Crossed finger time

As the title says, all the medical information has been sent to New Zealand House. This was done on Thursday at the main Post Office in the City Centre.

My GP did write me a quick letter stating what I wanted and I am just waiting to see if this will post muster with the Medical Adviser. My GP is a specialist in the treatment of diabetics so that should carry some weight.

I am now including a currency conversion in my Costs to give any Kiwis reading this the idea of the financial committment that has to be made to get to NZ. This value below would be approximately 1/7th of a years wage for me in NZ and 1/12th of my UK wage, if I was working full time.


Total Costs=£2807.06 (NZ$ 7872.70 at today's rate £1.00=NZ$2.80).

More Medicals!!!

Well, it has been a while since I last posted, mostly because I didn't have much to say.

Since the last posting I have had a series of blood tests and I am now beginning to feel like a pin cushion. My liver function tests were out of kilter so I had them done again, after coming off statins which lower my cholesterol.

I went to see a specialist, at the behest of the NZIS medical adviser, which cost me £120 at a private hospital. I could not get an NHS appointment as it was not "urgent". Well it depend on your definition of urgent!

A week after seeing the specialist I had the repeat tests done, which showed that my liver function tests results had dropped significantly. These results I took to the specialist and he has written a letter stating that the abnormality was statin related! YIPPPPPPPPPPEEEE!!

Now I have to speak to my doc as the Urine Protein test came back abnormal, so she upped my medication which will pull this back in line but I will need a note to say this. I must impress on her that it she has to put "Specialist" into the letter otherwise the NZIS might ignore her!

Old Costs=£2687.06
New Costs=£120.00
Total Costs=£2807.06

Cultural Sensitivities

I was speaking to a Kiwi teacher earlier and I asked about cultural dos and dont's associated with the Maori.

Dont

The head is seen as sacred, the backside is "unclean" (the nearest translation).

So:

Sit on a pillow. Scatter Cushions are OK but pillows for sleeping on is a huge no-no.

Sit on any table. Food goes on table and to put your rear end on the table "pollutes" the table. I can see the reason for this and it seems to make sense.

Beckon a child with a finger. This is a deadly insult as you are beckoning as you would a dog.

With some of the Pasifika cultures the hair is seen as sacred so never touch a childs head, especially the hair.


Do:

Take your shoes off when you enter someone elses house.

Get advice from the Maori culture teacher in the school as to the local peculiarities.


This post will be added to if and when I find out more information.

Frustration

I am not the only person getting frustrated with the glacial speed that the NZIS processes applications at.

The school are getting rather upset that I can't take up the post that I was supposed to have started in Mid-July. I have had to explain to the school that I applied for residency rather than "work to residency" as both take the same time at this end and the work to residency scheme involves too much bureaucracy once you are in NZ.

I don't want to hack the case worker off by asking when it will be finished with in case he gets petty on me and jacks my application straight into the circular file.

The reason I have been keeping quiet is that I frankly can't afford to lose the huge sum of money shown below.


Total Costs=£2687.06 (Approx NZ$6717.65)

AAAUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

Now that I have the Linus van Pelt moment out of the way. (For those born after the 1970's google for "Peanuts" "Charlie Brown" and "Snoopy")

When I handed in the application I had the NZQA assessment of my qualifications in the pack thinking that it would cover everything. Not so. If you are claiming educational points they want to see either the original or a certified copy of the qualification certificates that you are claiming for.

Learn from this. That cost me another £1.09 for the envelope, £1.94 in postage and £0.60 in parking.

Old Total=£2683.43
New Costs=£3.63
Total Costs=£2687.06

NZIS, 80 Haymarket, London

Well yesterday I handed the ITA in.

I got there at 0930hrs for them to say that the Immigration doesn't open until 1000hrs. I went for a coffee in the little arcade behind the NZ Embassy and the coffee was foul. I thought the purpose of coffee was to have layers of flavour not just be bitter.

