Content: Culture in New Zealand | Employment in New Zealand | Property in New Zealand | State Benefits in New Zealand | Key Facts on New Zealand

New Zealand Culture

The New Zealand culture is a combination of a number of foreign influences including, English, Scottish, Irish, American, Australian and the original Maori tribes.  The country is also seeing an increase in visitors from southern Asia, giving New Zealand a truly multi-cultural feel.  While fading away for many years, there has been a recent renaissance for the original Maori dialect, an area which is often used to promote the country.

The overall population of New Zealand is heavily influenced by European descendants, with British and Irish connections by far and away the strongest.  There is however a small, but significant community of Dutch, South Slav and Italians who have settled in New Zealand.  

The country itself is well known for its strong Maori background, dance, music and to a lesser extent TV and media.  Sport also plays a major part in everyday life with the famous rugby “all blacks” and cricketing team well known throughout the sporting world

Employment in New Zealand

New Zealand has a well developed economy which while dependant on a small number of areas, has proved very prosperous over the last decade.  However trade is susceptible to commodity price fluctuations with agriculture, horticulture, fishing and forestry making up the bulk of the economy.  

This dependence on commodity prices is further extenuated by the relatively large amount of product which is exported, being in the region of 28% of the country’s overall output - a substantial figure compared to 21% for the UK as a whole.  Major export partners include Australia (taking 21.4% of all exports), US (14.1%), Japan (10.6%), China (5.1%) and the UK (4.7%).  

Unemployment is a fairly low 3.8% which ranks New Zealand in the top 50 employment hot spots of the world.  The country did suffer from the so called “brain drain” in the 1990s as commodity price falls hit the economy hard, although this has since being reversed and the country is now a net “importer” of professionally qualified foreign nationals.

Historically New Zealanders have benefited from a relatively low rate of income tax, although this has changed of late with rates now more in line with comparable countries.  To work in the country you require a Tax Code Declaration prior to agreeing employment terms, which enables you to join the state Pay As You Earn system which deducts tax due at source.

Property in New Zealand

The New Zealand housing market has been very strong of late, even taking into account a number of interest rate increases by the authorities.  March property inflation reached a 6 month high of almost 10%, due in the main to a very buoyant economy, a demand for quality housing and the continued influx of foreign nationals.

The property market has, and continues to benefit from a broadening of the main sectors, and while agriculture and the like are still vital, the country’s dependence (and exposure to price fluctuations) is reducing slowly.  With economic confidence set to remain high for the foreseeable future, many are forecasting further interest rate rises.

While any future rate rises will directly effect the property market, a period of consolidation would not be unwelcome, giving investors a time to reflect on the situation.  Longer term the prospects for the property market are positive.

State Benefits in New Zealand

The New Zealand social benefits system is fairly unique in the modern world, as strictly speaking it is non-contributory, i.e. employers and employees do not pay into a central benefits scheme (the equivalent of National Insurance in the UK).  There is however a compulsory Accident Compensation Scheme which all employees and employers must contribute to, which provides compensation payments to those injured at work.

The traditional social security benefits of income support, health care, etc are all available to residents of New Zealand, whether they have contributed to the Accident Scheme or not.  There are however  a number of timescales for foreign nationals to claim payments such as unemployment benefit (2 year minimum period living in the country) and the state pension (minimum period of 10 year residency in the country).  All benefits are subject to means testing.

However, the government have agreed a number of reciprocal agreements with countries such as Australia, the UK, Canada, etc by which residents who have moved from those countries will be allowed to receive state benefits much quicker than normal.  The timescales and application procedures are subject to change.

Conclusion

While not renowned for a fast and lively lifestyle, New Zealand offers has a variety of cultures and beautiful scenery.  This image has attracted a number of foreign nationals looking for a quiet life, with many qualified professionals taking advantage of advantageous timescales and procedures for professional and qualified personnel to “jump” the immigration queue.

In the longer term it appears that the New Zealand economy is set for further growth, as well as more divergence away from traditional industries such as agriculture. This should ensure that future economic cycles reduce in volatility and are more controllable, giving both nationals and foreign nationals a greater degree of employment stability and improved future prospects.

More facts about New Zealand :-

Capital : Wellington

Official Language : English, Maori and NZ Sign Language

Government : Constitutional Monarchy with Governor General and Prime Minister

Size : 268,680 km2

Population : 4.1 million

Currency : New Zealand Dollar

International Dialling Code : +64

Economy : 46th largest in the world

Religion : Christianity (Anglican and Roman Catholic)