A Singaporean Says Living In NZ Different Experience – Updated

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Continuing in our series of Migrant Stories: first hand accounts of migrant life in New Zealand, taken from locations around the net.

“The bait was better working hours, cheaper cars and housing – and in three weeks thousands from Singapore have registered their interest in living in New Zealand”.

Todays Tale is taken from a thread on The Straits Times website, in which Singaporeans discuss the current campaign targeting them to come and work in New Zealand.

This poster lives in New Zealand and was eager to tell readers that living in a country is very different from visiting it. Most of the issues raised in this post can be found on this forum and our mirror site, links may be found at the end of this page:

“Travelling in NZ versus living in NZ is a totally different experience! Depending on what you do, where you live … it’ll change your opinions about NZ.

Crime rates are getting higher in some cities … all you hear in the news are depressing news like murders, burglaries, assaults etc. Alcohol and drugs are huge concerns here and are major social problems in NZ! Law and order? Number of prisoners reaches new high! http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/number-prisoners-reaches-new-high-3083396

Make sure you are secured with a job if you intend to migrate here under Skilled Migrant Category because it’s very, very hard to find a job here. And of course, not forgetting about the certain degree of racism and discrimination that we have to face here!

Living standards? The proposed increase in GST from 12.5% to 15% will definitely have an impact on living cost. http://www.3news.co.nz/Poll-and-survey-find-majority-against-GST-increase/tabid/419/articleID/141957/Default.aspx

Although health care is free but … unless you need urgent immediate attention otherwise you can join the long queue in the waiting list! Read this article about the recent health cuts. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0908/S00210.htm

For those who have children, your children may feel less stressful studying in NZ but you really have to think thrice if that’s what you want for them! It’s their future you have to consider! Unless you’re very sure that they have self-discipline … Read this article about the chaos created by Otago University students annually and decide if you want to send your children here.http://www.odt.co.nz/on-campus/university-otago/73781/undie-500-chaos-a-student039s-view

Do you think Kiwis are happy here? Read this article about the high suicide rate in NZ. http://www.socialreport.msd.govt.nz/health/suicide.html

We can go on and on and on …

Of course, if you retire here and don’t have to deal with many people then it’s a different story! You probably will enjoy the quiet lifestyle here and the weather (except during the cold winter months) is definitely better than the hot and humid Singapore!

We’ve recently heard of Singaporeans getting as far as the final interview stage for Permanent Residency and being refused. They are turned down for PR and aren’t even offered Work to Residence as a back-up. Bear in mind the high fees involved in the visa application process and it’s understandable why some are starting to call the whole thing a ‘scam.’ Read this thread on an immigration advice forum:

PR Visa Rejected!!! And not even granted a WTR

Possible effects of the marketing campaign are a slowing up in the processing of applications and long delays in assigning case officers. This post recently appeared on an emigration forum, it was written by someone who had to make a fuss and lodge a complaint to get things moving:

“Recently Shanghai Branch wrote to a number of candidates that due to markable increase in applications their cases are delayed and VO’s would be assigned in 9-12 months instead of 6 months but few candidates wrote to NZIS and argued against the decision and NZIS Shanghai immediately assigned VO’s to them within 6 months…

I received same email from NZIS as others that my case has been delayed and VO would be assigned in 9-12 months rather than 6 months but i argued against the decision and NZIS accepted my point and assigned VO within 6 months.“

For posts tagged:

Crime – links

Jobs for Kiwis - links

Racism – links

Healthcare - links

Suicide rates – links

“That’s cold – exploding the myths about sub-tropical New Zealand” - link

  1. Ming
    March 26, 2010 at 4:16 am | #1
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    I totally agree! I’m a Singaporean and have been in NZ for the past almost 5 years. I have traveled extensively prior to coming to NZ and never have I seen any other country that exhibits such ridiculous behaviors! Imagine turning on the TV and the ads are showing you that 1) Violence is Not ok, 2) Do not ever shake a baby, 3) People drinking and driving, 4) People speeding recklessly and the list goes on. The ongoing consistent messages out there truly reflects the dire circumstances of the social behaviors of the Kiwis.

    In addition, basic literacy rate is quite poor. I just about to tear my hair out when people spell “Masters Ave” as “maRster’s ave”, “there” spelled as “their” and if you add an up-size fries to a burger meal, they totally lost count of how much they need to pay! So REALLY, send your kids here to study.

