Visit Christchurch. Work in Christchurch.

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth – in our geography and history. The first New Zealanders, the Maori, arrived here just 800 years ago, and ever since we have been a nation of immigrants, accepting people from every country on earth and welcoming them for their skills, their capital, and their new ideas.

Our country is a great place to live, work and play. It’s also a great place to raise a family and pursue your dreams.

Our small population of just over 4 million, our clear skies, our stunning scenery, and our uncrowded land mass – almost a third of which is set aside in parks and reserves – combine with a temperate climate, sophisticated urban centres, and a modern economy to provide a quality of life that is the envy of many other nations.

 

Christchurch – A  PLACE of opportunity

Today that trend continues, and New Zealand is a land of opportunity for returning Kiwis and for new immigrants with the right skills and talent. We have world-leading industries in agriculture, and adventure tourism, and growing expertise in wine, education, film and entertainment, information and communications technology (ICT), and biotechnology.

Welcoming immigrants: Kiwis come home!

The New Zealand Government is particularly keen to welcome back Kiwis currently living overseas. In these tough international economic times we know that many of you may be considering returning to family, friends and the familiarity of home.

New Zealand is well positioned to weather the global downturn, and the Government is pursuing a ‘Jobs and Growth’ plan to take the sharp edges of recession and to prepare our economy for future growth. This presents big opportunities for those with skills and aspiration who want to work in New Zealand.

Despite the tough economic conditions we also continue to need to fill skill gaps in some areas of our economy. We encourage people from a range of national backgrounds to check out the immigration options available to them, by visiting Immigration New Zealand, so that they too can consider making New Zealand home.

John Key
Prime Minister of New Zealand

Christchurch

Christchurch is a great place to live, work, visit and do business. With a population of over 350 000 Christchurch is the international gateway to the South Island.

Here you will find maps to explore Christchurch and guides to help you discover the region’s most popular attractions and activities. There’s also information about Christchurch, and access to all the necessities for anyone wanting to visit, live or do business in the city.

 

‘The Garden City of the world’

If you ever hear someone talking about the Garden City of the world, it’s Christchurch that they’re referring to. South Island’s main city has been holding onto the title since 1997, when it was judged ‘Overall Winner of Major Cities’ in the Nations in Bloom International Competition. A visit to the city will help you understand the reasons behind the victory.

The centrally located 161 hectare Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, the four leafy inner-city avenues, Victoria Square, and gardens such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon are fine examples of why the city earned the title. Additionally, the Floral Festival held every year in February is certainly one of the most popular festivals on the annual calendar and a time when the people of Christchurch take even more pride in their public and private gardens.

The city lies on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, in the Canterbury region, and is home to nearly 350,000 people.

A blooming city

Local economy is in constant growth and relies on the primary produce of its surrounds: vegetables, specialist horticultural produce, grains, grapes, meat, dairy, timber, wool and aquaculture. Tourism, software development, manufacturing, electronics and education are also emerging industries in the area.

The city’s international airport makes it the international hub to the south island and an important business stop. A deep harbour port, radial road and rail links help make it the main distribution centre in the South Island of New Zealand.

The Canterbury Development Corporation is responsible for promoting economic development and sustainable employment in the Christchurch and Canterbury.

Internationally recognised education

Christchurch has two universities and sixteen research institutions, being internationally recognised by its high education standards. The educational hub also includes over 120 primary and intermediate schools and 30 secondary schools.

High score for sport venues

Christchurch welcomes a variety of sporting activities, with rugby on top of all preferences. The city is home to two big sport venues: the Queen Elizabeth II Park and the Westpac Arena.

The Christchurch City Council produces the Christchurch Sports Guide, which provides contact and other information on non-profit organisations within the city whose primary focus is the provision of sport. It is an easy reference guide that is of use to players, supporters, parents and administrators throughout the year.

Arts for all

In the heart of the city, the Cultural Precinct of Christchurch brings together the finest of Christchurch’s arts and cultural activities. Amongst its attractions are the Christchurch Art Gallery, with 12 incredible attractions including the Christchurch Art Gallery, the Canterbury Museum and the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral.

The Christchurch Convention Centre and its adjacent performing arts complex are also two of the most prominent cultural venues of the city.

