Share your stories as WHV holder in NZ?

[ryell]

Chapter 8

The new adventure began. I could get away now from the pressure of my every week rent but instead focus on savings if I could and extend help to my family and friends if needed. Of course, pay back the sum of money I owed.

My new boss picked me up at the bus stop and brought me to a nearby cafe thinking that I had not taken my lunch yet. Wow, she was very kind-hearted. I would say that she has a heart of gold. She asked me how my travel was until the getting-to-know got onto the dairy farming topics. I learned from her why she was very interested in me because she wanted to put up a dairy training school which I could be of a great help. My experience in teaching and eventually my farm experience at her farm would be my asset for that plan. She was very amazed that my English was very good plus the accent. Lol.

So, I was enjoying my job. Indeed, when the sun sets, the work is over. No more paper works. I had numerous first time experiences. I would say I am more confident to drive a car now (I had just a 1-week driving lesson before flying over to NZ). I had to use a car to push the cows from the field to the milking shed or back to the vast lands of paddocks. I had my first embarrassing car moment experience when I parked backward the card, I endangered my life and the car on a long ditch by the road. I had my kicks from the cows and even the calves. I had the spurts of the **** and showers of cow's piss. I had my another embarrassing moment of my stock management when the cows all went to the main highway and not going to the milking parlour because I forgot to check the gate whether it was close. Of course, the first gate that's open is the first and foremost priority of the herd. I wasted some liters of milk from the vat because I forgot which tube and pipe to close and open upon operation and many more. And the highlight was when I thought that I had a severe injury because all my shoulders and arms could not move things. I was not just used to the routine of cupping on the 1,400 cows a day. Lol. By the way, I was with another Filipino farm worker so two of us.

Despite those crazy moments, I was really happy and I liked where I was. Though my pay was not full-time yet (waiting for the work visa to be aprroved as per rule) but at least my work visa would be processed soon. That means I could stay longer in NZ and from there I would start to make my way out of the farm and get on to another better jobs. In fact, I was already planning to make my way back to teaching for the reason that it is an easier pathway to be a resident because I had the degree and experience rather than sticking to dairy farming or any job which I do not have the aces. I was able to start sending money to the Philippines and paying back my pocket money which my sister loaned from a bank but everything just changed after a couple of months.

Winter was coming. The biting cold freaked me out. As early as 3am, I woke up prepare for a good meal or else you would faint in the middle of the busy day as the cows started to calve, a season to give birth to calves. House glass windows and doors were covered with ice so with the field was frosty. Though I was wrapped well with thermals but oh my gosh, the temperature was so extremely horrible. Sometimes, I had to be snowed in when I was at the fields with the cows and hailstorm is not fun in the long run. Yes, finally I am in NZ because of the beautiful white snowy landscapes but thats only in the photographs. As the days went by, it was like hell for me.

When I took a shower, I wished the hot water just unceasingly gushed out through my body and comfort me. I truly and seriously missed Mr Sun. When shower was over, I had to slowly dry my body with towels or the freezing wind would make me a frozen meat. When I had to open the door of the toilet, just slowly. When I had to take clothes from the closet, just slowly or the wind would blow me off. You just had heated your food or cooked, after a moment the oil was clotting and felt like a corpse. When you had to sleep, just stay in one position or else you got wet by the misty-wet beddings and pillows. Your position for the whole night would make you warm enough. Electric blanket was really helpful. It was embarrassing when my boss took away the heater because the power bill had surged up drastically. We were not allowed to use them but just the fireplace in the living room but not enough to make the whole house warm and could not reach your bedroom and besides you had to fuel it up with firewoods every now and then which you would not like to do - waking up every now and then and be perturbed in your sleeping.

I started to dislike my job. I would always feel I was wet. The weather would make you feel idle to go back to the farm and resume to work after a break. I had to catch calves even if it is not every day and put them on a trailer. Their weights are heavier than mine though they are just baby cows. By the way, I am proud to be a little guy, once Carlos P Romulo said in his speech. Sometimes I had got kicks from these seemed-to-be-powerless baby cows but when they get a good spot on you, would make you furious! I stumbled and rolled on the muddy ground trying to catch the calves after some time of being calved by their moms. Calving season is the hardest season of dairy farming. Mothers and babies too die when complication is not prompted. I had to work longer hours having late lunch. It's not something that everyone has to wish and dream. Sorry Lord, I am taking my statement- this is not my dream job.


