Employment Prospects
New Zealand's vast infrastructure offers all the amenities of life to its population through the length and breadth of the country. Rate of unemployment is very low (In June 2006 New Zealand's unemployment rate was 3.6%). There is a high income potential with excellent work environment.
Excellent roads that are regularly maintained, a nationwide network of power supply, telephone and Internet along with remote access to mobile phones are the norm. It is not uncommon to find quite profitable and internationally networked businesses operating from outlying areas in the South Island.

How do you Qualify?
The immigrants to New Zealand consist of skilled professionals, with an experience necessary to satisfy the criteria desired of a working immigrant under the “General Skills Category”. This category is based on a point system under which, points are awarded for different factors like age, qualifications, work experience, job offer settlement funds, family sponsorship and spousal qualification, if applicable. The principal applicant can be either of the spouse.

Qualification must be equivalent to a New Zealand degree and it should also meet New Zealand standards as set by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Certain occupations require registration or licensing and must be shown to have been accredited.

You must be able to claim at least 100 points to lodge an Expression of Interest, otherwise your application will not be accepted into the pool.

You qualify for points for your Expression of Interest based on how well you score on assessment against selected factors. The point system is designed to be ranked, so that the immigration authorities can extend invitations to apply for residency to those, who have the most to offer to New Zealand. The more the number of points you score, the greater are your chances of obtaining an invitation to apply for residency. You need to score at least 100 points to have a chance of entering the "Expressions of Interest Pool".

You can qualify for additional points over and above the points you score against the selected factors in your Expression of Interest. Bonus points are available for employment, work experience and qualifications in identified areas of growth or absolute skill shortage or within identified clusters. They are also offered for employment outside Auckland, for some qualifications gained in New Zealand over at least two years, and for a partner's recognized qualifications or skilled employment in New Zealand.