I went back to the Embassy, climbed the stairs to the Immigration Section and took a ticket for the Residency queue. (There is also a temporary visa queue). I had one couple in front of me who took 45 minutes to be processed. I got in and the man at the desk was obviously irritated with the couple in front. I turns out the couple in front took so long as they were highly disorganised. From start to finish it took 25 minutes for me.

Coming back on the train I had to suffer the disjointed ramblings of an alcoholic as far as Crewe. This did not impress me. Also the screaming sinus headache I had, induced by the pollution in London, did not help matters

Transport around London £6.80
Old Total=£2676.63
Total Costs=£2683.43

Handing in the ITA

I have everything so I have decided to hand in my ITA personally. Just don't drop it as it will either break someones foot or the floorboards, depending on what it hits first!

I will travel down by train on Monday afternoon into evening, staying overnight in a hotel, handing the ITA on Tuesday and then travelling back. The reason for this being is the cost! £200+ for getting there and back by plane on short notice.

Using a Virgin Credit Card I got rail return to and from London from my hometown for £72:90.

I spent an hour on the phone calling hotels in London and eventually got one with a single room vacancy for Monday night at for a (mere) £70. This still comes in cheaper than flights.

I might as well include it now, the cost of the ITA submission. £685.00 Mr Credit Card is taking a hammering.

New Costs=£70+£72:90+£685=£827.90
Old Total=£1848:73
Total Costs=£2676.63

Teacher Registration-Great News

I called the NZTC on Sunday night to find that the Council had not sent the letter saying that I used to work for them. Monday morning I speak to the bloke who I had spoken to a week before and he expressed surprise that the letter hadn't been done as he had passed it onto a worker to do. I went down to the council offices and got the letter on Monday afternoon, went to my parents house and used their fax machine to send the letter to NZ. I will post it later today.

This morning I got an e-mail from the NZTC stating that I had been approved! They are faxing the certificate to my parents house tonight and posting me the original.

I now have to arrange a quick trip to London and New Zealand house.

Costs to date=£1847:73
New Costs=£1.00 (Parking)
Total Costs=£1848:73

NZQA Return of Documents and my confusion

I have just had the documents I sent to the NZQA returned to me along with their document. According to that my PGDE is rated at level 7, my degree at level 7 but my Engineering Postgrad at Level 8. So why is the NZTC saying that I have a level 7 entry point?

I have checked the rules specifically paragraph 4.1.1 of the teachers collective agreement. As I have two subject specialist qualifications, Physics and Mathematics I thought I would be at level 8.

I have asked the school about this and I am waiting to see what they say.

Reference News

Well I got through tho someone at the Local Authority who wasn't a muppet. (An achievement in itself.) They are writing a letter a need for the NZTC and will fax it direct to them, post it to me so I can see what has been said and then I'll post it to NZ.

I've posted the two letters but they were so light only £1.24 for the pair.

Total so far=£1846:39
Costs=£1.24
Total Costs=£1847:73

Accomodation News

Ok if you are a teacher in a rural school in NZ you may be offered a Ministry of Education rental house to live in. We were offered a two bed apartment at NZ$100 p/w or a 3 bed bungalow at NZ$135 p/w. Mrs Smidsy works in house rentals and she has all the horror stories of living in a flat so she told me that the bunglaow was the only option. Also we have been told that the rental is literally a five minute walk from the school so there will be no need to drive to work.

These rentals are subsidised but if you leave teaching you pay the non-subsidised rate and can be given 42 days notice to leave if a teacher requires the house.

I'll be sending letters tomorrow so that will be more expense (about £1.56 per C4 envelope by airmail.)

Total Costs=£1846:39

NZQA News!

I got the reference from the Depute Headmaster today and faxed it to the NZTC. They have sent me a confirmation of receipt along with a little good/bad news.

Good News, the NZQA have pulled their fingers out and assessed my qualifications.

