Migrants tell their story...
Paul Madeley,
Businessman
Businessman
Businessman, Paul Madeley, ran a successful industrial vacuum business in the UK. In April 1998, he and wife Lin left Britain for New Zealand. He explains his reasons for emigrating and outlines his experiences to date.
"I found the service was totally professional and we are 100% happy with that."
Why did you choose to emigrate?
I chose to emigrate because of the ratrace in the British business sector (I had my own very successful business in the U.K.). The apathy within England was just getting too much for me. I just wanted to enjoy life and as you only get one shot, I thought 'lets go for it!'
Why New Zealand?
I chose New Zealand because I had toured and worked around most of the world and it seemed to me that Kiwis were by far the friendliest people I had come across, and they actually encourage entrepreneurs. It is a beautiful country and well worth a visit.
What research did you do? Did you visit New Zealand?
As far as research is concerned I had attended many shows and spoken to a lot of people who had had similar experiences emigrating, be that to NZ, America, Canada etc. Also I decided to have a long personal visit and not to stay in a hotel but to rent motel rooms, tour around and buy food in the shops. I made a point of seeing not only the main cities but was more interested in getting well away from the big towns just to see what the real New Zealand is like.
Why did you elect to use a consultant?
I elected to use a consultant as being a business man, hopefully a successful one, I believe that if you have an important specific task to do, the only way to carry out that task is to employ a skilled experienced person in that field. I believed I owed it to myself and family to ensure my application (residence) had the very maximum chance of success. So for me using a consultant was the only way to do it.
Why The Emigration Group/Taylor & Associates?
In the end I chose the combined services of The Emigration Group and Taylor & Associates because of their professional manner and also because of their strong links between New Zealand and England with bases in both countries. This was the only way to work as a direct information link and a source of forms, further information and actual local knowledge.
Were you happy with service received?
I found the service was totally professional and we are 100% happy with that.
How long did the whole process take?
The whole process took about one year, which is what I expected. The system I used to come into the country required a job for me to enter. It took longer for Taylor & Associates to find me a job than it did to do all the research, paperwork, etc.
Was the service value for money?
Absolutely. As I said earlier using a skilled person for the specific task leads I believe to a saving of money. With all the help and expertise provided to ensure the correct 'I's were dotted and 'T's crossed, the service was very good value for money.
How long have you been in NZ? Is it what you expected?
We have been in New Zealand for about 16 months and it is certainly what we expected, in fact more so. The main difference is people are very friendly and open; my parents have described it like the way England used to be!
What are the main differences with the UK?
They don't have the problems England do with overcrowding, it's a much more relaxed, laid-back friendly atmosphere. There is less reliance on socializing in pubs and more at home, which I guess is down to the weather, which is certainly not a topic of major conversation as in England! Also Kiwis work a lot harder for their spare time, to obtain their spare time and when they do get it they enjoy it far more, it is a lot more convivial, a 'lets enjoy life' mentality.
Are you happy with the way things have worked out? What are you doing now?
Things have worked out well for us, I have recently set up my own company, which is very easy to do in New Zealand. I work in the industrial vacuum business which is similar to the work I was doing in England. It is very easy to succeed here if you have a western mindset. By doing an honest days work for a honest days pay, New Zealanders will support you all they can out here, again even in the business world people are very friendly and helpful.
Do you have any advice for other migrants?
I certainly think it would be best to come and visit the country, tour around, don't just stay in Auckland, it is not typical of the rest of New Zealand. If you can't, then talk to others who have or speak with Taylor & Associates. They have an unrivalled knowledge of the country. After all they live here (although most of their staff are ex Brits), they have experienced the differences between England and New Zealand, they have found information for me which I found to be 100% correct when I came to New Zealand. On a lesser note, when you come just bring all your belongings with you and just come and have a good time!
Where are you living? Have you bought a home?
I am living at a place called Southhead, on the western side just north of Auckland. We have built our own home, something we would never have contemplated doing in England.
How does the cost of living compare with UK?
The cost of living enables you to do this (build a home). We enjoy a much better standard of living, although the people here are much less materialistic, they like to spend money on their spare time.
Are you better off in New Zealand?
