Well it’s finally happening, truck driving comes off the issl in Feb 2014 with drivers holding a work visa for truck driving being asked to leave. At the last count that was 408, that doesn’t include the 3 my company has just sent contracts to, great start for them. I’ve been recruiting drivers for my company for a while now with little response from Kiwis and yet the government are forging ahead with the removal of truck driving saying its up to the company’s to train Kiwis for the jobs.We all await with baited breath, am I going to loose 3 drivers before they have even started.
Hi Glasgowtrucker, I’ve tried to Email you a reply but can’t get through.
According to the RTANZ it looks like its going to happen, I’ve just lost one of my new drivers because we couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t get kicked out in Febuary. The trade organisations are making representations to Government but they are not getting good vibes. We will all have to wait a few weeks/months until they make up their minds, have a read of the link i have posted.
stuff.co.nz/business/industr … -be-dumped.
Well, at least I got my latest work permit with no probs at all, meaning no mentioning of class5 going away from the list at any point during the process. Althou, didn’t get work to residence cause of one small, minor detail, I still got another year to go ahead. Althou, nobody seems to know will class5 come off from issl list or not… …it does feel a bit strange that government gave 6month warning period prior it coming off… As far as I know, lot of companies are still lobbying against it but reckon we all just gotta wait and see what actually happens in February…
I lived in Nz working up the mountains for a bit and I’m desperate to get back to stay. This thread has helped a lot cheers! I will keep and eye out for stuff , thanks all
In August I applied for work in nz after seeing jobs advertised in the truck stop paper, my application was accepted with my working visa granted (1 year) I ‘m on my way the first of the new year. I have never been there but my prospective employer (AWF) assures me that it is a land of milk and honey, do I need to take off my rose tinted glasses?
Banquo:
In August I applied for work in nz after seeing jobs advertised in the truck stop paper, my application was accepted with my working visa granted (1 year) I ‘m on my way the first of the new year. I have never been there but my prospective employer (AWF) assures me that it is a land of milk and honey, do I need to take off my rose tinted glasses?
If its anything like the crap Canadian companies fill you with, then yes. However, if you go with an open mind, don’t expect all your told to be true and make as much of the experience as you can, you’ll be fine. One thing many Brits in Canada falter on is that they’re told they’ll be earning X amount of dollars, they believe it, turn up with their wife and kids, buy a house, a car and whatever else, then earn half of what was stated and suddenly find them self right up ■■■ street because their actual wages dont cover their cost of living and all the payments they’ve taken on.
Any way, good luck with NZ, make sure you let us all know how you get on and be sure to take lots of photos and maybe do a diary on here. I for one would be most interested to see something from New Zealand.
Banquo:
In August I applied for work in nz after seeing jobs advertised in the truck stop paper, my application was accepted with my working visa granted (1 year) I ‘m on my way the first of the new year. I have never been there but my prospective employer (AWF) assures me that it is a land of milk and honey, do I need to take off my rose tinted glasses?
Awf is the the employment agency? http://www.awf.co.nz
Many thanks for your good wishes Robinhood, yes I’m going with an open mind with the idea of a working holiday to see all of NZ and miss the winter here. I have been trying to find out as much as I can about driving out there and one thing I’ve picked up is that driving standards in general are worse that here. AWF is an large agency which works the same they do here and apparently there are over 400 foreign drivers in NZ just now, the reason being that (like here) companies are unwilling to train drivers because of the cost and want experience straight away. Also the high graduate level in NZ (young people don’t want to drive trucks) and there is more money to be earned in Australia.
I have also read that the nz government are going to take truck driving off the essential skills list this year which is panicking the companies who rely on foreign drivers-also British drivers are regarded as reliable and skilled.
I would happy to keep let you know how it goes and post some photos.
On the costs front, the visa was £159 + postage, phone calls-the NZ immigration helpline is £1 a minute but they are really helpful.
Completing the visa takes some time and concentration, you can get someone to do it for you but costs from £500+ so I decided to do it myself, had to have a solicitor to certify my licence and other documents. Don’t bother applying if you have criminal record and provide as much information in your work record as possible- the more the better.
