NEW ZEALAND MIGRATION - ISSUES TO CONSIDER

The New Zealand corporate environment is an exciting place to do business. New Zealand is presently internationalising and diversifying from their traditional industry of primary products to being an important exporter of all manner of goods and services. Now is a good time to bring your business to New Zealand.

Following, is a list of some issues a prospective business applicant needs to consider when starting up a business and relocating to New Zealand. This list cannot identify every issue as each individual and business has different needs and priorities. The visa applicant ultimately will be the sole arbitrator.

This list may also be used as a guide for applicants applying for visas other than a business visa. After considering these issues you may decide a move to New Zealand is not appropriate for you at this time.

The issues:

WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS

1. Do I have a successful background in business and an ability to understand and identify potential problems before they occur?
2. Am I familiar with my chosen business structure and operation?
3. Am I comfortable working in this business structure environment and operation?
4. Am I interested in commencing a new business, purchasing an established business or looking for a partnership in New Zealand?
5. Do I know where I can seek trusted advice?
6. Will the business meet my financial and personal needs in the short and long term?
7. Will there be critical situations or date milestones built into my business plans?
8. Do I have a business and life plan?

SETTING UP THE BUSINESS

1. Do I want to set up my business in the city or in the country?
2. What climate and environmental situations do I like working in?
3. What are my 'environmental' tolerances?
4. What about family issues such as schooling, recreation facilities, housing affordability and availability?
5. What establishment assistance is available to me if I move?
6. What assistance is available from Local Authorities to help me move and start my business?
7. What is my knowledge concerning taxation issues both in my new home and in my departing country?
8. What are the costs of relocating?
9. What arrangements need to be made to move my family and personal items?
10. When living in my new location, what will be the impact on my family and myself in terms of travel time and expense to travel in New Zealand and overseas?
11. Is my family willing to move?
12. What about employment of staff, the purchase of equipment and the building itself?
13. What about visa issues? What type of visa is needed and how long will it take to be issued and how much will it cost?
14. What am I leaving behind in terms of using acquired skills, assets and experience?
15. Will the move be detrimental to my job prospects should I attempt to reassume my previous life?

FINANCE AND INVESTMENT

1. What finance is available in order to set up the business?
2. Am I personally going to fully fund the business or will there be partial financing through lending and financial institutions?
3. What governmental requirements do I need to meet in order to invest in New Zealand and transfer funds internationally?
4. What is involved in selling my business and home in my home country?
5. What risk exposure of my personal and corporate assets am I prepared to accept?

THE LAW AND YOU

1. How much of my time and expense am I prepared to devote in order to learn and comply with new legislation concerning both my business and personal life?
2. Will I be able to cope with these legal issues in an environment that is new to me? If not, have I explored ways which will allow me to cope?
3. How much do I know about my legal rights? What happens if I breach federal, state or local government laws?
4. How do I deal with government bureaucracy?

YOUR BUSINESS

1. What is my market?
2. What are my supply resources?
3. What are my business strengths and weaknesses?
4. How long do I wish to operate from my chosen location?
5. What conditions will precipitate expansion, relocation or re evaluation of my business strategy?
6. How much will it cost to set up the business?
7. What are the availability of facilities, the cost of these facilities and my employee needs?
8. What licensing and skill qualification recognition do I need?
9. How familiar am I with the business I plan to set up? If unfamiliar, where can I get this experience?
10. What is my competition?
11. What circumstances threaten my ability to obtain a profit from my business?
12. What are my fixed and variable costs?
13. Is my family supportive of the proposed business?
14. What are my start up expenses?
15. What is the worst case scenario and what remedies can I put in place to minimize the potential damage?

CONCLUDING SUMMARY

As a guide:

• If it does not seem right or is too good to be true - then there is something wrong. Verify everything in writing and always get independent legal and accounting advice.
• You have a life outside work. Family and personal interests should be identified and placed as a high priority.
• New Zealand is a long way from everywhere and may be completely alien to your known lifestyle. Communication and travel may be difficult when seeking contact with old friends and family. Have a plan in place to counter these obstacles.
• If you know the 'negative' factors prior to moving to New Zealand you may be able to build in compromises and/or overcome these 'negative' factors before settling permanently. The more you know about what you are going to face the better prepared you will be and therefore the more likely the move will be successful.
• Prior to moving to New Zealand, travel there on either a short term electronic visitor visa or a short term business visa. Visit business contacts and possible areas where you may wish to live. A short stay in New Zealand will help you make an informed decision on whether to move.

** Noel Hewitt Associates no longer assists in N.Z. visa applications.

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