Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. Although I've been in Auckland for 4 months, I wish to complete the series in the next post. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written 23/12/2010]
You don't actually need an International Driving Permit to drive in New Zealand. Your current driving license is valid for up to 1 year as long as it has not expired. The other condition is that it must be in English, failing which, you need to provide an acceptable English translation.
For Malaysians, the easiest and cheapest way to do so is to get an official translation from JPJ. Firstly, prepare a photocopy of your IC and driving license, both front and back. Then, at any JPJ branch, ask for the translation application form from the enquiry counter (it's where you get a queue number).
Inform the officer at the enquiry counter once you've filled in the single page form and he/she will direct you to a staff member who will check your forms and take your payment of RM10. That's it! It will be ready for you in half a working day.
[End of original post]
Since I came here and started driving, I've mulled the idea of getting a NZ driving license. The benefits: lower car insurance excess ($400 less!) and it's a valid proof of age ID (as opposed to using your passport).
Unfortunately, I'm not from one of the "lucky" countries who can convert their driving license to a full NZ license. Oh no, Malaysians have to retake the full exam - both road code and practical driving test. This will cost about $200 in fees alone, and I'm not willing to spend that time and effort!
In my original post I mentioned that foreign driving licenses are valid for 12 months in New Zealand. I found a loophole, as explained by the NZ Transport Agency agent - the 12 months validity resets itself every time I enter NZ. So as long as I leave NZ and reenter it every 12 months, my license is good to go again!
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
06 May 2011
04 May 2011
Costs of Moving to NZ
This is in the final post in the series I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
Since Day 1 I've kept a running total of how much it cost me to fulfill my dream of moving here. Of course I've spent much more the moment I touched Auckland soil, but this was the bare minimum to get me here in the first place. This post is really only useful for Malaysians.
Note: I omitted airfare, but in case you're interested I paid RM3035 for a one-way MAS ticket (it was the peak post-Christmas period). You'll fare better with budget airlines and off-peak journeys.
Certificate of Good Conduct
Commissioner of Oath to verify application form (RM4/page) x 4 = RM16
Postal Order to "Akauntan Negara Malaysia" = RM20.50
Pos Express A4 envelope as return envelope = RM4.50
Pos Daftar mail to the Foreign Ministry = RM2.50
NZQA Qualifications Assessment*
Apply course structure from INTI = RM24
NZQA International Qualification Assessment (NZ$770) = RM1750.00
UPS Express Saver delivery = RM89
Silver Fern Job Search Visa
Online application fee (NZ$200) = RM460.00
UPS Express Saver passport delivery to receiving office = RM50
Return courier fee = SGD20 = RM50
Medical Checkup = RM260.00
Misc
Passport photos = RM17
Passport renewal = RM300
English translation of driver's license = RM10
Parcel shipment by sea (15kg) = RM81.10
* Depending on the visa you are applying and where your tertiary qualifications are obtained from, you may not need to incur this cost.
Since Day 1 I've kept a running total of how much it cost me to fulfill my dream of moving here. Of course I've spent much more the moment I touched Auckland soil, but this was the bare minimum to get me here in the first place. This post is really only useful for Malaysians.
Note: I omitted airfare, but in case you're interested I paid RM3035 for a one-way MAS ticket (it was the peak post-Christmas period). You'll fare better with budget airlines and off-peak journeys.
Certificate of Good Conduct
Commissioner of Oath to verify application form (RM4/page) x 4 = RM16
Postal Order to "Akauntan Negara Malaysia" = RM20.50
Pos Express A4 envelope as return envelope = RM4.50
Pos Daftar mail to the Foreign Ministry = RM2.50
NZQA Qualifications Assessment*
Apply course structure from INTI = RM24
NZQA International Qualification Assessment (NZ$770) = RM1750.00
UPS Express Saver delivery = RM89
Silver Fern Job Search Visa
Online application fee (NZ$200) = RM460.00
UPS Express Saver passport delivery to receiving office = RM50
Return courier fee = SGD20 = RM50
Medical Checkup = RM260.00
Misc
Passport photos = RM17
Passport renewal = RM300
English translation of driver's license = RM10
Parcel shipment by sea (15kg) = RM81.10
* Depending on the visa you are applying and where your tertiary qualifications are obtained from, you may not need to incur this cost.
03 May 2011
80% Winter Mode
While the northern hemisphere celebrates spring and all things life-giving, we on the other side of the world are bucking up for winter.
Here are 3 ways my habits have changed:
Here are 3 ways my habits have changed:
- I'm using a Thermos flask to keep hot drinking water. I avoid keeping water in plastic drinking bottles as it gets cold too fast. And I've been drinking more tea than usual - my preference is green tea or rooibos tea.
- I bought a hot water bottle (a.k.a. hot water bags)! They're now selling it for about $6 and I'm actually impressed it keeps the heat well through the night. Starts off being too hot to touch, but by 4am (early chill) it's perfect to place on the chest. My electric blanket has also been switched to Level 2 (out of 3 possible heat levels).
- I'm skipping morning showers. Instead I fill a small plastic tub with warm water and use a face towel to wipe up. Only thing missing is a white "Good Morning" towel to give me a nostalgic tingle! (My fingers and toes are still tingling, but from the cold and not nostalgia)
 |
| Credit: Little Thoughts |
02 February 2011
Sending a Parcel
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. Although I am already in Auckland, I'll be continuing with this and completing the series in 3 weeks. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally posted 16/12/2010]
Malaysia Airlines provided me with a 20kg allowance for checked baggage (I managed to squeeze through 24) so I knew that wasn't enough to bring everything I wanted to. As a result I had to buy a box for my extra clothes. Here's a list of helpful guidelines specifically for sending parcels from Malaysia to New Zealand:
[End of original post]
Although they claim to take up to 3 months for seamail to arrive, my package arrived in about 5 weeks, including the Christmas and New Year holidays. I'd say that's a pretty impressive speed, considering that airmail costs 3 times more but promises it within 2-3 weeks.
However, take note that Pos Malaysia's online parcel tracking system isn't reliable. It showed that it was sent to Customs at KLIA but no further updates after that. I got a bit nervous in the days leading up to my departure as the system kept telling me it hasn't left Malaysia and the Pos Laju staff could not provide any additional details. I was afraid it got lost or got stuck in Customs - I had a lot of nice clothes and shoes in there!
Luckily nothing untoward happened and it arrived at my temporary lodging, still in its unopened state (brown paper and twine).
[Originally posted 16/12/2010]
Malaysia Airlines provided me with a 20kg allowance for checked baggage (I managed to squeeze through 24) so I knew that wasn't enough to bring everything I wanted to. As a result I had to buy a box for my extra clothes. Here's a list of helpful guidelines specifically for sending parcels from Malaysia to New Zealand:
- It's recommended to send only clothes and personal belongings to avoid being taxed by New Zealand Customs. Food items and furniture (especially wood!) will likely cause hassle on your part.
- If you are re-using a box, it's recommended (but optional) to wrap your parcel in brown paper and tie it with twine. The plain brown paper makes your destination address stand out clearer.
- Take note of the maximum box size restrictions. I read it wrongly and had to take it home to be sized down and re-wrapped. Analyze the measurements carefully!
A + (2B + 2C) <= 2m and A <= 1m - You can choose for it to be shipped by air or by sea. Seamail takes very much longer (up to 3 months) but is also much cheaper. You can check Pos Malaysia parcel rates online.