Finally the flight is costing my around £900 and that’s only one-way!!! The agency will find me temporary accommodation for a start and help with everything else…bank accounts etc…I intend to buy a car and give it a go-even if only for a year.
Opportunities like this only come up one in a life time. I will let you know
Banquo
Hi ste, yes awf is the agency you have the right site
Here’s a little insight:- viewtopic.php?f=6&t=79277&p=1089902&hilit=kaikoura#p1089902
Look out for the CVIU (Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit) around Blenheim at the top of the South Island… They’re [zb]s
if you go on BNZ website you can open a bank account from the uk then transfer some money across for the 1st couple of weeks this is what i did you just go into there branch in auckland and pick up your card and stuff when u arrive
What class 1 driving experience do NZ companies and immigration department require in order to grant you a working visa and then for applying for PR?
What about age?
Thanks Duck for the photos wow, and ste for the info on banking, will post some myself and document the journey next month-
Banquo
hkloss- The agency required at least 3 years experience + good references, the visa application requires proof of licence and employment history-B
Banquo:
hkloss- The agency required at least 3 years experience + good references, the visa application requires proof of licence and employment history-B
Thanks Banquo
…and what about age limit for PR purposes?
2 important things to remember about NZ’s South Island.
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The Sun is very strong and you’ll burn in no time even if it’s not that hot due to poor ozone coverage.
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Beware of aliens!! It’s a ■■■■■■■ spooky run from Christchurch to Picton in the middle of the night!! Woooooooooo… Hope you don’t break down or go for a ■■■■■ and then find an artificial limb in the cab when you get back in like I did!!! (co-driver was an amputee who thought it would be funny to leave his leg in the cab for me to find at 2am on my 1st day)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q3iq4R8MgM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
hkloss, i’m not sure there is an age limit is for PR, I presume you mean permanent residency, as long as you meet the criteria at the time you can apply. you will need an employer to sponsor you in any case. you can find all the info on the NZ immigration web site-B
correct me if im wrong but if ur applying for residency (or making an EOI) under skilled employment dosent it have to be on the LTSS list
As most in here must know by now, class5 drivers we’re taken off from the national ISSL-list (well, will be taken off in March) but last Fri it was included in CSSL-list meaning you can still get a work permit as class5 driver here in Canterbury. For how long it’ll stay on that particular list, nobody knows.
When it comes to PR, your only way of getting permanent residency is having your occupation in LTSSL-list and as it is, truck driving isn’t considered as skilled occupation so it has never been included in the list and probs never will so in that way you won’t get residency by your own merits. One way - actually pretty much the only one - is to find a kiwi partner with whom you live with for at least 12months in a genuine relationship and then you should qualify for PR. Through partnership you can also get open work permit which gives yourself a bit more freedom, you’re not restricted to one, specific employer. That specific visa is for one year at a time, max. 2yrs but obviously at that point you should qualify for PR.
This may help a few of you out there trying to get into New Zealand. Firstly I recommend viewing the following sites www.seek.co.nz Trade Me is the equivalent to Ebay back home, you will be able to compare house rental prices, cars, jobs (Especially the Wages Offered) and Seek is the national job site down here in NZ. I came out here in October 2006, I become a Full NZ Resident on December 3rd 2009, I am then free to work and live wherever I wish, no questions asked! The job situation as picked up a little in the past few weeks, new companies have taken over new contracts, and are already looking to expand. It is very easy to transfer your Class 1 licence over here in NZ…Simple questionnare is all you have to do (Multiple Answers), no driving test is needed and you can generally get your foot in at any driving job out there…ie: Petrol Tanker Driving, Chemicals and Specialist Gases
Have a look at the following companies and enquire
■■■■■■ Pacific (Caltex/Shell Nationwide)
Kaurilands (Mobil)
Linfox (New Zealand)
Hope this may be of help to those that are planning a new life ‘down under’…if anybody is on facebook, join the Trucking ‘New Zealand Forum’, you will get to see the different types of vehicles on our roads and also meet the other brits that are on the site, that have posted numerous pics of themselves 10-4 TD!