Brits with construction and engineering skills are needed in New Zealand, after another earthquake in Canterbury on December 23 increased the need for assistance rebuilding the region, particularly the city of Christchurch.

 

Many residents left Christchurch, which is popular with British expats, after the devastating earthquake there in February, leaving a shortage of skilled workers needed for rebuilding the city and surrounding areas. The recent earthquake has heightened this effect.

According to a government website, “with the world economy still emerging slowly from the recent recession, the Christchurch rebuild offers unprecedented opportunities for employment, career progression and involvement in a significant city redevelopment. The scale of the work required over the next ten years means that filling the employment demand domestically will be difficult.”

The message would seem to be getting through already as between June 1 and October 31 this year, 71 foreign nationals were issued working visas by Immigration New Zealand and over half of those were British.

Expat Marc Denholm, who works for international recruitment company Manpower, commented: “Christchurch has plenty of employment options and the opportunities will increase even more as the rebuild gathers momentum. People are excited about helping to shape Christchurch’s future so it’s a great time to be coming here.”

After the recent earthquake, expat Pattie Pegler, who writes for www.NewZealandBuyingGuide.com from her home near Christchurch, commented: “We’ve had another big quake here today, thankfully not as bad as last time, but it’s put everyone on edge again. So I think Christmas will be an edgy occasion this year.”

Preparation for anyone considering a move to New Zealand should include planning for the transfer of your pounds into New Zealand dollars. For information on how to do this safely and save money when doing so, speak to currency exchange specialist Smart Currency Exchange. For details of property for sale in New Zealand, visit the listings on Rightmove Overseas

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To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in New Zealand, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘New Zealand Property Buying Guide’