We certainly believe we are better off in New Zealand. We have enjoyed it here, as other people would say the period of 6-12 months is probably the hardest, some of us get a bit homesick but I have no regrets what so ever. My family all love it here and the lifestyle is certainly an experience I would encourage others to share.
"I found the service was totally professional and we are 100% happy with that."
Why did you choose to emigrate?
I chose to emigrate because of the ratrace in the British business sector (I had my own very successful business in the U.K.). The apathy within England was just getting too much for me. I just wanted to enjoy life and as you only get one shot, I thought 'lets go for it!'
Why New Zealand?
I chose New Zealand because I had toured and worked around most of the world and it seemed to me that Kiwis were by far the friendliest people I had come across, and they actually encourage entrepreneurs. It is a beautiful country and well worth a visit.
What research did you do? Did you visit New Zealand?
As far as research is concerned I had attended many shows and spoken to a lot of people who had had similar experiences emigrating, be that to NZ, America, Canada etc. Also I decided to have a long personal visit and not to stay in a hotel but to rent motel rooms, tour around and buy food in the shops. I made a point of seeing not only the main cities but was more interested in getting well away from the big towns just to see what the real New Zealand is like.
Why did you elect to use a consultant?
I elected to use a consultant as being a business man, hopefully a successful one, I believe that if you have an important specific task to do, the only way to carry out that task is to employ a skilled experienced person in that field. I believed I owed it to myself and family to ensure my application (residence) had the very maximum chance of success. So for me using a consultant was the only way to do it.
Why The Emigration Group/Taylor & Associates?
In the end I chose the combined services of The Emigration Group and Taylor & Associates because of their professional manner and also because of their strong links between New Zealand and England with bases in both countries. This was the only way to work as a direct information link and a source of forms, further information and actual local knowledge.
Were you happy with service received?
I found the service was totally professional and we are 100% happy with that.
How long did the whole process take?
The whole process took about one year, which is what I expected. The system I used to come into the country required a job for me to enter. It took longer for Taylor & Associates to find me a job than it did to do all the research, paperwork, etc.
Was the service value for money?
Absolutely. As I said earlier using a skilled person for the specific task leads I believe to a saving of money. With all the help and expertise provided to ensure the correct 'I's were dotted and 'T's crossed, the service was very good value for money.
How long have you been in NZ? Is it what you expected?
We have been in New Zealand for about 16 months and it is certainly what we expected, in fact more so. The main difference is people are very friendly and open; my parents have described it like the way England used to be!
What are the main differences with the UK?
They don't have the problems England do with overcrowding, it's a much more relaxed, laid-back friendly atmosphere. There is less reliance on socializing in pubs and more at home, which I guess is down to the weather, which is certainly not a topic of major conversation as in England! Also Kiwis work a lot harder for their spare time, to obtain their spare time and when they do get it they enjoy it far more, it is a lot more convivial, a 'lets enjoy life' mentality.
Are you happy with the way things have worked out? What are you doing now?
Things have worked out well for us, I have recently set up my own company, which is very easy to do in New Zealand. I work in the industrial vacuum business which is similar to the work I was doing in England. It is very easy to succeed here if you have a western mindset. By doing an honest days work for a honest days pay, New Zealanders will support you all they can out here, again even in the business world people are very friendly and helpful.
Do you have any advice for other migrants?
I certainly think it would be best to come and visit the country, tour around, don't just stay in Auckland, it is not typical of the rest of New Zealand. If you can't, then talk to others who have or speak with Taylor & Associates. They have an unrivalled knowledge of the country. After all they live here (although most of their staff are ex Brits), they have experienced the differences between England and New Zealand, they have found information for me which I found to be 100% correct when I came to New Zealand. On a lesser note, when you come just bring all your belongings with you and just come and have a good time!
Where are you living? Have you bought a home?
I am living at a place called Southhead, on the western side just north of Auckland. We have built our own home, something we would never have contemplated doing in England.
How does the cost of living compare with UK?
The cost of living enables you to do this (build a home). We enjoy a much better standard of living, although the people here are much less materialistic, they like to spend money on their spare time.
Are you better off in New Zealand?
We certainly believe we are better off in New Zealand. We have enjoyed it here, as other people would say the period of 6-12 months is probably the hardest, some of us get a bit homesick but I have no regrets what so ever. My family all love it here and the lifestyle is certainly an experience I would encourage others to share.
