r/MovingToNewZealand

I've been in Pharmacy in the US for 17 years and I'm ready for something new, I have been getting ads to go to New Zealand as there is a big need for pharmacists. I was looking at the Pharmacy Council site and it is saying I can get licensed in NZ via the Recognized Equivalent Qualification Route by taking the CAOP exam, but there is also a box saying that the Pharmacy Council is removing the exam requirement. Is there anyone with any insight regarding this? They only offer the exam 3 times a year, so removing the exam requirement will make the move a lot more convenient and less expensive (I'm sure that is part of why they are removing the requirement).

Also, are there any pharmacists that have made the move from the US to NZ who can give some more info about how pharmacy and life in NZ compares to the US? My wife is in education but only works part time. The salary in NZ is significantly less than in the US, can a family live on just a pharmacist salary?

I'm thinking of moving to NZ, my job is on the green list. But I don't know how to apply for a job because most of them are required for you to have a work visa?? How can I find an offer while I'm still in my country

Hi everyone,

I’m a Civil Engineering graduate from India, currently working as a Design Engineer, and I’m considering pursuing the Master of Professional Engineering (Civil Engineering) at the University of Auckland.

I’m particularly interested in understanding the programme from the perspective of someone who has studied/worked in New Zealand.

I’d really appreciate advice on:

• How good is the MPE (Civil) curriculum for structural/civil engineering?
• What are the job opportunities in New Zealand after graduation?
• Is it realistic to get internships or part-time engineering-related work while studying?
• How does the programme relate to Engineering New Zealand / professional accreditation?
• What are the current post-study work and long-term residency/PR pathways for civil engineers?
• What kind of starting salary can a civil/structural engineer realistically expect?
• Which civil engineering areas currently have the strongest demand in NZ — structural, transportation, water, geotechnical, construction, etc.?
• Is the overall ROI reasonable considering international tuition fees and living expenses?
• Which city would be better for career opportunities after graduation — Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or others?
• How is the overall work-life balance, lifestyle and long-term career growth for civil engineers in New Zealand?

My long-term goal is to build a stable engineering career in New Zealand, rather than simply complete a master's degree and return home.

If you are currently studying at UoA, graduated from the MPE, or are working as a civil/structural engineer in New Zealand, I’d especially appreciate your honest experience and advice.

Thanks in advance! 🙏

I'm planning to relocate to New Zealand and need to move my household belongings. Which moving companies have you personally used, and were you happy with their pricing, communication, and handling of your belongings?

Hi, i plan to move to NZ for a masters in Waikato probably in computer science or IT.

My question is, is it a good idea to move to NZ?

Can i find part time work in that area?

If not how long can i expect to find work?

Is it possible to live on 15k NZD per year? If accommodation is covered separately?

Hi everyone,

I’m originally from Nepal and currently an international student in Australia. I’m considering moving to New Zealand in the future. I completed a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) in Australia in 2025 and I’m interested in starting my ECE teaching career in New Zealand.

I don’t have paid ECE teaching experience yet, but I completed 60 days of professional placement across toddler and kindergarten rooms during my degree. I also currently hold provisional registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), valid until January 2027.

I’d really appreciate advice from people working in ECE in New Zealand, particularly new graduates, overseas-trained teachers, male ECE teachers, or anyone involved in hiring.

1. How realistic would it be for someone in my situation to find their first ECE teaching job in New Zealand?
2. Is there currently good demand for new graduates, and are centres generally willing to hire overseas-qualified teachers without paid teaching experience?
3. As a male ECE teacher, what is the experience like when applying for jobs and working with centres and families?
4. What are the starting salary, workload and working conditions generally like?
5. Are there particular cities or regions in New Zealand where ECE job opportunities are better?
6. How does the New Zealand teacher registration process work for someone with an Australian ECE qualification who already holds VIT registration until January 2027? Would this make the registration process any easier?
7. Are ECE centres generally willing to hire overseas applicants who need a work visa, or do they usually prefer people who already have unrestricted work rights?
8. For someone with no paid ECE experience, would starting with relief/casual teaching be a good way to get into the sector and build experience?

