Tertiary Education

Tertiary education in New Zealand is often the final step for many young Kiwis before they launch themselves into a career in the real world. The courses of study which are undertaken at tertiary education providers are often extremely specified, giving students specific skills and knowledge bases to go out and successfully perform in a particular industry.

Tertiary education can be undertaken from several different kinds of institutes, namely universities and polytechnics.

Universities in New Zealand offer courses which are normally theoretically based programmes. This means the base of your study will be listening, learning and researching. Many degrees, such as medical degrees have significant practical or “working” aspects to them, however more general degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Commerce are almost wholly book-based.

Study at a NZ polytech on the other hand, often offers courses which stress employment-related, practical skills. This means the course involves undertaking the same work tasks as those performed in the real world, not just learning about them. From degrees in Exercise and Sports Science to Hairdressing, polytechnic courses have a much larger slant towards practical application of skill than many university degrees.

The University Option:
University study in New Zealand is strongly grounded in research and academia, giving students an expansive background in self-directed investigative learning.

Most undergraduate degrees at university are not specific to one particular career, making university a good option for those who are not entirely sure of the path they want to go down. In first year students have the ability to explore several different subject avenues in order to find out where their interests lie. Throughout further years students need to specify their study to a particular department, but still have the luxury of taking additional unrelated papers on the side to complete their study requirements.

While there are many degrees which will teach students the specific skills they need to perform a particular job, such as a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, most undergraduate courses at university require postgraduate study to gain the employment-related nous needed to perform in a profession without actual working experience. This is the case for university degrees such as sciences and arts or social sciences.

Upon graduating with a university degree students will have an extremely sound knowledge of a particular field of work, and with some practical work experience (such as internships), will be able to slot into the working world in a junior professional position. University graduates will however, will often still spend the first year or longer of their working career learning many job-specific skills that their degree did not cover.

The Polytechnic Option:
Many prospective students think that polytechnic education only caters for mechanics and the hospitality industry. While that may have once been the case, polytechnic study is increasingly offering more and more courses similar to those offered at universities, but with a more practical element to them. From media to business, landscape design to interior design, software engineering to journalism, the education programmes offered by polytechnics generally offer a more applied form of education.

Socially, university education is still considered to be a higher level of education than polytechnic education. This stigma is increasingly been proven a myth, with practical skills, or a combination of practical and academic skills, far overriding pure academic skills in the workforce.

Polytechnics often have a more direct relationship with industry, and are more actively involved in placing students with work experience and in actual jobs than universities. For university students, post-study experience and employment largely rests on the motivation to succeed by the individual student.

Which to Choose?
By completing an undergraduate degree at university you can show employers that you have a good mind and you know how to learn, as it develops good communication skills and enables you to think critically. Conversely, a qualification from a polytechnic offers specific skills and knowledge which can be directly applied to the workforce.

Unless you intend to become a medical doctor, lawyer or academic, in which case university is the only option, it is best to choose your tertiary education based on what the specific course or degree you are interested in offers – and where the skills that degree teaches you will lead you.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

Universities

In New Zealand, formal education is compulsory from the age of six through to sixteen. Many people choose to go on to further education at a New Zealand university or tertiary institute, in order to further educate themselves and gain skills in preparation for entering the workforce.

The Tertiary Education Commission, acting under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, has produced a strategy for tertiary education in New Zealand. The Commission aims to encourage all New Zealanders to “adopt learning as a way of life” and makes it as easy as possible for all New Zealanders to access a New Zealand university or tertiary institute.

Universities in New Zealand
There are eight New Zealand universities offering undergraduate and graduate degree and diploma programmes in arts, sciences and commerce, along with specialist degrees in a variety of disciplines. Each university has its own areas of specialist training, drawing students from around the country with an interest in a particular field. A standard undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) is completed in 3 to 4 years.

  • The University of Auckland offers specialised courses in architecture, engineering and medicine.
  • The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is our country’s newest university, offering specialty courses in applied sciences, art and design, and business.
  • The University of Waikato, in Hamilton, provides specialist study in the areas of law and Maori studies.
  • Massey University has campuses in Palmerston North, Wellington and Auckland, and offers a range of specialty courses in veterinary science, agriculture and horticulture.
  • Victoria University of Wellington offers qualifications in the areas of architecture, design and law in the capital city.
  • The University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, is known for its specialist courses in engineering, forestry, law, fine arts and journalism.
  • The rurally based Lincoln University offers specialist agricultural and horticultural training.
  • The University of Otago, in the city of Dunedin, offers qualifications in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Find these and more universities in New Zealand in the NZS.com directory.

