Updated: 03 February 2005

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Emigration Suitability Calculator Version 1.2

I've created this suitability calculator to help you to understand your chances of emigrating to New Zealand successfully. I've tried to list the factors affecting successful emigration to New Zealand. No result guarantees either success or failure, but just gives you an indication of your chances of emigrating successfully. With a low score, maybe you should think again. With a high score, you have a good chance.
These figures are not based on any scientific research. Feel free to type in your own numbers for each line.
I'd welcome feedback, if you disagree with my numbers, or think there are other things I've missed, or if you just want to discuss your situation. Just visit my NeuralNetWriter Forum We've a friendly group of people from all around the world, all with one desire. To get to, or carry on living in, New Zealand.
Once you've filled in the questions and got the result, you can print this page. You can even take it along to your interview (if you've applied for residency without a job offer). You never know - it might help !

Pick an answer that best fits your position

How many children do you have above the age of 12 ?

The older your children, and the more you have, the greater the chance of your family being split between countries, and the greater the chance that one of them will be unhappy with the move.

No Kids	1 Kid	2 Kids	3 Kids

Do you live near to your relatives ?

The closer you are to your relatives, the more likely you are to miss them.

Never see them	Every few months	Every week	See them every day

Are your family supportive ?

If you are close to your family, if they support your move, life will be easier. If they are dead against it.....

Hate the idea	So-so	Supportive

How much money do you have ?

The more money you have the lower your expenses will be, and the easier it will be.

£0	>£19k	>£37k	>£74k	>£111k	>£222k
$0	>$50k	>$100k	>$200k	>$300k	>$600k

Will you sell your house before you go ?

Going before you sell your house can limit the amount of money you have, and can be a drain on your finances.

Yes	No

Do you have a lot of friends you see often ?

You'll miss them, and end up in a country where you initially know no one.

None	A few	Quite few	Loads

Do you go to regular social event ?

If you have regular social events you'll miss that.

None	Sometimes	Once a week	Several a week

What sort of lifestyle do you have ?

Do you read celebrity magazines & shop in designer shops ? New Zealand is not the UK. If you like the UK consumer society you may not like NZ.

Posh who !	A bit	Shopaholic

How handy and thrifty are you ?

It seems that Kiwis are resourceful. You'll find it easier to live in NZ if you are good at DIY and you're a bit thrifty.

Can't wire a plug	Can do basic stuff	General DIY	DIY Expert

Do friends or family baby sit ?

You'll miss that free time away from your kids.

None	Occasionally	Once a week	Often

Have you moved before ?

Have you moved around the country, or even to other countries.

Never	Once	Twice	Lots

Have you visited New Zealand ?

The more you know about living in New Zealand, the less negative surprises you'll get.

Never	Holiday	Lived there

Have you got family & friends in New Zealand ?

Are you moving away from family & friends or are you moving towards them.

No	A few friends	A relative	Several relatives	A whole family

How much research have you done ?

Living in New Zealand is not like going on holiday. You have to work, earn money, pay bills, and live in a different society. The more you understand about living in New Zealand, the more likely your decision to emigrate will be based on reality rather than a dream, and the more likely you are to succeed.

Almost none	Read a few books	Regularly on forums	Got my own website !

How old are you ?

The older you are, the less you're likely to accept the differences in culture.

20 to 39	40 to 59	60+

If a couple, have you got a long stable relationship ?

Emigrating is stressful, and will break up a poor relationship, rather than fix it.

Poor	Average	Strong

Where in New Zealand are you going ?

The warmer areas and those with more job opportunities are likely to be easier.

Far south	South Island	North Island

Do you spend more than you earn ?

You're likely to earn less in New Zealand, and have a lower standard of living. Big borrowers may find life difficult.

Saver	Spend what I earn	In Debt

Will you have to take a backward step in your career ?

In some careers people have to start lower than they were. That could be frustrating.

Start higher	Same	Start lower

Have you got a job in NZ, or have you got a plan to get one ?

Getting the right job is one of the most important things. If you're travelling to NZ without a job offer, have you built up a list of agencies & firms that might get you that job ?.

Don't need one	Got a job	No job, no plan	No job, list of agencies	No job, list of agencies & firms

Are you going to start your own business ?

Starting a business is a risk in a country you know. Doing so in a new country is even more risky. Your experience will affect your chances of succeeding.

No	Never run a business	Run a different business	Run same sort of business	Run a business in NZ

Are you emigrating from a country with a similar culture to New Zealand ?

The more differences you encounter, the more difficult it will be to adjust.

Very similar	Similar	Different

You can compare you score with those of the example families below. These are only rough guides. You will know yourself what your score means to you if you are realistic.
A score above 5 means you have a good chance of emigrating successfully. No guarantees, but good luck.
A score between -10 and +5 is probably average, and you have a normal chance. Good luck.
A score below -10 probably means you will find emigrating difficult. I don't want to deter people who would succeed. But I'd hate to see you make a big mistake. Please think carefully. Good luck whatever you decide.

Example Families

Family 1 - The perfect family

This family has no children, has a house worth £200,000 (~$540k) with no mortgage, and both partners work in good jobs.
They have moved around the country as their careers have progressed, and have little contact with friends or family.
They are in their 30's, but have never been to New Zealand. They will get comparable jobs.
They score 11 points. They have a very good chance of emigrating successfully.

Family 2 - The average family

This family has two young children, a house worth £100,000 (~$270k) after paying off the mortgage. The man works.
They have moved several times. They have a few casual friends, and only see family several times a year.
They are in their 40's, have never visited New Zealand. He will probably get a similar job to one he's doing.
They score 5 points. They have a good chance of emigrating successfully.

Family 3 - The worst case

This family has two teenage children, a house worth £50,000 (~$135k) after paying off the mortgage. The man works.
They have always lived in the same town, near both their parents and grandparents. They often go out, and have lots of friends.
They are in their 40's, and have never been to New Zealand. He will probably get a job lower than he's used to.
They score -20 points. They will find emigrating quite difficult.