Any genuine advice or personal experiences would be really appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m a GP from Chile, and I’ve been considering moving to NZ because Chile is recognised by the MCNZ and the whole process doesn’t seem too difficult. But job stability is really important to me. Do you think it would be hard to find a job? I prefer rural hospitals in general. And what about getting into specialty training? Would it be difficult?

Alright guys, I'm in the process of moving to NZ and I'm currently at my first rugby game. I am a casual sports enjoyer at best, but I am loyal. I grew up in Philly, so I am of course, an Eagles fan and I am quite proud of the unhinged reputation we fans have.

So my question is.... Which rugby team has the fan base most like the Eagles? Can I translate my Eagles loyalty to NZ?

Hi everyone,

I have an active offer from a New Zealand university and need some advice regarding my financial situation.

My intended spouse lives abroad, while I’m currently in Pakistan. We are not legally married yet.

The plan is:

* My intended spouse will pay my university tuition fees directly before I apply for the student visa.
* I will show my own bank statement for my living expenses.
* I will also provide my intended spouse’s bank statement and income/source-of-funds documents to explain where the tuition money came from.

Could this arrangement raise concerns for Immigration New Zealand or increase the risk of visa refusal??

Has anyone been in a similar situation or successfully obtained a NZ student visa with this type of financial arrangement?

Any advice or personal experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

I am currently in New Zealand, and my travel visa is expiring this month. My work visa has not been approved yet, and I am experiencing financial difficulties, so I am urgently looking for a job opportunity that may help me with my situation. I have more than 10 years of experience working as a Medical Representative in the Philippines, with the company Menarini. I also graduated with a nursing degree and have a nursing license in the Philippines. I am willing to work in any suitable healthcare-related position, such as a Medical Representative, Caregiver, Healthcare Assistant, Support Worker, or other medical-related jobs. I am hardworking, experienced, willing to learn, and ready to provide my CV and supporting documents. I would greatly appreciate any opportunity or assistance in finding an employer who can legally hire and support me with the appropriate work visa process.

Hey yall, I’m about to finish my undergrad degree in bio and environmental science this December and I’m really wanting to take some time to travel before landing into another career or going to graduate school.

I’m trying to find an affordable way to travel around NZ and Australia. Optimally I would love to do something in biology or environmental science but I am keeping my options open. I would prefer only temporary employment so then I can come back to the states in the late spring/ early summer.

I’m thinking I would leave the US in January and be back by May or June.

If anyone has experience with this PLEASE let me know or provide some of your best leads.

Thanks! 🙏

Title basically
I wanna do my bachelors out side of my country
I’ve gotten offers from some pretty good NZ unis so far, and am in the process of applying for scholarships

I really just wanna study for 3 years, do an exchange program or two and then go back

It’s a lot less ‘ambitious’ than the other posts on the sub Reddit but it’s just what I want

I was hoping to know how intl students felt studying at NZ and how their experiences were

Is there anything else particularly I have to look out for?

I got an offer for a double major (yay!), and I like academically rigorous settings
The country I am in right now is hyper competitive and sooo fast paced so my soul yearns for the peace and quiet.

I love hikes and the outdoors too!

Sorry for the rambling

Was hoping to hear the experiences of those who came here just to study!

Worried particularly abt the safety (esp at night), social circles, part time gigs, and student support!

Oh and, would I NEED a car?

Hi,

Here is something about me. I'm a current primary school teacher in Singapore. I teach Chinese and CCE. I have PGDE qualification and also a master degree but that one is not related to education.

I really love the life in New Zealand and I wonder if there are any SG teachers (Pri, Chinese & CCE) have successfully get qualified by New Zealand and got a job offer in their local schools? I know the chances are likely to zero, as I'm not a STEM teacher and most schools in NZ doesn't have Mandarin/Chinese class.

Are there any ways to work this out?

Thanks

Hi everyone,

My husband (31M) and I (31F) are European citizens seriously considering moving to New Zealand. We would love to get some realistic insights from locals and expats living there.

