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I have been researching like crazy, but I would rather know more about New Zealand and specifically Tauranga/Bay of Plenty area. I really like a warmer climate that is listed there, and I am tired of the cold from living in NW United States.
I would like to teach Early Childhood Education and will be above a level 7 category (Master in ECE with BA in ECE).
Does anyone have advice/opinions on this situation? Are the people friendly? Is it safe to start a preschool someday? Would NZ citizens be open to having a person outside their culture do a preschool?
I am just trying to understand any cultural/country issues that someone like myself might occur within a new place!
Well I live in Christchurch NZ but have been to Tauranga/Bay of Plenty. Nice climate but Tauranga is pretty small even by NZ standards which may be what your looking for. Keep in mind its fairly close to Auckland less two hours if your looking for a larger center to do day shops and night outs etc. People are friendly but do tend to be more Marori culture centric in the middle of the North island up to Auckland which is fine.
Cant see any problem with a foreigner opening a preschool. I work with a number of Aussies, Poms and Asians, personally would think nothing of it.
There was a program a number of years ago that recruited american teachers to come work in NZ. Don't know if it is still available now, but it should be easy enough to find out.
I have known a few kiwi gals that were teachers. Classrooms sometimes can get a bit unruly as a lot of proper discipline is banned and things like the pay is pretty abysmal. It's something you definitely would be doing for the experience, not to make a decent living at.
I think probably the main thing is that culturally the country is a bit different, especially in a place like Tauranga, so before you start making big plans, I'd plan a month trip and spend some time in person and gather some info on daily realities.
Starting up a business like a preschool and moving to NZ will require some version of a business visa and that requires outside capital on your part along with various other requirements.
There was a program a number of years ago that recruited american teachers to come work in NZ. Don't know if it is still available now, but it should be easy enough to find out.
I have known a few kiwi gals that were teachers. Classrooms sometimes can get a bit unruly as a lot of proper discipline is banned and things like the pay is pretty abysmal. It's something you definitely would be doing for the experience, not to make a decent living at.
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Er ... I think teachers might be better paid here than in the US. Though they don't receive a pension here which will need to be factored in.
I have two teacher friends in the US and I think their pay is pretty abysmal ....
I think they would be making $65,00 -70,000 here
The only issue or difference I can foresee is many preschools have Te Reo as an integral part of their curriculum, especially in the BOP area. Still, it's not really anything to worry about, just something to be aware of.
NZ is definitely not a significantly warmer climate compared to the Pacific NW, and you have to factor in uninsulated or poorly insulated houses with no central heating. Just food for thought.
Also, be prepared to pay more money for things than the average Kiwi. "Fleece the foreigner" is seen as almost a patriotic duty, and the feeling of constantly being ripped off is tiresome.
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