Bad News, they have only awarded level 7 not the level 8 I was expecting with two postgrads (one teaching one in design). That has cost me about $2000 a year (£800ish)

Now I just need to get the letter from the Council and I'm sorted out for the last piece of paper required to get the visa. Stress anybody? I've got lots I could share out.

I'll have to post the hard copy of the reference letter tomorrow.

Total Costs=£1846:39

I could cheerfully throttle a bureaucrat today.

Well the NZTC got back to me demanding more information so I sent them more. They want info that I was approved to work with children. Needless to say I am well narked off with them.

They demanded information from the Principal (Headmaster). Well it is a real pity that the headmaster has retired and the info they want wouldn't have even been available to him as it was a matter that is dealt with at local authority level in Scotland. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.

I got onto the Personnel Section of the Education Department of the local authority that was my employer and asked them to provide the info. Guess what- we can't help you with that as we don't have a form letter! The Personnel Section of the Education Department are the people that approved me to work so surely they can say if they approved me. Is that difficult logic. I then did the usual trick,

Me:"I'd like to speak to the head of your department please."
B/Crat: "But she's out."
Me: "OK, I'll speak to her boss"
B/Crat: "That's the Director of Education"
Me: "Good, can you connect me please?"
2 mins later B/Crat "Her line is engaged"
Me: "Can I have the direct dial number then?"
B/Crat: "umm, OK"

I called the Director and got her PA. I explained the situation and she said that the personnel were being idiots and my request was perfectly reasonable. Now either she was playing me like a fiddle or being genuine. I hope the latter. I will call back tomorrow to see what progress she has made.

Banking in New Zealand

I've mentioned in an earlier post that I had opened a bank account in New Zealand via the ANZ Migrant Services. In this post I will point out some of the things I have found out about banking in NZ.

I searches Wises Directory (http://www.wises.co.nz/) for banks in the town I am going to. I think having a local branch is important as I will not have free time, or the transport initially, to travel long distances to do some banking. I discovered that there are two banks in the town, one I had heard of and had seen at the migrant fair and one I have only ever seen through shirt sponsorship of NZ Rugby clubs. Both were much of a muchness but once I get over I will ask the locals which bank they think is the better for service etc.

With the banks I have looked at, those that have branches in the town I will be living and working in, there is a monthly charge for having the account, normally NZ$5. This doesn't start until you are actually in country and using the account as you have to take the letter stating that you have a holding account along to the branch to activate the account.

NZTC Development & Admin

I e-mailed the NZTC last night and CC'd it to the Principal, Vice Principal and the Principal's Secretary. I asked where my application was and told them there was a time critical element. This has had an effect.

Guess what, they are making a decision about the teacher registration tomorrow.

I've also sent my income tax registration form to the school along with some documents that they wanted to do with starting at the school.

The Police Forms have arrived and I have picked up the letter from my doc stating that my diabetes control is spot on and I have a chance of a long life so long as I keep the control up!


Costs to date: £1845:83
New Costs: £1.56
Total Costs=£1846:39

Follow up to last post

Well I spoke to my own doctor and she, a diabetes specialist, says that the elevated sugar level in the morning can be indicative of a condition that is common in diabetics. The abnormal liver function is due to my statin medications to reduce cholesterol which are essential as diabetics run a four times greater risk of heart attack/stroke than the rest of the population. On the upside she said my last HBA1C figures were excellent and she is awaiting the new HBA1C figure with bated breath. If I get a similar figure she will be pleased. Put simply, HBA1C is a measure of your average blood sugar over the last three months. She is writing a letter to say that my sugar control is excellent and so long as I keep this up my risk of long term complications is low.

I sent an e-mail to the London Branch of the NZIS. I asked about teacher registration, whether I need the certificate or just the registration number. To be a complete PITA, they want the form and not just the number. This could delay my leaving as I am now at the mercy of the NZQA who make glacial creep seem unnecessarily hurried and rushed.