Polytechnics in New Zealand
As well as universities, there are also around twenty polytechnics offering tertiary education in New Zealand, including vocational, technical and professional courses. Amongst them are:

  • Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (Christchurch)
  • Waikato Institute of Technology (Hamilton)
  • Aoraki Polytechnic (Timaru, Christchurch and Dunedin)
  • Southern Institute of Technology (Invercargill, Gore and Christchurch)
  • Otago Polytechnic (Dunedin and Cromwell)
  • Wellington Institute of Technology (Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch)
  • Open Polytechnic of New Zealand (distance learning)

Find these and more New Zealand polytechnics in the NZS.com directory.

Other tertiary education options
For those interested in training to become a teacher, New Zealand has a number of colleges of education in each of the four main centres: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. There are also over 800 accredited private training establishments throughout New Zealand, offering courses in a number of subjects. For uniquely bicultural tertiary education, New Zealand students can attend one of four New Zealand wananga. Students who have not undertaken pre-tertiary study in New Zealand may still enrol at a tertiary institution. Most tertiary institutions demand competent use of both written and spoken English.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

Managing Business Productivity Through Motivation

There has been a lot written about the theory of motivation at work, but most of it is not in a ‘user friendly’ form. This means that managers and supervisors are not able to use practical tools to motivate their staff. By default we use the wrong methods for getting the best from our staff.

One of the greatest challenges in management today is to provide motivation for staff to perform to their potential.

Have you ever wondered why people exhibit such intensity about their interests away from work but drift through their jobs without applying much discretionary effort? It’s not because they are lazy.  It’s because they are basically disengaged. Their non-work activities are giving them something they aren’t getting from work.

How to Create Motivated Staff
Here’s what you do, and how you do it. To get people engaged about any activity, no matter what it is, either a hobby, or a job, the activity must have four basic components.

  • A challenging and relevant goal with attainable milestones to progress.
  • A way to keep score, so people can see and manage their progress.
  • Total control over achieving the goal.
  • Recognition or reward.

People would lose interest in their hobby or past time if any of the four components such as the goal, the score, the control and the recognition were absent.

If you were to examine most people’s jobs, you would find that at least one of those four components is absent. To find out what is missing: ask.  It’s as simple as that.  Once you, the manager, know the missing component(s) you can do something about it.

The Building Blocks for Motivation
These four components are the building blocks for motivation. Imagine what it would be like to be manager if your staff were excited, productive and engaged. What difference would it make to your workplace?

Have you ever found yourself saying something like, “It is very hard to get motivated staff these days”. If your staff are not motivated look at your own performance as a leader.

Again, you might find this a bit brutal, but it’s true. Your staff’s engagement is a reflection of your leadership skills and your ability to create an environment that contains those four vital components.

People expect supervisors and managers to be, among other things, ‘motivators’. Now that is not as simple as it may seem. Sometimes the material with which you have to work may not be amenable to motivating and because motivating some other people is not possible.

Can you or can you not motivate anyone other than yourself? Management consultants usually take one side, that motivation comes from within the individual, while motivational speakers and writers take the other: that you can motivate someone else.

If you define a ‘motivator’ as a person who influences other people, helps them reach a goal, creates a positive, productive environment in which goals can be achieved, you can be a motivator.

Motivation Madness
Hundreds of thousands of words and theories have been written about motivation. How can any manager understand motivation because of all the conflicting reports that are written in words that are so hard to translate into some practical application? Knowing the theories of motivation is not going to help a manager motivate a member of staff to arrive at work on time.

Fundamentally, there are two types of motivational forces which are applied to individuals. There is external force and there is internal force. There are two conditions under which these forces are applied.  Reward and punishment.

  • External Reward:                    I’ll pay you if you do this…
  • Internal Reward:                     I want to do this…
  • External Punishment               I’ll sack you if you don’t do this…
  • Internal Punishment               I don’t want to do this…

Now, you know from your experience that number one doesn’t work.  You can’t bribe people to improve their productivity on a consistent basis.

Number three definitely doesn’t work, yet we keep on trying to punish people into compliance.

Number four consistently doesn’t work and leads to a huge lack of co-operation.

