CHOOSING NEW ZEALAND

Overview

People wonder whether immigration is really a worthwhile goal to pursue. However, a discussion of the benefits to be gained from immigration to New Zealand answers this inquiry with a resounding and fervent "Yes".

Bay of Islands

Top-Rated Quality of Life

New Zealand (NZ) is highly acclaimed for its clean, unpolluted environment and superior quality of life. It was ranked 9th in the world on the UN's 1998 Human Development Index. New Zealanders have a 99% "adult" literacy rate and an overall literacy rate of almost 100%, taking the youth into account.

Diverse Geographic & Climatic Options

Comparable in size to the UK and Japan, New Zealand (NZ) consists of the North and South main Islands, as well as several smaller islands. For a medium sized country, NZ is extremely diverse, hosting everything from rainforests and glaciers to sandy beaches and magnificent mountain ranges such as the Southern Alps. Boasting the world's most southerly capital, Wellington, New Zealand has a summer season from October to March, while winter runs from April to September. The climate is moderate throughout the year (average temperatures range from 12-25° Celsius).

Fiordland

Economic Wealth & Prosperity

New Zealand (NZ) has a thriving economy and prides itself on being one of the best performing economies in the O.E.C.D. In 1996, the World Competitiveness Report ranked New Zealand as the 3rd most competitive country in the world. The World Bank has characterized NZ's economic reforms as being the most progressive and successful in the world. NZ is undoubtedly an attractive destination for many investors and business people as a result of its stable economy, low inflation, and the steady growth of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Its proximity to Asia / Pacific Rim markets promises even greater economic and investment potential. European and North American multinational companies are increasingly discovering the importance of having a regional base for their Asian operations in NZ. People often think of sheep (having 47 million sheep) and kiwifruits when they think of NZ's main resources. It is not surprising that agriculture and horticulture are important sectors since NZ is a major exporter of wool, meat and dairy products. However, NZ 's economic base is solidified by the diversity of its prosperous industries including, forestry, mining, transportation, construction, services, tourism, technology and manufacturing.

Abundant Employment & Business Opportunities

In terms of New Zealand (NZ), there is currently a shortage of skilled workers in several sectors. The present shortage in the skilled work force translates into employment opportunities for immigrants. The national unemployment rate is impressively low, estimated at 6 % (5 % in NZ's largest city, Auckland). As the Asian economies recover from the temporary recession, the unemployment rates in NZ is poised to drop even further. In both Canada and NZ, there are no limitations to what you may accomplish. You will not be restricted by your social class, ethnicity, or gender. Whether you are a professional or an entrepreneur, your talents and ambitions are the only determining factors of your success.

Superior Health Care & Education Systems

New Zealand's health care system is funded primarily by the government. All NZ residents are entitled to free or subsidized health services, including treatment in public hospitals, family doctor visits, and many prescriptions. Private clinics/ hospitals are another option to patients willing to pay for medical services.
The education systems of NZ are regarded as among the best in the world. Public education from the elementary level up to the secondary level is free of charge to all students in NZ. At the post-secondary level, students are expected to pay a small tuition.
Tuition at NZ universities is affordable for citizens and residents (immigrants); tuition costs range from NZ$ 3000- NZ$ 3500 in NZ. In contrast, international students pay tuition rates that are 3-6 times higher. The average international student should expect to pay annually only for tuition NZ$ 12000-NZ$ 17500. Thus, it is far more advantageous to study in NZ as a permanent resident because you can save thousands of dollars in tuition. In addition, there are many scholarships, grants, and bursaries offered exclusively to permanent residents and citizens.

