Coming Home

When Scott first set off to the UK in 2008 he was a 27-year-old trained accountant ready for his next big opportunity. Heading to London and landing a job working in corporate finance in the middle of the GFC provided a baptism by fire for the young Kiwi.

“It was a very intense period. There was a lot of change in the market and there were a lot of businesses in real trouble. So it was a good place to cut my teeth and get my first overseas experience. However after a couple of years I realised what I really wanted was to actually get into a business and see how things operated on the inside.”

**Scott at the Scottish Coast to Coast to 2013**

This desire to better understand the running of a business led to Scott landing a role at one of Britain’s most iconic brands – Burton’s Biscuit Company, home of Jammy Dodgers and Wagon Wheels.

“It was an awesome business to work for. In the UK, biscuits are quite a big deal, the Brits love their tea and biscuits. However, over the years the way people snack has changed, so the challenge for us at that time was utilising the factories that we had to create the best possible financial outcomes and while also creating great products for consumers. I ended up working there for five years, which was a lot longer than I had imagined, but I learnt so much.”

The end of that role saw Scott return to New Zealand in 2015, and take up a role with a
Kiwi company who was looking to expand their business in the UK and the US, something Scott’s offshore insights were perfectly positioned to help with.

“The company I joined on my return to New Zealand was originally a Kiwi company, which had grown into Australia, and was starting to grow into the UK so I was able to bring a unique perspective around entering new markets which was valuable for both of us. A lot of my work in the UK was around finance and strategy and how to grow value. It gave me exposure to how UK markets operated, but we also had US investors so I felt like I was continuously learning. It also taught me what businesses need to focus on when entering new markets and gave me the confidence that New Zealand businesses can make it on the global stage, you just have to understand your value.”

Scott worked for that company for the next seven years, returning to the UK for two of those years to support the company’s expansion plan.

“The second time I moved overseas, I had my wife and two young children. We moved in the middle of Covid, which wasn’t ideal, but I was the CFO of the company at the time and ultimately it became too difficult to continue to grow in the UK and the US when you couldn’t travel from New Zealand.”

**Scott and family in the small mountain village of Deia, Mallorca in 2022**

Last year Scott and his family once again returned to New Zealand, and he has recently been appointed the CFO for online marketplace Trade Me.

“I love New Zealand and I knew I was always going to come back, I love the lifestyle that my family has here, and I knew there would be trade offs. I think you need to have an open mind when you come back. The opportunities are different but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a role you love. What’s cool about Trade Me is it’s purely a New Zealand business. I’m dealing with one time zone and we are very focused on creating value for New Zealanders, which is really satisfying.”

Happily settled back in New Zealand, Scott says he’s now passionate about sharing what he has learnt with other Kiwi businesses in the hope that he can support others on their own global journeys.

“Overseas markets are bigger and there is more expertise. It’s important for people to bring those learnings back to New Zealand and share them with others on the same path, because a lot of what you are sharing is just the context of what’s possible. Some of the best advice I have been given in my career is to listen and take things in and really hear what people have to say. There’s a wealth of knowledge outside of the country and as Kiwi we have this wonderful opportunity of being able to go and work overseas, and to then bring that skill set back to New Zealand and help others. It’s something I have been fortunate enough to do several times already and I hope I will have the opportunity to do it again.”

Originally from a small city in Malaysia, Jen and her family relocated to New Zealand in her late teens. Several years later after studying and working in New Zealand she decided to move back to Malaysia, where she discovered entrepreneurship and tech startups in Kuala Lumpur.

“I worked on various stages of the tech startups lifecycle, and also worked for aMalaysian Government agency to help boost the startup and social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Malaysia. I was then offered the opportunity to work for a start up in Singapore so I moved again.”

In 2020 her contract in Singapore came to an end, and with Covid causing uncertainty and closing borders around the world, Jen decided to move back to Tauranga to be closer to her family.

Despite being familiar with New Zealand, Jen says returning to Tauranga was still something of a culture shock, especially from a professional viewpoint.

**Jen and her team at a startup Government agency in Malaysia**

“I had built up some really strong networks in Malaysia and Singapore over the years, but it wasn’t until I was back in New Zealand that I realised how important those networks were. I really struggled in New Zealand not having anyone to reach out to during those first few years when I was setting up a digital innovation consultancy for a US-headquartered company. I knew I would have to build networks fast if I wanted to make this transition work.”

Jen focused on meeting new people and building communities and as someone who likes to stay active she realised team sport would be a great place to start, and signed up for competitive ultimate frisbee.

“I’ve met a lot of people through ultimate frisbee – there’s a good global community. When I went to Singapore last year I trained with a team there, similarly when I went to Kenya for work I decided to join one of the club trainings in Nairobi. It’s definitely helped to expand my network.”