I also asked about flights. I had seen all the information saying that I had to book return flights, which frankly doesn't make sense for someone who is emigrating. They NZIS rep said that as I was going for residence I only needed to book a one way ticket. Yippee!!!! That should save a few pounds.

Invitation To Apply (ITA), Medicals and Teacher Reg number

Well exactly as described by the London Branch of the NZIS timetable, one day shy of two weeks after the selection of the EOI, the ITA arrives on my doorstep. Or rather a thick C4 envelope I have to sign for arrives.

The ITA looks suspiciously identical to the EOI you submit but wuth a different title.

Common sense has prevailed, as an English speaker, educated in Britain, I don't have to prove English language ability.

More Photos are required along with the police checks, the medical certs etc etc etc.

The ITA take 4-6 weeks to process. EEEk- That is cutting it fine.

I had to go to the doctor today as some of my liver function figures were not great and one of the other tests showed abnormal but given my medical history, they are to be expected. The doctor has to produce a letter stating a prognosis and she has told me she is going to be honest but that honesty will actually help as one of my other blood tests shows that my medical condition is under tight control.

I now have a teacher registration number. I will e-mail my immigration contact and see if that satisfies his requirements.

I will also ask him the seemingly stupid question. As someone going for residence, I am assuming I can buy one way tickets not returns as in those getting tourist visas.

More Police Checks

I forgot to post this last week but now that it has come off the bank account it has reminded me.

Both the Wife and I need Police Checks. For me this is another copy, I really should have asked for two copies the last time I sent for one. The one I have has gone to the NZ Teacher Registration Board so I can't really use that for the NZIS.

Luckily as SmidsyJr is 16, he doesn't require a Police Check (he would if he was 17) so that saves us a tenner.


Costs to date=£1825.30
New Costs= £20.53
Total Costs=£1845:83

Transportation & Banking

I have had a few quotes in the past week for moving our stuff to NZ.

Most are coming in at £2200ish +3%-3.5% of goods value for insurance.

Given that we are moving £10k+ of kit which we would otherwise be selling off at bargain basement prices, this represents a huge saving.

I checked the town we are moving to and saw it only had two banks. Now call me picky but I want to be able to bank with a company that has a branch I can get to at lunch time and has enough international clout that it could also transfer my capital (depending on costs/exchange rate as compared to an international money transfer company).

I have set up bank accounts with one of these banks which will become active one I present the branch with the paperwork they have sent me and my passport.

Medicals or how to spend money FAST!

The EOI should have been accepted but remember I am dealing with a bureaucracy so action to reaction may take two weeks.

Call it jumping the gun but I have had the medicals and it is EXPENSIVE.

Firstly I had to download the correct medical form.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/formsandfees/formsandguides/healthcharacter.htm

I had to go to two different places to get all the medicals done. One place did the chest x-rays, to prove that none of us has TB, (£240) and the doctor did the health exam including bloods. N.B. If you have a BMI of 35+, or are diabetic, etc you will require more test and this starts racking up the costs FAST. For three of us the cost came to £859! The Doctor actually apologised for the cost. Parking cost us another £4.30


Costs to date = £722.00
New Costs = £240+£859+£4.30=£1103.30
Total costs=£1825.30 YOWSER!

The Job Offer

The job offer has come through, by e-mail. I have to print it off and send it by snail mail to NZ but one of the nice things it has on it is "Do you require school accomodation?".



The job is to start on 21 July 2008. Start of term 3, so I had better send in my TC1.



I submitted my EOI as soon as I had the e-mail as I needed some details from the offer e-mail, (like the headies surname for starters). That was NZ$400, about £160.



The job is to be governed by the PPTA agreement. I think it is this one here



http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=document&documentid=12323&indexid=1014&indexparentid=1013

I am going to have to get some flights together.

Running costs=£160
Total costs = £722.00

A JOB!!!!!

