Removals to New Zealand

New Zealand has a points-based immigration system. Applicants must score 100 points based on a range of factors; family ties living in New Zealand, employment, work experience, and qualifications. Each application is assessed and a temporary visa may be granted while further checks take place.

Different visas are may be granted depending on your status such as long term work or permanent residency.

If you are living and working in New Zealand, you’re required by law to pay tax within the country. You’ll be issued by a tax number through your employer or you’ll need to apply for one if working self-employed. You may also be required to complete a P85 declaration before leaving the UK to state you’ll be paying taxes in your new country of residence. If you’re retaining UK property that you’re renting out, savings or investments in the UK, then you’ll also need to complete an R105 which must then be passed on to your bank.

If you have a full UK license, you can use it in New Zealand for up to one year, you’ll then have to apply for a New Zealand license. It’s a legal requirement to carry your driving license when driving. New Zealanders drive on the left like the UK, making driving very familiar.

If you’re moving to New Zealand with children, the school system is split over 13 years and state-run schools are free for children between 6 and 19.

• Primary Schools – 5 – 12 years of age
• Secondary Schools – 13 – 17 years of age
• Higher Education – 17+

Higher Education is available through state load schemes, scholarships and employment based sponsorship based on some particular trades and skills.

• Youth Guarantee – Free of charge, it provides school leavers with further leaning and a certificate.
• Trade Academies – Teach trades and technology programmes to students from 15–18, they are partly funded by the private sector and offer direct routes to employment.
• Institutes of Technology – Offering further skill and trade based training and education, these can be introductory studies for degree students.
• Private Training – Schemes set up by particular trades or employers, they are skill based and are a potential route to future employment in a chosen field or profession.
• Wānanga – State-owned Māori teaching institutions offering certificates and degrees in traditional history, culture and customs. to doctorate level.
• Universities – There are 8 state-funded universities that often also specialise in research and development.

For a small nation, New Zealand has some impressive sporting credentials, the national rugby team are the most successful sorting team in history with a win percentage of over 70%. The country is also famed for it’s love of extreme sport, from bunging jumping and white water rafting to… well, anything terrifying really! The largest number of golf courses per capita of any country in the world, mountain climbing, beach sports, ski resorts, cricket, football, New Zealand has it all!