And actually, I already signed my contract for work visa lodgement before my 3 months rule took over. But this time, I kept on elongating my patience. Maybe there would be a change of heart. That maybe this would just stay for a while. Maybe things would get better after some time.

But life in the farm for me was just getting worse. I was not really happy anymore. Really, I was not.

[ModM]

thanks for sharing ryell

Your journey is still unfolding. Your story of hard work and perseverance is one that echoes the stories of many Pinoys who came here many years ago.

I salute you for your determination. I hope to hear more positive twists to you next chapter.

Sent from my SM-G930F using proboards

[magikero]

Hi Cob123 , I will always be grateful to you. It is amazing that while you were on your own adventure to conquer you still shared worthy information. I used your posts as reference when I was just planning my New Zealand journey.

I wish you all the luck and THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[ModM]

hello Cob123 you mentioned 14 months. So I assume INZ granted you an extension? Was it easy to do that?

[Cob123]

Feb 13, 2017 14:58:44 GMT 12 ModM said:

hello Cob123 you mentioned 14 months. So I assume INZ granted you an extension? Was it easy to do that?

Yes, madali lang magapply for an extension as long as you have proof of these:
1) Certificate of Employment
2) Tax paid

[ModM]

awesome! Thanks Cob123

[ModM]

By the way, I am doing some research for a collaboration with Kings Plant Barn and read about this programme Barn- www.kings.co.nz/join-our-growing-team/seasonal-workers--international-sabbaticals

The post is very encouraging:

We will meet you at the airport, help you find accommodation, give you a job and show you how to enjoy life. For the more adventurous... if we really see your potential and you are keen to continue with us, we can offer you a permanent career in our amazing country.

As long as you love plants, have a passion for people and are an enthusiastic salesperson, we have a job for you.

If there is anyone who is from Davao -- baka pwede kayo mag internship or learn from our local horticulturists -- flowers and plants. We have a few world class na mga orchid enthusiasts =)

[mackymilby]

Hello PKers! WHV 2015 batch here reporting in. I barely post but I (very) often come here from 2013 to 2016 to read as part of my research and prep to take on the journey to my dream destination. I gained heaps of insights and perspectives from you lot and I feel I owe it to this community to share my story as you have been instrumental in making my dream come true. But unlike ryell and Cob123's story, the biggest challenge for me is actually making the trip to NZ. Haha. So buckle up and I hope you get something out of my experience.

I got my WHV on Feb 23rd, 2015 but didn't land here in NZ until Feb 16th, 2016 (yup, nakapag-1 year anniv na ako!), a week before my visa validity expires. So why did I wait until my visa almost expired before going? Well, you could say I had cold feet when the time to act came. You could also say I experienced that dreadful "analysis-paralysis" stuff.

The seed of thoughts of coming over to NZ was sowed in my mind in 2010 before I got my first job after graduating in the Philippines. As I saw the apathy from our government, corruption (don't worry, not gonna try to make this political) and increasing crime rate, that seed continued to grow and sprout as I wanted my future children to experience a safe and endearing environment. In 2013, I started my reading on ways to get to live and work in NZ firstly by googling for the Immigration website and somehow stumbled upon PK as well which helped in a very big way to clarify some of the questions running around inside my head.

After all the reading, a sudden realisation hits me: I need to become more competitive with my line of work if I will want to live in NZ indefinitely. At that point, I was working as a field-based telecom engineer, and while I'm aware that it is in the LTSSL I wanted to move to a different specialisation that doesn't require to travel on a daily basis. (and doesn't require to climb up telecom towers as well, LOL). That's when I decided to up and leave my first company and my colleagues which felt like an extension of my family. It was a necessary sacrifice to achieve that vision of being able to reach paradise and stay there.

Fast forward to 2015 and 2 other employers, I have gained enough ground on my new specialisation as an IP network engineer. I have now the experience and confidence to be competitive in the job market. It also helps that I have learned the art of acing technical interviews as I applied to a number of job openings before with the main purpose of sharpening my technical discourse skills. It boosted my confidence to the point that once I get to the technical interview part of the recruitment process, I'm home free. At this point, the sprouting seed has now become a plant. I am now close to achieving my dream.