- Pos Malaysia has very strict weight brackets for sea mail (1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg). If your parcel tips even 0.1 kg over a limit, you'll be charged for the next bracket. I put through a 14.8 kg parcel and I could get so close thanks to my reliable luggage scale
. They are more accurate than bathroom scales for low weights such as parcels. There are many designs but I used this type:
[End of original post]
Although they claim to take up to 3 months for seamail to arrive, my package arrived in about 5 weeks, including the Christmas and New Year holidays. I'd say that's a pretty impressive speed, considering that airmail costs 3 times more but promises it within 2-3 weeks.
However, take note that Pos Malaysia's online parcel tracking system isn't reliable. It showed that it was sent to Customs at KLIA but no further updates after that. I got a bit nervous in the days leading up to my departure as the system kept telling me it hasn't left Malaysia and the Pos Laju staff could not provide any additional details. I was afraid it got lost or got stuck in Customs - I had a lot of nice clothes and shoes in there!
Luckily nothing untoward happened and it arrived at my temporary lodging, still in its unopened state (brown paper and twine).
26 January 2011
LFML Meal
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. Although I am already in Auckland, I'll be continuing with this and completing the series in a few weeks. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally posted 5/10/2010]
For infrequent air passengers like myself, airline meals have always been a fascinating journey. It’s interesting to see how they squeeze food on to a single tray, and I’ve tasted great and mediocre food. Maybe because I’m not a picky eater, so I haven’t encountered a situation where I left food untouched (with the exception of chocolate and coffee).
But on this next journey to New Zealand, I am planning to request for Special Meals. MAS provides a decent range of special meals, and I’ll probably be going for the LFML meal:
I would have preferred a High Protein meal, but that’s not really an option on any airline.
By far the biggest benefit of ordering Special Meals is that I do not need to wait to be served. Without them, I have to wait for the flight attendants to wheel their cart to my seat before being served. Depending on where you sit, they might have run out of options and you’re stuck with what you don’t want. By specifying a Special Meal in advance, you are usually served ahead of the rest.
Of course, getting stuck with what you don’t want is not solely the domain of Standard Meals. After all, you don’t HAVE a choice with Special Meals – you need to eat whatever is served. And since not many people order Special Meals, there’s the very real possibility that the food comes from a freezer rather than freshly cooked hours before.
I guess the only way is to try it out myself! If you have tried Special Meals before, do share your experience!
[End of original post]
I did order the low fat meal option and didn't regret it one bit. As the flight saw full capacity there were many special meal requests and I didn't get it any quicker than others. But I felt I was served tastier food!
For dinner it was a large piece of lightly grilled salmon (or maybe they just microwaved it) topped with herbed potato wedges and garden vegetables (broccoli and carrot). The salmon was quite tasteless (it took me quite some time to figure it out before the light pink flesh gave it away) but the sides were delicious.
For breakfast the next morning, while others had to pick between omelette or nasi lemak, I had a nice chicken thigh stew. The tasty gravy helped the baked potato and fresh mushrooms go down very well!
And I got healthy canola margarine and fresh fruits instead of pure butter and chocolate cake (though some would disagree that's better).
I wouldn't hesitate to order special meals again. If you decide to do the same, please make sure you reconfirm your request at least 48 hours before departure and once more when you check-in. The Indian couple next to me had requested for a vegetarian meal but didn't follow up, and it got lost somewhere along the line. Lucky for them, they had spare vegetarian meals for the cabin crew and they were given that instead.
As an unrelated tip if you really like airline food, always take daytime flights as we were only served twice in this overnight journey. If you travel long-haul during waking hours you can be sure of being served at least every 2-3 hours.
[Originally posted 5/10/2010]
For infrequent air passengers like myself, airline meals have always been a fascinating journey. It’s interesting to see how they squeeze food on to a single tray, and I’ve tasted great and mediocre food. Maybe because I’m not a picky eater, so I haven’t encountered a situation where I left food untouched (with the exception of chocolate and coffee).
But on this next journey to New Zealand, I am planning to request for Special Meals. MAS provides a decent range of special meals, and I’ll probably be going for the LFML meal:
Low Cholesterol/Low Fat Meal (LFML)
These meals are low in total fat and dietary cholesterol, with minimum saturated fat and no added fat or fatty ingredients.
I would have preferred a High Protein meal, but that’s not really an option on any airline.
A low fat meal on Cathay Pacific (source: Nomadic Pinoy)
By far the biggest benefit of ordering Special Meals is that I do not need to wait to be served. Without them, I have to wait for the flight attendants to wheel their cart to my seat before being served. Depending on where you sit, they might have run out of options and you’re stuck with what you don’t want. By specifying a Special Meal in advance, you are usually served ahead of the rest.
Of course, getting stuck with what you don’t want is not solely the domain of Standard Meals. After all, you don’t HAVE a choice with Special Meals – you need to eat whatever is served. And since not many people order Special Meals, there’s the very real possibility that the food comes from a freezer rather than freshly cooked hours before.
I guess the only way is to try it out myself! If you have tried Special Meals before, do share your experience!
[End of original post]
I did order the low fat meal option and didn't regret it one bit. As the flight saw full capacity there were many special meal requests and I didn't get it any quicker than others. But I felt I was served tastier food!
For dinner it was a large piece of lightly grilled salmon (or maybe they just microwaved it) topped with herbed potato wedges and garden vegetables (broccoli and carrot). The salmon was quite tasteless (it took me quite some time to figure it out before the light pink flesh gave it away) but the sides were delicious.
 |
| LFML dinner with a little white wine |
For breakfast the next morning, while others had to pick between omelette or nasi lemak, I had a nice chicken thigh stew. The tasty gravy helped the baked potato and fresh mushrooms go down very well!
 |
| LFML breakfast |
And I got healthy canola margarine and fresh fruits instead of pure butter and chocolate cake (though some would disagree that's better).
I wouldn't hesitate to order special meals again. If you decide to do the same, please make sure you reconfirm your request at least 48 hours before departure and once more when you check-in. The Indian couple next to me had requested for a vegetarian meal but didn't follow up, and it got lost somewhere along the line. Lucky for them, they had spare vegetarian meals for the cabin crew and they were given that instead.
As an unrelated tip if you really like airline food, always take daytime flights as we were only served twice in this overnight journey. If you travel long-haul during waking hours you can be sure of being served at least every 2-3 hours.
19 January 2011
7th January
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. Although I am already in Auckland, I'll be continuing with this and completing the series in a few weeks. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written on 4/10/2010]
I started researching for the cheapest flight to Auckland more than 6 months ago. Saving a few hundred dollars could mean surviving jobless another week, so price was everything.
I had initially pinpoint Royal Brunei as the cheapest way to go. For about RM2.2k, it will take me from KUL-BWN-AKL. I just had to add another RM150 for a MAS flight from PEN-KUL. Total damage < RM2.5k.
Before discovering that Royal Brunei actually flies to Auckland, I had shortlisted either Malaysia Airlines (RM2.6k on their MHlow fares) and Emirates (RM2.4k thereabouts). Singapore Airlines was just too expensive (RM3.1k) while both Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific did not offer anything below RM5000 for a one-way ticket.
So I thought I was pretty smart for finding Royal Brunei.
Ahh... if only.
The phone interview 2 weeks ago gave me hope that I might secure a job offer before the end of the year, so I held off on purchasing the ticket. However, it's a well-known fact that the NZ recruitment process can move at a leisurely pace, and it quickly became obvious to me that it was true in this case.
I decided to buy the ticket now, and lo and behold, Royal Brunei no longer had the RM2.2k tickets! They were now going for almost RM2.5k, which meant it was probably better to go for Malaysia Airlines (Royal Brunei is a 3 star airline vs the 5 star MAS).
Lo and behold (again)! MAS ran out of MHlow fares as well! The next step up, MHbasic, was RM3k, which meant it was probably better to go for Singapore Airlines (I keep hearing it's better than MAS...).