**Jen playing ultimate frisbee in Tauranga**

Jen also had to adjust to New Zealand’s slower place of life, and smaller less dynamic cities but she says in time she has found her place in Tauranga.

“To be able to move somewhere, to have that choice is a privilege which not everyone has. I think you have to be clear about why you want to return to New Zealand. There is no doubt that New Zealand offers a great lifestyle, but if you want to grow professionally at the same level of exposure you’ve been used to overseas, it’s definitely a bit harder. It’s a different market, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work, you just have to commit to it.”

Jen is lucky enough that her job allows her to work from offshore a few times a year, and last year she was mainly based in Singapore for two and a half months over the New Zealand winter. While she says she wouldn’t rule out another move overseas for now she is happy to build a life in New Zealand.

“I think that it’s important to keep your pulse on what’s happening globally, I am lucky I have been able to do that by working for a global tech company which has offices around the world. What I miss most about Singapore and Malaysia is its ease of travel and access to a diversity of people, different ways of working, ideas and discourse. But then New Zealand has its own benefits like lifestyle, friends and family, and now that I am settling back into New Zealand life, I think it would be a shame to lose it, so it’s about finding a balance that keeps you happy.”

Her advice to others is to get out and meet people when you land in a new city, and grow your networks as fast as you can.

“It’s good when you find people who you are comfortable with and generous with their network. You can hold an event like dinner or drinks, and then you can ask them to bring more people to join. It’s a great way to get to know more people and expand your network. It’s also important that you reciprocate generosity too.”

Ultimately however, she feels it’s not location that’s important, but rather the life you create no matter where you are based.

“The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It’s people that make a home, not places. Be open to new experiences, and know that you will always have challenges. Once you understand those two concepts you will be happier for it – home is then wherever you make it to be.”

Living in Shanghai was going well for Hutch, he had built his own business and was enjoying the local lifestyle. However, all of that changed with the arrival of Covid.

“The pandemic was really terrifying, the uncertainty of it all. With a business that was predicated on open borders, the company was failing, so I knew I had to return to New Zealand, because getting trapped in China without work, an income, or a place to live was fast becoming a real risk. I had no idea when borders were going to reopen or when things would return to normal. I honestly thought I would end up living on the streets of Shanghai.”

To help get home, Hutch had joined a WeChat group for Kiwi expats to share the latest information on border control, flights, and where to find PCR tests. It was through this group that one Kiwi expat stepped up and offered Hutch an incredible gift.

“I mentioned in the group that my flights kept getting cancelled, and at that point I had been forced to relocate to a hotel. Each missed flight was just more money being lost and the financial strain was real – I was almost entirely out of funds. One of the people got in touch and offered to buy me a plane ticket that enabled me to finally get home. It really blew me away.”

**Hutch at Yuyuan Gardens near The Bund in Shanghai**

Upon returning to New Zealand Hutch started a new job and paid the kind Kiwi back but he says it taught him a valuable lesson about the power of community.

“There’s a whole circle of people out there who will reach out and help you, even if they don’t know you. I think that’s the greatest asset of the expat community, particularly the Kiwi expat community, it’s so strong and supportive.”

Readjusting to a new country

With all his focus on just getting back into the country, Hutch hadn’t had time to prepare for the reality of coming home, and although he had secured a job offer before landing, the task proved more difficult than he had first thought.

“Expats are often led to believe that offshore work experience is a net positive, but it tends to be the opposite. Chinese business practices are quite different to that of New Zealand’s, so I knew that finding a role to compliment my work experience in China would be important.

“Luckily, my current role in Auckland has strong parallels with the way I worked in Shanghai. Fast turnaround on projects and working flexibly to achieve inflexible deadlines is pretty familiar to Shanghai’s work culture, and we’ve had a few Chinese projects this year, so my overseas experience was beneficial, and my employers also see the value in this.”

With a job sorted, Hutch landed back in Auckland. Although a City of Sails native, Hutch hadn’t been back to the city in almost 25 years and wasn’t sure what to expect.

“Although apprehensive to begin with, what really helped was finding an apartment in the central city, in a neighbourhood that, much to my surprise, reminded me of Shanghai. Near the apartment was a Shanghai dumpling shop and a jianbing place. Downstairs was a Chongqing restaurant, a Lanzhou noodle shop, Xi’an cuisine… when I first arrived, every voice I heard was Chinese. It was the soft landing I needed to transition into my new life here.”

Why all expats should have an exit strategy

While Hutch acknowledges the fact that he came home during unique circumstances, he says that the lessons he learnt are still valid for returners looking to come home now. He believes all offshore Kiwi should have a solid exit strategy, even if they are not planning to return for some time.

