Important change for South Africans

Important Change to Visa Waiver Status for South African Passport Holders We have received notification from Immigration New Zealand advising that as of the 21st of November South Africa will no longer be a visa waiver country which means all South African citizens will need to make a formal application for a visitor visa and have this approved before travelling to New Zealand. If you are a South African citizen and were intending to visit NZ after the 21st of …

Read More

Visa Approvals For South Koreans Set To Increase

By David Fisher, New Zealand Shores, Law and Policy Adviser From 20 December 2015, changes to New Zealand Immigration Policy will mean that South Korean nationals may find it much easier to live and work in New Zealand. The changes to policy have been introduced as a result of the signing of a free trade agreement between the two nations earlier this year and will include changes to the Working Holiday Scheme, the addition of Korea as a qualifying country …

Read More

Are your skills in demand in New Zealand?

  By David Fisher, New Zealand Shores, Law and Policy Adviser   The subject of this article is one which is very important for anyone wanting to emigrate to New Zealand as a skilled worker. Simply put, the topic revolves around the difference between technical eligibility and the ability to actually obtain skilled employment. First of all I will discuss the Skilled Migrant policy in general and point out some of the pitfalls that many potential migrants encounter in trying …

Read More

New Zealand seeks students from Vietnam

As the two governments make attempts to boost trade links, New Zealand Universities are set to benefit from an increased drive for Vietnamese students to study in New Zealand. New Zealand Universities are keen to take advantage of the increase in young Vietnamese people heading offshore for tertiary education. Currently there are around 2000 Vietnamese students in New Zealand but that number is set to increase by 30 per cent over a two year period as part of a new …

Read More

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 …

Read More

New Zealand Photographer of the year 2015

The New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year 2015, our country’s most coveted photography award, has been given to Jason Hosking after a very tight competition. This year was blessed with incredibly high quality works in editorial photography across topics such as Society, Landscape, Wildlife, Photo Story and Timelapse –new this year– categories. The latter category met a very enthusiastic public and “Glowworms in motion” by Jordan Poste is indeed truly amazing work. Congratulations to all winners, and we strongly recommend you …

Read More

New Zealand Has Modern Cities Too…..Really!

We often hear talk of New Zealand’s beautiful scenery and luscious natural landscape but all too often we also hear people ask whether New Zealand has anything resembling a modern city. Just in case anyone was wondering, here are some nice photos of Auckland which is home to 1.5 Million people. Not only is Auckland a thriving commercial centre with a bustling night-life, it is also surrounded by white sand beaches and is only a short 30 minute drive in …

Read More

22 Things To Do In New Zealand – No. 22 “Tongariro Alpine Crossing”

If you are looking for a real trip through Middle Earth then a one-day hike through the volcanic badlands of the Tongariro National Park is something not to be missed. New Zealand’s oldest national park and a dual World Heritage Site, the Tongariro National Park is rich in both cultural identity and awesome natural scenery. The track takes hikers through a land that time forgot, passing the volcanic peaks of Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is heralded as …

Read More

22 Things To Do In New Zealand – No. 21 “BUNGY JUMPING”

In the 1980’s, two young New Zealanders, AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch, started New Zealand’s first commercial bungy business, with a jump from the historic Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown. Ever since then, New Zealand has been known as the home of bungy, with a number of other operators entering the market. All around New Zealand you can leap from a variety of platforms such as bridges, climbs, rail viaducts and stadium roofs. The Highest Bungy in New Zealand is the Nevis …

Read More

22 Things To Do In New Zealand – No. 20 “Wai-O-Tapu”

Roughly translated from Maori, Wai 0 Tapu means the “sacred, or protected, waters”. Located just 20 minutes south of Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s most famed tourist cities, this magnificent geothermal park is an absolute must see. Walking tracks ranging from 30 to over 75 minutes provide a wonderful scenic experience that will stay in your memory for a lifetime. If you are someone who is excited by the sight of spurting boiling hot water, head to see Lady Knox, …

Read More

New Zealand Shores