Tolerant, Open-minded Citizens in a Democratic Multicultural Society

New Zealand (NZ) welcomes immigrants and benefits from their knowledge, expertise, entrepreneurship, and financial resources. NZ thrives as a genuinely multicultural society and is proud to be a "cultural mosaic", instead of a "melting pot", as in the U.S., where an immigrant may feel pressure to assimilate into society. In contrast, the preservation of ethnic/religious identity, and cultural heritage is encouraged and respected by the NZ government. Besides, unlike many other countries throughout the world, NZ does not treat immigrants as "second-class citizens", immigrants are accorded almost equal status, rights, and freedoms to NZ citizens. You will not only be accepted, but also feel genuinely welcome. You do not have to change your name to be accepted by society and your foreign accent does not matter. Due to the prevailing multicultural atmosphere, you are more likely to be promoted in your job and reach managerial ranks faster in NZ than in the U.S., especially in major cities where immigrants constitute a significant percentage of the population.
Your children will feel comfortable in NZ schools because they are likely to have a significant percentage of their classmates come from similar ethnic or religious backgrounds. Besides, many private religious/ethnic (such as Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Jewish, and Chinese) schools exist. Furthermore, you can have access to a wide variety of foreign language TV channels, radio stations, and newspapers/magazines as well as ethnic food.
New Zealand's society is also based on a commitment to freedom of speech and human rights. NZ's two main cultural groups are Maori and European. The Maori were NZ's first settlers and their culture is important and respected in NZ. The country's official languages are English and Maori. Approximately 71.7% of New Zealanders are European, 14.5% Maori, 4.7% Pacific Island Polynesian, 4.4% Asian (including Chinese, South Korean, Malaysian and Indian/Pakistani), and the rest of the population, 4.7%, is made up of a mixture of ethnic groups tracing their origin to hundreds of countries around the world. The people of NZ are renowned for their hospitality and understanding for people of other nations.

Milford Sound

Safe, Clean, Civilized, Sophisticated & Lively

New Zealand (NZ) offers a range of settlement options, from tranquil small towns to bustling cosmopolitan cities. However, regardless of where an immigrants chooses to live, even in big cities, you will find either country relatively safe, impeccably clean and will be impressed by the civility and chivalry of the people. The overall crime rate in either country is low, with the homicide rate in NZ estimated at less than one quarter of the rate in the U.S. For this reason, their urban cores remain lively at night with local residents and tourists strolling the downtown streets well after midnight.
NZ's big cities are characterized by a cosmopolitan atmosphere and cultural sophistication matched only by few cities in North America such as New York City, San Francisco, and Boston; however, without the problems usually associated with big cites in the U.S. The livelihood you will encounter is enviable. Many retail shops downtown remain open until 9 PM once or twice a week in Auckland. Most restaurants/night clubs remain open until 1:00 -3:00 AM, with a few even as late as 6:00 AM on weekends. Some sidewalk cafes in Auckland remain open on a 24-hour basis, all year round.
The art, music and theatre scene is vibrant and thriving. New Zealand has a lively arts and cultural sector. The country has more than 200 public museums, orchestras, several opera companies, a national ballet company, and a developing film industry. NZ is sought after as an ideal location for film and TV productions. Recent international successes include films such as "The Piano" and TV series such as "Xena".
Sports fans and outdoor activity enthusiasts will not be disappointed in NZ. NZ has a multitude of professional sports teams from hockey to football and basketball. NZ's national sport is Rugby, with another favorite being Cricket. Cyclists would appreciate the fact that some streets have designated cycling lanes. Urban parks and community centers are abundantly available for people to enjoy various outdoor sports and recreational activities. For skiing enthusiasts, NZ's world-class resorts are easily accessible.
In terms of festivals, New Zealand hosts an International Festival of the Arts, food and wine festivals, and a sheep-shearing contest. Outdoor activities are plentiful in a country with such diverse geography. Popular activities include hiking, skiing, rafting, sailing and bungy jumping. You are never far from water in New Zealand with its rivers and lakes cutting through the country.

