May 2022
Cooler weather has arrived just as life in Aotearoa is settling out somewhere pretty close to our old normal. Covid restrictions have diminished while friends, whānau, and colleagues reunite. We're excited to welcome you and help you get settled in the community.
This month, we're sharing:
It takes a village.
KEA is key for returning Kiwis.
Immigration & Border Updates
Unspoken Rules of New Zealand
Queen's Birthday
Phrase of the Month: Tall Poppy
It takes a village. You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘it takes a village’ in reference to raising children. It also takes a village of experts to move countries. The experts have guided others before you. They know what pitfalls you should avoid and what challenges you can prepare to tackle.
Our resettlement services form the foundation. We advise you on the big picture, present you with relevant local expertise, and lead you through meeting your most essential needs. We can also introduce you to the other experts you need and form the bridge between services.
Who else do you need? It varies from person to person due to the wonderful diversity of circumstances our clients present.
Here are some people who might make your transition smoother:
Immigration advisor - particularly helpful if you or anyone in your family has any circumstances that are less than 100-percent straightforward (especially as employment visas transform beginning in July this year).
Shipping company - sort out the logistics of moving your belongings from place to place with the most updated information in their industry.
Recruiter - if you or your partner are looking for work, a recruiter is a useful tool for breaking into the ‘who you know’ environment that exists in New Zealand.
Pet relocation - make sure your pet has a smooth transition, too.
With border and immigration changes coming regularly, it more important than ever to keep an eye on Bridget's take on global relocation and life in New Zealand:
KEA is key for returning Kiwis. For returning Kiwis, KEA New Zealand is a helpful resource for re-establishing yourself in Aotearoa. While KEA was historically focussed on serving Kiwis overseas, their innovative team has been expanding their offerings to match the flow of Kiwis back home over the past two years.
KEA hosts events of interest to exploring Kiwi, including their own World Class New Zealand speaker series.
When you’re looking for a job, you’ll want to connect with KEA’s offerings. KEA’s job search tool is a great way to find a role for an employer that is more likely to appreciate your overseas experience. And their networking events are held throughout New Zealand. Don’t take our word for it: check out their success stories.
Membership is free once you share your email and a bit about yourself.
Every detail counts.
Make sure you haven't forgotten something critical.
Border regulations have moved away from MIQ and toward a self-testing regimen for all arrivals to New Zealand.
The border is currently open to many vaccinated people, including New Zealand Citizens and Residents and travellers from Australia and visa-waiver countries. The full list is here.
Beginning in July, we expect to welcome people entering on the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
A full border re-opening, including student and visitor visas from non-visa waiver countries, is expected from October.
This article on the Unspoken Rules of New Zealand has been making the rounds amongst friends. There’s quite a bit of truth to it, and it’s given us a moment to laugh at ourselves.
Anecdotally, since the article came out, I find Kiwis are going out of their way to wave in acknowledgement when someone gives them the go-ahead in a narrow street or at a one-lane bridge and to loudly (for Kiwis) declare their thanks to the bus driver. A little extra nudge toward better manners never hurts.
In all seriousness, if you get hung up on any of the inside jokes in the article, please don’t hesitate to ask your resettlement advisor for an explanation. And you might enjoy returning to it after you’ve been in NZ for six months to see how your perspective on the various points will have changed.
Queen's Birthday
The Queen’s Birthday is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in June. Yes, it’s in recognition of that queen as New Zealand is a Commonwealth nation.
On public holidays, most businesses are closed with the exception of hospitality businesses, and some cafes and restaurants charge a surcharge to off-set the additional wages they owe their employees for working a public holiday.
Phrase of the Month: Tall Poppy
Tall poppy references a cultural stereotype about the way New Zealanders relate to success and successful people. It symbolises the fact that, in a group of poppies, the tall one gets cut down. There is a cultural tendency in NZ to prefer someone who is quietly and modestly successful; the one who is overtly successful risks getting cut down. As with any cultural stereotype, it is not universally true but can be found in some circles.