And lo and...! OK, not really. SIA stayed at the same consistent price of RM3.1k.
I was initially going to go for SIA since it was just RM150 more than MAS, but I read the fine print and found out that MAS charges less for itinerary change/cancellation fees. That was really critical in the event that I needed to go earlier or even cancel my journey altogether (*touch wood*), so in the end I supported our national carrier (which really isn't that bad, except for their short-haul economy class meal boxes that really reeks of economy-ness).
To cut a long story short (for those who jumped straight to the end), I bought my MAS ticket for RM3035, about RM500 more than I had initially budgeted for. RM500 could cover one week's expenses in Auckland, so it's quite a big hit any way you look at it.
There's yet another story to come about my travel plans. Due to the wording on my visa, I may need to show proof of outward travel. That will be another post for another day.
[End of original post]
In the final paragraph above I mentioned about the proof of outward travel. As a protection against overstayers, Immigration has the right to see (in my case as it's written in my visa) my ticket to leave New Zealand at the end of my stay.
I got the brilliant idea to buy a ticket to Sydney as it would constitute 'leaving NZ' and I could visit Ivan at the same time. There's strong competition for trans-Tasman routes and so it's very cheap to fly between Australia and NZ.
With extra research I found better news - Air New Zealand's tickets can be fully refunded with the "Flexibility" option. For an extra $300 I could change and cancel my bookings anytime and be given my money back. So in the end that's what I purchased and got a refund for.
But they never asked to see my ticket.
[Originally written on 4/10/2010]
I started researching for the cheapest flight to Auckland more than 6 months ago. Saving a few hundred dollars could mean surviving jobless another week, so price was everything.
I had initially pinpoint Royal Brunei as the cheapest way to go. For about RM2.2k, it will take me from KUL-BWN-AKL. I just had to add another RM150 for a MAS flight from PEN-KUL. Total damage < RM2.5k.
Before discovering that Royal Brunei actually flies to Auckland, I had shortlisted either Malaysia Airlines (RM2.6k on their MHlow fares) and Emirates (RM2.4k thereabouts). Singapore Airlines was just too expensive (RM3.1k) while both Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific did not offer anything below RM5000 for a one-way ticket.
So I thought I was pretty smart for finding Royal Brunei.
Ahh... if only.
The phone interview 2 weeks ago gave me hope that I might secure a job offer before the end of the year, so I held off on purchasing the ticket. However, it's a well-known fact that the NZ recruitment process can move at a leisurely pace, and it quickly became obvious to me that it was true in this case.
I decided to buy the ticket now, and lo and behold, Royal Brunei no longer had the RM2.2k tickets! They were now going for almost RM2.5k, which meant it was probably better to go for Malaysia Airlines (Royal Brunei is a 3 star airline vs the 5 star MAS).
Lo and behold (again)! MAS ran out of MHlow fares as well! The next step up, MHbasic, was RM3k, which meant it was probably better to go for Singapore Airlines (I keep hearing it's better than MAS...).
And lo and...! OK, not really. SIA stayed at the same consistent price of RM3.1k.
I was initially going to go for SIA since it was just RM150 more than MAS, but I read the fine print and found out that MAS charges less for itinerary change/cancellation fees. That was really critical in the event that I needed to go earlier or even cancel my journey altogether (*touch wood*), so in the end I supported our national carrier (which really isn't that bad, except for their short-haul economy class meal boxes that really reeks of economy-ness).
 |
| Malaysia Airlines plane (taken from caribb) |
To cut a long story short (for those who jumped straight to the end), I bought my MAS ticket for RM3035, about RM500 more than I had initially budgeted for. RM500 could cover one week's expenses in Auckland, so it's quite a big hit any way you look at it.
There's yet another story to come about my travel plans. Due to the wording on my visa, I may need to show proof of outward travel. That will be another post for another day.
[End of original post]
In the final paragraph above I mentioned about the proof of outward travel. As a protection against overstayers, Immigration has the right to see (in my case as it's written in my visa) my ticket to leave New Zealand at the end of my stay.
I got the brilliant idea to buy a ticket to Sydney as it would constitute 'leaving NZ' and I could visit Ivan at the same time. There's strong competition for trans-Tasman routes and so it's very cheap to fly between Australia and NZ.
With extra research I found better news - Air New Zealand's tickets can be fully refunded with the "Flexibility" option. For an extra $300 I could change and cancel my bookings anytime and be given my money back. So in the end that's what I purchased and got a refund for.
But they never asked to see my ticket.
12 January 2011
Resignation
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. Although I am already in Auckland, I'll be continuing with this and completing the series in a few weeks. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written on 28/9/2010]
Hmm, what’s the best way to do it?
Due to an organization change I currently have 2 managers, so one fine day I set up a meeting appointment simply titled “Employment discussion”. My current manager immediately called me up and correctly guessed what it was going to be about.
While disappointed, they took it really well and was supportive of my plans to expand my wings overseas. However, they left a gap for me to revoke my resignation if I ever change my mind, and that was that. We discussed a bit on my plans and how I will transition my work to others.
No unnecessary drama. Just the way I like and appreciate.
[End of original post]
I expected the news about my resignation to spread really fast but surprisingly many people did not know up till the last month! I had to personally approach my former bosses and project managers to fill them in.
I felt honoured to be invited for quite a number of farewell meals from my colleagues. They made me feel really appreciated and sad to be missed. When asked for a speech, I always tell them that I wish them all the best in pursuing their dreams, because even they have their epic journeys to traverse.
[Originally written on 28/9/2010]
Hmm, what’s the best way to do it?
Due to an organization change I currently have 2 managers, so one fine day I set up a meeting appointment simply titled “Employment discussion”. My current manager immediately called me up and correctly guessed what it was going to be about.
While disappointed, they took it really well and was supportive of my plans to expand my wings overseas. However, they left a gap for me to revoke my resignation if I ever change my mind, and that was that. We discussed a bit on my plans and how I will transition my work to others.
No unnecessary drama. Just the way I like and appreciate.
[End of original post]
I expected the news about my resignation to spread really fast but surprisingly many people did not know up till the last month! I had to personally approach my former bosses and project managers to fill them in.
I felt honoured to be invited for quite a number of farewell meals from my colleagues. They made me feel really appreciated and sad to be missed. When asked for a speech, I always tell them that I wish them all the best in pursuing their dreams, because even they have their epic journeys to traverse.
11 January 2011
Auckland Job Hunt Part 1
I started casting my net months before my arrival but all recruiters thanked me for my interest but asked me to contact them when I've arrived.
Well, now that I'm here I sent out reminder emails to all those who expressed interest, and we'll see how the replies go.
Well, now that I'm here I sent out reminder emails to all those who expressed interest, and we'll see how the replies go.
10 January 2011
Blockhouse Bay, Auckland
Kia Ora!
I’m still jetlagged but let’s start you off with some photos of my temporary dwelling and neighbourhood.
Auckland airport from the carpark. There was no time to take more photos of the airport as my friends were waiting and parking costs $5/30 minutes.
The cozy 2 bedroom house from outside
My temporary shared bed. What a wild blanket!
The small, but well-equipped kitchen
The house is at the end of a cul-de-sac, so it’s reasonably quiet
Looking down the street outside the house
An interesting way to make sure drivers really slow down for humps
07 January 2011
Turbulent Emotions
I'm officially leaving Malaysia (for who knows how long) tonight! I can't believe it's happening! Over 12 months of planning and uncertainties have slowly worked itself down to this moment. As one journey ends, another will begin when I step off the plane.
