Information for people new to New Zealand

Real-life stories

Read other migrants' stories. Find out how they got work and found settling into Kiwi life.

Chris StoneChris Stone was inspired to apply for a job in New Zealand while in a Glasgow bar.

Chris Stone from the UK

Raul LambertAfter a stint working at the bungy jump in Queenstown, and a few years in England, Raul Lambert returned to New Zealand to work as an arborist.

Raul Lambert from Spain

Jason HefferJason Heffer decided to move with his family to New Zealand after reading about the country in a magazine article.

Jason Heffer from the UK

Ludo OnisieHaving worked as a software programmer in Romania, Ludo Onisie retrained to work as an accountant in New Zealand.

Ludo Onisie from Romania

Surya Cox

Surya Cox returned to New Zealand after living in the UK for 20 years.

Surya Cox's story

Farah SiaFarah Sia and her family found settling in New Zealand challenging, but things are going smoothly now and they have no regrets about migrating.

Farah Sia from the Philippines

Margie LaubscherMargie Laubscher had to adjust to quite a different management style when she moved from South Africa to New Zealand.

Margie Laubscher from South Africa

Ben Wright came to New Zealand because he wanted a better lifestyle - and a better future for his child.

Ben Wright from the UK

John David.John David gained experience in hospitality by waiting at  restaurants, and now runs his own coffee shop.

John David from Basra

Drew Lohrer.Drew Lohrer left his job as a marine biologist in the United States for a more flexible working lifestyle in New Zealand.

Drew Lohrer from California

Nasser Ahmed.Nasser Ahmed talked to a Career Services career consultant, who helped him get ready for interviews and redo his CV.

Nasser Ahmed from India

Lay Lin Chan.

Lay Lin Chan has taken a job to pay the bills until she finds the job she wants.

Lay Lin Chan from Malaysia

Pedro Romero.Pedro Romero got his qualifications recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority so that New Zealand employers would accept them.

Pedro Romero from Chile

Manuel Valdez.Manuel Valdez got part-time work and a few months later secured the full-time job he wanted as an investment marketing executive.

Manuel Valdez from the Philippines

Ray Pang.Ray Pang was not sure if he could do the same job he did in China as there is a different culture and language in New Zealand.

Ray Pang from China

Darshan Desai.Darshan Desai improved his interview skills by learning what questions to expect in an interview and how to sell himself.

Darshan Desai from India

Cheng Soon Goh.Cheng Soon Goh researched the opportunities available to him in New Zealand before leaving Malaysia.

Cheng Soon Goh from Malaysia

Geethani DeSilva.Geethani DeSilva did voluntary work to get work experience in New Zealand and become more involved in the community.

Geethani DeSilva from Sri Lanka

Marcos Santana.Marcos Santana came to New Zealand to fulfill his dream of studying civil and natural resource engineering at university.

Marcos Santana from Belize

Abzal Farmud.Abzal Farmud and his wife Huma came to New Zealand to escape the hustle and bustle of life in Bombay.

Abzal Farmud from India