Living in New Zealand:

People:

There are just over four million people currently living in New Zealand with roughly 377,000 of these people living in Auckland City. People from a wide range of European countries have settled in New Zealand since Captain James Cook first made his discovery. In fact, European immigrants, of one generation or another, make up 75% of the population.

The first settlers, the Maori people, make up about 10% of the people who call New Zealand their home. The Maori, who arrived over 600 years ago, are still very passionate about keeping their culture, language and art alive.

Since the 1960s, other ethnic groups have been welcomed from Polynesia (Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands). People from China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam and South Africa have also settled in New Zealand which makes for a diverse and interesting population mix.

Quality of life:

New Zealand is very fortunate in that it has managed to avoid the poverty, pollution, congestion, health issues and cramped city living that we see other countries battling with. New Zealand has very low crime rates, corruption is practically nonexistent and there are excellent levels of employment, making it an incredibly safe and enjoyable place to live.

Lifestyle:

New Zealand can be anything that you want it to be. If you love the outdoors and are the sporty adventurous type then you will never run out of things to do. Nowhere is far from the beach so swimming, boating, diving and fishing are very popular pastimes. New Zealand is also lucky enough to have 14 national parks and reserves which provide miles upon miles of stunning walks. If you are a fan of winter sports then you can take your pick from 10 commercial ski fields and numerous club fields which provide inexpensive but challenging skiing, heli-skiing and snowboarding.

Alternatively, if you are more inclined to curl up with a good book or wander around an art gallery then New Zealand won't disappoint you either. New Zealand has an impressive and colourful cultural heritage which can be soaked up in its many libraries, museums and art galleries.

Housing:

Most New Zealanders prefer to own their own home, with over two-thirds choosing to buy rather than to rent. Property in New Zealand is pretty affordable compared to most other Westernised countries, although land outside of the major cities is markedly cheaper. Urban properties still make up for about 85% of overall property sales but people are increasingly seeing the plentiful lifestyle benefits of living in rural or semi-rural areas.

Health:

New Zealand's public health system is good by world standards. Comprehensive life-long medical care is available to everyone and all essential healthcare is provided free through the public healthcare system. This means that while some routine services, such as visits to local doctors and dentists, have to be paid for, more costly services such as hospital treatments are, with some minor exceptions, paid for.

If you injure yourself at work, at home, in the car, playing sport or doing any other activity, our government-legislated accident compensation scheme (ACC) will help pay for your hospital, doctor, physiotherapist or any specialist treatment. If the injury is serious, payment will also be made to offset the loss of wages. This removes the need to seek redress through the courts if you get injured through the actions of others.

Education:

New Zealand's government funded schooling system provides a comprehensive curriculum of academic, sporting, and skills-based learning options. There are also a number of private schooling options available. All children, with very few exceptions, are required to attend school between the ages of 5 and 16.

Young adults wanting to go on to further education have a wide range of options available to them. New Zealand's higher education system includes universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and private training establishments, all of which provide a high level of tertiary education and internationally recognised degrees and diplomas.

Childcare:

There are a number of childcare and early education options available if you have children five years or younger. You can enrol your child full-time or part-time in a childcare centre (crèche), kindergarten or playcentre. These early education centres are regularly audited by the Education Review Office to ensure high standards are maintained. Other care options include hiring a nanny through an agency or arranging home-based care for your child at an approved caregiver’s home.

For more information on early childhood services contact your local Ministry of Education office, details of which can be found at www.minedu.govt.nz. They will give you list of your local early childhood services and information on the different types of services available.

Cost of living:

Compared to many other countries, New Zealand offers a great balance between the cost of living and lifestyle. Housing is often found to be more reasonable than in many parts of Asia, Europe and North America and New Zealand also produces a wide range of competitively priced consumer goods of a similar style and quality to those found overseas. The items we do need to import such as motor vehicles, electrical and computer equipment and petroleum products are priced similarly to or, in many cases, are cheaper than in other comparable countries.

Immigrating to New Zealand:

There are a number of ways of getting your New Zealand residency. Firstly, you need to ensure that you are healthy, of good character and have a fairly good grasp of the English language. After this, there are four common entry options:

Skilled Migrant:

This option is for suitably qualified people, aged 55 and under, who can add value to the New Zealand workforce and economy. If, in addition to being under 56, you have been offered a job in New Zealand, have a tertiary or trade qualification or have at least two years work experience, then you have a very good chance of gaining New Zealand residence under this category.

Work to Residence:

Working to residence is a very popular option. This category allows you to work temporarily in New Zealand as the first step towards gaining permanent residence. To gain entry under this category you must have:

• a genuine offer of full time employment from a New Zealand accredited employer, with a base salary of at least $50,000
• Sponsorship from a New Zealand arts, cultural or sporting organisation because of your reputation and ability to contribute to New Zealand's future, or
• A genuine offer of full-time, ongoing employment in an occupation on the Long Term Shortage Skill List. You must be aged 55 years or younger at the time you apply for residence and hold appropriate full or provisional registration if required to practise in that occupation.

