Information for people new to New Zealand
A lifestyle choice prompted Chris Stone to take the plunge down under
Fancy a better balance of work and play?
Audiometrist Chris Stone was in a Glasgow bar, working on his blog, when he came across an online newsletter from a New Zealand audiology company.
“It read: ‘Fancy a better balance of work and play?’ There was a picture of a couple sitting on a beach and I thought, ‘I’ll have some of that!’ ”
Chris sent his CV to Bay Audiology in response to the ad, and got a phone call within half an hour. “They interviewed me and said ‘You’ve got the job. We’ll pay for your flights, your visa and your medicals!’
“I said, ‘You haven’t seen me before, and you don’t even know what age I am!’ They said, ‘Just come’.”
A quick hire due to the shortage of audiometrists
The speed of Chris' hiring illustrates the severe shortage of audiometrists in New Zealand, and many audiology companies sponsor audiometrists from overseas to come to New Zealand. “I got my visa real quick – in a couple of weeks,” says Chris.
In the UK, Chris had worked as a hearing aid audiologist, testing and fixing hearing aid technology. However, in New Zealand his work is classified as audiometry.
Before Chris left for New Zealand, he took part in the longest cycle race in the UK, from Land’s End in the south of England to John O’ Groats at the northern tip of Scotland. “I thought I’d do a bit of charity work to raise money for children with hearing and sight problems.”
He then embarked on an even longer journey – to down under.
- Chris Stone testing a patient's hearing at the New Plymouth audiology clinic
A new country, a new way of life
Chris arrived in New Zealand in February 2009, after packing up everything and selling his hearing aid company. He now works in a New Plymouth clinic, alongside an audiologist from the United States. He says taking the job here is one of the best decisions he’s made, and he’s relishing the chance to enjoy a new lifestyle.
“I’m cruising, because back home I was doing 80-hour weeks. Now, I’ve got the beach on my doorstep, I can jump on my mountain bike, and I’ve joined quite a few sports clubs.
“I’ve not got as much responsibility because I don’t have to do any marketing, and it gives me enough money to go out adventuring. And I can close the doors at five o’clock!”
