This practice defines the boundaries of the common law and federal law common to countries comprised of multiple territories and provinces. So as not to impede on applicable and inapplicable laws and regulations according to territory, most legal systems resort to establishing common laws, this in the case of New Zealand, is referred to as The English Law Acts.

In order to further regulate the practice of law, New Zealand prescribed five major universities capable of facilitating a Law degree, namely University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, and AUT University, as overseen by the New Zealand Counsel of Legal Education.

Similar to the procedure of Australia, New Zealand also implements a three step process in acquiring a license to practice as a solicitor which does not involve a form of examination such as a Bar examination similar to that of Canada.

In New Zealand, a Completion Certificate is presented in order to initiate the acquisition of a professional license to practice. Upon completion of the Law Degree in a duly recognized university, the law graduate applies for a certificate along with his transcript of records and a transcript that indicates that the applicant has passed Legal Ethics, both from the university. This is submitted alongside a Certificate of Character and a copy of the applicant’s passport which are then processed by the High Court of New Zealand. Once all documents are accepted, the applicant may now request for a practicing certificate from the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS).

This makes it easier to practice cross-territory litigation by undergoing accreditation thru the NZLS.

In the case of foreign practitioners, the requalification process is mandated in order to ensure that the solicitor wishing to practice is well-versed in the common laws of the land. This may entail submitting educational documents to find equivalency in the legal education system of a recognized university or in most cases, recommendation of educational enrolment to such university.

The NZLS as a unifying body to the legal profession is in charge of controlling and regulating the practice of lawyers and solicitors throughout the entire country. It is the main governing body that oversees the preservation of integrity of practice and upholds the standards of the profession where the remote governing body for each territory answers to.

Opening the New Zealand legal system prompts the discussion over its derivation from two main sources, the common law and statute law. The common law, as the name states, is a body of law built up to uphold the common interest of the country as set up by the constitution. To date, New Zealand does not have a single written constitution but its common laws were derived from a number of constitutional conventions of old English origins. Aside from these conventions, the following written pieces are also major contributors to the establishment of its constitution, namely the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act of 1990, the Electoral Act of 1993, the Treaty of Waitangi, and the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.

Constitutional Conventions are established rules by frequent and customary use. This was well established in the Constitution Act of 1986.

The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, on the other hand, safeguards the civil and political rights of the common people. This act protects the life and security of the person, democratic and civil rights, non-discrimination and minority rights, search, arrest, and detention, criminal procedure and right to justice.

The Human Rights Act of 1993, on the other hand, focuses on providing protection to the people by making sure their rights are exercised and equal opportunities are given to all. It covers grounds of discriminatory actions against, gender, sex, marital status, religious belief, ethical upbringing, age, political opinion, employment status, family status, and sexual orientation.

The Statute Law, on the other hand, represents the laws made by the parliament.

Since the parameters of the establishment of the constitution has been covered, the next important aspect of legal practice in New Zealand to be tackled should be its main divisions of law- Civil Law and Criminal Law.

Civil Law covers dispute between individuals, companies, and at times local and central government, and usually does not involve the police. These disputes usually involve money such as, but not limited to, business contracts, wills, tax, land, or other property with monetary value; cases where negligence has caused inconvenience or loo to another; and family matters such as custody battles and alimony.

The second division of the legal system covers Criminal Law. Criminal Law, as is common in all definitions, involves crimes against another person such as theft, murder, and trials usually involving the police. Aside from the obvious definition of criminal law, all matters that create conflict within the constitution that is not covered by civil laws and inadvertly cause harm or unfair proceedings to another person falls under this division.

Statistically, the number of lawyers practicing in New Zealand is categorized under their respective fields of expertise.

For Intellectual Property Rights, a record of 1,360 practitioners have specialized in this area with 177 practitioners spending 50% of their professional time as of January 2011.

For Banking and Finance, a record of 907 practitioners have specialized in this area with 149 practitioners spending 50% of their professional time as of January 2011.

For Taxation, a record of 1,131 practitioners have specialized in this area with 235 practitioners spending 50% of their professional time as of January 2011.

And lastly, for Trusts and Estates, a record of 3,318 practitioners have specialized in this area with 231 practitioners spending 50% of their professional time as of January 2011.

Collectively, there is roughly about 11,300 barristers and solicitors with practicing certificate registered under the New Zealand Law Society as of January 2011.

References:

1. https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/
2. http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-pub...
3. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/

The primary role of accountants in New Zealand is to plan and provide accounting services associated with financial dealings and taxation of individuals and firms, and advice on record-keeping and compliance needs. At present, accountants are in great demand in New Zealand. Based on a survey conducted by Robert Half Finance and Accounting together with ICANZ (Institute of Chartered Accountants New Zealand) there is a shortage of accountants in New Zealand and Australia. To deal with this problem, they are hiring accountants from other countries provided that they have completed the education and training requirements.

Education, Trainings and Program Requirements

The professional body representing Chartered Accountants (CA) in New Zealand is the NZICA or New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. They represent over 33,000 members of the accounting profession in New Zealand and more than 90 other countries. The majority of accounting technicians and public accountants in NZ belong to the NZICA. Their goal is to uphold the highest level of trust and responsibility by providing the best services and standards to support members.