Number two always works, yet the most common forms of motivation in the workplace are one, three and four.

Stop the Madness
This is where the madness comes in. We operate in the areas that don’t work. We try and pay for increased productivity and wonder why it doesn’t work. Then when we don’t get it we try to punish people into productivity.

We forget that if a person can’t see the point of doing something, they won’t do it. Furthermore, if they don’t think it is fair and reasonable, they definitely won’t do it.

The key to improving ‘People Productivity’ is obviously number two. This is the essence of leadership.

It is the job of a leader to create an environment where people do things because it is their choice to do them. We expend all this energy on one, three, and four without considering how to get to the situation where the person actually wants to do it.

For the business owner or manager, the clear goal is to create an environment that causes people to want to do things that we want them to do, because it is their choice.

 

Make Your Own Business Cards

For those who are particular about their designs or simply looking to save money, if you make your own business cards you can save on expensive graphic designer costs and also have more control over the finished product.

There are a number of facilities online that you can use to design your own business cards. These online design services often also have simple options for printing so that you can order your printing as soon as you have completed your design.

Why Design Your Own Business Cards?

While not for everyone, many people choose to design their own business cards, generally for one of the following reasons.

  • To Save MoneyWhen it comes to the design and printing of any printed marketing material for your business, it’s often the labour that accounts for most of the overall costs. Graphic designers can produce very professional designs but can be too pricey for many businesses – particularly for those that are just starting up.If you take over the design aspect yourself, you can save yourself a decent amount of money. The end result might not be as professional as if you had paid for the services of a qualified graphic designer but it will certainly be good enough for you to get yourself started in business.
  • To Have Full ControlIf you make your business cards yourself, depending on the tools you use,  you can have total control over the finished result. A graphic designer will follow your directions but you don’t usually have the freedom to make as many changes and as much fine tuning as when you design the business cards yourself.Most business card design facilities online will have a process that you will need to follow. This may involve selecting from pre-set business card templates, adding pictures from a gallery and selecting fonts and colours. While you don’t have complete freedom, the amount you can do to make your cards unique is fairly substantial.
  • To Add Your Own PersonalityMany people like to add their own touch to their company’s brand and marketing materials. Designing your own business cards allows you to do this so that you can feel proud that you had a hand in the finished result.

How to Make Business Cards Online

You don’t need expensive professional design software installed on your computer in order to design your business cards. There are a number of websites that provide the facility to make your own business cards by following a simple set process.

Generally, you will follow these steps:

  1. Enter your business name and contact information
  2. Choose an image from a gallery
  3. Choose a layout that governs the position of your text and image
  4. Select a colour scheme for your business card

Once your design is complete, depending on the service, you will probably be able to select your printing options. These will include things like stock (or type of paper or card), colour or black and white and single-sided or double-sided.

Once you have ordered your business cards, all you will need to do is sit back and wait for them to arrive at your office.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

Local Real Estate

There are several avenues to explore when finding local real estate in New Zealand.

Local real estate agents

The obvious choice for many is to get in contact with a local real estate agent. The advantages of this include:

  • They are real estate professionals, looking at property almost every day, and thus will have a comprehensive knowledge of the market.
  • They will normally specialise in a certain local area, often one in which they live themselves. This means generally they will have a good awareness of what properties have sold recently in the area, and what prices they have sold for. This will help the local real estate agent advise you on the right properties to look at with regards to your budget.
  • Real estate agents will normally have access to an extensive network of possible homes through the wider association of their company.

However it pays to research before you choose a real estate agent in New Zealand, as not all smooth talking agents are as successful as they may appear. Ask acquaintances for referrals, and check with the local real estate agent for their references and recent sales. Keep in mind that the real estate agent is contracted to the vendor of the property (that is, if they are representing them) and in being so have a legal obligation to act in the seller’s best interest. This means they will not be capable of offering you, as the buyer, impartial advice.

National real estate companies

Another popular option for finding real estate for sale in New Zealand is to go through one of the major real estate companies. These nationwide real estate agencies will have offices throughout the country and a large network of agents specialising in particular locations and categories of real estate. Big firms in New Zealand include Bayleys, Harcourts, First National, The Professionals, Ray White, Barfoot and Thompson, LJ Hooker and several others. A number of these real estate agents publish their own individual property sales guides containing all their listings in specific areas. These glossy publications are normally available free of charge.

