Brits Pre-Register To Enter New Zealand

Auckland, 13 March 2006: More than 3000 highly skilled British citizens have pre-registered to attend the Opportunities New Zealand Expo held in London later this month. The Expo brings together Kiwi employers and experienced professionals who are dedicated to moving to New Zealand.

In the next two weeks over 200 New Zealanders from 40 businesses and organizations such as Statistics New Zealand, Teach NZ and Opus and will head to London to recruit skilled British and expatriate workers.

Hayley Roberts, a director of the Opportunities New Zealand Expo, says their research shows that 85 percent of last October’s 6000 Expo attendees were drawn to New Zealand as it offers a better lifestyle.

“Our Expo visitors are absolutely committed to moving to New Zealand and by talking to the Kiwi exhibitors working at the Expo, they get a better picture of the areas in New Zealand they want to live, what jobs are on offer and how to go about taking steps to migrate,” says Roberts.

Roberts says they are excited to have Statistics New Zealand, the largest employer of statistical skills in the country, as a first-time exhibitor.

Melissa Parry, Recruitment Manager for Statistics New Zealand, says
although they recruit and develop graduates in New Zealand, they also
need to use other sources for candidates.

"We need qualified people that we can't currently attract in New Zealand. We are competing in an international employment market, and at the same time trying to maintain our international reputation as a leading national statistical agency. This Expo presents a huge opportunity for us to attract qualified Kiwis home and to get the skilled people we need from a larger market,” says Parry.

Also participating in the March Expo are Bayleys Realty Group, Westpac Banking Corporation and Auckland District Health Board. Immigration New Zealand also fully supports, endorses and attends the Expo giving on the spot advice to hopeful new Kiwis says Roberts.

She says the high calibre of candidates is one of the reasons New Zealand employers are looking to the UK to solve their staffing shortages.

Sue Scott, Human Resources Manager of Audit New Zealand, attended October’s Expo in London and as a result is progressing a number of opportunities for people to join Audit New Zealand's talent pool.

“The Expo was absolutely amazing and exceeded our expectations,” says Scott.

This year the six biggest work categories that pre-registered people are skilled in are Healthcare, IT, Business/Finance, Engineering, Trades and Teaching.

This month’s Expo is being held in Earls Court on March 25th and 26th and has been scheduled to meet the demand for skill shortages in New Zealand in key areas such as healthcare, accountancy and engineering.

Opportunities New Zealand Expo is held three times a year, once in March and twice in October in London and Manchester. Attendance by New Zealand employers has increased five fold in the last five years with 120 exhibitors showing in the UK last year.

ENDS

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