There are 3 colleges or membership groupings within the NZICA: Chartered Accountants (CA), Associate Chartered Accountants (ACA) and Accounting Technicians (AT).

1. Chartered Accountants (CA)

CAs are accountants qualified to provide the full range of accountancy services both in the public and private sectors. In order to become a member of Chartered Accountants you need to complete the following requirements:

• You must have a bachelor degree
• Completed the following topics – financial accounting, finance, taxation, management accounting, auditing, organizational management, economics, commercial and corporate law, quantitative methods, accounting information systems.

3 main steps in becoming a CA:

• Complete academic program (3 years)
• Complete a practical experience program (3 years)
• Complete the Chartered Accountants Program

To be able to continue with your membership in CA, you need to complete 20 hours of verifiable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every year and 20 hours non-verifiable.

1. Associate Chartered Accountants (ACA)

This is a mid-level qualification. Members should complete professional education requirements, but are not eligible to provide service to the public.

CA is not directly comparable to the ACA designation offered by the ICA (Institute of Chartered Accountants) in England and Wales and Ireland. In Ireland, ACA denotes a fully qualified CA.

In order to become an ACA you need to complete the following:

• academic study
• a practical experience program
• a professional competence program

3 steps in becoming an ACA:

• Complete academic study program (3 years)
• Complete a practical experience program (1 year)
• Complete the Foundation Program

To be able to continue with your membership in CA, you need to complete 15 hours of verifiable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every year and 15 hours non-verifiable.

1. Accounting Technicians (AT)

Accounting Technicians are hired to oversee and deal with financial accounts in roles such as Assistant Finance Manager or Accounts Manager. They work in all areas of business and finance, carrying out different functions like receiving and settling invoices, auditing internal and external work, looking after all financial transactions, accounting for resources and managing payroll and budgets.

There are three ways to earn an AT designation – Vocational Pathway, Academic Pathway and Experience Pathway. Vocational Pathway is the practical study path that covers a wide range of practical accounting topics. You will receive an AAT accounting qualification. You can study and earn at the same time. This is a 3 year part-time study program.

In Academic Pathway, you will get a formal academic qualification that covers accounting and broad business management. You need to complete two years tertiary study comprising of a New Zealand Diploma in Business or Equivalent Degree Level Study.

In Experience Pathway, you get your experience through on the job trainings. You need to have at least 5 years working experience. You only need to have an impressive assessment of competence in order to become an AT.

Accountancy Governing Bodies in NZ

There are two local accountancy bodies in New Zealand - the NZACPA or the New Zealand Association of Certified Public Accountants and the CAANZ or the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

You need to be a member of CAANZ for you to be able to audit public companies in New Zealand.

The NZACPA offers foundation level certificates and diplomas known as Foundation in Accountancy that provide an entry point for those who are new to accounting and finance and who were not able to meet the minimum entry requirements to qualify as a member.

Wages and Salaries

Accountant’s salaries in New Zealand vary depending on the region they practice, their experience and qualification. The highest wages are generally found in Wellington and Auckland.

Based on a 2014 survey done by the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, the average total remuneration of an accounting manager was $107,000. The average wages for a financial accountant on the same year was $94,000 and for tax accountant was $80,000.

The average hourly wage for accountants in New Zealand according to Statistics New Zealand was $28.62 in September 2014. Thus, the annual salary of a full-time accountant during that time was around $55,000.

Below are accountant salaries on their designated position and regions for the year 2014-2015:

Accountant Salary Region

Senior Management Accountant $110,000 Auckland

Tax Accountant $35 to $45 per hour Auckland

Financial Accountant $65,000 Wellington

Assistant Accountant $45,000 to $50,000 Christchurch

Financial Accountant $50 to $60 per hour Auckland

Assistant Accountant $55,000 to $60,000 Auckland

Intermediate Accountant $50,000 to $60,000 Christchurch

Senior Accountant $70,000 to $95,000 Christchurch

Job Outlook in New Zealand

According to the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, there will be a continued growth in the field of accountancy in the coming years. The growth maybe slower in New Zealand but it will definitely help lower the unemployment rate. The projected decline in unemployment is 4.9% by March 2017.

Sources:

http://www.payscale.com/research/NZ/Job=Accountant/Salary

http://www.skillmatching.com.au/accounting-jobs-in-new-zealand

http://www.nzica.com/at.aspx

https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/work-in-nz

Building Permits are required for anyone working in the construction industry. Companies, contractors, or individuals are not exempt from securing this permit. Permits must be obtained by anyone looking to renovate or build a house or building. These are also needed to make major changes to any existing structure. This is needed so that all structures can adhere to the safety standards of the country. Builders can apply for a permit through mail or through phone, though it is also possible to apply for a permit in person.

In June of 2015, New Zealand has issued consent for 2 042 dwellings for construction. These are comprised of 1 502 houses, 70 apartments, 159 retirement homes, and 311 flats, housing units and town houses. The seasonally adjusted estimate for June for new building permits for the month of June has fallen 4.1 per cent. Despite this, New Zealand’s trend estimates are seeing steady growth, with a slight increase in growth since May 2011 to June 2014.