**Hutch in the studio of Shanghai-based abstract artist Su Xiaobai**

“A lot of expats find it easy to live day to day and not think about their exit strategy, particularly in a place like Shanghai, which is fairly inexpensive to live in compared to New Zealand. Often expats enjoy the lifestyle there and don’t think to save money, some returning home with nothing. My circumstance meant that almost all my money was lost in the business collapsing. It’s really hard coming back without a safety net.”

He also wants to emphasise the importance of planning, including looking for a job in advance of returning and having an idea of where you want to live to ensure you can build a community around you on your return.

“Depending on how long you have been away, New Zealand won’t be the same as you left it. There will be different politics, different cultural attitudes, it even takes time getting used to the Kiwi accent again. For me, coming home after eight years, I’ve actually really enjoyed it. There are moments when I feel nostalgic for China and think ‘why have I come back?’ but I think returnees tend to feel that way after such a long time offshore. To make the adjustment easier you need to establish a supportive community of friends or family to lean on, particularly in the beginning.”

Should you rent before you look to buy?

The surge in demand for housing in New Zealand, coupled with increased immigration, is reshaping the rental and property market this year. A trend towards stabilising interest rates and lower mortgage rates suggest a potential growing interest in homeownership. We’re also experiencing higher competition than in previous years to secure properties, particularly in larger cities like Auckland and Wellington, so my advice to returning Kiwi would be to be proactive in your search and do your homework first.

While everyone’s circumstances are different, here are some insights to help you make an informed choice:

Renting before buying
Market familiarisation: Renting provides an opportunity to understand the housing market, neighbourhood dynamics, and property values – crucial information for a long-term commitment.

Flexibility: Uncertain about your long-term plans of location preference? Renting provides flexibility and buffer time to explore different areas and property types without the financial commitment.

Time to assess: Renting gives you time to assess your financial stability and adjust to any changes in income or expenses upon your return.

Property selection: It allows you to take your time in selecting the right property to buy. You can evaluate various options, attend open houses, and thoroughly research neighbourhoods before making a purchase decision.

Buying right away
Equity building: If you have financial stability and are confident about your choice of location, buying a property immediately can be advantageous. Homeownership will start to build equity straight away, most likely resulting in long-term financial gains.

Stability: Owning a home provides a sense of stability and a place to call your own, comforting when settling back into Kiwi life.

Buyer’s agent: It’s common for Kiwis to move in with family or friends as a short-term solution when they move back home. However, if you’re wanting to jump on the property ladder right away, consider using a buyer’s agent on your behalf – an ideal solution between having to rent before you buy or buying sight unseen before you come home. Get in touch with Goodwins, a family-owned real estate agency servicing Auckland for 30+ years, to talk about the option of a buyer’s agent here.

How much time should you give yourself to find a rental or buy a property?

If you are planning to rent a property, Goodwins recommend you start your search two to three months before your intended move-in date. This should provide a reasonable amount of time to explore available rental options, conduct viewings, and complete the application process.

Buying a property requires more time and planning than renting, so we recommend beginning the process three to six months before your desired move in date.

What are the pros and cons of buying or renting sight unseen?

Pros
Buying or renting a property sight unseen means you can secure housing without needing to travel to the location, which is especially useful for people moving from afar. It also allows you to secure housing faster – ideal for looking in a competitive rental or real estate market.

Technology allows for virtual property tours, 3D walk-throughs and high-quality photos to provide a more in-depth viewing than traditional listings.

Cons
While technology can offer a comprehensive viewing, it may not capture all aspects of the property such as noise levels, the property’s overall condition, and neighbourhood atmosphere. It also doesn’t allow you to experience the ‘feel’ of the property including the layout, flow, and how natural light enters the space. The risk being; what seemed appealing online may not meet your expectations in reality.

Signing a lease or purchase agreement without physically viewing the property may lead to legal complications if there are undisclosed issues or if the property doesn’t meet expectations. Having a contingency plan in case you are dissatisfied with the property upon arrival is wise to mitigate potential downsides.

For more information and advice on the right housing choice for you, contact Goodwins .

Hilary and her husband always knew they wanted to live overseas. In 2010, her husband accepted a role in Shanghai, China and the couple, along with their daughter, set off for a new adventure. After living in China for eight years they returned to New Zealand so their daughter could start University.

Settled back in New Zealand, they felt lucky to be at home as the pandemic swept across the world, locking down country after country. Then in the middle of 2021, Hilary’s husband was offered a role he couldn’t turn down.

**Hilary enjoying her next adventure in Gothenburg, Sweden.**

“The role was in Gothenburg, Sweden and it was a great opportunity for him, and one we felt was hard to pass up. Our daughter was settled at University so we decided to go for it. The second time we left New Zealand, it was in the middle of a Covid alert level 3 lockdown. It was a very interesting time to travel knowing that we could find it difficult to come back.”

