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SMART MOVE YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING AND WORKING Why Auckland Living in Auckland Need to know IN AUCKLAND, CONTENTS

01 WHY AUCKLAND? 3 03 NEED TO KNOW 12 A city of opportunity 4 Find a job 13 The Auckland economy 5 Work visas 13 Education 14 02 LIVING IN AUCKLAND 6 Healthcare 15 People and culture 7 SUCCESS STORY: LAVANYA BOMMINI 16 Things to do 8 Housing 17 Getting around 9 Cost of living 18 SUCCESS STORY: MARC FORRESTER 10 Taxes 18 Support services and networks 11 Climate 19 Connected to the world 19 WHY 01 AUCKLAND When you start a new job in Auckland, you start a new way of life. One that offers both an amazing lifestyle and diverse possibilities for your career. RD

MOST3 LIVEABLE CITY IN THE WORLD Mercer Quality Living Survey 2015

WELCOMING AND SAFE before. We’re big enough to be connected to outdoor activities at your fingertips. With more are well known for their other global business hubs around the world, free time you could be starting your day paddle friendly and welcoming nature. The traditional but small enough that making connections boarding or jogging along the waterfront then A CITY OF Māori spirit of manaakitanga (hospitality, is easy, and career progression can be relaxing after work with dinner and drinks, a OPPORTUNITY kindness and generosity) remains just as significantly faster than larger cities. It’s about bush walk or fish and chips on the beach. significant today. Safety is another major draw more than a job; you’ll be helping to build and FAMILY FRIENDLY shape a city. card – we value human rights, are nuclear-free, If you already have children or you’re planning politically stable, and have extremely strict gun CITY STYLE, NATURAL BEAUTY for the future, Auckland is a wonderful place From outstanding career control laws. Auckland combines all the energy and to raise a family. It’s safe, stable and culturally opportunities to an AN INTERNATIONAL CITY excitement of city life with spectacular diverse, with excellent public healthcare, a We’re a relatively young city, but we’re natural beauty in every direction. World-class lifestyle where children can enjoy our natural exceptional lifestyle, here’s making our mark on the world – and you can food, wine, coffee, designer shopping and a playground, and a world-class education why working in Auckland is too. Innovative companies and startups are thriving arts and culture scene is matched system. stepping onto the global stage and dedicated with beautiful harbours, islands, beaches, A CITY OF DIVERSITY forests and volcanic cones that offer countless a smart move. innovation hubs are expanding across the city. Auckland is the fourth most diverse city in adventure activities to enjoy, from sailing Auckland is the nation’s economic powerhouse the world – more than 200 different ethnic and surfing to mountain biking and hiking. and New Zealand’s largest city, home to communities call our city home and about And it’s all so close. We’re encircled by three about a third of the country’s population. a third of all people living here were born natural harbours, giving our region hundreds of We’re a , with easy access to key overseas. The majority of New Zealand’s beaches within easy reach of the city centre. international markets, particularly in the Asia indigenous Māori population lives in Auckland, Pacific region. BALANCED LIFESTYLE and we’re also the world’s largest Polynesian JOB OPPORTUNITIES Our great lifestyle is one of the main reasons city. Our huge mix of cultures not only makes With many large-scale projects and new people are drawn to Auckland. We believe for diverse cuisine, art, music and language, it companies springing up throughout Auckland, in hard work, but we know life outside is also makes it easy for new migrants to connect there’s never been a more exciting time to important too – whether that means quality with people with similar backgrounds. work here. Our population, economy and key time with family and friends, joining a social industry sectors are all growing rapidly, which sports team or making the most of the superb means more career opportunities than ever dining, shopping, entertainment, nightlife and 4 THE AUCKLAND ECONOMY WE’RE A GROWING ECONOMY Auckland’s economy has seen five years of Auckland is the economic consecutive growth, with an average growth powerhouse of New Zealand, rate of 3.3% per annum since 2010. WE’RE A GROWING CITY home to a third of the Auckland has a population of almost 1.6 population and contributing million, an increase of almost 10% since 2010. It is forecast to reach 2 million by 2025. over 36% of the nation’s GDP. WE CONTRIBUTE OVER A THIRD OF NEW ZEALAND’S GDP Auckland’s GDP was NZ$80bn in 2015 – 36.7% of the New Zealand economy. WE’RE GLOBALLY CONNECTED Auckland is internationally connected, serving as a gateway to New Zealand and markets in the Asia-Pacific region, and offers a competitive and stable business environment and business-friendly government services. We’re just one direct flight away from major cities in Australia, Asia and the western of the US. WE’RE DIVERSE AND INNOVATIVE TH Auckland has moved toward a more service oriented and innovation oriented economy. A strong and increasingly specialised MOST4 INNOVATIVE CITY manufacturing core is supported by a talented IN SOUTH EAST ASIA and globally focused service sector. AND Global Innovation Index 2015 Find out more about Auckland as an innovation city here.