The most surprising thing I've encountered is how many true friends I have around me. It's hard to find sincerity among the many who just say hi-bye, or who stabs you in the back, or who relies on you for free tech support (NOT naming and shaming here!). But as I prepare to depart on my journey, there are many who are genuinely sad to see me go and who really made time to meet up even though they were busy.
You know who you are. Thank you.
It really makes it harder to leave, but I take it as a sign that I'm doing something right with my life. I've gotten plenty of well wishes, promises to send me off at the airport, farewell meals, and even ang pows. I hope to continue to be surrounded by true friends and kind strangers - my kalyana mitta.
Till I get settled down my blogging frequency might be sporadic but I hope to maintain 3 posts weekly, even if they'll be a bit short...
The most surprising thing I've encountered is how many true friends I have around me. It's hard to find sincerity among the many who just say hi-bye, or who stabs you in the back, or who relies on you for free tech support (NOT naming and shaming here!). But as I prepare to depart on my journey, there are many who are genuinely sad to see me go and who really made time to meet up even though they were busy.
You know who you are. Thank you.
It really makes it harder to leave, but I take it as a sign that I'm doing something right with my life. I've gotten plenty of well wishes, promises to send me off at the airport, farewell meals, and even ang pows. I hope to continue to be surrounded by true friends and kind strangers - my kalyana mitta.
 |
| Long journey ahead... (swiped from Nac Datta) |
Till I get settled down my blogging frequency might be sporadic but I hope to maintain 3 posts weekly, even if they'll be a bit short...
05 January 2011
First Phone Interview
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand, which is finally happening this Friday! The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written on 18/9/2010]
Last Thursday (16 Sept) I managed to have my first ever international phone interview. It's remarkably rare for NZ employers to hire from abroad, but I guess the fact that this organization is a well-known multinational had something to do with their hiring culture.
I applied for a couple of roles on their Careers website about a month back. Then last week one of the HR personnel e-mailed me to find out more information about my interest to work with them. Soon after that, she suggested having a phone chat, ever mindful of the 4 hour time difference between us.
It so happened that 16 Sept is a public holiday (Malaysia Day), so I promptly arranged to have the call made at 8am Malaysia time (12pm NZ time). I was extremely nervous beforehand and couldn't really push my breakfast down. 5 minutes before 8 I stopped eating and sat patiently in front of my iMac, handsfree properly attached and thumbs nervously twiddling.
Sharp at 8am, the phone rang.
The night before, I spent some time preparing outlines to some common questions. Standard issue questions like, "Tell us about yourself", "Why do you want to work for us?", "In your CV you mentioned experience with abc. Can you describe more about that?"
However, I forgot to prepare for the most obvious question of all: "Why do you want to move to New Zealand?"
Let's just say I managed to give a minimally satisfying answer.
It did unnerve me a little for the rest of the interview, but I kept my cool throughout the other tougher questions, like: "Describe a situation where you had to cooperate with people outside your department", and "Describe a situation where you gained the trust of your customers".
We ended 15-20 minutes later (I lost track) on a very good note. I made sure I smiled and kept myself sounding casual and relaxed. She did the same. She described the roles available in more detail and said she'll get back to me in a week after talking to the hiring teams.
One of the main points we talked about was my availability. They wanted someone pretty quickly, and with their standard notice period being 4 weeks, I could understand why. I assured her that I could come over as soon as I served my 2 month notice here, and she seemed understanding.
So now it boils down to a waiting game, and if they are interested, the pay negotiations. The job is based in Christchurch, where living costs are lower, but life is dead-er. There's a reason why its moniker is the Retirement Home of NZ!
Still, it's pretty miraculous that an Asian like me could be offered a job while abroad, so I'll very likely take the offer. The job sounds fun and I feel more secure starting in a large organization where there are more concrete processes in place and I'm less likely to be scammed than working in a small software shop.
If I ever grow tired of Christchurch (let's ignore the possibility of earthquakes shaking things up), I'll probably move up to Wellington before Auckland. That way I would have had the chance to see the entire country.
A bit early to fantasize, I know. But I've come so far in my dream and the pieces are starting to fit. It's hard not to fantasize =)
[End of original post]
A few weeks and many follow-up mails following the phone interview, the hiring manager said that I wasn't qualified enough for the role. Even so I still kept a good tone with the HR contact and hopefully it will yield something in the future. As of now though, I'm moving to Auckland and trying my luck there!
[Originally written on 18/9/2010]
Last Thursday (16 Sept) I managed to have my first ever international phone interview. It's remarkably rare for NZ employers to hire from abroad, but I guess the fact that this organization is a well-known multinational had something to do with their hiring culture.
I applied for a couple of roles on their Careers website about a month back. Then last week one of the HR personnel e-mailed me to find out more information about my interest to work with them. Soon after that, she suggested having a phone chat, ever mindful of the 4 hour time difference between us.
It so happened that 16 Sept is a public holiday (Malaysia Day), so I promptly arranged to have the call made at 8am Malaysia time (12pm NZ time). I was extremely nervous beforehand and couldn't really push my breakfast down. 5 minutes before 8 I stopped eating and sat patiently in front of my iMac, handsfree properly attached and thumbs nervously twiddling.
Sharp at 8am, the phone rang.
The night before, I spent some time preparing outlines to some common questions. Standard issue questions like, "Tell us about yourself", "Why do you want to work for us?", "In your CV you mentioned experience with abc. Can you describe more about that?"
However, I forgot to prepare for the most obvious question of all: "Why do you want to move to New Zealand?"
Let's just say I managed to give a minimally satisfying answer.
It did unnerve me a little for the rest of the interview, but I kept my cool throughout the other tougher questions, like: "Describe a situation where you had to cooperate with people outside your department", and "Describe a situation where you gained the trust of your customers".
We ended 15-20 minutes later (I lost track) on a very good note. I made sure I smiled and kept myself sounding casual and relaxed. She did the same. She described the roles available in more detail and said she'll get back to me in a week after talking to the hiring teams.
One of the main points we talked about was my availability. They wanted someone pretty quickly, and with their standard notice period being 4 weeks, I could understand why. I assured her that I could come over as soon as I served my 2 month notice here, and she seemed understanding.
So now it boils down to a waiting game, and if they are interested, the pay negotiations. The job is based in Christchurch, where living costs are lower, but life is dead-er. There's a reason why its moniker is the Retirement Home of NZ!
Still, it's pretty miraculous that an Asian like me could be offered a job while abroad, so I'll very likely take the offer. The job sounds fun and I feel more secure starting in a large organization where there are more concrete processes in place and I'm less likely to be scammed than working in a small software shop.
If I ever grow tired of Christchurch (let's ignore the possibility of earthquakes shaking things up), I'll probably move up to Wellington before Auckland. That way I would have had the chance to see the entire country.
A bit early to fantasize, I know. But I've come so far in my dream and the pieces are starting to fit. It's hard not to fantasize =)
[End of original post]
A few weeks and many follow-up mails following the phone interview, the hiring manager said that I wasn't qualified enough for the role. Even so I still kept a good tone with the HR contact and hopefully it will yield something in the future. As of now though, I'm moving to Auckland and trying my luck there!
29 December 2010
Job Hunt Begins
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written on 18/8/2010]
After my visa was approved, I began paying closer attention to my Seek RSS feed. The great thing about Seek is that you can save a job search (".Net" in my case) as an RSS feed, so you can be notified instantly of new openings. I noticed an uptick of relevant job vacancies, so I spent about 3 days re-writing my CV for the New Zealand market. According to my research, recruiters prefer longer CVs rather than short summaries. By putting in all the major experiences I've had along with generous whitespace, I managed to pull it up to 8 pages.
