Do you need a New Zealand Visa? The Visa Centre has expertise and experience in consultation and processing of all types of New Zealand visas including visit/tourist visas, student visas, migration visas, business visas, work visas, and more.
If you have had your visa application rejected by New Zealand’s Immigration Authority – we can even help you lodge a professionally prepared appeal!
New Zealand has been actively encouraging immigration to fill labour shortages as well as providing ...
Read MoreTo study in New Zealand the applicant and the course of intended study must meet the immigration req...
Read MoreWork visas are for people with a job offer to work in New Zealand temporarily (for up 3 years).
Read MorePeople who wish to start a business in New Zealand (self-employed) can apply for a Long-Term Busines...
Read MoreVisitor visas are required for visitors who are to stay in New Zealand for up to nine months.
Read MoreHas your New Zealand visa application been rejected? The Visa Centre can help!
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New Zealand is an extremely beautiful, peaceful country with a friendly population of about 4.5 million people.
New Zealand has a diverse multi-ethnic population of Europeans, Maori, Polynesian, Asians, etc. New Zealanders, commonly known as ‘Kiwis’ are considered welcoming and easy-going people who love to meet people from different cultures.
In New Zealand, you can enjoy the benefits of both urban and rural lifestyles. Verdant mountains, sprawling forests, beautiful lakes, spacious beaches and farmland make up the countryside of New Zealand. People from all over the world come to New Zealand to appreciate the dramatic and varied landscape. New Zealand has a temperate climate, where it is quite pleasant all year round. Urban New Zealanders enjoy a balanced lifestyle of work and leisure, often being within close proximity from offices to beaches and parks, as well as being able to enjoy a vibrant arts scene, food and wine.
New Zealand’s climate is mild and temperate. Temperatures range from around 25˚C in the summer to between 5 and 10˚C during the winter. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. While there are four seasons, it is often known for having four seasons in one day as temperatures can change suddenly. New Zealand’s climate is affected by two geographical features: the mountains and the sea. New Zealand has mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall, and many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country.
There are three official languages of New Zealand, they are: English, Maori, and NZ Sign Language. New Zealanders call themselves Kiwis collectively. Kiwis are typically friendly and outgoing; they can be somewhat reserved initially yet they are always polite, and enjoy extending hospitality. They are quite easy to get to know as they say hello to strangers and will offer assistance without being asked, they do not stand on ceremony and are egalitarian, they move to a first name basis quickly and shun the use of titles. Kiwis dress casually, but neatly. Most restaurants do not have dress codes and except in business, dress is decidedly casual. Business dress is conservative, although jackets may be removed and shirtsleeves rolled up when working. New Zealand has no formal class structure. Kiwis take pride in individual achievements and believe that opportunities are available to all.
In New Zealand, bus transport is the most common form of public transportation. Some smaller cities have little or no public transport so people rely on cars, taxis, cycling and walking. Auckland and Wellington both have suburban rail systems for public use. Ferries as well are used by locals to get around, albeit not as frequently. There is also a ferry on the Cook Strait, between the two main islands. Bus and train fares usually range from about $1 to around $10 (NZ eg Auckland) depending on where and when you are traveling and the length of your journey. There may be discounts for students and senior citizens. Short ferry fares (such as to the bays around Auckland) can range in price from about $4 to $8 one way.
The healthcare system of New Zealand has undergone significant changes throughout the past several decades, creating a mixed public-private system for delivering healthcare. The cost of treatment for cases deemed ‘accidents’, for all people legally in New Zealand (including tourists), is covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation . The extensive and high-quality system of public hospitals treats citizens or permanent residents free of charge and is managed by District Health Boards. A secondary market of health insurance schemes exists which funds operations and treatments for their members privately. Primary care (non-specialist doctors / family doctors) and medications require co-payments, but are subsidized, especially for patients with community health services cards or high user health cards.
Despite being a small nation, New Zealand has a large and dedicated sports following. Sports such as rugby, cricket, and netball are among the most popular pastimes in the country. Other popular sports include basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, rowing and a variety of water sports, particularly sailing and surf sports. Snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding are also enjoyed by many people in New Zealand.
New Zealand is known by dare devils around the world as one of the best place for extreme sports. In fact, bungy jumping first started in New Zealand. There is a wide variety of heart pounding activities and sports for any adventurer to take part in including:
Boardsports – snowboarding, sandboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, riverboarding, river surfing, surfing, flowboarding, skysurfing, skateboarding, mountainboarding, snowskate, wakeboarding, dirtsurfing.
Motorsports – Motocross, snocross, rallying, drifting, supercross, motorcycle rally.
Water sports – Rafting, whitewater kayaking, whitewater canoeing, free-diving, scuba diving.
Mountaineering – Ice climbing, rock climbing, bouldering, free solo climbing.
Free Fall – Parachuting, bungee jumping, wingsuit flying, base jumping.
Flying – Paragliding, hand gliding
inding part time work in New Zealand is not difficult. If you do require assistance there are always employment advising centres, particularly for students to find suitable employment. These services are especially relevant for tertiary students and can be very helpful to those who utilize them. Other employment agencies help people of different occupations, including temporary part time roles such as administrative office duties or manual labour. Employment rates for international students studying in New Zealand are very high. Students usually find jobs as caretakers, farmers, homework helpers, Assistants, computer operators, waiters, receptionists, and cleaners, among hundreds of other opportunities.
Minimum Wage
There are two minimum wage rates (since May 2013):
•The adult minimum wage applies to all employees aged 16 and over who are not new entrants or trainees is $13.75/hr.
•The starting-out minimum wage applies to employees aged 16 to 19, with certain conditions, and is $11.00/hr.
New Zealand’s major cities offer a diverse and vibrant night life. After dark, the familiar sounds of laughter and vigorous conversation issue from all kinds of people milling about or leaving the bars and restaurants.
With a wide range of night clubs, restaurants and bars, live music and theatre, New Zealand’s nightlife offers something for all age groups. The legal drinking age for New Zealand is 18. Live bands are popular with young pub-goers and jazz venues accommodate the mature crowd. Nightclubs vary in dance styles and music, and the diversity of quality live theatre in New Zealand ensures all age groups and interests are catered for.
For a night of thrills and excitement, try your luck at one of New Zealand’s casinos. Casinos sometimes also offer restaurants, live music and dancing. For a quieter night, unwind in a bar or restaurant and enjoy New Zealand’s fine cuisine, wine and beer.