    And yes, jobs are extremely hard to find here and if you are so lucky to get one, be prepared for the large amount of taxes you have to pay. If you earn between NZ$14,001 to NZ$48,000/year (which is most likely for many people), your tax rate is 21% (excluding ACC levy). Well in SG, you will have to earn 6 times more ie: SG$320,000 (which is about NZD$322,328 at today’s exchange rate) before you are tax at 21%. How good is that?!
    NZ Tax rate: http://www.ird.govt.nz/how-to/taxrates-codes/itaxsalaryandwage-incometaxrates.html
    SG Tax Rate: http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=1190

    PS: oh by the way, your taxes are paying for those people who are on benefits, as well as those that are drinking from 9am in the morning to 10pm at night, the ones that yell at you to “go back to china” (they have no idea of other countries except for england, australia and south africa.. did i mention china?), the ones that NEED to have a cigarette break EVERY 30 minutes while you slog on and on at work, not to mention legal aid for the Kiwis who just happened to be drunk or “mentally unstable” and decide to torch your car for no reason other than they just did!

  2. emigratetonewzealand
    March 26, 2010 at 7:35 am | #2
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    Ming thanks for sharing and for giving an ‘on the ground’ perspective.

    Are you minded to write a Migrant Tale for us?

  3. Jess
    April 17, 2010 at 2:25 am | #3
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    I am from Malaysia Chinese and have been living in NZ since 2004. Lifestyle is good and relax, beautiful country for retirement. Other than that, if you are career focused, you’d better think twice before taking the big step. In other words, NZ is not recommended if you have not made your money yet or expecting to earn, save and make money here, think twice pls. Tax rates are so high and your taxes support those on the benefit. You may have a bachelor or masters degree but you end up taking jobs well below yr qualifications. I gave up looking for any other job and have been doing my call centre (sales) job for 5 years, reason being it pays well above the kiwi average, especially for us the hardworking migrants (mostly indians with masters and bachelors degrees) who are topsellers, working hard and smart. There is no job satisfaction but it’s just a job and pays the bills. In job search, they look for kiwi work experience and you also read about people changing their names in an effort to get their application looked at. In my job, I speak to many people and some are at some point pretty racist. You hear questions like,
    “Can you pls put me to someone who speak English?’ or
    ‘Am I calling India, Philippines or China?”
    Many of the locals here so naive, they hardly travel out of their country and they can’t tell the difference if they are speaking to an American, Indian or Chinese not to mention Singapore or Malaysia. As long as you don’t pronounce ‘Seeven’ (Seven) , or Eeegg (Egg) they will think you come from India or China. Life here is pretty laid back, so in a nutshell, if you have not made your money yet, or below 60yrs old or not ready for retirement yet, NZ may not be for you.

  4. Wei Hua
    May 12, 2010 at 6:50 am | #4
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    NZ is not the perfect place for sure, but I’m not sure what Ming said is a fair description of the country. Sure the people that described exists but there are also many well travelled and well informed people in NZ.

    Work is a little hard to come by and taxes are high, but then it is a different governing policy and different perspective. Some people think that government not providing unemployment benefits is attrocious but we from singapore think it’s alright.

    I have been living and pursuing my higher education in Christchurch for 3+ years and frankly I find the place absolutely brilliant. It is not perfect as I said but where in the world can you find Utopia? Everything must be put in the right perspective… and I don’t think racism exists as anything more than amusement. If a kiwi thinks an oriental looking person can’t speak english properly it’s because of their experience with orientals. Don’t we in singapore have unfair first impressions or perceptions of people from far away land too? I have many good born and bred kiwi friends and we hang out doing the usual kiwi things, not singaporean things… if we want to do singaporean things we would be better off staying at home.

    NZ is a very different society from singapore or malaysia. It is very far geographically and they have very different political, social outlook on life. If we go to NZ (or any other place in the world) in search of a singapore or malaysia minus all the bad things then i’m sorry to say you can search for your entire life and still end up disappointed.

    I have left NZ for sunny South Africa only because I want to experience and learn from the world. I will definitely return to NZ one day.