Till date I've submitted to almost 20 vacancies. I've had 2 outright rejections, and another one informing me that none of his clients will hire over Skype or video conferencing. That's the market these days - plenty of candidates in NZ itself. But a hopeful story emerged on ENZ forums last week. A fellow Malaysian managed to get multiple job offers by going on a 4 week recreational trip so I know the job market is receptive right now.
Dad has been urging me for the longest time to do the same thing - go for a recce (recreational) trip to scout out interviews, but I am reluctant to do so. What if I fail to secure an offer within that month? Will I have enough funds to go on another interviewing trip? But if I wait till next January to formally begin my 6 month hunt, will the jobs still be there?
Decisions, decisions...
[End of original post]
As I'm reviewing this post at the end of December, I'm glad to report that the jobs are still there. While there was a sudden decline last month, things have picked up again and I'm seeing many ads for hiring in the new year.
I've also pared my CV down to 6, and then 4, pages. While their preference for longer CVs remain, there's no point being overly wordy or having too much white space. I went back each time with more brutal rewrites and omissions of details I deem unnecessary. I'm quite happy with the 4 page version which conveys the same amount of fact as the original 8 pages.
[Originally written on 18/8/2010]
After my visa was approved, I began paying closer attention to my Seek RSS feed. The great thing about Seek is that you can save a job search (".Net" in my case) as an RSS feed, so you can be notified instantly of new openings. I noticed an uptick of relevant job vacancies, so I spent about 3 days re-writing my CV for the New Zealand market. According to my research, recruiters prefer longer CVs rather than short summaries. By putting in all the major experiences I've had along with generous whitespace, I managed to pull it up to 8 pages.
Till date I've submitted to almost 20 vacancies. I've had 2 outright rejections, and another one informing me that none of his clients will hire over Skype or video conferencing. That's the market these days - plenty of candidates in NZ itself. But a hopeful story emerged on ENZ forums last week. A fellow Malaysian managed to get multiple job offers by going on a 4 week recreational trip so I know the job market is receptive right now.
Dad has been urging me for the longest time to do the same thing - go for a recce (recreational) trip to scout out interviews, but I am reluctant to do so. What if I fail to secure an offer within that month? Will I have enough funds to go on another interviewing trip? But if I wait till next January to formally begin my 6 month hunt, will the jobs still be there?
Decisions, decisions...
[End of original post]
As I'm reviewing this post at the end of December, I'm glad to report that the jobs are still there. While there was a sudden decline last month, things have picked up again and I'm seeing many ads for hiring in the new year.
I've also pared my CV down to 6, and then 4, pages. While their preference for longer CVs remain, there's no point being overly wordy or having too much white space. I went back each time with more brutal rewrites and omissions of details I deem unnecessary. I'm quite happy with the 4 page version which conveys the same amount of fact as the original 8 pages.
15 December 2010
Silver Fern Job Search Visa... Approved!
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written on 2/8/2010]
9 months of preparation led me to the moment where I handed over all my stuff to the lady behind the glass partition at INZ Singapore. I have prepared all the required documents as such:
True enough, a week later (21 July 2010) I received an e-mail stating that my visa has been approved and I have 6 months to enter NZ. I now have a month to send in my passport for the visa sticker to go on.
As my passport will expire in November 2011, I will renew my passport tomorrow and send in the new one instead. It'll be too costly to transfer the visa sticker if I wait till November 2011. In this case, I have to send in both the old and new passports. Also, I need to write a simple authorization letter to allow INZ to charge SGD20 to my credit card for the return courier.
This completes the most bureaucratic step of this journey. The next steps will be harrowing emotional steps:
If you have long hair, please make sure it doesn't obscure your eyes in your passport photos. The photographer didn't warn me about this and I had a few strands of hair covering my eyebrows. When I went to get my queue number at the Immigration Department, I was warned that my photos could be rejected on those grounds. Thankfully it was accepted without problem and I got my new passport a few hours later (the process is really efficient now!)
And this is how the visa sticker looks like on my passport:
[Originally written on 2/8/2010]
9 months of preparation led me to the moment where I handed over all my stuff to the lady behind the glass partition at INZ Singapore. I have prepared all the required documents as such:
- Passport: Certified copy
- Medical/X-ray INZ 1007: Original (X-ray film not required if no abnormal findings)
- Certificate of Good Conduct: Original
- IELTS Test Report Form: Certified copy
- NZQA International Qualification Assessment: Certified copy
- Evidence of sufficient funds: Certified copy (I printed quarterly statement from Maybank2U and went to a branch to get it certified by bank officer for free)
True enough, a week later (21 July 2010) I received an e-mail stating that my visa has been approved and I have 6 months to enter NZ. I now have a month to send in my passport for the visa sticker to go on.
As my passport will expire in November 2011, I will renew my passport tomorrow and send in the new one instead. It'll be too costly to transfer the visa sticker if I wait till November 2011. In this case, I have to send in both the old and new passports. Also, I need to write a simple authorization letter to allow INZ to charge SGD20 to my credit card for the return courier.
This completes the most bureaucratic step of this journey. The next steps will be harrowing emotional steps:
- Breaking the news to friends
- Resigning from my current position (some bridges will undoubtedly be burned here)
- Finding a job (getting ready to deal with tonnes of rejection)
- Finding the cheapest air fare (more financial than emotional)
If you have long hair, please make sure it doesn't obscure your eyes in your passport photos. The photographer didn't warn me about this and I had a few strands of hair covering my eyebrows. When I went to get my queue number at the Immigration Department, I was warned that my photos could be rejected on those grounds. Thankfully it was accepted without problem and I got my new passport a few hours later (the process is really efficient now!)
And this is how the visa sticker looks like on my passport:
 |
| Silver Fern Job Search Visa sample |
08 December 2010
Medical Checkup
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written on 22/6/2010]
Finished my medical checkup a couple of weeks back and it was a breeze. I went to Penang X-Ray Specialist Clinic along Dato' Keramat Road around 9.15am. Because I needed to fast for my urine test I was a little hungry and couldn't wait to get it over with.
The test itself was pretty straightforward.
It's been a long journey to get to this stage, but I've completed almost everything that I can. I only need to print out my bank statement and bring everything to Immigration New Zealand (Singapore branch) on 13th July...
[End of original post]
[Originally written on 22/6/2010]
Finished my medical checkup a couple of weeks back and it was a breeze. I went to Penang X-Ray Specialist Clinic along Dato' Keramat Road around 9.15am. Because I needed to fast for my urine test I was a little hungry and couldn't wait to get it over with.
The test itself was pretty straightforward.
- Peed into a cup.
- Took off my shirt for a chest x-ray (had to hold my breath and really push up against the plate).
- Tested my vision (only 1 mistake in the 20/20 range).
- Blood pressure reading.
- Stripped down to my underwear, and then the doctor proceeded to check my eyes, ear canal, body inspection, and even peered into my underwear twice.
- Finally, the doctor drew my blood but had some difficulties getting the needle in, resulting in a large blue bruise on my elbow for the whole week. Nurses are more qualified in this regard!
It's been a long journey to get to this stage, but I've completed almost everything that I can. I only need to print out my bank statement and bring everything to Immigration New Zealand (Singapore branch) on 13th July...
[End of original post]
Since my chest x-ray did not show any abnormalities, I did not have to submit it to INZ but I brought it just in case. In the end, it was not asked of me.
01 December 2010
NZQA: Of UPS and Assessment Results
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
One of the requirements to be granted the Silver Fern Job Search visa is a recognized bachelor's degree. As I wrote earlier, my Coventry degree via INTI's 3+0 program is not automatically recognized by Immigration New Zealand. (You can easily check if your qualification is exempt from assessment for New Zealand immigration purposes)
Hence, I had no choice but to send my degree for assessment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). The post below is about the time I tried to courier my documents over to New Zealand, and the ensuing chaos (on my part).