With the WHV on hand, I submitted my resignation letter on April 2015 with the intent to travel on August. But something happened in between that prompted me to take up a local job offer on July.

It was already Christmas time. I only have barely a month to decide whether my plans will push through as I would still need to render my 30 days for the company if would decide to go. My friend whom I invited to apply and got the WHV already has her flight booked at end of January. I'm running out of time. Slowly, that plant is starting to wither away.

Everyday I would talk myself out of the idea of going to NZ. Anxiety started to kick in. Can I really stand out in the competitive job market in NZ especially that I'm just on a WHV and many that are already on residence visas are not even receiving calls from the job vacancies they applied for? What if I fail? What if I waste a whole year? Can I even make it to NZ?

But then a different thought comes on. All these years of prepping and envisioning a dream, which is already on the cusp of becoming a reality, were all of these for naught? I have to thank the sound minds of my friends which were my colleagues in my last company in the Philippines for helping me rationalise these contradicting thoughts. And I also thank the Lord God for making me feel reassured that, whatever happens in this journey, I will come out better than before it.

15th of February, 2016 at 11:15 PM, I boarded that plane with a wide range of emotions I couldn't quite put my fingers on. I was sad but excited, hopeful but vigilant, scared but feeling courageous. Maybe this is normal when you are entering a brave new world? Nevertheless, there was no turning back for me. The only way is to push forward.

I arrived in Auckland and stayed with my cousin and his family at Manukau. It was a home full of warmth and love. They eased my transition to a new country so much, I barely had any problems getting around or processing documents that I needed.

It took me 2 months/40 applications/2 interviews before landing my current job in the CBD. And I never felt so blessed. I started work on May, got my Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa on the same month, became a permanent employee on August, and a resident visa thru SMC on February 3rd. It truly is God's work and miracles!

Whenever I reach Britomart train station in the morning and smell the brewed coffee or have my Subway on Symonds street, I always pause for a moment and appreciate the fact that, "Wow, nandito na talaga ako sa New Zealand." I have now since recently moved in to the CBD renting an apartment with a couple of friends, and I still find myself awestruck while sitting alone on a bench of Myers Park in one of my walks. The feeling haven't quite left me yet even a whole year after.

Oh diba, sobrang haba ng prologue ko to NZ pero maikli lang yung part na nandito na ako sa NZ. Haha. My challenges here in NZ pale in comparison to ryell and Cob123 and I attribute that fact to being blessed of a having a relative here. But even without them here, I was prepared with a plan B and I believe that I would get to the same end result but through a more winding path. That is why I believe planning is crucial and hope that everyone who will read this post and wants to make the journey could get something out of it. Read, read, read and plan, plan, plan. Never get tired of it. Good luck and Godspeed! Thank you PK!

[ModM]

mackymilby

as they would say it here - Well done mackymilby sweet as!

you were well equipped kaya ka naging successful because you had long term planning and you were "sharpening the saw" as Stephen Covey would call it. You did your homework, researched, drafted a plan and executed it to a T. You even had a healthy dose of fright and anxiety.

I personally like anxieties kasi it means you are well aware of what can possibly go wrong and plan for it. Kung puro confidence lang from the start then it means you have not thought it well enough.

Baka I must have bumped into you kasi sa CBD lang din ako. hehehe. thanks for sharing your story. I hope kapulutan ng aral ng iba. Balik balik ka rin dito and sana you offer tips sa IT tambayan thread para sa mga gusto sumabak sa specific field mo.


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[mackymilby]

Thanks ModM    Natapos kong basahin yung 7 habits several years ago but never got around reading the 8th habit. Will definitely pick it up once matapos ko na yung second reading ko ng Think and Grow Rich. Thanks for reminding me about Stephen Covey.

I live along Vincent street just beside the YMCA and near Myers park. But bumping into me can be difficult kahit nasa same place tayo. At the moment, I follow a very specific day schedule (pronounced shedule aye ) on weekdays like clock-work so yung mga taong may similar pattern ang nakikita ko lang paulit-ulit. Haha.

Definitely agree with experiencing manageable dose of anxiety from time to time. But sometimes I also like to throw myself into certain situations unprepared just to see how I'd react and cope since we know one cannot be prepared for everything. And when the unexpected does happen, maganda na yung may prior experience taming the unknown. Just wanted to make the point na di ako planning freak o may OCD. Or at least di pa nadidiagnose as having one. Hahaha.