General Work Visas and Permits:

Even if you are not suitable for the work to residence option, you still have a very good chance of being granted a work visa or permit. Employers who are unable to find suitable workers in New Zealand, and have roles that do not meet the Skilled Migrant or Long Term Skill Shortage criteria may be able to assist an employee with getting a general work visa or permit. An employer must be able to demonstrate that they cannot find suitably qualified New Zealand workers or New Zealand workers who could be readily trained to do the work.

Family:

If you have immediate family members living in New Zealand, who are already residents or citizens, then they may be able to sponsor your own residency application. If you are a parent, partner, sibling/adult child or dependent child of somebody living in New Zealand then you may be able to apply for New Zealand residency.

Business:

New Zealand is always on the look-out for proven business people who can build and invest in new businesses and bring fresh ideas and skills into the country. The most common business migration option is the Long Term Business Visa (LTBV). To gain residency under the business category you must have a business plan that shows you have enough money to establish your business and contribute to the economy, are suitably experienced and have not been involved with any business failure or fraud.

Working in New Zealand:

New Zealanders are very hard workers and will often devote long hours to a project in order to get it done perfectly. However, despite this strong work ethic, one of the highest priorities for New Zealanders is maintaining a work-life balance. There are a lot more non-standard employment options available, allowing for flexible work hours (in negotiation with employers). Flexible work arrangements, part-time work, job sharing, home-based work and paid parental leave allhelp workers in New Zealand to achieve a balance between ourwork and personal lives, so we can devote more quality time to family and to ourselves.

Registration requirements for dentists:

To practice in New Zealand a dentist must be registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand, the New Zealand statutory body for maintaining self-regulation of the dental profession. You are entitled to be registered as a dentist in New Zealand if you hold the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery from a university in New Zealand, or its equivalent, have a reasonable command of English, plan to reside and practice in New Zealand and are considered fit to practice dentistry by the Dental Council. Before authorising the registration of overseas dentists, the Council may require them to sit and pass the New Zealand Dental Registration Examinations and the New Zealand Condition of Practice Examinations.

We have summarised the requirements of the more common countries below. However, if you are from a country not listed or need more detailed information please visit the Dental Council of New Zealand website at www.dcnz.org.nz.

United Kingdom:

The British B.D.S qualification is currently eligible for registration, but UK-trained dentists are required to sit the examination on conditions of practice in New Zealand.

Australia:

The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA) 1997 recognises Australian and New Zealand registration standards as equivalent and enhances the freedom of registered professionals to work in either country.

Under TTMRA if you are registered as an oral health practitioner in a participating jurisdiction in Australia (all states except Western Australia), you are entitled, after applying to the Dental Council, to be registered in the same occupation in New Zealand.

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition therefore provides an alternative avenue for obtaining registration in New Zealand. Applicants have the choice of applying for registration under the TTMRA or under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

United States & Canada:

You will need a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited undergraduate dental degree from a CDA accredited dental school in the USA or Canada and a pass in the New Zealand Conditions of Practice Examination

Registration Requirements for Hygienists:

To practice in New Zealand a hygienist must be registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand, the New Zealand statutory body for maintaining self-regulation of the dental profession. You are entitled to be registered as a hygienist in New Zealand if you hold a certificate, diploma or degree in (or endorsed in) dental hygiene from a New Zealand educational institution, or its equivalent, have a reasonable command of English, plan to reside and practice in New Zealand and are considered fit to practice hygiene by the Dental Council.

Before authorising the registration of overseas hygienists, the Council may require them to sit and pass the New Zealand Dental Hygiene Registration Examinations and the New Zealand Conditions of Practice Examinations.

United Kingdom:

A General Dental Council (GDC) accredited undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma from the United Kingdom, alongside registration with the GDC is required. Alternatively, a certificate or diploma in dental hygiene conferred by the GDC and registration with the GDC will also be accepted.

Australia:

The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA) of 1997 recognises Australian and New Zealand registration standards as equivalent and enhances the freedom of registered professionals to work in either country.

Under TTMRA, if you are registered as an oral health practitioner in a participating jurisdiction in Australia (all states except Western Australia) you are entitled, after applying to the Dental Council, to be registered in the same occupation in New Zealand.

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition therefore provides an alternative avenue for obtaining registration in New Zealand. Applicants have the choice of either applying for registration under the TTMRA or under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act of 2003.

United States & Canada:

The following qualifications are accepted:

• An undergraduate dental hygiene degree or undergraduate dental degree and a pass in the USA National Board Dental Hygiene Examination or Canadian National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination and a pass in a USA or Canadian regional or state board dental hygiene clinical examination; and registration with a USA or Canadian dental authority
• A Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) accredited undergraduate dental hygiene degree or diploma; a pass in the USA National Board Hygiene Examination or Canadian National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination; and registration with a USA or Canadian dental authority.

Professional Organisations:

Links to New Zealand dental professional organisations and advisory bodies:

NZ Dental Association
NZ Dental Therapist Association
NZ Hygienist Association
Dental Council of NZ
Hospital Dentistry NZ
Auckland Dental Association
NZ Association of Orthodontists
NZ Institute of Dental Technologists Inc.