[Originally written on 9/4/2010]
I finally got all my documents ready to be assessed by NZQA. Even a few months back I started looking for a courier to send my precious documents to NZ. These are my original degrees and transcripts, mind you. Re-applying for them in the event of damage or loss will potentially drive me insane.
I didn't want to go with the local Pos Laju - they don't strike me as being overly reliable especially when it comes to tracking packages. I was determined to go with the large companies - FedEx, DHL, or UPS. An interesting side note is that none of those 3 have a presence in New Zealand. At the airport they are handed to a local courier who does the actual deliveries.
I went online to get a quotation. Here's what I found out:
Here's where things started to degenerate.
I looked up where to drop-off my package and found that the only location in Penang was in Batu Maung...
... or so I thought.
I didn't want the hassle of scheduling a pick-up if the drop-off centre was so close to office (this was before I knew pick-ups are free). So during lunch I went to find the MAB New Cargo Complex and discovered it was exactly that - a warehouse to store cargo for all the major couriers.
I got extremely suspicious that this might not be the right place to send my documents but I approached the security outpost anyway. The guy looked really puzzled and I decided to call the UPS toll-free number. After being put on hold for 2 minutes she advised to me to their drop-off office nearby. It was also somewhere in Batu Maung but an unfamiliar road (Lintang Batu Maung 4). I spent a good 10 minutes hunting for it before finding it tucked in a back shoplot.
I thought, "This farce is finally coming to an end." But the security guard gave me a shocker - this is just a package collecting outpost! The drop-off office has moved to Menara TNB in town! My heart sank deep but my temper rose. Why is all this not on the website! I was simmering in hate and I've wasted close to an hour dealing with this. I got the number of the new centre off the phone and went back to work.
I kept calling the new UPS office several times until 2.20pm when someone finally picked up the phone. She sounded indifferent when I asked her if they were open on Saturdays. She advised me to call the toll-free number again and request for pick-up. At this point I felt defeated and decided to just do that. (This was still when I thought I'll be charged for pick-ups).
Although the toll-free number leads to an automated service, pressing any option will lead you to a human instantly. And I do mean that - I didn't even hear a ring when the operator started talking to me. It was here that I learned that pick-ups are without charge, and he arranged for someone to pick the package up from me before 4pm. As of now (3.35pm) I'm still waiting. They have called me to confirm my location and now all that's left is to wait.
Today has been a nerve-wrecking day, what with organizing a talk, creating a DHL shipment, and goose-chasing the DHL service centre. Hopefully the delivery goes smoothly and NZQA can start assessing my degree next Thursday. I really need it to have it soon to apply for the Silver Fern visa!
[End of original post]
[Originally written on 26/5/10]
My NZQA assessment of my college certificate and degree finally came back, and I'm so relieved that they were assessed at Level 4 and Level 7, respectively. All you need to know is that they're equivalent to their NZ cert and degree counterparts. Therefore I will have no problem proving my qualifications to Immigration New Zealand regarding any visa applications present and future.
Now I only need to go for my medical checkup.
[End of original post]
One of the requirements to be granted the Silver Fern Job Search visa is a recognized bachelor's degree. As I wrote earlier, my Coventry degree via INTI's 3+0 program is not automatically recognized by Immigration New Zealand. (You can easily check if your qualification is exempt from assessment for New Zealand immigration purposes)
Hence, I had no choice but to send my degree for assessment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). The post below is about the time I tried to courier my documents over to New Zealand, and the ensuing chaos (on my part).
[Originally written on 9/4/2010]
I finally got all my documents ready to be assessed by NZQA. Even a few months back I started looking for a courier to send my precious documents to NZ. These are my original degrees and transcripts, mind you. Re-applying for them in the event of damage or loss will potentially drive me insane.
I didn't want to go with the local Pos Laju - they don't strike me as being overly reliable especially when it comes to tracking packages. I was determined to go with the large companies - FedEx, DHL, or UPS. An interesting side note is that none of those 3 have a presence in New Zealand. At the airport they are handed to a local courier who does the actual deliveries.
I went online to get a quotation. Here's what I found out:
- It's impossible to get a DHL quote. Either their website is very badly designed or they only accept walk-in enquiries. I couldn't find out how much it costs for me to send it to NZ.
- FedEx quotation works but their website is tad bit more hassle. Plus they're charging RM90+.
- UPS online works splendidly and gave me a quote of RM80+, slightly cheaper than FedEx.
- Pos Laju comes up to RM60+ but I'm not sure if they have pickup facilities, which all the above 3 have.
Here's where things started to degenerate.
I looked up where to drop-off my package and found that the only location in Penang was in Batu Maung...
I didn't want the hassle of scheduling a pick-up if the drop-off centre was so close to office (this was before I knew pick-ups are free). So during lunch I went to find the MAB New Cargo Complex and discovered it was exactly that - a warehouse to store cargo for all the major couriers.
I got extremely suspicious that this might not be the right place to send my documents but I approached the security outpost anyway. The guy looked really puzzled and I decided to call the UPS toll-free number. After being put on hold for 2 minutes she advised to me to their drop-off office nearby. It was also somewhere in Batu Maung but an unfamiliar road (Lintang Batu Maung 4). I spent a good 10 minutes hunting for it before finding it tucked in a back shoplot.
I thought, "This farce is finally coming to an end." But the security guard gave me a shocker - this is just a package collecting outpost! The drop-off office has moved to Menara TNB in town! My heart sank deep but my temper rose. Why is all this not on the website! I was simmering in hate and I've wasted close to an hour dealing with this. I got the number of the new centre off the phone and went back to work.
I kept calling the new UPS office several times until 2.20pm when someone finally picked up the phone. She sounded indifferent when I asked her if they were open on Saturdays. She advised me to call the toll-free number again and request for pick-up. At this point I felt defeated and decided to just do that. (This was still when I thought I'll be charged for pick-ups).
Although the toll-free number leads to an automated service, pressing any option will lead you to a human instantly. And I do mean that - I didn't even hear a ring when the operator started talking to me. It was here that I learned that pick-ups are without charge, and he arranged for someone to pick the package up from me before 4pm. As of now (3.35pm) I'm still waiting. They have called me to confirm my location and now all that's left is to wait.
Today has been a nerve-wrecking day, what with organizing a talk, creating a DHL shipment, and goose-chasing the DHL service centre. Hopefully the delivery goes smoothly and NZQA can start assessing my degree next Thursday. I really need it to have it soon to apply for the Silver Fern visa!
[End of original post]
[Originally written on 26/5/10]
My NZQA assessment of my college certificate and degree finally came back, and I'm so relieved that they were assessed at Level 4 and Level 7, respectively. All you need to know is that they're equivalent to their NZ cert and degree counterparts. Therefore I will have no problem proving my qualifications to Immigration New Zealand regarding any visa applications present and future.
Now I only need to go for my medical checkup.
[End of original post]
24 November 2010
Silver Fern Job Search Visa
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. At the end of each post, I will add in new details. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written on 30/3/2010]
I was already eyeing this new visa type when it was announced late last year. Now that more details are out, I'm considering applying for the Silver Fern Job Search Visa instead of a Working Holiday. The online application opens from 27 April, and the main impediment is the quota of 300 places annually. 300 places for the whole wide world?! I expect it to run out by the first month...
The reason why I couldn't apply immediately on 27th April is because my degree has not been assessed by NZQA. It will take at least 2 months to get the results back. I will courier everything over to NZQA by early April and hopefully I'll get a favourable result from NZQA while there are still spots for the visa.