    As a end off when we are in a foreign place, we must remember that we are in a foreign place and not in our home country. We are GUESTS in the country even if you are a resident or citizen, socially you are a guest… so please remember that, and not keep remembering and comparing with home… if you do please just stay at home…

  5. emigratetonewzealand
    May 12, 2010 at 10:01 am | #5
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    Thanks for your comments Wei.
    When did you leave New Zealand and why? (not just for the South African sunshine surely?)

  6. PSweet
    March 28, 2012 at 8:58 pm | #6
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    Thanks all for useful posts. We’re also planning to migrate to NZ under Skill Migrant Category. Both of my husband and myself are IT professionals. We’re currently living in Singapore and according to SG experience I really look for the information about my children’s education especially the school hours for primary, secondary and so on. Because schools in SG are only half-day and need to find house maid to look after our children while both of us are working. Even they have after school care centers, somebody need to take care of sending and taking children from school to the center. So that experience is really terrible for us because we don’t have any relatives who can stay with us and house maids are not 100% reliable persons. So I’m desperately looking for the school hours information in NZ. If anyone has an idea please advice me.

    • E2NZ
      March 28, 2012 at 9:16 pm | #7
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      School hours vary but are generally about 8:30 to 3:00.

      Some primary schools have after school care schemes and there are providers who will pick up your children after school and take them to a centre. If your children are being collected by a childcare provider we strongly recommend you ask to see the vehicle they’re to be transported in and take a good look around the centre with your children.

      Children under the age of 14 cannot legally be left on their own in New Zealand. This may present some problems when your children get to highschool age.

      You may like to ask this question on the forum at http://www.expatexposed.com and find out what other parents do.

      • PSweet
        March 28, 2012 at 9:29 pm | #8
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        Thanks so much for very prompt and useful reply.

  7. E2NZ
    March 28, 2012 at 9:30 pm | #9
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    You’re most welcome. Good luck with your emigration.

  8. kelseyzengoli
    November 9, 2012 at 12:40 am | #10
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    well, there is no perfect world except heaven, but honestly kiwi are very laidback, very humerous pple,fresh air good lifesytle, however if you are a competitive person, pls dont come here.

    • P Ray
      November 9, 2012 at 1:36 am | #11
      Reply | Quote

      So if it’s not competitive …
      why do people from Asia want to be educated in the West?
      And why do Western countries have plagiarism statistics … but Asian ones don’t?

      • NZer
        November 16, 2012 at 11:06 am | #12
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        Is definitely, deliberately copying specific hardware designs comparable to plagiarism?

        Whether or not it is (and I do think it is), there are huge amounts of copycat hardware produced in Asia. I’m pretty sure the production of non-innovative, copycat material is a global problem.

        By the way, you did not actually mean to ask why Asian countries don’t have statistics to do with plagiarism, did you? (I mean, turning a blind eye towards plagiarism by not monitoring it for statistical purposed isn’t a particularly good thing, is it?) I am pretty sure what you meant was: “Why does Asia appear to have significantly less plagiarism than the West, according to statistics?” No? Please correct me if I am wrong.

        And I don’t really know how Asians in general wanting to be educated in the West in general, and the West in general having plagiarism statistics, and Asia in general not having plagiarism statistics, is very relevant to whether or not New Zealand, specifically, is a competitive country, or not. Perhaps you could explain?

        Thank you for taking the time to read the post.

        • P Ray
          February 14, 2013 at 3:31 am | #13
          Reply | Quote

          Your statement about copying hardware is not accurate.
          Have you heard about clean-room implementation?

          And I don’t really know how Asians in general wanting to be educated in the West in general, and the West in general having plagiarism statistics, and Asia in general not having plagiarism statistics, is very relevant to whether or not New Zealand, specifically, is a competitive country, or not. Perhaps you could explain?
          If all degrees are created alike, why does NZ have trouble recognising ones from overseas?
          More importantly … why do overseas students beginning and completing their university education in a skills shortage area … find it hard to get employment?

          Thank you for reading this post in full.

          • Nzer
            February 15, 2013 at 6:20 pm | #14
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            I had never heard that word before, but I was aware of the concept, yes. I concede that my point was not relevant (although I hope we would both agree that there is at least some explicit hardware-copying done in Asia, for http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/29/us-china-iphone-idUSTRE78S0EL20110929). Of course, clean room implementation also involves a degree of copying, though I don’t particularly object to it, because it could lead to useful innovations (or useless weaknesses).

