Living in New Zealand -
100% Pure Lifestyle
Where else in the world can you surf in the morning then snow ski in the afternoon? Or lose yourself in an isolated rainforest only an hour from a crowded bar? New Zealand is a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers or people who just want to get away from it all. Medacs Healthcare can help you make the most of the wonderful opportunities that exist in such a vibrant, young country.
Here are some quick facts to impress your friends: New Zealand is about the size of Great Britain or California with a population of 3.8 million. (it's one of the world's least crowded countries). NZ is a three-hour flight from Sydney. Everyone speaks English. The Personal Tax Rate range varies from 22.2 to 40.2 cents in the dollar. Wellington is the capital city. The New Zealand Government sits in a building called the Beehive. And yes, Lord of the Rings was made right here.
So choose from cities such as multi-cultural Auckland our subtropical 'city of sails', centre stage Wellington or the South Island's garden city Christchurch and 'Edinburgh of the South' Dunedin.
If city living isn't your thing, we have stunning regional areas including the farming rich Waikato and our feted wine producing areas such as Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Marlborough and Central Otago.
New Zealand is increasingly known for its adventure tourism, its pristine environment, cutting-edge fashion, quality produce and Pacific Rim cuisine.
To find out more about New Zealand as a destination visit these helpful websites:
For what's on and happening see:
You can also subscribe to New Zealand News UK. Contact:
Other websites that might assist with any queries are:
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's founding document and it has ongoing significance in the delivery of healthcare in New Zealand. For healthcare providers wanting to work in New Zealand an awareness of the treaty and its cultural implications is advised. Treaty of Waitangi written by Claudia Orange is a recommended publication. Alternatively internet search engines such as www.google.com are a good information source.
Housing
Housing prices vary around the country, however as a rule of thumb property prices tend to be cheaper in the South Island (both rental and purchase prices) while main centres like Auckland and Wellington are where you find housing at its most expensive. Rental properties are particularly difficult to find in Auckland at the moment, in part due to an increase in migration to New Zealand. The impact is being felt in the central city area in the middle to lower end of the market.
Whether you want to buy a home or rent, contact:
Cars
If you've ever fancied a classic jag or a late model convertible, look no further. Cars and fuel are cheaper in New Zealand than in the UK. Parallel importing has also seen an abundance of second hand Japanese cars being sold in New Zealand at very good prices.
In the larger centres weekly auctions and car fairs take place. They're advertised in the local papers under motor vehicles. While cars are often cheaper bought this way, the risk of mechanical problems is also higher therefore we recommend independent mechanical checks prior to purchase.
See:
Health Insurance
New Zealand's public and private medical facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service but it is important to note that unless you have permanent residency, these services are not free except in the event of an accident. We strongly advise you to arrange your own health insurance. This includes taking out travel insurance to cover you for healthcare until such time as you have met the stand down period for new health care policies in New Zealand (usually 3 months). For more information visit:
Education
The edCentre portal is linked to 28 different government websites. The parents section has been designed to help parents understand the education system and help plan their children's furure education and training.
Relocation
When relocating to New Zealand you will need the services of a reliable International Moving Company. One such specialist is Anglo Pacific International Plc who offer a free home survey of household goods for removal from anywhere in the UK to literally anywhere in New Zealand. Anglo Pacific is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and participates in the International Movers Mutual Insurance (IMMI) "Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme" for its customers' financial protection.