A bit about our background:

My husband: Registered Nurse (RN) specializing in hospice/palliative care.

Me: Degree in Media Studies, with a very adaptable work history across various industries. (sales, management, graphic design, photography...). I also do a lot of paintings on canvas.

We have a few specific questions:

What are the main pros and cons of living in New Zealand? (europ / New Zealand)

How is the current job market for healthcare workers (specifically hospice/palliative care RNs) and media/general fields? But I can also work in cafe or in shopping center/market.

What steps do we need to complete before moving (registration, visas, etc.)?

How does the visa pathway work? How long do you need to hold a resident visa before applying for citizenship?

Can you easily rent a house while on a work or resident visa? we are looking for a house close to the Wellington but with a nature around it and if it's possible after some time to have a small farm (chicken, cow, lambs and goats. with place for hervs, fruit trees....).

Any serious, practical advice would be greatly appreciated! ❤️

hi all, my i’m from the caribbean island called Dominica and i’m thinking about moving to new zealand. I’m 21, i don’t have a visa, im thinking about moving to new zealand early next year, what advice would you give me?

Commerce student without maths from CBSE board passed out this year with 80 percent and got CLB 7 in ilets . But now i am confused to apply for which university , the shortlisted universities are
1- university of Auckland
2- university of Victoria Wellington
3 - university of Otago

Open to more suggestions and please if anyone has some acquaintances feel free to contact me i would really appreciate your help
Edit:- i have researched and found out that (AUT)
Auckland university of technology offers course Bachelor of Construction (Construction Management) ? Or another option is to choose double majors accounting with digital business
In UOA . Open to suggestions?

Hello! I am currently a G12 student and will be graduating next year around April-May. I've really been thinking for a long time about pursuing this since I'm convinced that there are bigger opportunities that NZ can afford more than my home country. My parents are willing to fully fund and support me, and I do not have to worry about where I stay since half of my family lives there in NZ (Hamilton).

But honestly, I am really having second thoughts on my decision since I do not even know what to expect. It feels so financially burdensome to my parents that they have to pay millions just for my tuition. That's why my aunt suggested I go through a short course, then work until I obtain a Residence visa so that my expenses in college will lessen.

I've really started researching and looking up courses that can benefit me for PR (even tho if it won't be in my interest)

Please let me know how the process on how I still continue my college there in NZ, Any tips and suggestions for applying online from another country or what visas should I apply for is much appreciated!!! TENKYUU

Hi all, looking for some honest, up-to-date perspectives on the study-to-PR pathway.

I'm a mid-career HR/finance professional based in the Middle East, considering doing a Level 9 Masters in New Zealand (Supply Chain or a related field) as a route into permanent residency. I have several years of experience in my field but my qualifications aren't NZ-recognised yet, so the study route seems like the most structured path.

A few things I'm trying to get clarity on:

1. Is the study → Post-Study Work Visa → Skilled Migrant Category route still a realistic pathway, or have recent immigration policy changes made it significantly harder?

2. For those who've done this — how long did the full journey actually take from arriving as a student to getting PR?

3. Does the choice of institution (e.g. Massey vs AUT vs Waikato) matter much for visa or SMC purposes, or is it mainly about the qualification level?

4. Are HR/payroll/supply chain roles generally in demand enough to get an offer within the PSWV window, or is the job market tough for these fields?

5. Any NZQA or INZ gotchas I should know about for someone coming from outside the UK/Australia/typical migration corridors?

Not looking for professional advice — just real experiences and ground-level perspective. Thanks in advance 🙏

My_qualifications Commerce student without maths from CBSE board passed out this year with 80 percent and got CLB 7 in ilets . But now i am confused to apply for which university , the shortlisted universities are
1- university of Auckland
2- university of Victoria Wellington
3 - university of Otago

Open to more suggestions and please if anyone has some acquaintances feel free to contact me i would really appreciate your help
One more thing, was confused between course selection as i would be choosing double majors so
Accountancy is mandatory and other subject would be either digital business or commercial law