5 LIVING IN 02 AUCKLAND When you arrive in Auckland, you’ll find a city rich in diverse cultures, friendly people and a huge range of things to see and do. %

39OF AUCKLANDERS WERE BORN OVERSEAS 2015 World Migration Report, International Organisation for Migration

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

New Zealanders are known for their warm SETTLING IN OUR LANGUAGES nature and hospitality – and Auckland is no In the 2015 Expat Insider survey, 94% of New Zealand has three official languages Our sense of hospitality and different. Kiwis (as New Zealanders are often respondents said they found New Zealand – English, Māori and New Zealand Sign called) love travelling, so we understand the people ‘friendly’ or ‘very friendly’ – one of the Language, with English the most commonly many diverse cultures make importance of welcoming new people to our reasons we scored so highly (second of 64 spoken. own land. Auckland an exciting and countries) for ‘ease of settling in’. There are many classes and programmes OUR DIVERSE CULTURES We are by far New Zealand’s largest city, but across the for people welcoming place to live. We’re the fourth most culturally diverse city in there’s a real sense of community here. We who want to improve their English or learn the world – more diverse than , , often socialise with colleagues outside of work, Te Reo Māori. and New York – and over a third joining a social sports team is a popular way of all Aucklanders were born overseas. This to make friends and every area of Auckland diversity is reflected in our art, music, cuisine, has different events, places and programmes festivals and cultural experiences, as well as in where people come together, whether it’s a our workplaces, schools and universities. favourite local restaurant or helping out in + Our Māori heritage gives us a unique place the community as a volunteer. 200 in the world, and our city is home to more DIFFERENT ETHNIC COMMUNITIES CALL AUCKLAND HOME than 200 different ethnic groups. Auckland 2015 World Migration Report, is strongly influenced by Pacific pride and International Organisation for Migration passion – we are the world’s largest Polynesian community – and nearly a quarter of people living here are of Asian descent.

7 THINGS TO DO WINE REGIONS > Rolling vineyards, award-winning From fine food and wine to vintages and an island of wine walks, thriving nightlife to native wildlife, WALKS AND HIKING > there’s so much to see and Hidden waterfalls, untouched do in Auckland when the native forest and coastal climbs BEACHES > working day is done. Sheltered golden bays and wild black-sand surf beaches

WATER ACTIVITIES > We’re surrounded by sea, EVENTS AND FESTIVALS > DINING > and we make the most of it Concerts, international sports, Restaurants, cafés, bars and cultural festivals and free events ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES cuisine from around the world > Mountain biking, indoor skiing, kayaking, abseiling and more

SHOPPING > THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT > From designer boutiques and luxury Cosy cocktail bars, local pubs, ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY > ISLANDS > labels to local farmers’ markets lively clubs and gigs galore Galleries, museums and Discover the beautiful islands heritage experiences right on our doorstep 8 GETTING AROUND PUBLIC TRANSPORT – CYCLING DRIVING TRAIN, BUS AND FERRY For a great way to get outdoors and improve You can legally drive in Auckland and New Our public transport network is a great your health and wellbeing, try cycling or Zealand for up to 12 months per visit, with way to get around the city and throughout walking. A number of cycle paths have popped either a current driver’s licence from your Getting around is easy and the region. As well as inner city buses, you up over Auckland in the last few years to make home country or an International Driving can travel by train or bus from your commuting on bike or foot even easier and Permit (IDP). Make sure you have these affordable, whether you’re to most major work hubs, plus schools, more new cycle ways are planned in the near organised before you arrive in New Zealand. driving, catching public beaches, entertainment precincts and future. You will need to convert to a New Zealand transport or cycling. attractions in Auckland. licence after 12 months. Britomart in downtown Auckland is the main More about driving in New Zealand >> transport hub and is where many buses and trains start and end. Ferries also arrive and depart from downtown Auckland, just two minutes’ walk from Britomart. A number of bus and train stations and some ferry departure points also have park and ride facilities.

Find public transport services, maps and timetables.