For sure I'll be sticking around PK. I'd love to do what you suggested and try and help other kababayans as much as I can. Sorry kung medyo naging OT post ko.

[magikero]

mackymilby feels like I know you from a friend. Not personally though

Congratulations!

[mackymilby]

magikero Thanks! I think I have an idea who our common friend is. My google fu is also strong kaya I'm quite sure.

[ModM]

mackymilby magkatapat lang tayo ng building =)

[ryell]

FINAL CHAPTER

GOD is so good as always! His words are forever true and He is faithful! All things work together for good for those who love Him and for those who are called according to His purpose, His word declares!

Along those rocky moments at the dairy farm, I mustered courage and bade farewell to my ever motherly boss who I always had the second thought of leaving the job or not because she is very kind to me; she treats me like a family. However, I had to make a decision now or never.

One Friday before my off-day when I got home from a long day, I received a missed call from the school where I had my relief teaching job for two weeks and just recently, I was back to the drawing board sending in my CV because I heard that the school was looking for an English teacher and also the academic director was new. The one I knew before was gone. I just told her that I was invited for an interview as my good excuse that a better opportunity was coming my way. Though I made my boss shed a tear but she understood me and my desire.

I went back to Auckland and reported to the school on that Monday and followed up about the missed call. Surprisingly, they confirmed that no one had called me. What??? Heaven and earth covered me. It was hard to believe! How could it be possible! It was a very epic moment! They just told me to wait to be shortlisted because currently they were still accepting applications. Though my shoulders dropped for what happened after all the expectations, I did not stop scouting another employment. This time my determination to hit a job in teaching was even more intense. This is what my skills and experience are all about after all these years. That is where I have built up my career and my qualifications so I must pursue my teaching career despite the statement I once said- never will I teach again because I was having this notion that teaching in all forms and in all places, is just all the same- toxic, stressful because of the paperwork, marking papers of back to back essays and all but everything has changed until....

While I was looking for a job, my previous school where I had my 2-week relief teaching job, and where I had been recently, a friend asked me to relieve her for that week. It was just once in that week and 4 hours only for that day. Well, four hours is not bad, I told myself rather than you don't have an income while bills are springing up regularly. To live in a city without enough funds and being uncertain in job security with a hot potato of people being jobless for a couple of months is horrendous.

Another week came and the teacher was absent again and asked me to relieve again her class until the new academic director ambushed me in my class one morning. He said he was surprised and he did not expect it from someone like me. At the back of my mind, this is it! I was then contracted for a series of relief jobs starting the following week. It came to a point when the students preferred me over the official teacher. The academic director told me that the other teacher had to sit in my class to learn from me. Though it was overwhelming but I felt sad when it sank to my sanity that it would never be feeling right for a teacher to be instructed that way. I asked the boss to cancel it as I could see that the teacher was uncomfortable and she had been crying when she heard the instruction. So it was not pursued but during the course of time, she started feeling unhappy and started looking for another job. Besides, for her, it was a confirmation that she had to pursue another pathway of her passion and not this one. Until such time, the official teacher resigned and I got the slot. And before my 3-month rule of my WHV expired, I tried to open up about my desire and marketed myself which paved the way to get an assurance that I could still stay longer in NZ.

A month before my WHV expired on the 16th of Feb, my work visa came out just in time after it was lodged before the school break on Dec 19, 2016. On the day that I resumed to work on my first day of the school year on the 9th of Jan, I got a letter in that morning that my work visa was approved 3 days ago, Jan, 6, 2017 and it will expire in 2020. God really works perfectly, indeed.

God knows how grateful I was. Very much elated and overwhelmed, I just had the biggest smile on my face on that day and I will never forget that moment of truth that my NZ dream will continue in good faith and more than I could imagine.

All glory and honor belong to Him! Indeed, it was a WHV success!

[allune]

Congratulations ryell! Really happy you're in your field!

Can you apply for residency using your work now?

[jnoelbalana14]

congrats ryell! so inspiring! God's timing is always PERFECT!

[teo]

congrats ryell well deserved win

[ModM]

ryell what a testimonial.

congratulations!

