New Zealand Immigration Fees Set To Rise

On the 9th of November 2015 he Government announced that as a result of a cost review they will be increasing government immigration charges by 8.3 per cent overall. The stated reason for the increase is to cover programs designed to enhance New Zealand’s border security and support the implementation of Vision 2015.  Both of these initiatives are intended to provide further improvements to customer experience and border risk management.  Other areas of increased expenditure will be enhanced marketing and …

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New Incentives Offered for Migration to the Regions

  By David Fisher, New Zealand Shores, Law and Policy Adviser   On 26 July this year the Government made an announcement that changes would be made to Immigration policy incentivising migration into New Zealand’s regions. The new measures are to take effect from 1 November and include: Boosting the bonus points for Skilled Migrants applying for residence with a job offer outside Auckland from 10 to 30 points. Doubling the points for entrepreneurs planning to set up businesses in …

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Explore New Zealand’s diversity!

New Zealand Shores is proud to launch its Regions pages!   Through the main portal, you may access each of the 16 New Zealand regions and find out more about where you may decide to live and work. Quickly review the population and average income as well as an introduction to the region, history, geography, people, and job opportunities. These pages will grow in time with more information being added regularly. Meantime, our friendly immigration advisers will be happy to answer …

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New Zealand regions

An estimated 40% of migrants who get residency in New Zealand settle in Auckland. But if our biggest city has a lot of potential to kickstart your stay in New Zealand, the diversity and richness of lesser-known New Zealand regions could further act in your favour as the government is considering incentivising migration to regions, according to a recent New Zealand Herald article. Jobs are varied in trades, oil, forestry, tourism, teaching, and medical sectors. As a reminder, skilled migrants …

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Lonely Planet Guide’s Top 10 NZ Water Attractions

  According to Lonely Planet the following make up New Zealand’s top 10 water adventures: Raglan Surfing Auckland Sailing Blackwater rafting at the Waitomo Caves Kayaking in Okarito Lagoon and Abel Tasman National Park – Torrent River canyoning Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa Swimming with Seals in Kaikoura Poor Knights Island marine Reserve You can check out the New Zealand Herald’s write up about Poor Knights Island here  

Increasing numbers of Australians call New Zealand home

It has been known for a few years now that many young New Zealanders have been crossing the Tasman sea to live and work in Australia. Salaries are generally higher there and job opportunities more numerous. However, life is also more expensive, and unemployment is rising in Australia. Increasing numbers of Kiwis but also now Australians have come to realise that it is not all about money and that New Zealand has a much better work-life balance. What’s more, its booming …

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Study in New Zealand

Want to study in New Zealand? University starts this week for many young New Zealanders, and a recent NZ Herald article reports that this year, students are most likely to take a degree focused on human society or culture, despite a trend to encourage science and technology. While candidates say the popular BA (Bachelor of Arts) is highly beneficial to their professional life, the government would like a shift towards solving skill shortages in IT, science, technology, engineering, and maths. Other students …

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A snapshot into New Zealand life

For a quick overview of New Zealand’s economy, people, and government, it is a good idea to look into the yearly New Zealand in Profile, published by Statistics New Zealand. The 2015 edition reveals a few interesting facts about New Zealand, if you intend to make it your new home. Even if you already live here, it’s a useful document for those wanting to know the average cost of housing or essentials, what salary they may expect, what the main New Zealand industries …

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ICC cricket world cup 2015 coming soon!

The 2015 ICC cricket world cup is coming soon! A few more days to go and the event will be kickstarted with the first game in Christchurch, Canterbury, with New Zealand Black Caps playing Sri Lanka on 14th February. An audience of a billion fans is expected to follow the games in Australia as well as iconic New Zealand cities such as Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, etc. This large sporting event (14 teams will be hosted) is a great …

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Christmas down-under

Have you ever wondered what Christmas is like for those of us down-under? Kiwi’s are typically laid back and relaxed people and the New Zealand Christmas is no exception to this. Christmas days are typically spent either at home, at a relatives or if you are lucky enough at the bach (holiday house). The classic Christmas dinner is sometimes replaced with a kiwi favourite – the barbecue and the days activities are largely orientated around the outdoors due to Christmas …

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