            But I repeat: I don’t see how plagiarism in the West in general is relevant to whether or not New Zealand in particular is/tries to be a competitive nation. You are welcome to explain.

            Also, I was unable to find comprehensive plagiarism statistics on any country at all, Asian or not, in a quick web search I did. You are welcome to direct me to any such statistics.

            I did not say all degrees were created alike – I have no idea why you have even mentioned this, just as I have no idea why plagiarism ever entered the discussion.

            I cannot give you an authoritative answer to either of your questions, but I’ll try give you some kind of answer.

            To your first question, I do not know the extent of the non-recognition by New Zealand of foreign degrees, but doubt it is universal or absolute. I suspect that in the case of many trades at least, differences in national safety-related standards would be one reason (because, for example, it could be dangerous for an electrical engineer who has no idea of New Zealand electric standards to work in New Zealand).

            To your second question, some things I am sure would play a part are (in no particular order): (1) Employers could be racist or xenophobic; (2) The students could have a non-prestige accent, or just downright poor communication skills in English; (3) There could be one-sided or mutual cultural understanding difficulties between employer a job-seeker; (4) The job-seekers and/or job-seekers might not network in such a way as to be exposed to each other.

  9. GOH C.H.
    March 10, 2013 at 7:29 am | #15
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    I m a singaporean looking to buying a business in Auckland as investment & migration. What is the pros & cons? After hearing what is said about NZ it totally change my perception. Is it still a good idea to invest & migrate? Pls advice..

  10. James
    March 15, 2013 at 11:50 pm | #16
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    Most of the things in NZ are good, except high crime rate per capita and most good jobs are unlikely for Asian or women.

    Most children would love the schools here in NZ. One of the best child birth and early child care sysetm.

    Investment wise; would be conventional real properties.

    It is a beautiful country and friendly people; at least on the surface.

    • Get Me Outta Here!!
      March 16, 2013 at 10:30 am | #17
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      James :
      Most of the things in NZ are good, except high crime rate per capita and most good jobs are unlikely for Asian or women.
      Most children would love the schools here in NZ. One of the best child birth and early child care sysetm.
      Investment wise; would be conventional real properties.
      It is a beautiful country and friendly people; at least on the surface.

      Children would like the education system?? Are you kidding me?? The school system is brutally heirarchical and many schools employ a “prefect” system where they deputize one or two children to bully the others, over things like the width of stripe at the top of their sock, or the color of their shoelaces… result – psychopathic bullies. It is really violent and the attitude of insider:outsider starts early. Try googling “My Time at Paremoremo Boy’s High” which is an account of a teen’s experience at one of NZ’s fanciest and most expensive schools. Paremoremo is a high security prison here in NZ.

    • family mann 4
      March 22, 2013 at 2:32 am | #18
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      We recently moved our two children back to the U.S. from New Zealand. They took some time to catch up. The New Zealand schools are much farther behind academically in their level, i.e., the difficulty of material they teach and the standards they impose on the children. Communication between parents and teachers is very good here in the U.S., insisted on even,, but I found this aspect to be very poor in New Zealand. Parents and teachers were not partners in education there. Accountability was not a value. I would say physical education is their focus in New Zealand. And “experiential” environmental science. The lack of funding means that they have few supplies and “make do”, sometimes to the children’s detriment, for example, if they do not catch what the teacher is saying and have no visual support to work off of. Also, gifted and disabilities are not screened out from the mass and dealt with specially, because their funding for special cases is low. I witnessed students going through the system whose problems would have been discovered and treated very early in the States. I cannot recommend the school system down there except for the kindergartens, which impressed us greatly, at least in the wealthier areas. I People moving to New Zealand should factor in that their children will fall behind academically. They may gain in other areas, such as thinking on their feet and appreciation for rough camping. We found them disorganized and overly “norming” in their approach, and in many other ways their schools were not what we wanted over a longer term for our children. A year or two would be fun, however, if the situation were something you could afford to do as an adventure. As a longer-term living experiment – a thousand times no, do not move your family to New Zealand. They have crime, drugs, bullying, all the problems that exist in America, minus a few guns, and some problems are worse (the drugs in the schools are worse). Add New Zealand’s unique situation of being too far away to visit relatives regularly and being very expensive, and you will be looking at years of “bad idea”!

  11. stopping by
    March 22, 2013 at 3:06 am | #19
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