Hi all - been a while since I was here, so time for our update.
Arrived from SA on 17Oct in Auckland. Stayed with OH cousin for 3 weeks. OH had his first interview 4 days after we arrived and a second the next week which turned into an excellent job offer based in Wellington. This was one of our preferred locations, Auckland being fourth, so happy days. Had medicals done and other than OH having slightly elevated cholestrol, all fine. Waited until 25Nov to receive the employer supplementary form and other docs from employer. In the meantime we drove down to Kapiti Coast on 14Nov, fell in love with the area and moved into a perfect rental on 2Dec whcih we are allowed to rent on a month to month basis until WP sorted. Even got DD into our chosen pre-school which she loves. We submitted the WP application in person at the Wellington branch on 25Nov and this is where the "fun" begins. He applied under the essential skills policy skill level 1. The position is exactly the same as he did back in SA - regional manager in the FMCG industry. The timelines for the Wellington branch are supposed to be same day or next day for positions on the ISSL, LSSL and essential skills level 1 and 2 or failing that, 10 working days. Well, nothing has happened and it was 10 working days on Thursday. In the meantime we tried to submit our EOI, but problems with the website so we missed the last draw. Problems now seem sorted so will submit this weekend for next week's draw. Hoping that if we are selected this will strengthen the WP application. When we submitted the WP we were told that even though it's a skill level 1 and a senior manager role, they still have to do a labour market test. All logic tells us that everything should be fine as the recruiting agency and the company have been battling to fill this position for some time and have given evidence etc. BUT it is still not easy to wait like this and we are very stressed. Luckily, the job offer does not have an expiry date as such - just says it is dependant on OH requiring the relevant permit/visa, but does not state a time frame. They are well aware that it could take up to 6 weeks from submission. We know of another family who have been waiting 45 days for their WP and still nothing although they submitted in Christshuch and there is a supposed backlog due to the earthquake. Don't know what to make of any of this at this stage and any thoughts, experiences or words of encouragement would be so appreciated.