Bloggeron

With breathtaking snow capped mountain views, turquoise lakes, glaciers, rainforests, golden beaches, ski fields, whale watching and arguably the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world, it's no surprise that two and a half million people are paying homage and visiting New Zealand every year.

We have all visited a beautiful country and found ourselves lying on a beach of golden sand or bathing in the warm shores, thinking to ourselves, "Ah, I could live here". However the reality of visiting somewhere on holiday and immigrating there to live are two very different experiences. There's a great deal to consider before, during and after making the move and here are just a few steps to help you on your way.

It's surprising how many people do actually move to another country without even visiting. It is strongly advised however, to take a trip to New Zealand before you make your move. Relocating to the other side of the world isn't like living in Europe; you cannot just jump on a 'cheap' flight home half a dozen times a year. You need to make sure it's the right place for you before you pack up and move your life.

Visiting the country first gives you the chance to meet the local kiwis, visit different locations, check out the food in the supermarkets, watch the local TV programmes and read the NZ Post, soak in the breathtaking scenery, visit some local schools, check out the timber houses and hopefully absorb some true kiwiana. You may find you come away calling everyone 'mate' but you'll get a great feel for the New Zealand way of life.

If you visit during the darker, wetter, colder months of winter, when the country is perhaps less appealing (unless you visit the ski resorts which are of course fabulous in winter) and you still love the country, the chances are you will adore it during the remainder three seasons.

Once you have decided to make the big move, there are a long list of things you need to consider in your New Zealand Emigration. First thing to do is visit Immigration New Zealand, either at their office in London or via their website, to find out the right visa to apply for can. This can be daunting at first and will take a little research and lots of time. Depending on the visa you apply for, be it a work visa, work to residence, skilled migrant (for residency), temporary work or even through the family sponsorship category, you may require medical x-rays or police checks. You'll also need to check the expiry date of your passports and be prepared to cough up large sums of money through the visa process.

Once your visa application has been confirmed, the next step of your New Zealand Emigration will involve thinking about where you want to relocate to. This will most likely depend on where you can get work or perhaps you have a preference for north or south island, rural or inner city, beachfront or near the mountains. Whatever you decide, make sure you do plenty of research first and find out as much as you can about the different locations. Things to consider are schooling, population size, crime rates, weather, employment in the area, local surroundings, neighbourhoods, house prices and social activities / sports clubs.

Before jumping on your flight, you will also need to look in to shipping companies (for sending your possessions overseas) setting up a kiwi bank account and organising your bank transfers and book yourself some accommodation for the first few weeks until you find a home. You'll also need to sort out applying for you IRD number which will be your New Zealand tax number.

Upon arrival in New Zealand, it's advisable to set yourself up with a kiwi mobile phone, get yourself a hire car for the first few weeks until you can buy a car and buy yourself some International phone cards so you can call home and let the friends and family know you arrived safely. For five dollars, you can chat to the UK for about three hours through landlines or you can download Skype on to your laptop and chat for free through the net.

Indeed there are a tremendous number of factors to consider in the build up to your New Zealand Emigration. It may seem overwhelming however try to calm your nerves by doing plenty of research before you go and once you think you've done enough, do some more. There is plenty of information available through the internet, travel books and even travel fairs. With lots of organisation, your New Zealand Emigration can be the smooth, exhilarating start to your new life.