On April 11th we ran a seminar in Hungary for people thinking about moving to New Zealand, and 100 people turned up. We had booked a bigger room just in case, and I am glad we did. It filled up.

We tried to cover the things people actually worry about: visas, the Working Holiday Scheme, finding a job, housing, schools, what daily life is really like, and yes, how to bring your pets. These are the questions that come up again and again, so we took our time on each one.

The session ran for nearly four hours, and it was anything but quiet. The questions did not stop, not during the talk and not during the breaks. That is exactly how I hoped it would go. The best conversations happen when people feel comfortable enough to ask what is really on their mind.

Here are some of the topics we went through, with the official sources I pointed people to:

  • Green List: We looked at how to check the Green List to see which roles are in demand. If your job is on it and you meet the qualifications, registration, or experience needed, there may be a faster path to residence. The list is the place to check your own situation.
  • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): We went over recent changes that affect both current holders and new applicants, so people knew where to find the latest requirements.
  • ANZSCO Framework: We explained the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, the system used to classify jobs in both countries. It helps you understand how your own occupation is categorised.
  • NZQA Resource: For anyone who needs their overseas qualifications recognised in New Zealand, the NZQA site sets out the steps for formal recognition.
  • Occupational Registration: For some jobs you have to register with the right authority before you can work. We talked about checking this early, because it can take time.
  • Skill Levels: We explained how occupations are grouped by skill level, based on the training and qualifications a job needs. This can affect which visas you might be eligible for.
  • New Zealand health requirements: Immigration New Zealand sets out the health criteria for a visa. The published list is not the full picture: every application is looked at on its own by medical staff. The doctors who do the exams record the results, but the decisions are made by the medical officers at immigration, not by the examining doctor.

The aim of all of this was simple. I wanted people to leave the room with a clearer head about what moving to New Zealand actually involves.

If you could not make it, do not worry. You will find answers to a lot of these questions in the FAQ section of our site. Alongside that, I help people look at their options for relocating, finding work, sorting out a CV, and handling the visa side of things. If you are serious about a move and want to know where you stand, get in touch through the contact page.

It was a good day, and I am grateful to everyone who came along. The questions you brought are what made it worth doing. You can also follow along on our LinkedIn page for news and job postings.