Newspapers and online real estate directories

A large number of New Zealanders still begin their search for property by browsing the property sections of major daily newspapers. New Zealand newspapers are a good place to start, and those looking for realty in a specific locality would be well served to read the local newspaper. However, in recent times there has been a huge shift towards online real estate websites as a tool for prospective buyers. Some research is now indicating real estate websites and the number one method buyers are using to find real estate for sale in New Zealand. You’ll find popular NZ property listing and real estate directories on NZS.com.

Key advantages of browsing local real estate online are:

  • Homes can be looked at and narrowed down before an agent is contacted.
  • Searches can be done for properties with specific characteristics (price, location, bedrooms, garages and heating systems), meaning buyers can be emailed as property meeting their criteria is listed on the website.
  • Readership of online real estate websites is increasing rapidly, whilst as a general trend newspaper readership is declining.

Local real estate markets

Local real estate in New Zealand’s major centres, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, has been an attractive proposition overall during the last several years as growth in most suburbs has continued unabated.

  • Auckland real estate is the highest priced of New Zealand’s larger cities. Waterfront property over recent years has skyrocketed in price and a number of suburbs have undergone extensive renovation as they become ‘trendy’; in particular, many older villa style homes have been given makeovers.
  • Wellington real estate has a reputation in New Zealand as being a steady investment, less susceptible to the boom and bust cycles sometimes seen in other centres. This is seen by many to be due to Wellington being the seat of government. The increase in government services, and resulting increase in jobs in the public sector over recent times, has caused a steady influx of workers into the city.
  • Christchurch real estate is regarded as the most affordable of the major centres. The international language schools, well regarded university and international airport have contributed to demand for housing in Christchurch being strong over recent times. Christchurch’s positioning as ‘The Gateway to the South Island’ has led to strong growth in local real estate.

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand local real estate in the NZS.com directory.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

Leadership in Business Management

When most people start a business, they bring a specific job skill to the enterprise. They quickly learn that running a business is considerably more than the trade or job which brings in the money.  They find out that financial management, purchasing, marketing, planning, selling and leadership are just a few of the other skills that they require.

It is not until they employ their first member of staff that they realise the difficulties associated with leadership. Normally, nothing prepares people so that they can take up a leadership role. Most managers learn leadership by making mistakes. Not a very effective strategy.

A Definition of Leadership
Let’s have a look at a definition of leadership:

Gordon Lippitt, a professor at George Brown University, after studying the subject for years, concluded:

“Leadership is the worst defined, least understood, personal attribute sometimes possessed by human beings.”

There is no coincidence that the best run and most profitable businesses have effective leaders in charge. So what are the characteristics of these effective leaders? There are several characteristics which are evident in the behaviour of successful leaders. These are the starting point for a person who wants to improve their leadership skills.

Effective Leaders

  • They give their staff freedom and contribute to their development.  They are trusting, inspiring, encouraging and honest.  They respect the individual by giving them feedback on their performance frequently.
  • They keep their word, protect and fight for the people in their team.  Effective leaders never use blame when there has been an error or a mistake.
  • They understand that people can learn from failure.  They permit staff to challenge them.  They are innovative.
  • They are collaborative, good listeners and display confidence.  They are approachable and ask for others’ input.  They take risks.
  • They are willing to learn, either through on the job or staff training.  They value feedback about their own performance from their staff and peers.
  • They demonstrate their concern about the safety, development and welfare of their staff.
  • They catch people doing it right and coach people doing it wrong.  They use this technique to build teamwork and raise individual performance.

Coping with the Rate of Change
Business managers who want to develop their leadership skills and recognise that it is a process not an event will always perform better than others. Especially those who believe they know everything and have stopped learning. These people are perfectly equipped to deal with the world that no longer exists and will fall behind.

The rate of change we are currently experiencing is not going to slow down; it is going to accelerate. The survivors of change will not be the most intelligent, the best qualified, or the strongest. The successful leaders and business managers of the future will be the ones who have the ability to respond to, or anticipate, change.

Learners of Leadership Skills
However, successful business managers may no longer be holders of technical knowledge, they will be learners of leadership skills.  They will be the employers of people with technical knowledge.  In the future we are going to expect more and more from our people.  This means that we will require a greater percentage of each person’s talent and ability.

To liberate this talent and ability we will need managers with leadership skills.  As the workplace population diminishes, each employee becomes proportionately more influential and has a greater effect on the output, quality and safety of each business organisation.