9 SUCCESS STORY

MARC FORRESTER SITE ENGINEER – CONSTRUCTION SECTOR 26 YEARS OLD, FROM SOUTH AFRICA

WHY AUCKLAND? able to get a lot more opportunity than I would I chose to come to Auckland for a number have had in South Africa to really grow into my of reasons – the abundance of work and the career. opportunities available and I have family here Future opportunities in already. I also feel very safe here and I think it’s the construction sector a great place to raise your family. I think it’s looking very bright. The number Diverse cultures of big projects that have been announced in Auckland is very cosmopolitan and the beauty Auckland over the last couple of years has is that everyone from all over the world fits into been amazing and with the current housing the way of life. It’s just a really easy place boom I think there will be a lot in terms of to come if you’re a foreigner. building apartment blocks, plus a lot of infrastructure development coming up. It gives Work/life balance immigrants like myself an opportunity to really It’s fantastic. The work/life balance for me has excel in what we do and maybe take a giant been absolutely unbelievable. There’s a whole career leap forward. different culture and the whole family aspect of “The work/life life here is rated very highly. A typical weekend Where’s home? for me is full of playing sport and sometimes I live in . It’s such a fantastic beach balance for me has I’m able to jump off work early (during the and the scenery around there is absolutely been absolutely week) and go for a surf. beautiful so most of my weekdays are definitely spent at the beach after work just relaxing with unbelievable.” Career development my flat mates. I’m a passionate career person. I’ve really enjoyed the roles I’ve been given. I’ve been Watch Marc's video

MY FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT AUCKLAND • The proximity to everything, and to the water • The number one has to be the sunsets over the especially. Auckland is spread out, but everywhere city from Mt Victoria (one of Auckland’s dormant is close to water and I think that’s a major attraction volcanic cones). for the city. • Surfing out west at Beach. • The amount of sports and community things you can • How friendly everyone is – people in Auckland are get involved in; that’s a really big drawcard and can some of the friendliest people I have ever met. help your integration into the community. SUPPORT SERVICES AND NETWORKS

Settling into a new country New Zealand Newcomers Network Find local support groups for getting can feel overwhelming, but connected with your new community. there are plenty of support Citizens Advice Bureau Advice, information and help for all citizens, services and networks that including a specific service for new migrants. can help make it easier. Auckland libraries throughout the region are a great local resource too, with regular A.R.M.S. – Auckland Regional Migrant free events, books available in more than 30 Services Charitable Trust languages, reading groups, classes and special Provides information about life in Auckland, assistance for people who have English as a helps people find jobs and learn English, and TOP second language. runs settlement programmes and workshops. Raeburn House Specific services for Auckland’s North Shore to help you settle into your new community. For more support services and networks visit New Zealand Now. FRIENDLIEST10 CITIES Chinese New Settlers Services Trust IN THE WORLD Offers bilingual programmes for new Chinese Condé Nast Traveler Reader Choice Awards 2015 and Korean residents. 11 NEED 03 TO KNOW From work visas to healthcare and education, here’s the key information you should know before you move. FIND A JOB

GENERAL INFORMATION AUCKLAND-BASED New Zealand Now RECRUITMENT AGENCIES General information about finding work in Madison New Zealand, including tips on CVs and Robert Walters job interviews. Hays Sheffield Workhere WORK VISAS Kerridge & Partners Connecting global top talent to Auckland and OCG New Zealand-based companies with Hudson in-demand jobs. Visa eligibility is based on factors such as whether your skills Working in New Zealand LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOBS match a shortage in New Zealand, how long you want to stay, Search for jobs and employers. Careers Careers New Zealand Regional Job Matcher MAKING CONNECTIONS and your age, work experience and qualifications. Match your skills and interests to jobs in Building networks and making connections is Auckland. important when you’re working in Auckland. Find out what work visas you’re eligible for at • If you want to visit Auckland for a holiday New Kiwis Some of the best ways to do this include . You can also find first to see what our city is like, you might Free guidance on how to find work in your joining industry associations, attending local information on visas if you’re looking to start a need a visitor visa. However, travellers from industry. networking events, and using professional business or invest. more than 50 countries do not require a online profiles such as LinkedIn to broaden Tips before applying for a visa: visa for a stay of less than three months – KEY JOB SEARCH SITES your network of contacts. You’ll find it easier check your passport and visa requirements Seek to make connections here than in many other • Find out if your job skills are in demand at with Immigration New Zealand. Trade Me cities, and it’s common for businesses – Immigration New Zealand. particularly in the tech sector – to collaborate. • Provide all the information required – KEY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS incomplete paperwork will cause delays. Are you an overseas student • If you’re not sure of the visa application ICT/IT – New Zealand Technology Industry wanting to work in Auckland? Find process, consider using a licensed Association out more about working while you immigration advisor. study at Immigration New Zealand. Marine – NZ Marine Construction – Civil Contractors New Zealand Medical – Medical Council of New Zealand

