Did you know Westpac can help you set up your bank account before you arrive in New Zealand? ...more

More and more migrants are choosing Wellington as their destination of choice...more

National Banks latest business survey results are in, and on balance its good news. 44% of business owners and CEO's surveyed said that they expected the outlook for their business to improve over the next 12 months, and only 11% hold a negative outlook...more

The most recent information from Westpac bank in New Zealand and Statistics New Zealand has been full of good news...more

By international standards New Zealand is a remarkably safe and law-abiding society. New Zealand Police have an excellent reputation and are generally considered helpful and friendly...more

New Zealand is a modern parliamentary democracy. Although its style of government still follows the Westminster (British) cabinet model, there are important distinctions. The national Government comprises a single legislature, the House of Representatives, which is elected every three years rather than the five-year cycle customary in the Westminster system... more

Second-hand cars are sold by car dealers or private sellers. The Automobile Association (AA) or Vehicle Testing New Zealand can inspect vehicles for a fee to check for mechanical problems. This is a good idea of you are not automotive minded... more

This year's biggest seller, the Toyota Hilux. New Zealand new-car sales are slowly increasing on the back of fleet replacement. New-car and light-commercial sales were up 17.2 per cent in August, but private buyers are largely staying away... more 

You can drive for up to one year in New Zealand with a current and valid driver's licence from another country or an International Driving Permit. If you are staying longer than a year, you will need to apply for a NZ licence as soon as possible after your arrival: this involves a driving theory and practical test and an eye sight examination. Holders of UK licences do not usually need to have a practical test... more

After the sad news that a magnitude 7.1 earthquake had hit the city of Christchurch, I thought I would concentrate on this as the subject of my weekly newsletter...more

New Zealand needs skilled workers to help build the economy but getting a job can still be a challenge if you have not arranged work before arriving. It may take you time and persistence to get a job. The New Zealand job market is very different from most countries. Businesses are small with the average company employing between five and ten staff. Consequently, job and personality fit is critical and this can sometimes make finding a position more difficult than market demand would indicate. The more experience and qualifications migrants have to offer, the better their chances of securing a suitable position...more

New Zealand is the second-most desired country for potential immigrants and letting everyone in would see the population almost treble, according to a survey. The country rose to second spot as the most popular migration destination, behind Singapore, in the Gallup Potential Net Migration Index...more

New Zealand is a nation of small businesses - 96% of businesses employ 20 people or fewer.  One reason is that the business environment here is a vibrant and positive one.  For example, forming a company is easy - you can do it yourself online.  New Zealand is also one of the easiest countries to do business in.  A 2008 survey by the World Bank rated New Zealand as second only toSingapore in terms of the ease of doing business, and in 2009 New Zealand was named as the world's least corrupt nation in Transparency International's annual index...more

The National Bank has a dedicated Migrant Business Banking unit with extensive experience in helping migrants establish and grow a business in New Zealand.  As migrants themselves they speak many languages and understand the issues new migrant business owners face.  They can assist with setting up or buying a business in New Zealand, help with funding your business and can also introduce you to their own network of people who can help, including lawyers and accountants as well as other business owners...more

A report prepared by business researcher Infometrics is predicting house prices will fall 4.1 percent by next June, affected by tax changes, cautious households, and the prospect of mortgage rate rises...more

Economic Outlook
Domestic economic data released over the last few weeks has echoed a familiar theme, generally coming in on the low side of expectations.   In addition, housing market data has been particularly soft, casting a shadow over households, which remain cautious in their spending decisions.  Net migration has slowed significantly and commodity prices and business and consumer confidence have pulled back (but remain positive).  We read the recent retreat in confidence as the reality of a more subdued recovery starting to dawn, as opposed to the recovery itself coming under threat.  Indeed, it is entirely consistent with our long held view that the economic recovery will be more muted compared to past cycles, with bumps along the way.  Deleveraging remains a dominant theme, and this will hold growth back in the near term.  However, somewhat ironically, a more subdued growth outcome in 2010 means we will be more optimistic about prospects for 2011, for it shows that the economy's imbalances are being addressed, which will set the stage for a more sustainable rebound further down the track...more

New Zealand is renowned for its quality of Early Childhood Education - in particular, the curriculum followed and the way in which children's progress is recorded. It has been widely written about in international publications and are often used as best practice examples in Early Years teacher training courses, including here in the UK...more

As compiled recently by the BBC:

1.    Compared to the UK, with a top rate of tax of 60%, New Zealand has one of the lowest personal tax rates in the world. Average income earners, which account for 70% of tax-payers enjoy a top tax rate of just 17.5%.

2.    GST is set to be 15%, compared to a new 20% VAT rate in the UK.

3.    New Zealand has no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax...more

The New Zealand Government recently announced a range of tax changes aimed at rebalancing the economy and encouraging New Zealander's to save...more

It has been a good couple of months for New Zealand, unemployment decreased by approximately 1%, Auckland was rated as the best English speaking city in the world...more

A recent Manpower survey shows New Zealand employers are more optimistic than they have been in two years, manufacturing and service sectors were among the most optimistic. Auckland and Christchurch in particular look primed for movement in the labour market...more

What happened?

As our economists predicted, the Reserve Bank raised the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.25% to 2.75% in their latest review on 10 June 2010.  It was the first change in the OCR since April 2009 ...more

New Zealand's unemployment rate dropped sharply in the March quarter figures released last week. 22,000 new jobs were created and the market has been reported as being buoyant. Economists are saying the growth in employment, the sharpestincrease in the last 24 years, was stunning and amazing. Significant increases in the number of job advertisements being placed and larger firms announcing they will be actively recruiting in the future has the market expecting to see further gains in this area... more

Recently a number of clients have asked me what the best way to transfer funds to New Zealand is. I subsequently decided to explore the various options available. It is fare to say that if you are transferring small sums of money there isn't much to choose between the different service providers. However, when it comes to transferring large amounts there can be up to a 4% difference...more

The new "Silver Fern Visa" is scheduled to come into effect in April 2010. The policy is designed to make it easier for young skilled people to emigrate to New Zealand without a wealth of experience...more

The latest economic reports show that although housing growth in the last quarter was good it was not great. The growth in the housing market has been instrumental in stabilising the economy. However, there has been concern that the prices could rise too fast. The shift towards more supply should mean the housing market becomes more balanced over the next few months...more