Our leadership skills are going to have to improve to get the very best from these people. We get our results through people, we don’t perform the tasks ourselves. There is no reason to believe that the best technical people will be the best leaders. In fact, if you think back, we have appointed people because of their technical knowledge in the past and so many have failed. Our prime responsibility to our employees is to ensure that they are led by people with well developed leadership skills.

Leadership Skills: A Smarter Investment
A person with plenty of theoretical knowledge and little experience or ability in leadership will have a profoundly negative effect on their staff.  A person with low technical knowledge and high leadership skills will get the better results through their people.

In an ideal world, the technical people should be the best leaders, however, this is fairly rare.  It is a far easier to acquire knowledge than developing skills. In the real world, the problems which cause us the most difficulty are not technical problems but people problems. This is because in New Zealand we have not invested sufficient training in this skill.

 

 

Kitset Houses

Kitset homes are affordable, easily constructed and available in a variety of designs. From granny flats to family homes, baches and home offices, New Zealand kitset homes offer a convenient solution. For DIY whizzes, building a kitset home puts you in charge of creating your own space, to your own specifications. Not sure where to start? Read on for information on building a kitset home in New Zealand.

Why choose a kitset home?
Building a kitset house puts you on the yellow brick road towards the Kiwi dream: owning a section of land and a house. By building a kitset home, you’ll be able to:

  • Contribute your own ideas to your house plan
  • Tackle a do-it-yourself challenge (you can take on the full build or get a builder to put your kit set house together)
  • Save money by constructing your own home
  • Enjoy full support throughout the process, from planning through to construction and completion of your home
  • Build your own home from homegrown renewable resources

Can I design my own kitset home?
Companies supplying New Zealand kitset homes usually offer a variety of house plans – both single-storey and two-storey – and available with one, two, three and four bedrooms. You can pick a functional, practical house design straight from the catalogue. Alternatively, alter an existing house plan to suit your needs or supply the kitset home company with your own plan. A kitset home will be cheaper than employing an architect, but your design may have more limitations than a professionally designed home.

What makes a good house design?
If you decide to design your own kitset home, be sure to:

  • Use the space within your home effectively (don’t have unused areas or poorly designed rooms)
  • Make good use of your section (consider space and direction of sun and wind exposure)
  • Consider materials (timber is commonly used, with steel roofing)
  • Think about energy efficiency in your home (there are kitset house companies that specialise in eco-design)
  • Think about the look of your kit set home, as well as comfort and functionality
  • Ensure your home is weather-tight
  • Take into account lifestyle requirements (such as outdoor entertaining, garden space and play areas for children)

For house design inspiration, check out architectural magazines and New Zealand architects, visit showhomes and look at new subdivisions or buildings in your area.

What do I need to tell the designer for a customised kitset home?
Your specifications will be essential to ensuring that you get the kitset home you’ve visualised. You’ll need to outline:

  • The size of the house
  • One storey or two storey?
  • The number of bedrooms (and their relative sizes)
  • The number of bathrooms and ensuites
  • The size and location of the kitchen
  • External cladding and roofing
  • Heating requirements

Can I get a ‘green’ kitset home?
We’re all getting into being ‘green,’ but what does this mean when it comes to kit set homes? An eco-friendly house will have a minimal impact on the environment. A greenie’s house plan will have:

  • Good airflow (to prevent moisture buildup and to minimise the need for ventilation systems)
  • Sustainable building materials that are durable yet low in toxicity and environmental impact (timber grown on renewable plantations or recycled building materials)
  • Natural climate control (harnessing the warmth of sunlight and utilising good insulation)
  • A rainwater collection tank (for use in watering your garden and flushing the toilet)
  • Solar hot water heating

What’s included with my kitset home?
New Zealand kitset home companies vary in what they offer, so make sure you read the fine print for your kit set house package. You should receive a plan and specifications, along with pre-fabricated roofing, doors and windows, exterior cladding, insulation and the rest of the house’s structural parts. Check what your kit set home company doesn’t include in the package. Hidden extras could be the cost of:

  • Site survey
  • Transportation of materials
  • Resource consent applications
  • Engineers’ reports
  • Installation of electrical, plumbing and drainage requirements
  • Painting and decorating
  • On-site construction and labour


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

Jobs

For job hunters in New Zealand and those considering the prospect of settling in New Zealand, the idea of job applications, interviews and negotiations can be daunting. There can be a great deal of satisfaction, though, in securing a position that’s perfectly suited to your skills and personality. Whether you’re looking for a temporary job, a long term career position, a step up the corporate ladder, or you’re heading in a new career direction, you’ll find yourself looking for a New Zealand job.

