Move to New Zealand...help!

Hippo1234

Hi everyone,

This probably doesn't belong here (Mods please move it if you think it is better suited elsewhere) , it's a bit of a hybrid between jobs /travel / personal but will give it a go.

I've been in my job 3 years now, a well paid and high prospects consulting role in an international practise. I've been offered a chance to move over permanently to New Zealand and help develop the firm over there (only a year or two old in NZ). While this could be a fantastic opportunity I do have my doubts, as listed below. If anyone has any experience or thoughts on them I would genuinely really appreciate them.

- Personal life: Moving to NZ is a big step. I have a large group of friends here but no girlfriend. Do you think it would be possible, or more so difficult, to start from scratch over there, socially talking? (If anyone has worked in NZ it would be great to hear how they got on)

- I am expecting a promotion in the next 12 months. Any credit earned in Ireland may be lost in NZ, and no promotion may come.

- If the firm takes off I could see quick progression for myself, if not I think I could be back in Dublin with my tail between my legs.

Any help would be great. Really am giving this a lot of thought and finding it tough to make a clear decision - which is unusual!

Cheers everyone!!

RomanGod

I would definitely take them up on the offer

You are getting a life experience that many never get the chance to go through

Worst case scenario it all fails but it still looks good on your CV that you had the courage to move across the world for you company. That's loyalty which 3 employers can't buy. It will make you look very good

Rubberchikken

have no experience so of no help. but could you iron out any type of deal with your employers to protect yourself in the even of returning sooner than expected?

good luck with your decision.

Mrs OBumble

Moving countries when you're relatively young and don't have a family yet and with the support of your company is a lot easier than doing it later on (I say that from experience, BTW).

Yes, NZ is a long way away - your average trip time is 30-35 hours from Ireland, when you factor in connecting flights etc. But they speak English, and the cultures aren't too dis-similar - and the weather is a lot better. So is the outdoors if you're into sport. And in the current economic climate, I'm sure you've got friends who've emigrated to there or to Oz.

So I would say go for it. You may never again get such a good opportunity.

Hippo1234

Thanks all for the advice.

I suppose it's true - the opportunity may not come up again, or if it does I may be too old to up and go!

Thinking about it, my biggest worry would be the social side of thing - getting to know people, friends etc. I lead a relatively healthy social life here so it will be tough if I loose that in the move..

CatFromHue

Where abouts in NZ will you be heading?

NZ has an awful lot going for it but if it's nightlife you're after it really depends on where you're going.

Hippo1234

CatFromHue wrote: »

Where abouts in NZ will you be heading?

NZ has an awful lot going for it but if it's nightlife you're after it really depends on where you're going.

It looks to be Auckland. From my limited research I hear it's like Dublin and not one of the nicest parts in NZ?

Faolchu

Hippo1234 wrote: »

- I am expecting a promotion in the next 12 months. Any credit earned in Ireland may be lost in NZ, and no promotion may come.

Could your promotion hinge on this? I know a few companies that do similiar. they transfer you to a different branch (not abroad mind) where no one knows you and when you get there you're trained into your new role so when you return you're promoted and have the experience to back it up etc.

Hippo1234

Faolchu wrote: »

Could your promotion hinge on this? I know a few companies that do similiar. they transfer you to a different branch (not abroad mind) where no one knows you and when you get there you're trained into your new role so when you return you're promoted and have the experience to back it up etc.

It's funny, the company is very much a silo. As the Irish (or more so EMEIA side of things) works independently from the APAC side of things, I would essentially be quitting the Irish company and signing a new contract for the NZ company.

The Irish management will receive no benefit for me leaving - this opportunity came through the corporate channel, and the Irish Management could say no but will have an annoyed employee, so I am quite confident they will agree to it.

Sorry (off on a tangent), but in short, the promotion is country based - so it looks like I will be seeking a promise of a promotion with the NZ company within x months prior to signing.I would also be confident that the promotion will be offered on the Irish side if I stay.

NZ_2014

Hippo1234 wrote: »

It looks to be Auckland. From my limited research I hear it's like Dublin and not one of the nicest parts in NZ?

Its the biggest city. City centre is a bit boring but there are nice subarbs and beaches nearby. It's in the north of the country so much sunnier weather than in the south. Short flights(about 3hrs) to Australia and Fiji too.

on_my_oe

Auckland is not my favourite part of NZ, but it's definitely not the worst. Can I ask how old you are? It will be different if you are 50 versus 25.

If you are 20-33/34, live in a house share - most Kiwis will include their house mate in going out, especially if you are new to the country and come with an Irish accent. If you are in any way energetic, get yourself on an indoor netball or a touch rugby team - usually play week nights, and a good way to meet people. There's always meetup.com - join a social group or two. Depending on the organisation tree, you will make friends as well through work (obviously if you are going over as the head honcho, that might be difficult to balance the politics).

There's an Irish society or three, so if you get homesick you'll be ok.

Honestly, give it a go - you'll regret more what you haven't done than what you have done. I moved at 25, and I learnt a lot about myself, and although it wasn't all smooth sailing, I can honestly say I don't regret it. If it doesn't work out, what's the worst that can happen - you come home with a suntan?

drumswan

Hippo1234 wrote: »

It looks to be Auckland. From my limited research I hear it's like Dublin and not one of the nicest parts in NZ?

Auckland is nothing like Dublin. Its not a great city tbh.

Wellington on the other hand is superb.

Mrs OBumble

drumswan wrote: »

Auckland is nothing like Dublin. Its not a great city tbh.

Wellington on the other hand is superb.

Yes, there are differences. "Culture" in particular is defined differently. There's a harbour in the middle instead of a river. Total human habitation history is probably shorter (we don't really know). Western / European habitation history is a definitely shorter. It's harder to go overseas for the weekend. It's not the capital city.

But:

It's about the same size (1.5 million)
Four TLAs (granted, in Auckland's case now merged)
One side is rougher than the other (north Dublin = south Auckland)


Despite the different political status, Wellington is more like Cork, IMHO. Cultural captial and all.

d4v1d

9 years ago I got the chance to move with work from Dublin to Auckland. Knew no-one over there except for voices on the phone of the people I'd been working with. Got into Auckland a week before Christmas 2005 and the sun was shining. I stayed there for 2 years before moving back to Ireland and my first memory to last was the sun shining. Absolutely loved it there.

Sure Auckland was as boring as sh!t for the nightlife compared to Dublin but the quality of life people have over there is so much better than Ireland. Every company is different but we were encouraged to finish early on Fridays (if possible) and head out as group mountain biking, or occasionally we'd rent a boat for fishing trips.

While living over there I got into scuba diving, snowboarding, mountain biking and really good food. Yes, you can kind of do some of these things over here too but it's just so accessible over there.

If you go the first thing you'll need is to get mobile, it's not as easy to live over there without a car as you can in Dublin. Accommodation is also really expensive which is tough to get used to.

I say go and try it. Take the chance and make the most of it.