13 TH EDUCATION We’ve got more than 400 schools and tertiary Young kids? There are more than 1200 early institutes, as well as vocational training childhood education options for children establishments and three universities – in under five years old, including playgroups and 18BEST STUDENT CITY Auckland offers a world-class fact Auckland ranks among the top 20 cities kindergartens across the region. IN THE WORLD in the world for students to get a university Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Auckland is the most educated city in Best Student Cities 2015/16 education where students education. New Zealand, with 37% of adults holding a of all ages can learn in a SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES AND bachelor’s degree or higher. TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS supportive environment. Our Looking for schools for your children, partner, qualifications are recognised family members – or yourself? Find out more and search at aucklandnz.com/study. around the world and can THE BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY open up excellent and diverse Wanting the best for your children or future family is often the reason behind moving career opportunities. to a new country. Our high quality of life and education are two of the reasons many overseas-based New Zealanders come home to have children. More than 200 different ethnic communities live in Auckland too, so it’s often easier for children of any age to fit in and make new friends more quickly.

14 HEALTHCARE PUBLIC HEALTHCARE FINDING A DOCTOR from accidents, such as car crashes, falling If you’re a New Zealand citizen or resident, or Doctors, or GPs (General Practitioners), are at home, breaking your arm skiing or being hold a work visa that’s valid for two years or your first point of contact if you’re unwell. They injured at work. Under ACC, you don’t have more from when you first arrive, you qualify often work from local medical centres and the right to sue anyone for injuries from an Healthcare in Auckland is not for free or subsidised care in the public health it’s usually easy to get an appointment when accident. only first-rate, it’s free or low system. If you have children aged 17 years or you need it. There’s a number of after-hours Find out more from ACC about what costs under they may also be eligible for publicly clinics across the greater Auckland region that are covered and what happens if you injure cost for citizens, residents funded healthcare. deal with accidents and emergencies, as well yourself. and some work visa holders. If you’re on a work visa that’s for less than two as providing medical care outside of normal years, you’ll need to pay for your healthcare working hours. as you require it. Most costs of injuries ACC – ACCIDENT COMPENSATION from accidents are covered by our accident CORPORATION For more information on healthcare in Auckland, including dentists, private compensation scheme, ACC. If you have an accident in New Zealand – in and after-hours clinics, Check details first on the Ministry of Health or out of work – you may be eligible for visit New Zealand Now. eligibility page. subsidised healthcare and rehabilitation costs through the Accident Compensation PRIVATE HEALTHCARE Corporation, known as ACC. For private healthcare, New Zealand residents ACC is a compensation scheme that covers you can choose to take out medical insurance; for most costs if you’re injured in an accident. non-residents should get medical insurance It provides no-fault insurance cover to from their home country. everyone in New Zealand for injuries resulting

15 SUCCESS STORY

LAVANYA BOMMINI SOFTWARE DEVELOPER – IT SECTOR 26 YEARS OLD, FROM INDIA

WHY AUCKLAND? travelling around places like , or My husband was here and we thought just relax. Auckland would be the best place to settle Self-discovery down – and because it’s beautiful. It’s diverse It’s just amazing to have the chance to find too and everyone is friendly, so I don’t feel yourself and discover what you can do. You can alone. explore more things that you love here. You can Diverse cultures just be in peace with yourself – that’s the best I see every nation here. In my company there part of New Zealand. are Chinese, Russians – you name it – there are Working in Auckland’s IT sector people from every corner of the world. There are new challenges every day and good Balanced lifestyle startups coming up. If you have any ideas they There are many flexible working arrangement are very much welcomed. The best part is that options, like working from home, working four the CEO or COO just sits beside you, not in a days a week, or however many days you want, separate office. I find it really comforting that or what time you want. I start the day early and they don’t see themselves as different from me. “The work/life come home early, which means I have a good I can talk to them anytime, and learn about the balance for me has amount of time to spend with my husband, things going on around the firm. cooking, anything! Career development been absolutely Our favourite weekend pastime is to dine We have IT guilds and some seminars, you go unbelievable.” somewhere that is different and try different around and talk to people about technologies. cuisines. There are so many options in Here I see my career in IT becoming more of a Auckland. If it’s a long weekend we go team lead and driving the technical projects.