At 3.9%, New Zealand’s unemployment rate is very low by international standards, resulting in a relatively competitive job market. But never fear! Find out about job search in New Zealand and how to find NZ employment:

Read up on NZ jobs and job hunting

For general information on employment and educational requirements for entering the workforce in New Zealand, the Government’s Work Site / PaeMahi website offers comprehensive information. For an overview of careers and information on developing your career direction, the Government’s Career Services site is well worth a visit, offering a Pathfinder tool to help you explore possible career directions. Work and Income is a Government agency involved in assisting people during times of job seeking or unemployment. Find advice and information on finding NZ jobs.

Take a step in the right career direction

Career decision making is a lifelong process and one that requires taking your time, choosing the path that is right for you from the range of options available. Sometimes during the quest for a new job it is hard to stay positive, but it’s important to set goals and keep focused on the task at hand. Talk to friends, try work experience, read online about different career paths or use the services of a career counsellor.

Look all around for NZ employment opportunities

When searching for advertised job vacancies, there are a number of avenues to pursue:

  • New Zealand newspapers have employment advertisements listed once or twice weekly. Even if your local newspaper does not yield any results, its job listings will give you an indication of the labour market in your region.
  • NZ recruitment agencies operate in most towns and cities. It’s a good idea to register with one or more of these, as it will give you access to unadvertised positions and they will contact you with any positions for which you seem to be a suitable candidate.
  • NZ job search sites allow many people to search the Web for jobs in New Zealand. Sites such as SEEK and Jobstuff list jobs in a wide variety of industries and are regularly updated. The Internet also makes it possible to find information on prospective employers and to locate up-to-date information on your chosen industry.

Sell yourself with a fantastic CV

The next step is creating an effective CV or resume, which will sell your abilities to an employer and earn you an interview. There are many online resources dedicated to helping people compile a good CV. Generally, you should include a summary of your skills, qualifications and work history, along with information about what you have achieved and the way you have performed in work situations. Remember to enclose a cover letter with your CV, outlining anything that is particularly relevant to the position for which you are applying. Find out more about putting the best of yourself on your New Zealand CV.

Prepare well for your interview

If you’re selected for an interview, this will provide you with a chance to give your potential employer evidence of the skills, experience and personal strengths outlined in your CV. In preparation, it’s essential to research the company, the position and the skills required, so that you can anticipate possible questions and demonstrate your suitability for the role. It also gives you the chance to form questions of your own, which gives a good impression and may give you further insights into the company and the position.

Consider job offers

Once you’re successful in attaining that sometimes-elusive New Zealand job, you should still take time to consider the job offer. Does it suit your qualifications and interests? Will it fit in with your lifestyle? How does the role fit into your long term career plan? These are all things to consider when entering a new job role. Find a job that suits your situation, fits your career direction and makes for a challenging yet rewarding experience.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

Is a Kitset Home Right for Me?

For those who want to build their own home, a kitset home could be the perfect solution. They come in a range of styles and designs and are largely pre-assembled. They’re designed to be put up with far less effort than a normal build, and are aimed especially at those who will be able to provide the labour themselves. By using a kitset home, many people may find that they are in fact able to build a brand new home rather than buy one due to the costs saved and the flexibility of the build. There are a few things to consider before you jump in, however.

Types of kitset homes

Kitset homes come in a range of styles. Although we usually picture a log cabin style kitset home, the reality is there is much more variety than that. There are many variations available that use metal and steel, and nowadays there are even kitset homes based around shipping containers! Depending on your location and the type of environment you expect to encounter, you can decide which material suits you best.

In addition to materials, there are also various ways that kitset homes can be assembled. Some require more builder know-how, whereas others can be put together by anyone who is able to put in the right amount of labour. Before jumping in, make sure you’re getting a kitset home that matches your skill level, or you may end up having to pay tradesmen to help you out.