Call this the best progress that you can have.

I was in the house on Sunday afternoon and I thought "Seems I have my application into the NZQA, lets check what jobs are out there", so I logged onto the NZ Education Gazette website.

To find the NZ equivalent of the TES website vacancy pages use this:

http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancy.php


I looked under physics and only saw a few jobs and none in places I wanted to work (all decile 1 i.e. bottom 10% of the country for affluence and highest deprivation or decile 10 private schools, a sector that I think I am not suited to). I looked under Mathematics and saw a screed of work. So 12 e-mails with c.v. and covering letters later I thought "Job done" wrap it up.

Monday evening rolls round and I am sitting doing nothing much when the phone rings. I answer it and it is a call from a rural school I'd sent my c.v. to the day before. One instant interview with the headteacher later he told me the head of Mathematics would be calling me the next night.

Tuesday night roll round and the Glaswegian, like myself, head of Mathematics calls me and interviews me for the post. Turns out that he supports the same football team as me! We get to the end of the interview and he informs me that I am going to be his recommendation for the post. You could have knocked me down with a feather at that point.

11pm Wednesday night I am just getting in the door when the phone rings. It is only the headmaster calling to give me the job. Add to that the offer of subsidised school owned rental housing. I opted for the 2 bed flat at NZ$100 per week as this is all I really need for the moment.

Needless to say I am well made up!

e-mail from the NZQA

I've just got back from a week in France and found an e-mail from the NZQA acknowledging that they have received my application!

The text of the e-mail was

"Application for evaluation of overseas qualificationsThank you for your application for the evaluation of your (or client's) qualifications.Qualifications Assessment Process from hereThe documents and information that you have provided in support of your application will be checked to ensure your application is complete and no further information is required.If this is the case your application will proceed, or you will receive a letter from your evaluator telling you what further information is required.

Please note that the time does not start when your assessment fee is drawn from your account.It is important to note that the processing time for your application will commence:* after full payment has been processed, * the application form has been correctly completed * all required documentation has been received. Once we have confirmed that your application has been accepted your qualification(s) will be assessed to a learning outcome of a qualification on the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications.

AT TIMES WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY HIGH VOLUMES OF APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED, THESE TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO BE EXTENDED.

Verification Process
Your application may be subject to verification, this will occur through a random selection process. NZQA will verify the status of an awarding institution and/or the information you provide to ensure that it is accurate, or NZQA may need more information about a particular course or training. When verification is sought, NZQA will issue you with a Verification Hold letter, as this will extend the time taken to evaluate your application. Some institutions charge a fee for verifying documents. If this occurs, you will be notified and asked to make payment directly to the organisation concerned. Once NZQA has received the required verification, it can continue with the evaluation. If you are submitting an application for the purpose(s) of Teacher Registration your application will automatically be verified as per the Memorandum of Understanding between the New Zealand Teachers Council and the Qualifications Recognition Service.

If you change your contact detailsNZQA must receive written and signed confirmation, by fax or post, of your:
a) change of address details (this may be signed by either the applicant or your nominated agent); or
b) change of your nominated agent (this must be signed by the applicant).
Yours sincerely
Qualification Recognition Services
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Website: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/
125 The Terrace
PO Box 160"


Progress at last!

Return of Documents/Police Check

It has been a while since the last post but that is because I am waiting on other people rather than action I can take myself.

Well the Police Check is underway and the docs have been returned. Mind you having a "successful" service level of 40 days is hardly a difficult target.

No new spend

Son's Passport

I forgot to post this last week but SmidsyJr's passport arrived so at least our paperwork is in order. Next thing after NZQA and NZTC registration is medicals.

Qualification Recognition

Well that is the qualifications sent off to the NZQA for assessment.

