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BNZ

  • How to get a head start on finances, including opening bank accounts from offshore, what you need to know about Kiwi Saver, and handy insights around living costs.
  • Tips on the relocation process including what to expect in your first few months in Aotearoa
  • The different visa pathways available for non-NZ family members, the pros and cons of each option and timeframes.

A huge thank you to BNZ Business Development and Operations Manager Chantal Groothengel, Mobile Relocation Principal Bridget Romanes and KPMG Immigration Manager Caren Donald for joining the conversation!

Make sure to take a look at our full coming home resource list here.

Watch the full webinar recording below.

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Filed Under: Kiwi coming home Tagged With: BNZ, Coming Home, KPMG, moving home, returning kiwi, webinar

A few things to think about before you jump on that plane back to good old Aotearoa:

  1. Check if there are any bills coming up that you will need to pay from your overseas bank account, or if you have any other outstanding debts. What recurring payments come out of your account?
  2. Make sure you cancel any contracts and tie up any loose ends, for example utilities, insurances, or gyms, so you won’t need to make any more payments after you’ve already left.
  3. Find out what kind of insurance you might need during transit – for example if you have the right type of cover for your contents – and after you’ve arrived in New Zealand.
  4. Do you have pension arrangements in the country you are currently living, and are you able to transfer them to New Zealand?
  5. Also check whether you are expecting any funds to arrive in your overseas account after you’ve left, for example a tax refund or an insurance premium that you paid in advance.
  6. Check with your bank what it takes to close off your account when you don’t need it anymore. If possible, do this while you’re still in the country, as this is often easier, and you’ll make sure you won’t be paying any fees going forward. Don’t forget to download any statements or documents you might need in the future.
  7. If you can’t close your account right away, see if you can do this after you’ve returned to New Zealand. Make sure you are set up correctly for online banking and digital statements and notifications.
  8. It’s possible to open a New Zealand bank account before you arrive, and transfer any funds you want to move over with you.
  9. To make the process easier, make sure you bring proof of address for your most recent overseas address, for example a bank statement or utility bill.
  10. Moving countries often comes with unexpected costs such as shipping or pet transportation – make sure you’re prepared.

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact the team at [email protected].

Note from the author:
The information in this article is provided for general purposes only. To the extent that any information or recommendations in this article constitute financial advice, they do not take into account your personal financial situation or goals. We recommend you seek advice specific to your circumstances from a financial adviser. Neither BNZ nor any person involved in this article accepts any liability for any loss or damage whatsoever which may directly or indirectly result from any information or recommendations contained in this article.

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Filed Under: Kiwi coming home Tagged With: BNZ, Coming Home, Money, moving home

If you’re a business looking to raise capital what’s the first thing you should do? PledgeMe founder and NZTE customer manager, Anna Guenther says first and foremost businesses need to think long and hard about why they are raising capital.

“Only raise money if you need to raise money. Be clear on why you are raising capital and make sure you can communicate your story to investors.”  

Knowing your story is something that resonates with BNZ’s Timothy Wixon, he says when BNZ meets with potential businesses, they want to understand the whole picture.

“Three key things we always look at are character, cash flow and collateral. We look at the people behind and around a business, including their character, approach and track record.  

Being able to articulate your story, past and future, and show key proof points you have achieved and are targeting, especially through a longer term lens, tends to get the best out of a bank and, in our observation, other investors too”

Panel from left-right: Anna Guenther, Timothy Wixon, Stuart McKenzie and Shaun Maloney

If a business does decide to raise investor capital Stuart McKenzie, CEO of ArcActive says it’s important, they realise how this could potentially change their business model.

 “External capital changes the game, someone else in your business now has influence, this investor is a key stakeholder and they need to be nurtured.”

Nurturing external stakeholder relationships can be complicated and Stuart says it is crucial business owners do their homework first and know both the investor and their motivations. He says this is something that should be done well ahead of raising any capital.

“From day one you should be building investor networks, that way when it comes to capital raising it’s a ten-minute job because you already have the networks.”

Executive Chairman of software provider company Seequent, Shaun Maloney says knowing your investors is critical for long term success.

“I’ve seen tech companies who have been so grateful that someone wants to offer them capital that they jump at the first opportunity and then live to regret it later. Companies need to do their research, to know the investor’s culture and way of doing business and know how they act when things don’t go well. Make sure any potential investors match your company values and goals and think about capital planning with a five to ten year lens not a five to ten month one.”

Once you have secured your investors, maintaining a good relationship is important and all our panel agreed that the way to do that was through transparency. Shaun says when it comes to investors there is no such thing as too much information.

“Transparency is key to sustaining these core relationships. There is no such thing as over-communicating. Have weekly meetings, keep them informed about all your decisions.”

While capital will always be an important part of doing business there are some things that are equally as valuable and Shaun says businesses should never be afraid to collaborate, and people should never hesitate to ask for advice.

“Talk to others about what worked for them and more importantly what didn’t. People’s biggest disasters often lead to their biggest learnings.  Be incredibly wise, and if you don’t have the right experience then put your pride in your pocket and get advice from others, how you start on day one is incredibly important.”

We would like to thank EPIC Centre for hosting this event. Epic Centre is a centre for innovation in Christchurch. They have hosted more than 1100 events since they opened in 2012. As a founding partner, BNZ are proud to be part of their story and continue supporting their innovation.

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Filed Under: Kea Connect success stories Tagged With: BNZ, Capital Planning, Kea Connect, Raising capital, Raising money

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