Upsides to kitset homes

  •  They’re far less expensive than normal homes. Because you buy all the pieces and put it together yourself, you’re saving all the money that you normally would have had to spend on labour for a conventional build.
  • They’re quick to put up. Because kitset homes are designed for people to be able to put up themselves, they usually have a fairly intuitive design. As long as you have some labouring experience and follow the instructions correctly, you can get your very own house built up in no time.
  •  There’s lots of designs to choose from. Before you get started, you can decide what kind of house will best suit your needs and select one that will specifically match it- allowing you to have much more control over your living space than simply buying an existing house.

Downsides to kitset homes

  • You have to put in your own labour. Though this is much cheaper than paying for someone else to do it, it costs you your own time, which for some people may not be worth it.
  • There isn’t complete flexibility over design. Depending on which kitset home you go with, you may find there isn’t a huge amount that you can really customize. Compared with building a house, where you can dictate the exact specifications you want, you’re somewhat limited by the models that are available to you.

Alternatives to kitset homes

If you decide that a kitset home isn’t quite going to meet your needs, there are plenty of other options available. By going the route of a conventional build, you’ll find that you have much more control over the design of the house, being able to dictate everything down to the furnishings. For those who realise they aren’t really too fussy about the design of the house, buying a pre-existing home may work out better. For others who want to put a house on land they already own, there is always the option of transporting an existing house and relocating it to the section.

Kitset homes offer a variety of ups and downs, but for those who are looking to build a new home without breaking the bank, they are definitely an option that is worth considering.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

International Money Transfers

Whether you need foreign exchange for you or your business, making international money transfers online is easier and safer than ever.

Even if you’re new to the world of foreign exchange, taking advantage of the user friendly and effective international money transfers services available online means you can securely transfer money between countries in seconds and at your convenience – not simply when the banks are open.

What is an international money transfer?
Every foreign exchange transaction involves the buying of one currency and the selling of another. Think of your foreign currency exchange provider as your online broker – working to assist you to gain the best deal.

If you’re interested in transferring large or small sums, dedicated international money transfers providers make online transfers fast, easy, and stress free – even allowing you to compare the savings you’ll get using their services in comparison with the costs associated with your bank or other providers.

Why transfer funds online?
You can conveniently make international money transfers and payments online from any web-connected computer, 24 hours a day. This means that whenever the markets are open, you’ll have access to competitive real-time rates.

You can plan and execute money transfers instantly, worldwide, with the click of your mouse. So whether you’re moving personal foreign currency overseas, arranging an international money transfer or payment for your business, you can do it in no time online, any time of the day or night.

For your personal money transfers you can exchange currency and send money abroad in mere moments. For emigration you can ensure you get the best rate when moving your currency overseas.

If you’re purchasing a property overseas, international money transfers online allow you to mitigate the risks of currency fluctuation. You transfer when you want, not just when the banks are open.

For even more usability, the best international money transfer operators also offer quick and effective currency calculators, to show you the rate you will get by transacting online. Simply select the currencies you’d like to convert and enter the amount and you’ll have an up-to-the-second calculation of your currency conversion.

So why would you need to make international money transfers?
Perhaps your business has a supplier in Japan. To pay them you’ll need to buy Japanese Yen.

In most cases you’ll sell your New Zealand dollars to your foreign currency exchange provider, and following your payment, they will pay your Japanese supplier in Yen according to your instructions.

How is the currency rate settled?
The most common type of transaction is often referred to as a Spot contract. When you need to buy currency immediately at the market rate, you agree and enter into a ‘Spot contract’ with your foreign currency exchange provider. If you’re happy with the rate and decide to proceed, you’ll be able to specify how your purchased currency is to be disbursed.

You might choose to hold some of it in your account with your foreign currency exchange provider, while using the rest to pay your supplier in Japan.

How do you ensure your security?
It’s imperative you’re selective in who you trust with your finances in any situation, and making international money transfers online is non exception. Make sure you choose a reputable currency exchange provider, and raise any concerns or questions with their experts if there is any aspect of their service you are unsure about.

Remember that once you have established an account, you are responsible for keeping your password confidential. Make sure you choose a password that is unique and difficult to guess, and never use the same password that you currently use for any other online services. Be sure to change your password frequently, and if you suspect your password has been compromised, change it immediately.

Other ways to ensure your financial security online include checking your accounts regularly, and using anti-virus software on your computer.

For more information about international money transfers online check out Financial Advice in the NZS.com directory.


This article was kindly supplied by NZS, New Zealand Search. To learn more, click here.

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