Being a bit concerned about my certificates getting all damaged in the post to NZ I got a D3 (size 7) Royal Mail postpak (yes that is the correct spelling) and an A1 piece of heavy card. I cut the card to the length of the postpak and then cut it so that it was just smaller than twice the width, scored it and folded it. This created a stiff open sided "folder" to send the certificates so that they stayed flat.

The length, width and depth of the postpak when added together was less than 90cm so I could use the airmail, airsure service. As replacing the certificates would cost more than the £35 standard insurance I took out the extra cover for up to £500 for £2. Cost for that was £14.26.

I can track the airsure package and it is a guaranteed 48 hour service (aye right) so hopefully it will be in Wellington for their Tuesday am.

The assessment of the qualifications and the return of the documents will cost NZ$450 about £180.70.


Running costs=£1.90+ £2.50+£14.26+£180.70=£254.26
Total costs = £316.74+£254.26=.£562.00

Emigration Fair report.

OK, I've been slightly remiss in not updating sooner.

Mrs. Smidsy's passport arrived this week after she had her passport interview. I have posted off the last piece of proof for SmidsyJnr's passport so we are now just waiting for that.

The fair was useful in that it gave me some contacts, espeically with banks and financial institutions in NZ. I was also able to get a rough price of getting a 20' container of my household goods shipped to NZ. (£3500) Given the cost of some of the furniture in the house vs the cost of sending several small boxes (£1,000) and buying all new furniture over there, it makes sense to hire the container.

Costs this week £3 to park at The Royal Highland Show, entry to the show and the demonstrations £13. Petrol, £15. Stamp 37p. Mrs Smidsy's train fare into Glasgow £1.40 Total £32.77

Total costs = £283.97+£32.77= £316.74

Edinburgh

I'm off to Edinburgh, specifically the Royal Highland Centre, to an emigration fair. I reckon 1000hrs to 1430hrs will nail all the questions that I still have.

Being a cynic I think the organisers will be trying to get people to sign up to emigration agents in order to earn fees.

Passport Issues

Well, Mrs Smidsy's request to attend an interview letter for a passport has arrived so she called the number and got an interview on the Sat 23rd February. Her boss said she should have got a mid-week interview and not to have worried about the time lost. Nice boss!

Finally, the last piece of proof required for my sons passport arrived so I'll have to send that off in the post. They have changed the person dealing with the application so this should be fun as I may have to re-explain, in detail, why this isn't a standard procedure application.

Visa issues

Ok this is where you start to get a sore head.

As a British national I can travel to NZ without a visa if I am going on holiday but this doesn't apply to me.

I need to go on a Business Visitor Visa as I am (hopefully going to get interviews).

From the e-mail reply to the enquiry I made

"If you are travelling to New Zealand on business (eg. to attend a conference, research and negotiate business opportunities, attend interviews with potential New Zealand employers, etc.) and are not receiving any gain or reward during your stay (payment or benefit that can be valued in terms of money, such as board and lodging, goods (eg, food or clothing) and services (eg, transport)), you must obtain a Business Visitor visa prior to your travel. For a step by step application process, please follow this link:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/visitors/process/ ".

Also my letter stating that I did my teacher training in the English language arrived today.

Well no new costs today either.

Photocopying and pricing up sending a package

Just got all the photocopying of things done today. This meant a trip into a photocopy shop as libraries tend not to have A3 size photocopiers. Total cost of that, including parking, 72p!

I have been researching the costs of getting the info to New Zealand. The cheapest and fastest route is good old Royal Mail. Anything up to 2kg can be sent by "Airsure", the link to it is below, where NZ is a cost bracket all of its own. There are size restrictions like the total of the length, width and depth of the packet must not exceed 90cm. The letter should take 4 days to arrive and can be tracked too. Given the cost of the documents and the replacement costs I would advise taking the £500 insurance even though it costs a relatively high £2.

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump2?mediaId=400034&catId=400033

The next cheapest I found was £50, so I ain't taking those as an option.

Costs today 72p

Total costs = £283.25+£0.72 =£283.97

From the sublime to the ridiculous!

