and you can greet a stranger with "hello"....
NZ is a great place: friendly people, sporty, green, fresh, great food and wine, nature, scenary etc etc etc. Great environment for kids...
People who try to convert it all into dollar or Pounds are just completely missing the point. How do you put value on a lifestyle......Most people I know that have gone to NZ to live haven't come back.....
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Whenur
Quote: "parts of society are violent"! I don't recall anything happening in NZ remotely resembling the riots and anarchy in London and Birmingham from a evidently dysfunctional society.So I guess that comparison doesn't fly. I've never been in a city anywhere in the world that doesn't have the odd punch up.
Cars. You cannot possibly compare the UK market to a country that doesn't manufacture cars at all! The market in NZ is also very different from that in the UK, despite which new vehicles are certainly not as expensive as they were 40 years ago, and the import of high quality used Japanese cars has certainly brought the price of new ones down. These are actually not that different from the UK, but then apart from top end models such as Jaguar, we import very few British cars, if, indeed, there is such a thing.
I have never, not ever, heard of your allegory on what John Smith drives while arriving at the rugby. Not ever. We do have the Remuera and Wadestown set delivering Janet and Jack to school in their Rangies, but apart from the usual petrol heads and blokes and their cars, who drives what is not a topic of conversation that I've ever heard. Besides, put a German badge on my trusty Aussie Holden and it would still beat the pants of any BMW!
NZ is not a Pacific version of the UK, and should anyone be looking for that then by all means stay at home. If you're expecting everything to be as you left behind, then stay at home. You're correct though, don't make direct comparisons with Britain because they won't match!
The wines are great though, and a lot cheaper than Sainsbury's!
I was out there about 15 months ago and have spent a lot of time there in the past, but Europe is my home. The countryside is beautiful but parts of the society are violent and Auckland seems to be one large, and not particularly attractive, building site (not through natural disaster, but through the determination of developers to tear down anything more than about 20 years old!).
The food and wine culture is great and WASPs (ie you and I) tend to have an affluent and healthy lifestyle. However, cosumer goods are expensive - and cars - unless you want a second hand Japanese import with hockey stick mirrors - are very, very expensive. There is still a lot of 'Cultural Cringe', so much so that local media will report what car someone was driving eg ' John Smith arrived at the rugby ground in a BMW/Mercedes/Audi', irrespective of the age of the vehicle. They wouldn't comment if it was a Mazda or Holden!
I could go on...but the bottom line is that most Europeans who immigrate here do have second thoughts (especially wives). However, most do stay and most do have a great lifestyle - but just don't compare it with living in Britain.
The food and wine culture is great and WASPs (ie you and I) tend to have an affluent and healthy lifestyle. However, cosumer goods are expensive - and cars - unless you want a second hand Japanese import with hockey stick mirrors - are very, very expensive. There is still a lot of 'Cultural Cringe', so much so that local media will report what car someone was driving eg ' John Smith arrived at the rugby ground in a BMW/Mercedes/Audi', irrespective of the age of the vehicle. They wouldn't comment if it was a Mazda or Holden!
I could go on...but the bottom line is that most Europeans who immigrate here do have second thoughts (especially wives). However, most do stay and most do have a great lifestyle - but just don't compare it with living in Britain.
Cars. You cannot possibly compare the UK market to a country that doesn't manufacture cars at all! The market in NZ is also very different from that in the UK, despite which new vehicles are certainly not as expensive as they were 40 years ago, and the import of high quality used Japanese cars has certainly brought the price of new ones down. These are actually not that different from the UK, but then apart from top end models such as Jaguar, we import very few British cars, if, indeed, there is such a thing.
I have never, not ever, heard of your allegory on what John Smith drives while arriving at the rugby. Not ever. We do have the Remuera and Wadestown set delivering Janet and Jack to school in their Rangies, but apart from the usual petrol heads and blokes and their cars, who drives what is not a topic of conversation that I've ever heard. Besides, put a German badge on my trusty Aussie Holden and it would still beat the pants of any BMW!