Christchurch’s climate

Christchurch is, like many say, a city of contrasts. Its inhabitants have a choice between hitting the mountain slopes during the ski season or sunbathing on one of the region’s beaches during the summer months.

The region has a mild climate, with minimum temperatures ranging from 1.7°C in July and 12.2 °C in January, and maximum temperatures going from 11.3 °C in July and 22.5 °C in January.

Christchurch Housing

The dominant trend in New Zealand is towards home ownership. Unsurprisingly, two thirds of the population of Christchurch own their home. At the end of 2006, the median house sale price for homes in Christchurch was $290,000.

Other Christchurch facts

• Maori oral history suggests that people first inhabited the Canterbury area about a thousand years ago.
• The first Europeans landed in Canterbury in 1815, 45 years after Captain James Cook sighted what he named “Banks Island”, later found to be a peninsula.
• Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on July 31, 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand.
• Christchurch has a history of involvement in Antarctic exploration – both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton used the port of Lyttelton as a departure point for expeditions, and there is a statue of Scott, sculpted by his widow, Kathleen Scott, in the central city.
• Christchurch is one of the few cities in the world that has a near-exact antipodal city – A Coruña in northwestern Spain.

 

 

Tax information for migrants to New Zealand

New Zealand tax rates

As of 1 April, 2009, the New Zealand tax rates (excluding ACC earner’s levy) are:
12.5 cents of every dollar for income up to $14,000
21 cents of every dollar for income from $14,001 to $48,000
33 cents of every dollar for income from $48,001 to $70,000
38 cents of every dollar for income of $70,001 and over

The New Zealand tax year

The standard New Zealand tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

Non-residents & visitors

Depending on your tax residency status, different taxes may apply. As a tourist you will pay GST on your purchases. If you earn wages or a salary, income tax will apply. Withholding tax may apply to contractors, sports people, entertainers and performing artists visiting New Zealand.

Are you a New Zealand resident for tax purposes?

You will need to establish if you are a New Zealand resident or non-resident for tax purposes. You’ll be a:

• New Zealand resident if you’re overseas for less than 325 days in a 12-month period, or
• a non-resident if you’re overseas for more than 325 days in a 12-month period, and you don’t have an enduring relationship with New Zealand.

The Inland Revenue Department’s New Zealand tax residence guide (IR292) explains the residency rules in full detail.

 

Your IRD number

You will need an IRD number before you start a job, or if you want to open a bank account. You must apply for an IRD number before you can receive income from work.

Foreign income tax rule

Since 1 April 2006, people arriving to live in New Zealand may qualify for a temporary tax exemption on most types of foreign income.

KiwiSaver – New Zealand’s work-based savings initiative

Since 1 July 2007, most New Zealand residents and people entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely (who are aged 18 years or older) are automatically enrolled in KiwiSaver when they start a new job.

KiwiSaver is a voluntary retirement savings scheme – you can opt out any time from two to eight weeks after beginning employment. The minimum contribution for a worker enrolled in KiwiSaver is 2% of the worker’s gross pay, though most people contribute 4% of their gross pay.

Are you entitled to tax credits?

Working for Families tax credits, formerly called family assistance, is financial help for families who have financially dependent children aged 18 years or under. The amount of Working for Families tax credits you may receive depends upon:

• how many children aged 18 years or younger you have in your care
• how much you and your partner earn
• from where you receive your income (i.e. employment or a benefit)

The four kinds of Working for Families tax credits are:

• Family Tax Credit, paid to low and middle-income families for each child who is aged 18 years or younger
• In-work Tax Credit, a payment for families who work a minimum number of hours each week
• Minimum Family Tax Credit, to bring a family’s income up to at $355 per week after tax. To receive this assistance, at least one parent in the family must be working for salary or wages
• Parental Tax Credit, for the first 56 days of a baby’s life.

Independent earner tax credits are available to New Zealand tax residents earning between $24,000 and $48,000 per tax year. You are ineligible if you already receive Working for Families tax credits, an income tested benefit, NZ Super, a veteran’s pension or any foreign equivalent of these.

Source: Inland Revenue Department. Update your CV and find work in Christchurch.