Sent from my SM-G930F using proboards

[nekou]

Nag-s-search lang naman ako kanina ng topics about moving to Wellington, ewan ko naligaw ako bigla dito sa kwento ni ryell . 
Tinapos ko lahat ng chapters 
Ika nga nila, "Good job mate!"

[Cob123]

Congrats, ryell! Pwedeng-pwede na pagpadala ng liham kay Maam Charo. Hehe.

Naalala ko lang habang binabasa ang kwento ni ryell..

Sa mga nagbabalak pala na on-the-spot maghanap ng matutuluyan (e.g. hostel) pagdating ng NZ, I don't think this is a good idea kasi saksi din ako kung gaano kahirapan 'to.

One time kasi noong ako naman ang nasa posisyon na makatulong, sinundo at pinagdrive ko yong mga kaibigan kong Aleman na pinagdadrive ako noong wala pa akong kotse dyan. Anyway, tsaka pa kami naghanap ng hostel sa mismong araw ng dating nila sa Auckland. Surprise, surprise, halos nalibot na namin ang CBD pero punuan (I can't recall now anong buwan yun pero I am guessing summertime). Doon na kami nakahanap sa medyo malayo sa CBD. Kung wala talaga kaming mahanap nun, malamang sa kotse ko sila natulog, hahahah.

So what I am suggesting is maybe book at least 2 days kasi believe it or not, napupuno din ang accomodation places dito. Pano kung winter lalo. Naku talaga. Actually 1 week din tsaka ako nakahanap noon ng flat. Buti talaga napaka-gracious ng classmate ko sa college at asawa niya (God bless them!). Hi, Jayps and Shiela! Kasi kahit wala sa plano, nakapag-crash (literally sa sofa!) ako sa 1-bedroom apartment nila for almost a week.

[ryell]

Feb 19, 2017 20:44:56 GMT 12 allune said:

Congratulations ryell ! Really happy you're in your field!

Can you apply for residency using your work now?

hello...kinapos ako ng points dahil sa 160 points. 145 lng ako ngayon. hehehe

[serendipity]

ryell are you a registered teacher na po?

[showdey]

sobrang nakakainspire lahat ng kwento nyo! dami kong natutunan

I've just arrived here sa south island and am still searching for work.
Akala ko antagal ko nang tambay kasi mag 3 weeks na rin ako dito sa NZ, pero normal pala yun.
It was so nice to hear stories from you! Nakakabelong kahit na di ko kayo nakikita in person.
Hopefully one day, in the near future, makapagshare din ako ng tips dito

[allune]

showdey 2017 batch ka ba? Daming nakahanap ng work agad (Short term mostly) pagdating

Why Dunedin though?

[showdey]

Yeap 2017 batch. Wow! I'm assuming na sa major cities sila nagpunta no?
I have relatives kasi dito kaya I opted to stay here para makatipid din muna

[condoriano]

After 4 mos ko sa Auckland. Nakahanap din ako permanent job sa Christchurch. WHV Batch 2016 ako.

[allune]

condoriano Bren dito ka pala napadpad. Saan ka nagwo-work?

[condoriano]

Jun 23, 2017 22:33:02 GMT 12 allune said:

condoriano Bren dito ka pala napadpad. Saan ka nagwo-work?

Sa Publica sa Sydenham. Nasa Aranui ako nakatira ngaun. Kararating ko lang kahapon. Monday na start ko ala ako friends. May 1 ka batch ko pero hnd pa kami nagmeet. Pag may meetup kita kita tau.

[allune]

Lapit lang sa bahay ko Haha. Depende kung saan nakatapat ang phone ko minsan Sydenham ang location ko.

Medyo malayo ang Aranui ah... Pinoy kasama mo sa bahay?

Naka-apply ka na ng work visa?

[condoriano]

Jun 23, 2017 22:41:12 GMT 12 allune said:

Lapit lang sa bahay ko Haha. Depende kung saan nakatapat ang phone ko minsan Sydenham ang location ko.

Medyo malayo ang Aranui ah... Pinoy kasama mo sa bahay?

Naka-apply ka na ng work visa?

Hahaha. Aun sakto meet tau pag uwian ko 40 mins pag bus. 13 mins pag may sasakyan. Yup pinoy. Last week thur ako nag submit. WTR. Buti nga level 7 binigay sa akin sa NZQA.