Preparations

At INZ we offer advice to migrants so that they can prepare for moving to New Zealand – everything from how to bring pets into the country to when our public holidays fall. You can see this advice in detail in I’m accepted – tell me more, but these are some of the major points that new migrants need to know and that you could be asked questions about:

• customs declarations – what you can and can’t bring into New Zealand, including plant and animal materials, firearms, and drugs.
• bringing personal possessions and household goods
• pets, and how you can bring them with you into the country.
• electrical and telecommunications equipment, laptops and mobile phones – whether these will be useable in New Zealand
• driving in New Zealand – road safety and tips for newcomers
• currency and exchange rates
• public holidays
• using public telephones and internet cafes
• banking, post shops and shopping
• health care
• keeping safe outdoors and natural hazards.

These are general aspects of moving to a new country. Then there are more specific concerns, especially connected with work. These are some suggestions for employers:

• provide an overview of your organisation
• provide them with as much information as you can about the job they are about to begin
• make sure they are clear about working conditions in your organisation
• check that they bring in their hand luggage all the documents you need to see – for example curriculum vitae, birth certificate, international driver’s licence, medical records
• ensure that their qualifications have been recognised by NZQA
• make sure that you have completed all the necessary paperwork for easy immigration procedures
• arrange for contact with other employees in your organisation to answer questions, especially if you already have migrants on your staff
• agree on start date and encourage your employee to plan for arrival a few days ahead so that they can get organised
• give advice about schools in your area if your migrant has children
• answer questions about life and work in New Zealand
• know what referrals to make for questions you can’t answer.