Hollyford

Reasonable Cost of Living

By world standards, NZ is still a relatively inexpensive place to live. The cost of living in NZ is reasonable, but varies depending on where you settle. The median house rent per week in NZ$: (NZ$ 1=US$ 0.50)

Close Ties to the U.S. & Australia

New Zealand (NZ) certainly benefits from its close ties with the U.S. In terms of access to a huge and diverse U.S. market, NZ is ideal. Thanks to economic treaties, New Zealanders enjoy the rewards and benefits of mutual economic relations.
NZ citizens enjoy privileges such as being entitled to visit, work, and even live permanently in Australia, without the necessity of applying for any visa.
This arrangement permits NZ citizens to remain in Australia indefinitely, as long as they maintain NZ citizenship. Moreover, NZ citizens who live in Australia are treated for almost all practical purposes as Australian permanent residents and are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after 2 years of living there. Moreover, NZ and Australia have an agreement that establishes a free trading market between the two countries by reducing and eventually removing all tariffs and trade barriers.

For more information about the Close ties to Australia, click here.

The Privileges of Being a New Zealander

Obviously, New Zealand (NZ) citizenship and residence confer many privileges to their holders. Successful applicants are granted an immigration visa. Once they land in NZ, they will earn the status of permanent residents and will be able to settle down and work anywhere. This status is the NZ equivalent of the U.S. Green Card. Permanent residents are granted access to almost the same medical, educational and social services offered to NZ citizens. The NZ Government provides monthly financial assistance to most families with children, including the families of new migrants. Those residents who are having difficulty finding a job may resort to NZ's unemployment insurance programs for financial support. This is another means by which the NZ government is able to assure the well being of its residents.
Once you have been a NZ permanent resident for at least 3 years, you may become eligible for citizenship. Upon being granted NZ citizenship, you can obtain a NZ passport. Unlike other countries, NZ recognize dual citizenship, so you can retain the citizenship of your native country. With a NZ passport, you will not need a visitor visa to travel to many countries. More importantly, once you become a NZ citizen, you will be allowed to participate in politics and cast your vote in local and national elections. In NZ, migrants are allowed to vote after residing in NZ for just one year.

Benefits to Family Members & Relatives

Once you are settled in NZ, you may be able to sponsor your relatives. In most cases, you can apply to sponsor your spouse (husband/wife), fiancé(e), dependent son/daughter, father/mother, grandfather/grandmother, and (if they are under 19 and orphaned) your brother, sister, nephew, niece, grandson or granddaughter. When you sponsor your parents, they can bring with them any siblings (brothers and sisters) who are still dependent on your parents. Your relatives are then issued permanent residence visas, and the privileges and benefits of living in NZ will be offered to them. And in turn, once they have landed in the country, they may be eligible to apply to sponsor other relatives. There are many examples of immigrants in either country who came as single individuals and now have hundreds of relatives in their new country due mainly to family sponsorship.

An Investment Worth Making

An immigration application can be seen as an investment in the life and future of your family and loved ones. Let's assume that you, your spouse and sponsored relatives find good work opportunities in New Zealand, each earning about $36,000 annually (engineers who have recently completed a university Bachelor degree, with no experience, typically earn annually $39000- $44000 in New Zealand). Collectively, you will have the chance to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly. You can achieve all this by simply taking the first step toward gaining an immigration visa. The small fee you pay an immigration expert to handle your case is probably the best investment you'll ever make. When you delay the decision to immigrate, you are actually losing money.
Based on the above example, for every month that you remain in your native country, considering immigration but not taking action, you are losing $3000!
Furthermore, for every month you delay action, you are risking your eligibility to migrate. Immigration regulations change frequently and abruptly: just because you may qualify now does not necessarily mean that you will qualify in the future.
Finally, consider also all of the attributes that cannot be evaluated in terms of dollars. Clearly, you and your family will benefit from starting a new life in NZ. We urge you to further weigh the costs and benefits of investing in immigration for yourself. We believe you will conclude that the potential rewards you will gain as a result of this investment in your future far exceed the cost.

There is no better time than now to pursue immigration and start enjoying what New Zealand offers!