The challenges of returning home

After two years in Sweden and one pandemic later, Hilary and her husband returned to New Zealand to be closer to family. She says this time around she was better prepared for what a move home might mean.

“When we first moved back to New Zealand after being in China, I found it was a big adjustment coming home, culturally, personally and professionally. I found it difficult to find a role that recognised and valued my experience and China knowledge.”

“The second time around I knew I had to be very proactive about preparing for the inevitability of returning home so I decided I would either build on my experience by working in my field, and if that was not possible, learn and develop in areas that would complement my experience and background. When we started talking about leaving Sweden, I reached out to my existing networks early. Through my network I secured a role with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

“The SFO appreciated my unique set of skills that bring a different perspective. I’m really excited about what we are working on at the moment and I’m excited to be recognised for what I bring to the role.”

Learning through travel

“The experiences I have had really help me not just professionally but in the way I approach life. Living and working in such different environments challenges you to have to think another way. You have to think about things in a much bigger, broader space and you think a lot more about the global impact of things.”

**Hilary and her husband at The Bund, a waterfront and protected historical district in Shanghai.**

Hilary says her time offshore has helped shape her as a person and given her incredible skills which she has been able to bring back to Aotearoa.

Her time overseas helped her develop a level of resilience and robustness which she thinks all exploring Kiwi should have the opportunity to experience.

“When we lived in China there was a big expat community, and we had our daughter, so finding a community was easier as you have a lot of opportunities to connect with others through children. When we moved to Sweden, just my husband and I, finding a community was much harder, there were not as many expats and many of the groups were younger people. I essentially had to create my community and invest in it and that was a really valuable lesson.”

“I think as a Kiwi it’s a real privilege to be able to travel and live overseas but then also to be able to come home and bring what you have learnt back. My advice to others is to embrace travel, make the most of the opportunity, think of it as a gift, as a learning opportunity. Embrace the challenges and the differences.”

Fill out your arrivals card and declare or dispose any at risk goods

For many of us it’s been quite some time since we’ve had to fill out an arrivals card. This declaration form is just as important now as it was pre-pandemic so make sure you bring a pen so you can fill it out on the plane and have it ready to go upon landing. Remember to declare all goods that pose a biosecurity risk including food, plants, wooden products, soil, water, outdoor equipment, and animal products. If in doubt, declare or dispose of them in the amnesty bins provided throughout your pathway on arrival! And remember this includes food or snacks that you may have put aside on the plane! Don’t let the apple your child put into your carry-on turn into a $400 fine.

Avoid bringing at risk goods if at all possible

Think twice about bringing home at-risk goods at the moment. Queues at the airport may be longer due to all the pandemic protocols in place. Having to declare your goods may add a significant amount of time to your arrival. Think twice about the items you need to declare, do you really need to bring them home this time? Or can they wait until a later visit?

Collect your Welcome Home pack quickly

All travellers eligible to bypass MIQ will receive a welcome pack from biosecurity staff. This pack contains your rapid-antigen tests and all you need to know about them including how to report your results and stay safe from COVID-19 while in New Zealand. Please ensure everyone you are travelling with collects a pack. Please avoid asking biosecurity staff any health related or testing questions, they are not medical staff and you will only hold up the queue for yourself and others. If you have more questions after reading the information in the pack, please visit the Unite Against Covid-19 website.

Don’t stop for the detector dogs

The cutest response to New Zealand’s biosecurity network is the team of highly trained detector dogs who check the bags of incoming passengers from planes and boats. When the dog approaches you it’s important to keep walking, the dog will check your bag as you move. You only need to stop if the dog handler asks you to, otherwise you risk slowing down yourself and others behind you. It’s also important to remember that while these dogs may look cute they are working animals. Please avoid trying to pat or touch them. This is especially important to explain to children. If you would like to talk to your kids about the dogs and the important role they play, plus watch a video with the cute new trainees see the Biosecurity New Zealand website.

Be kind

For many of our offshore community finally arriving back into New Zealand will be highly emotional. We have never in our lives had a situation where we have been unable to travel back and forth to see family and friends. Almost all of us have missed important events over the past two years, and getting through the airport at the end of a trip is always the most frustrating part. Biosecurity staff are just doing their jobs, please follow all procedures and have everything ready for staff to check. Dispose of any at risk items in the bins provided to avoid getting a fine, and be patient with staff who are working as fast as they can to process everyone. Please remember biosecurity staff are people too, the last two years have been hard on them as well and we are all looking forward to things getting back to some sort of normal.

For more information on returning to New Zealand including vaccine passports, travelling around NZ and Covid testing centres take a look at our list of official website links here.

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