This will make you laugh.

I'm a Brit, educated in Britain, teacher trained in Scotland. NZQA still want me to prove that my teacher training was done in English. Needless to say that this caused hilarity when I asked the registry at the university I trained at for THAT letter. I mean I could hardly keep my face straight when explaining why I needed the letter.

The letter stating I did my teacher training in English will be winging its way to me tomorrow.

Getting ready for qualification assessment.

Yesterday was busy. All three of my university transcripts have arrived. This means that I can apply to the NZQA, using the link below this paragraph, to have all of my qualifications assessed. This is a necessary step that should take about 4-6 weeks depending on post. The form is about 18 pages long, the first 12 pages being instructions on how to fill in the last 6 pages.


Website
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-international/qual-eval/index.html

The form
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-international/qual-eval/docs/nzq1.pdf

You need to send the original and a copy of EVERYTHING. The website is quite clear about what to include and the instructions get 10/10 from me for clarity. They even want your High School Certificates. Time to dig out the Higher and O grade results.

It costs NZ$450 to have the assessment done with another NZ$36 to return your original documents (or included a FEDEX/DHL bag). You can fast track the application for another NZ$150, which I will not be doing.

Well time to go fill in another form.

Getting Money

This moving lark is expensive. OK I have a car which I don't really need as we have another car (which we are still paying for) and Mrs Smidsy has a pool car from her work. It makes sense to get rid of my 5 year old car.

It has gone into the Herald and Evening Times motoring pages as up for sale. I am having it serviced and MOT'd on Tuesday to make it a bit more saleable, seems as I have been slightly naughty and advertised it as 12 month MOT before I actually have it ;).

I have an endowment policy which I pay £75 a month into. It was being used to pay the mortgage on our very first house but we realised when we moved to our second house that it was never going to make its target so we just kept it on as a savings plan and life insurance. I looked into keeping it until it matures but the cost of international money transfer every month makes that uneconomic so I have decided to cash it in. OK I'm getting less than I put in but it means that I do not need to ask the bank for money to pay for air fares or living money whilst I am in NZ without Mrs Smidsy and son.

Son's Passport 2

I went to Martha Street in Glasgow (where the records of Births, Marriages and Deaths are kept) where the staff informed that as the ex-wife was born in England I would have to contact the Government Records Office in Southport on a local call rate number.

I held for 25 mins and then they dropped the call! I am seriously unchuffed. Another 28 minute wait to do 3 minutes work.

I can't get the birth certificate on line as I do not know the witches, sorry ex-mother-in-laws, maiden name.

Todays Costs: birth certificate £11.50 ;fares £1.45; telephone calls £2
Total costs: £283.25

My sons passport

Oh deep joy. The passport office said that my ex-wife has to sign for my sons passport. Given she is about as reasonable as a kick in the teeth, that isn't going to happen.

I had to prove that I had sole responsibility for him using the decree nisi but I still have to provide her birth certificate! I have to go down to Martha Street tomorrow and see about getting a copy of the ex-wifes' birth certificate.

No new costs incurred today.

Contacting Agencies

I got an e-mail last week from a school who had interviewed me but wanted someone who could start immediately. The sender gave me some good contacts so I e-mailed a series of employments agencies in NZ who deal with placing teachers. The e-mail said that the schools pay for the placement (as is normal in the UK) so you shouldn't have to pay any fees.

I have only had a reply from one agency as I went through their website to contact them. I stayed up till silly o'clock last night (well really this morning) e-mailing, as the agency said that they would like to telephone me as to my intentions. I also replied with a very quick synopsis of where I was at.

No change in costs.

University transcripts

The NZQA and the Teachers Council both want original transcripts so I have been a busy little boy today going round West Central Scotland arranging for the transcripts. I am getting 3 copies of each transcript so I don't have to mess about.