NZ is not a Pacific version of the UK, and should anyone be looking for that then by all means stay at home. If you're expecting everything to be as you left behind, then stay at home. You're correct though, don't make direct comparisons with Britain because they won't match!
The wines are great though, and a lot cheaper than Sainsbury's!
Last edited by Samuel; 6th Mar 2012 at 20:07.
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Samuel
You have to admit that prior to the Earthquake in Christchurch,
the city and surrounds are very English.
Walking from my mates house to an older part of town, past the Rugby playing fields with School boys running around in
hooped jumpers, it reminded me of Public schools 20 years ago.
You have to admit that prior to the Earthquake in Christchurch,
the city and surrounds are very English.
Walking from my mates house to an older part of town, past the Rugby playing fields with School boys running around in
hooped jumpers, it reminded me of Public schools 20 years ago.
Last edited by 500N; 6th Mar 2012 at 19:07.
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500N Too true. and most of that is still there. Not many people in the UK would know it I guess, but Christchurch was laid out by the early settlers in the UK before they set sail! How's that for forward thinking! The result, even now, is a city which is about as English as you can get. The River Avon and most of the parks were planted with English Oak and Elm trees, and the Avon even has punts. Christ College, to which you refer, is a dead ringer for an English Public School, with similar aims and ideals.
Huey, I don't believe that to be true, but the same amount of money received from the sale of your average home in the UK would by you more in most parts of NZ. inner city areas excepted.
Huey, I don't believe that to be true, but the same amount of money received from the sale of your average home in the UK would by you more in most parts of NZ. inner city areas excepted.
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Samuel
Thanks, I didn't know that.
I didn't have time to look the names up so thanks for adding them but walking past going from Merivale to town, Mallards in the river and as described before, very English.
All the gardens around Merivale are also very English, especially in Winter, snow on the ground etc.
Thanks, I didn't know that.
I didn't have time to look the names up so thanks for adding them but walking past going from Merivale to town, Mallards in the river and as described before, very English.
All the gardens around Merivale are also very English, especially in Winter, snow on the ground etc.
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Dengue_Dude -you're not the sharpest sandwich in the six pack are you? Maybe it's the Dengue 
And as for the GA scene there
Building a house in NZ is very expensive even before the Christchurch earthquakes which has put on a strain on resource and material supply. Standards of build quality are generally very high. Outside of Auckland and Wellington depending on what you want and where house prices are cheaper but by how much is hard to quantify as regards apples-apples comparisons with the UK.
General cost of living is about par with the UK in my experience.
It's hard to make money there as local markets are small and somewhat protective. Notwithstanding NZ offers a wonderful lifestyle and climate with great down to earth people (generally). Like most developed nations it has its share of social issues in certain areas. Unlike the UK as witnessed in August last year the 'culture of entitlement' mentality does not appear to be as entrenched - thankfully. I find New Zealander's to be hard working, improvising, friendly and rightfully proud of their country. It is a wonderful place to live if an income can be sustained.
I agree with Dengue_Dude's inferences to 'do your homework'. The risk of financial failure will be reduced through military transfer. For those who do make it there my sincere belief is that you would not regret your decision if you possess a positive attitude.
Postscript:
It seems all is not lost for the UK -
Energy Tribune- Fuelling the Rise of the Anglosphere
And as for the GA scene there
Building a house in NZ is very expensive even before the Christchurch earthquakes which has put on a strain on resource and material supply. Standards of build quality are generally very high. Outside of Auckland and Wellington depending on what you want and where house prices are cheaper but by how much is hard to quantify as regards apples-apples comparisons with the UK.
General cost of living is about par with the UK in my experience.
