Testimonial from Ivan Smith Print this page
The decision to move home, job, country and your current way of life is huge, and not to be underestimated. In our case, it was a deep felt desire not to remain in the UK with all its problems and overpopulation: and certainly not to retire there. Every person’s decisions will be different, as will be their decision criteria, but for us after years of soul searching and looking at our options, we decided that New Zealand represented what we wanted in life – at least for the rest of it!
With a comfortable life in the UK, our own profitable business, and of course the trappings that go with it, the decision to “give it all up” is not easy, and neither should it be. We always believed that the transition would not be easy, and we were certainly not wrong, but the saying that you cannot be half pregnant is true here – in hindsight, if we were not absolutely 100% committed, we would have failed.
As neither of us are “professionals” in the sense of required skills shortages in NZ, our route of entry to NZ was decided upon as being the Long Term Business Visa (LTBV). For this, we assessed our past business background, and started the long task of searching out a business to buy, or one to start. The internet is of paramount importance and use in this regard, especially the NZ government websites which are very open from what we were used to. You can really learn a lot, even from your own banks and UK government, but you do need to allow a lot of time for research. Over a period of some six months, we felt we had amassed enough information, plus obtained some contacts, to visit NZ on an exploratory tour. Bluntly, this is an essential step which should not be overlooked. Meticulous planning followed - more like military manoeuvres than a “look-see”.
Obviously, NZ is a beautiful country, and yes, the people are nice, however, they are not British – don’t be fooled by a people that appear to be British with a funny accent; they are not. They are foreigners – or moreover, you are the foreigner when you arrive, because whatever the research and planning, you do not know how everything really works. Simply put, it’s different. Not bad, not wrong, just different.
During our exploratory tour we quickly found ourselves in advanced negotiations to purchase a business, but constantly found ourselves feeling uneasy as more “digging” was done. When you buy a business, you can usually expect to find a few skeletons hidden here and there, but to find warehouses of them before you sign is plain frightening. Also, unlike the UK, in NZ you sign a Sales & Purchase Agreement (a real legal document that you need professional advice with) to buy a business, and without it the vendor hardly wants to talk to you, let alone allow you to undertake due diligence – significantly different to the UK! Negotiation of terms etc. that I was more used to in the UK really doesn’t exist here.
At this point, we were in contact with our newly appointed NZ solicitors who advised an exploratory meeting with Erika Bult of ABC. Highly sceptical as we thought we knew it all, we were willing to invest the time to at least hear what she had to say. A revelation unfolded as Erika proceeded to answer many of the questions we had, plus offer guidance as to the way forward. Easy in hindsight, but had we not heeded the advice, we would probably have failed miserably in our quest for a business, lifestyle and the essential visa required. Not that we were unplanned, but more that we had not realised all the intricacies involved in NZ business, finance and the all-important visas. You get one chance to get it right, which of course is also one chance to get it wrong. As failure was not an option open to us, we quickly realised we needed the professional help that Erika would muster.
Returning to the UK with our minds, and suitcases, bulging with information, the following weeks and months were spent furthering our move to NZ. Unbeknown to us at this time, Erika was very busy in assessing opportunities for us, however, if they didn’t fit our criteria, or that of the Immigration Service (NZIS), Erika rejected them immediately. While this was happening Erika had put us in contact with the person who was to do our application to the NZIS for our LTBV. Thinking this was just a matter of filling in a form was an understatement in extreme – this is a massive undertaking, and is full of pitfalls for the unwary.
Erika then contacted us with two opportunities she had identified for us. The first we turned down as it didn’t appeal, or have the right “gut feel”. The next was different, and hit all the buttons. It was also a business in demand, obviously (the good ones always are), and speed was of the essence if we wished to secure. Negotiations followed through Erika, ultimately with us securing the purchase of the business we now operate, Coastal Motor Lodge in Thames, Coromandel.
Although we are the last people in the World who would gamble, especially with our entire lives and livelihood, we actually bought the business unseen. This may appear foolish, but we had developed a relationship with Erika to the point where if she said it was right, it was right. Of course, we could have come and looked, but we really did not feel the need. When we did arrive, we were not disappointed at all. It is also worth bearing in mind that if you buy a business “direct” you have only yourself to rely upon, however, when it is through a licensed broker, they have their reputation, licence, and the law to comply with and protect you, therefore much research has already been done to prove credentials before it is offered to you.
From our arrival in NZ, Erika has nurtured us and put up with our moaning on occasions, and has always delivered on her word. With our expansion plans for The Coastal, Erika was 100% supportive, and actually was the broker involved in our additional purchase of another business locally. This purchase was not easy, and without Erika’s talents would have fallen through on numerous occasions. Multiple negotiations were involved with many people, including financiers, legal and accountants, let alone the vendors. Yet again, Erika brought it all together.
We are now the largest accommodation providers on the Western Coromandel with a unique niche of 4 Star luxury chalets with glorious views. We also have the all-important LTBV. Who knows where next?
Erika Bult is professional, fair and above all, honest (even if it hurts!). She has astounded me as to the lengths she will go in order to assist you, and work with you to get the right deal in any sphere of her activities. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her services to those seeking to come to NZ.
If you would like further information, or a general chat, please get in touch, or better still, come and see the reality! Take a look at www.coastalresorts.co.nz
Ivan Smith
Co-Host
Coastal Motor Lodge
608 Tararu Road
PO Box 226
Thames
New Zealand
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