MY FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT AUCKLAND • The events – food festivals, arts, movies in the park – the amount of events that happen all the time in the city is amazing. • The food – there are so many different cuisines to try. Watch Lavanya‘s video HOUSING BUYING A HOME RENTING A HOUSE OR ROOM AUCKLAND If you’re coming from overseas and securing You might prefer to rent a home, flat or As well as being one of the main factors in a good salary, what you can buy here will apartment in Auckland, whether on your own the cost of renting or buying a house, the compare well with other cities. Be prepared to or with others (we call them flatmates). Even if suburb you live in will affect the time of your Choose housing to suit your look hard and act quickly, as Auckland is a hot you’re planning to buy a home, you might like commute, public transport options, and lifestyle, from inner-city market. to rent while you get to know the city better. accessibility to schools, shops, restaurants and beaches. Do your research first and weigh Find a house Average costs of renting in Auckland apartments and townhouses up what’s important for you and your lifestyle. trademe.co.nz As of July 2016, the average weekly rent for to suburban family homes realestate.co.nz a one to two bedroom property in Auckland Search suburbs at with gardens for the kids to Browse housing and property was NZ$420. The average weekly rent for all hometopia.co.nz information property sizes in Auckland was NZ$510 in the run around in. govt.nz same period.* *Source: Trade Me Limited. 2016. Rent Price Index. Take a look at things to do Search and compare average Trademe.co.nz. in different areas of Auckland house prices at aucklandnz.com/discover. qv.co.nz Information on rent costs and advice Market rents Information for tenants Find a house Whether you’re renting or buying, do your research first trademe.co.nz to ensure you have all the information you need to make realestate.co.nz Find flatmates the right decision. trademe.co.nz easyroommate.co.nz nzflatmates.co.nz 17 TAXES

INCOME TAX Wages or salaries are usually paid directly into employees’ bank accounts and are taxed at set COST OF LIVING rates depending on your income level. You’ll find some items and services cheaper Find out about common living costs in The New Zealand tax system is a relatively and some more expensive than at home. Auckland, from coffee and clothing to favourable tax environment for your earnings However in general, Auckland ranks very accommodation and groceries, at Expatistan and assets. The US-based Tax Foundation well against other major cities, with a cost of Cost of Living Index. The list is regularly ranked New Zealand’s overall tax system Living costs are at a level living significantly lower than London, Sydney, updated. as second in the developed world for its , Hong Kong, Singapore, FINDING CHEAPER OPTIONS competitiveness (2015), and top for its you would expect from a and New York.* Auckland’s cost of living compared to other individual/personal taxes. *Source: Mercer Cost of Living Survey 2015 rapidly growing, vibrant and cities depends on a number of factors, Find out more about taxes in New Zealand. cosmopolitan hub that’s one COMMON LIVING COSTS including the area you choose to live in and the Find out about cost of living, financial planning, lifestyle you would like. GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST) taxes and other money matters at New Zealand New Zealand has a 15% tax added to most of the most liveable cities in PUBLIC TRANSPORT Now. goods and services (GST), including most the world. Public transport is cheaper for all travellers imported goods and certain imported services. when buying a monthly pass and using our AT Hop card, which gives you integrated ticketing between trains, buses and ferries and discounted fares. ACCOMMODATION AND HOUSING The cost of renting or buying a house varies significantly across different areas of Auckland. With easy public transport, living in suburbs slightly further away from the CBD can make renting or buying much more affordable.

18 330+ WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT MAP INTERNATIONAL CONNECTED TO THE WORLD FLIGHTS

CLIMATE Approximate flight times.

Auckland enjoys a temperate climate without extremes of London temperature. We enjoy more h m Istanbul than 2000 hours of bright h Seoul h m Beijing h m Tokyo sunshine a year and when h m h m Los Angeles New York Hong Kong  h m h h m it rains, it keeps our native Dubai Houston h m Bangkok h m forests and green. h Singapore h m Seasons h m Summer, December – February Autumn/Fall, March – May Fiji Winter, June – August h m Spring, September – November h m Sydney Johannesburg h m Mean daily temperature h m h m Summer – 23° Celsius (74° Fahrenheit) Melbourne h m Auckland h m Winter – 14° Celsius (57° Fahrenheit) KEY Direct flight Indirect flight 19

KEY: 23 11 10 4 3 18 HRS HRS HRS HRS HRS HRS (APPROX) (APPROX) (APPROX) (APPROX) Indirect flight (APPROX) (APPROX)

Direct flight Europe Africa, America Asia Pacific Australia United Arab Emirates MAKE THE SMART MOVE. Visit aucklandnz.com/business/work

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