Fingers crossed...
[End of original post]
[Originally written on 27/4/2010]
The Silver Fern Visa is a new group of visas introduced in 2010 to attract highly skilled workers to NZ. Only 300 places are allocated a year, and they were offered beginning 27 April 2010, 10am. All 300 slots were snapped up in half an hour, and I'm really thankful I'm one of them.
I set my alarm to go off at 5.55am. Pulled myself off the bed and logged-in, and was pleased to find that there were still slots available despite my initial fears. I have been waiting for this since end-2009, after all!
The form is pretty basic and simplified from the residency application. Thanks to my earlier practice run, I could fill up the form very quickly. I had a minor shock when my MasterCard wasn't accepted for the NZ$200 application fee. I might have been a bit blur in that ungodly hour and mis-typed a number. Anyway, I quickly whipped out my Visa card and it managed to go through with a receipt number of #22. Phew!
I now have 3 months to submit all the required documents (more on that next time) to the Bangkok receiving branch. My main concern now is my NZQA assessment of my Bachelor Degree. By default I qualify for Level 7 but if there's something the assessor doesn't like and she downgrades me to Level 6, I can kiss my NZ dreams goodbye.
....
Well, not goodbye but it will be very very difficult.
[End of original post]
I consider myself very lucky to have obtained a spot on this visa program. It is very rare for countries to offer open work visas when one does not have a job offer. Since this visa was just introduced, awareness is still low. While I was surprised that all 300 were taken within half an hour, I expect next year's response to be stronger once people learn of this great visa.
[Originally written on 30/3/2010]
I was already eyeing this new visa type when it was announced late last year. Now that more details are out, I'm considering applying for the Silver Fern Job Search Visa instead of a Working Holiday. The online application opens from 27 April, and the main impediment is the quota of 300 places annually. 300 places for the whole wide world?! I expect it to run out by the first month...
The reason why I couldn't apply immediately on 27th April is because my degree has not been assessed by NZQA. It will take at least 2 months to get the results back. I will courier everything over to NZQA by early April and hopefully I'll get a favourable result from NZQA while there are still spots for the visa.
Fingers crossed...
[End of original post]
[Originally written on 27/4/2010]
The Silver Fern Visa is a new group of visas introduced in 2010 to attract highly skilled workers to NZ. Only 300 places are allocated a year, and they were offered beginning 27 April 2010, 10am. All 300 slots were snapped up in half an hour, and I'm really thankful I'm one of them.
I set my alarm to go off at 5.55am. Pulled myself off the bed and logged-in, and was pleased to find that there were still slots available despite my initial fears. I have been waiting for this since end-2009, after all!
The form is pretty basic and simplified from the residency application. Thanks to my earlier practice run, I could fill up the form very quickly. I had a minor shock when my MasterCard wasn't accepted for the NZ$200 application fee. I might have been a bit blur in that ungodly hour and mis-typed a number. Anyway, I quickly whipped out my Visa card and it managed to go through with a receipt number of #22. Phew!
I now have 3 months to submit all the required documents (more on that next time) to the Bangkok receiving branch. My main concern now is my NZQA assessment of my Bachelor Degree. By default I qualify for Level 7 but if there's something the assessor doesn't like and she downgrades me to Level 6, I can kiss my NZ dreams goodbye.
....
Well, not goodbye but it will be very very difficult.
[End of original post]
I consider myself very lucky to have obtained a spot on this visa program. It is very rare for countries to offer open work visas when one does not have a job offer. Since this visa was just introduced, awareness is still low. While I was surprised that all 300 were taken within half an hour, I expect next year's response to be stronger once people learn of this great visa.
17 November 2010
IELTS
Note: This is in the series of blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. The original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. At the end of each post, I will add in new details. The 'New Zealand' tag will bring up all related posts.
[Originally written on 29/3/2010]
I took my IELTS Academic paper on the 20th of March 2010 at Cititel Hotel, Penang. I will be able to get my results this Friday.
A huge thanks to Ivan for sharing his e-notes and practice papers with me. They were extremely helpful! I think I aced the Listening and Reading tests. A few tricky questions as always but I think I won't get more than 3 wrong answers.
Writing was a little tricky. When I reviewed my Question 1 answer in the last 10 minutes, I realized I interpreted the charts wrongly. The base conclusion should still be the same, but I assumed that Chart 2 is a progression from Chart 1, when in fact they are representing different data at the same time period. I hope I don't get penalized too much for that.
Speaking was the worst module for me. It was the only thing that I couldn't practice the format properly. And coincidentally, the examiner was Rovena Capel, my old teacher from high school. I worked with her on the school debating team and school magazine. I'm not sure if this helped me (she knows I have a decent command of English) or hurt me (she expects a stronger command of English from me), but I will find out soon enough.
It didn't help that the topic of my Speaking interview was about childhood memories. Ugh! I have a bad memory and it's hard for me to dredge up the past. I would have preferred forward-thinking topics like global warming, the death penalty, or delinquency. As a result, I stuttered quite often and didn't perform up to my best. I literally saw my Band 9 result vanish in front of my lips.
Waitaminute.... Band 9? Ya that was my idealistic target. I wanted to prove to myself that the excellent student in college still existed!!! But after the Speaking test, I'm revising my expectations down to a Band 8, which is still pretty damn excellent!
I shall update once I get my Test Report Form.
[End of original post]
[Originally posted 2/4/10]
I scored the following IELTS scores:
Listening 8.5
Reading 9
Writing 8.5
Speaking 7.5
Overall Band 8.5
=)
As a funny anecdote, I lost my candidate slip with my candidate number on it so I spent an hour guessing the combination on their results website. I knew it was something simple with a few 1's and perhaps an 8 or 5. In the end I gave up and called up British Council to get my number back. If I knew they were so willing to give out the number, I would have called them up earlier. But it's definitely a privacy concern.
[End of original post]
[Originally written on 29/3/2010]
I took my IELTS Academic paper on the 20th of March 2010 at Cititel Hotel, Penang. I will be able to get my results this Friday.
 |
| We were arranged similarly, with fewer candidates and better carpeting (from Jack Hynes/Flickr) |
Writing was a little tricky. When I reviewed my Question 1 answer in the last 10 minutes, I realized I interpreted the charts wrongly. The base conclusion should still be the same, but I assumed that Chart 2 is a progression from Chart 1, when in fact they are representing different data at the same time period. I hope I don't get penalized too much for that.
Speaking was the worst module for me. It was the only thing that I couldn't practice the format properly. And coincidentally, the examiner was Rovena Capel, my old teacher from high school. I worked with her on the school debating team and school magazine. I'm not sure if this helped me (she knows I have a decent command of English) or hurt me (she expects a stronger command of English from me), but I will find out soon enough.
It didn't help that the topic of my Speaking interview was about childhood memories. Ugh! I have a bad memory and it's hard for me to dredge up the past. I would have preferred forward-thinking topics like global warming, the death penalty, or delinquency. As a result, I stuttered quite often and didn't perform up to my best. I literally saw my Band 9 result vanish in front of my lips.
Waitaminute.... Band 9? Ya that was my idealistic target. I wanted to prove to myself that the excellent student in college still existed!!! But after the Speaking test, I'm revising my expectations down to a Band 8, which is still pretty damn excellent!
I shall update once I get my Test Report Form.
[End of original post]
[Originally posted 2/4/10]
I scored the following IELTS scores:
Listening 8.5
Reading 9
Writing 8.5
Speaking 7.5
Overall Band 8.5
=)
As a funny anecdote, I lost my candidate slip with my candidate number on it so I spent an hour guessing the combination on their results website. I knew it was something simple with a few 1's and perhaps an 8 or 5. In the end I gave up and called up British Council to get my number back. If I knew they were so willing to give out the number, I would have called them up earlier. But it's definitely a privacy concern.