It's hard to make money there as local markets are small and somewhat protective. Notwithstanding NZ offers a wonderful lifestyle and climate with great down to earth people (generally). Like most developed nations it has its share of social issues in certain areas. Unlike the UK as witnessed in August last year the 'culture of entitlement' mentality does not appear to be as entrenched - thankfully. I find New Zealander's to be hard working, improvising, friendly and rightfully proud of their country. It is a wonderful place to live if an income can be sustained.
I agree with Dengue_Dude's inferences to 'do your homework'. The risk of financial failure will be reduced through military transfer. For those who do make it there my sincere belief is that you would not regret your decision if you possess a positive attitude.
Postscript:
It seems all is not lost for the UK -
Energy Tribune- Fuelling the Rise of the Anglosphere
Last edited by kluge; 7th Mar 2012 at 06:58.
Samuel: The wines are great though, and a lot cheaper than Sainsbury's!
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BB
Not sure where you have been shopping for your wines but good aussie wines have never been cheaper.
Suggest you visit Coles or Safeway / Woolworths while they are having a price war.
That is unless you are buying $1000 bottles.
Not sure where you have been shopping for your wines but good aussie wines have never been cheaper.
Suggest you visit Coles or Safeway / Woolworths while they are having a price war.
That is unless you are buying $1000 bottles.
Hi 500N
yes often check out BWS (Woolies) and 1st Choice, as they are convenient. And I do buy on specials, but rarely anything quaffable at $10 or under.
And I refuse to buy those Marlborough NZ whites, I would consider that treason, like barracking for their footy team - you know, Springboks, or the fellas in black, whatever they're called.
I wonder if anyone wants to get this thread back on track...
yes often check out BWS (Woolies) and 1st Choice, as they are convenient. And I do buy on specials, but rarely anything quaffable at $10 or under.
And I refuse to buy those Marlborough NZ whites, I would consider that treason, like barracking for their footy team - you know, Springboks, or the fellas in black, whatever they're called.
I wonder if anyone wants to get this thread back on track...
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Yes, finding really good wines under $10 is hard but between $10 and $20 isn't too hard.
BTW, the thread is on track, we are talking about the pro's and con's of NZ,
the newest and 6th state of Australia
Yes, finding really good wines under $10 is hard but between $10 and $20 isn't too hard.
BTW, the thread is on track, we are talking about the pro's and con's of NZ,
the newest and 6th state of Australia
500N
had a couple of girls visiting last weekend so went to 1st Choice as was the best price for champers. Got 6, so 10% off. Then I notice they have Wirra Wirra Church Block cabsav-shir-merl on special, and with 10% off also that came in at about $15. Boner! That was a good buy, normally around $22 these days. As for Bin 407, can't afford that anymore!!
had a couple of girls visiting last weekend so went to 1st Choice as was the best price for champers. Got 6, so 10% off. Then I notice they have Wirra Wirra Church Block cabsav-shir-merl on special, and with 10% off also that came in at about $15. Boner! That was a good buy, normally around $22 these days. As for Bin 407, can't afford that anymore!!
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NZ used to be part of New South Wales, well until NZ saw the light that is 
Oh yes and don't forget the people who first went to Oz were made to go there,
the people who came to NZ did so because they wanted to. That explains the
higher class of people in NZ compared with the island to the west.
Oh yes and don't forget the people who first went to Oz were made to go there,
the people who came to NZ did so because they wanted to. That explains the
higher class of people in NZ compared with the island to the west.
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WWCB, Good choice in wine.
Nervous
Yep, NZ saw the light and became NZ, then the people saw the light
and jumped back over to Bondi, NSW, Australia
"Higher class of people in NZ". When you have a few people
and a hell of a lot of sheep, of course it's going to make the
people look good
All in good fun.
WWCB, Good choice in wine.
Nervous
Yep, NZ saw the light and became NZ, then the people saw the light
and jumped back over to Bondi, NSW, Australia
"Higher class of people in NZ". When you have a few people
and a hell of a lot of sheep, of course it's going to make the
people look good
All in good fun.
Last edited by 500N; 7th Mar 2012 at 08:03.