IT Contracting in NZ ??

[worldrecordguy]

Hi there - wondering if anyone has some advice on tips to start IT contracting in NZ...

I've got a contract offer from a big consultancy to come and do some work there for a few months. I've visited NZ 3 times in last 4 years and now want to work there to see if it's where I want to emigrate permanently.

So, I work as an IT contractor in UK and want to do the same in NZ. But what visa should I go for? I'm comfortable with setting up a Ltd Co in NZ but what would I need to get the working visa? The contract states that I'll be given work to do, but it's rated as 'zero-hour'. It's not permanent (obviously !!) so isn't a 'job offer', more an 'offer of work'. My skill-set is quite esoteric and is in demand at the moment.

Has anyone here had experience of a similar scenario ? Can I just invoice from my UK Ltd Co ?

I'll be in contact with Immigration agents as I have some good contacts but just wondering if anyone here can offer advice/tips ?

Many Thanks,

PC

[JandM]

Hello and welcome.

You'll be likely to get some replies when NZ wakes up a bit later, and when others have had a chance to trawl through half remembered instructions.

[worldrecordguy]

Haha - yes, I wasn't expecting a reply too quickly

PC

[rogercruse]

Don't know if this helps, I did a couple of IT contract jobs in the UK and looked at contracting when I first arrived. The recruitment agent explained that I would need to register for GST and that I should look at some sort of professional indemnity in case a client decided to sue. I didn't need to pursue this option as I found a permanent role.

You say you skills are quite esoteric and is in demand at the moment, is this also true for New Zealand?

[JandM]

I think the Long Term Business Visa may fit the bill for you, looking at the Q and A page here. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...onsanswers.htm All the work visas talk specifically about employment, which definitely does not include self-employment.

[Sun777]

I did little bit research few years back when I had contract offer here, as Roger mentioned you will need Professional Indemnity Insurance perhaps also open up a local company here.

Have you thought of Working Holiday Visa or sub-contracting to an agency here?

You may apply for Work Visa (typically) when you have job offer from prospective employer in NZ.

[worldrecordguy]

All,

Thanks for the replies. I've got some advice back from a migration specialist that a 'Specific Work Purpose' visa is the one to go for (for 6 months) - this fits the time-frame for the period that I go out.

Thanks for the tips and advice - I was assuming the set-up in NZ for contracting would be similar to UK so I was expecting to set up a Ltd Co, get indemnity insurance, register for GST (or VAT as I'll probably continue to call it ), set up bank accts, etc.

Skill-set wise, yes there is a global shortage for what I do, particularly in the banking/FS world and there is much work available in London (spent too much time there), Edinburgh (where I do it at the moment), Aus (one of the other options), NZ (my preference) and any other major banking city. This is the reason the consultancy would like me to come over - they have work they are being asked to do but the talent-pool is quite shallow in NZ (not a criticism - it's quite shallow everywhere...).

Cheers,

PC

[Adams Girl]

May I ask what your skillset is? I currently (not for too much longer!) work for BNZ. Our IT people are nearly all in Wellington and you'll find that to be a common trend in the banks. A lot of our customers are government departments so it makes sense to stay in the capital even though most HQs are in Auckland.

[worldrecordguy]

Hi there - Enterprise Data Architect so Data Mgmt, Data Governance, Data Modelling, Metadata Mgmt, all areas of banking, CRM, Credit/Market/Operational/Conduct/Liquidity Risk, Stress Testing, DataWarehousing/Marts, Operational Data Stores, Design Authority - building and fixing banks

Do more via Private Message?

Cheers,

PC

[JandM]

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