[End of original post]
10 November 2010
Certificate of Good Conduct 6 Months Validity
Note: This is part of a series of hidden blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. Though posted weekly, the original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming this process takes. At the end of each post, I will add in new details that I have learned since then.
[Originally written on 23/3/2010]
I just found out recently that New Zealand's immigration department (NZIS in short) will only accept Certificate of Good Conducts up to 6 months old. Darn.
I'll have to spend RM30-ish again to get a new Certificate because my first cert is dated January.
[End of original post]
Luckily I didn't have to because I submitted all my supporting documents (including this certificate) a few days before the 6 month expiry date.
A Certificate of Good Conduct is a piece of A4 paper issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that basically states that you are a citizen of good conduct with no prior blots in your history. It is required as a background check for long term migration processes, and some countries issue a Police Certificate instead.
For Malaysians, this can be obtained from Kementerian Luar Negri in 2 ways:
I went with Option 2 as I already detest traveling to KL, what more Putrajaya! I downloaded the English forms from the Ministry of Foreign Affair's Forms page. Just fill it up, get it stamped by a Commissioner of Oaths, and send it over with the required fee. I placed a self-address Pos Ekspres A4 envelope to ensure it arrives promptly, and it arrived 2 weeks later without any complications (which would be a totally different story if I were Anwar Ibrahim) :P
[Originally written on 23/3/2010]
I just found out recently that New Zealand's immigration department (NZIS in short) will only accept Certificate of Good Conducts up to 6 months old. Darn.
I'll have to spend RM30-ish again to get a new Certificate because my first cert is dated January.
[End of original post]
Luckily I didn't have to because I submitted all my supporting documents (including this certificate) a few days before the 6 month expiry date.
A Certificate of Good Conduct is a piece of A4 paper issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that basically states that you are a citizen of good conduct with no prior blots in your history. It is required as a background check for long term migration processes, and some countries issue a Police Certificate instead.
 |
| Certificate of Good Conduct Sample |
- Queue up at their Putrajaya headquarters with the necessary forms.
- Send the necessary forms and a self-addressed self-stamped envelope to Putrajaya.
I went with Option 2 as I already detest traveling to KL, what more Putrajaya! I downloaded the English forms from the Ministry of Foreign Affair's Forms page. Just fill it up, get it stamped by a Commissioner of Oaths, and send it over with the required fee. I placed a self-address Pos Ekspres A4 envelope to ensure it arrives promptly, and it arrived 2 weeks later without any complications (which would be a totally different story if I were Anwar Ibrahim) :P
03 November 2010
Working Holiday Insurance
Note: This is the second of a series of hidden blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. Though posted weekly, the original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming migration takes. At the end of each post, I will add in new details that I have learned since then.
[Originally written on 23/3/2010]
Health care in NZ is very much like Malaysia's. Public health is heavily subsidized, but only for residents and work permit holders. Since my plan is to enter NZ on a Working Holiday visa first, this excludes me from any subsidized healthcare if I need serious medical attention.
As such, I will need to obtain a travel insurance to cover me for the time I am there. Through my research, I have found 2 types of insurance I can get:
[Originally written on 23/3/2010]
 |
| U.S. Naval Hospital (from Naval Historical Center) |
Health care in NZ is very much like Malaysia's. Public health is heavily subsidized, but only for residents and work permit holders. Since my plan is to enter NZ on a Working Holiday visa first, this excludes me from any subsidized healthcare if I need serious medical attention.
As such, I will need to obtain a travel insurance to cover me for the time I am there. Through my research, I have found 2 types of insurance I can get:
- Outbound travel insurance: Offered by Malaysian insurers (or your respective country's providers) for Malaysians traveling abroad.
- Inbound travel insurance: Offered by NZ insurers for foreigners visiting NZ.
I have done my research on premiums and benefits and I can safely tell you to forget about outbound insurance (at least for Malaysians). The price for both outbound and inbound is almost the same, but because Malaysian insurance benefits are in Ringgit, they are worthless once converted to NZ Dollars.
For the same amount of money, you can either choose between RM350,000 or NZD5 million in medical fees coverage. Pretty obvious choice right?
So, I am focusing on getting an inbound policy and have been researching. Again, there are various levels of coverage you can choose from. Some of the biggest companies offering inbound insurance are:
- Orbit
- Southern Cross
- Uni-Care
- Comprehensive
For the first 3 providers, you can obtain policies via Health and Travel, an insurance broker who can help you with purchasing policies from them. I haven't actually bought the policy but they have been prompt to reply my questions and clarify confusions.
Comprehensive only deals direct, so you can check out their policies and premiums via a link at New Zealand Adventure Specialists (other websites will also link you to Comprehensive's e-store).
Again, you are advised to properly consult the policy's terms and conditions to make sure it is what you need. At this very moment I'm gravitating towards the Orbit Working Holiday policy. NZD157 covers me for 6 months, which I feel is a great deal! I don't need many of those "extra" features like missed flights, car rentals, and lost baggage because they main protection I need is from life threatening events.
[End of original post]
This reminds me, I gotta buy my insurance policy just before I enter NZ.
At the time of posting I was still planning to apply for the Working Holiday Visa but as you will see later I managed to get a better visa. I obtained a slightly different quotation to suit my needs but still at an affordable premium.
When my Malaysian life policy with Prudential came up for premium renewal in July, I decided to surrender it. I had just bought it for 2 years so the surrender value is pretty darn low but it wasn't worthwhile to maintain it for now. It was better to take that substantial amount of money and insure myself with a New Zealand policy. I will buy a new life policy when I return to Malaysia for good.
27 October 2010
The UK Degree That Wasn't Recognized
Note: This is the first of a series of hidden blog posts I wrote about my preparation to move to New Zealand. Though posted weekly, the original date stamps will give you an idea of how time-consuming this process takes. At the end of each post, I will add in new details that I have learned since then.
[Originally written on 18/2/2010]
[Originally written on 18/2/2010]
I studied a 3+0 degree programme at INTI College Malaysia (now known as INTI University College). The degree was awarded by Coventry University, UK. The whole idea of 3+0 programmes is that you can study locally, but obtain an overseas degree.
And that was indeed what I got - my degree sheet and transcript is from Coventry, not INTI.
However, New Zealand's immigration department is a little bit more fickle about that. In their list of exempted qualifications, my degree and Coventry University is listed, but they added a note "If the courses leading to the award of one the qualifications above were taken outside of the United Kingdom, please refer to the NZQA for assessment."
Damn!
If you happen to need verification for your qualifications too, visit http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ or directly to http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-international/international/index.html (if they haven't changed their links).
It's a whopping NZ$730 for verifying, plus other misc. costs for courier and getting the required documents ready. Those who studied in local universities like USM have got it easy.
Though they promise the process will take 35 days if not delayed, it's not uncommon to hear people taking more than a year to get it completed. *fingers crossed*
[End of original post]
As it finally turned out, they indeed took 35 days to assess my qualifications. The key to getting it back in time is to prepare all the documentation in advance, especially the course structures. I had to email INTI and get their curriculum department to print out copies of my course structures and mail it over. The fee incurred will vary with your institution of learning.
It was quite nail biting to wait for the results because if it was assessed to be less than a degree I would not be able to use it in my visa application. When the assessor asks, "Why did you finish a 4 year degree course in 3 years?" there's always that tinge of doubt in the quality of our 3+0 educations. Luckily it turned out alright in the end, and it was assessed to be a Level 7 qualification in Information Technology.
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