Transport costs: £1.35 for train into and out of Glasgow, £1.90 for a discovery ticket for the underground and £3.05 for a Cheap day return to Paisley from Glasgow.

Started at Stratchclyde Uni where 3 transcipts are supplied for £10.

Into Glasgow Uni where it costs £10 for the first transcript and £1 for each subsequent transcript.

Paisley Uni, now the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley, where the transcripts are free! Woot and result!

Costs today: Transport £6.30, Transcripts £23
Running total £239+£29.30=£268.30

Police Clearance

I forgot that I had done this already. NZ Immigration Service and the NZTC wants to be sure that they are not going to let into NZ or licence a convicted drug dealing axe murderer. (not that I have done either of these.)



For Brits you have to apply to the Metroplitan Police but they do not do this online. This is a snail mail only service that costs £10. I can't locate it now but I downloaded a form from the Met website, filled it in and sent it off to a an address in London (Lille House IIRC).

Costs Incurred:£10
Total Costs to date: £239

First Passport Arrives!

My passport has just arrived. Mine was the easiest and quickest as it was a re-issue.

My son's passport application is in but will take 2-6 weeks as it is a first issue.

My wife's passport application is going in about an hours time. It too will take 2-6 weeks as it is a first issue.

Todays Spend: £72 (passport) +£7 (Check and send service )=£79
Total Spend: £150+£79=£229

New Zealand Teachers Council

The NZTC is the professional registration body for teachers in NZ. It does the same role as the GTC(S) and the GTC(E).

For an overseas teacher you have to first register using a TC1. The link for this is below.

http://www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/registration/how/forms.stm

This will cost you NZ$120.

Once you have met the requirements of the NZTC you can move to full registration which is done using a TC2. Download from the same place as the TC1. This will cost you NZ$80.

You normally need two years teaching experience so those who have done the Scottish system and a year of supply afterwards will qualify.

Costs Paid this post: Nil
Running Total of Costs: £150

The expression of interest and points

This is the form that tells the New Zealand government that you want to emigrate to there. It costs NZ$400 (about £160) to submit it so you have to get it right. I am applying as a "Skilled Worker" but without a job I have about 120 points. 140 points is the usual breakpoint for automatic entry. With a job offer I am at 175 points.

To fill in this online form: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/default.htm
Now register for the online services and you can fill in the form. The form says it will take 2 hours. Try 6 hours. The older you are, the more you have to enter like children, qualifications, family etc etc etc. This form is saved for you can have as many versions of it on the go at the same time but you can only submit one expression of interest, so make sure you get it right before you submit it.

I have worked out that I can get another 100 points if the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) to assess my postgraduate qualifications which will be another fee. They have to assess my degree too and pass this onto the NZ Teachers Council (the teachers professional registration body) to ensure that I get paid at the correct rate. Guess what. That is another fee .

Luckily the NZ government has a scheme that if you take up employment as a teacher within 3 months of arriving, you get $4000 (about £1600).
To claim this money: http://www.minedu.govt.nz/web/downloadable/dl5015_v1/2005-aug-international-relocation-grant-form.doc

I have to go to my various universities and get transcripts of every qualification.

Costs in this post : Nil
Running total : £150

Background

I am a teacher of Mathematics and Physics that is fed up of irregular income on supply.

To this end, my wife and I have decided that we will try to emigrate to New Zealand for a fresh start. I am using this blog to list the hassles, hiccups and successes on the way.

The process started back in Spetember 2007 with me looking at where I could go to get permanent work and balancing it with quality of life. This led me to looking at New Zealand.

One of the things I will be doing is keeping a running cost of the move just to gove other families a guide to how much it will cost them. Maybe it will also allow people to not make the mistakes which I know I will make.

Well I have my passport applied for, our sons passport applied for but I am going to have to rewrite my wifes passport application as her countersignator can't seem to sign within the box.

Costs in this post: £150 (Passports)
Costs Running total: £150.