The steady rising trend in New Zealand housing can be noted in the recent reports found in the government web site. These government reports show that the trends in construction continue to provide some signs of increasing value in most areas.

In Canterbury, the trends are shown to be at a decline, falling at 17 per cent since the peak in August of last year. Auckland has shown a more productive trend, showing a rise of dwellings since February of 2012. These two regions, with the addition of Wellington, have the largest number of consents given to these residential buildings. In June 2015, Auckland has consented 105 more buildings, now numbering at 704. Canterbury has added 79 more structures, making their total structures go up to 544. Wellington now has a number of 88 new structures.

In the recorded results for June 2015, a total of 4 454 new houses were given the permit to build in New Zealand. This number is down by 95 structures made for dwelling. This particular report shows a decline of 2.1 per cent since June 2014. The seasonal adjusted estimates for June 2014 show that the total number permits for new structures have risen by 4 percent during the second quarter of the year. This is a noted rise from the 8.5 percent fall seen in the first quarter of 2015, recorded in March of the same year.

Non Residential Permits

The non residential sector permits are experiencing a 7. 5 per cent drop in country’s total value. That is a 37 million dollar drop in value for the non residential permits as of June 2015. The current total value provided by non residential permits stands at 454 million dollars. The regions of Auckland, Canterbury and Waikato have shown the greatest number of consents given to non residential buildings in New Zealand. They have contributed an estimated value of $ 140 million, $ 120 million and $57 million to this particular sector respectively.

The total new permits issued for buildings for office, public transport and other administration services are currently valued at 95 million dollars. Permits required for restaurants, bars and retail complexes come second, valuing at a total of 60 million dollars. Permits given for storage buildings also show great value and promise at a value of 56 million dollars.

Value

According to the end of the month July report made by Liz MacPherson, the total value of building permits in June 2015 are at 1.3 billion dollars. Comparing this with the results of June 2014, the value of residential permits are up 6.7 per cent at a value of 1.3 billion dollars. This shows a 53 million dollar increase in the value of permits in the residential sector. The permit value for Non residential building however, has gone down down by 7.5 per cent, which is a 37 million dollar drop in value. The total value for all the non residential permits issued in New Zealand now stand at a current 454 million dollars.

We can see now that the building activities in the residential sector throughout New Zealand have risen 1.5 percent in the first quarter of year, as shown the results for March 2015. The non residential building has also risen by the same percentage during that time. The total building activity rose to 1.5 per cent on an average.

Residential construction is also seeing a 67 per cent increase in volume trends following the lowest point seen in September 2011.

Currently the value of all the issued building permits is at 3 864 million dollars. The building permits for residential buildings are valued at 2 447 million dollars, while the permits for non residential buildings are valued at 1 417 million dollars.

It is clear that the regions of Auckland and Canterbury greatly contributed to this current value. 60 per cent of the total value of permits have come for these regions. According to the recent reports, Auckland has contributed 1 246 million dollars to the total value of building permits, while Canterbury has posted a total value of 1 083 million dollars. These regions continue to support the steady growth of New Zealand’s infrastructures despite some irregularities in growth found in other areas. 

http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/Construction/BuildingConsentsIssued_HOTPJun15.aspx

http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/Construction/ValueOfBuildingWork_HOTPMar15qtr.aspx

Electricians' Responsibilities

Electricians' responsibilities vary according to their chosen specializations. In general, electricians' main responsibilities include wiring system installation, maintenance, repair, and testing. An individual can start as an apprentice or trainee then continue to become full-fledged electricians. From being electricians, they can continue to improve their expertise and become electrical employers in the future.

Skill Requirements

Skill requirements are different according to an individual's target job. New Zealand licensing authorities use two ways to determine whether an individual can be a licensed electrician or employer.

Competence-based Pathway

The competence-based pathway is where an aspiring electrician will get a national certificate according to his chosen field. He needs to undergo competence-based training programs offered by authorities. Certificates are handed after trainees completed these programs. Training programs are offered by Electrical Workers Licensing Group, an authority under the Department of Building and Housing. Each training program has its requirements, which are noted down at the authority's website.

Time-based Pathway

Going for a time-based pathway means an individual should pass a series of theoretical and regulations written examinations for his target field. It's considered a time-based way of getting into the industry as the aspiring electrician must complete a number of certifications and tests that they can get according to their preferred timeframe. Aside from passing examinations, future technicians must also complete a required number of working hours as mandated by the licensing board. These hours vary based on the license type an individual would like to obtain. For example, an individual who want to work as a general electrician must complete 8,000 hours of related work while working as an electrical appliance serviceperson requires 18 months of practical training or work experience. The licensing board validate work hours to see if they meet the requirement.

License Registration Types

New Zealand licensing authorities set 10 registration classes, each with limitations in carrying out specific jobs. Aside from these 10 classes, the authorities also hand a unique license for electrical field employers.

Electrician

An electrician is responsible for installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of conductors, electrical systems, and appliances. They can also certify carried out works or supervise individuals working on these systems.

Electrical Inspector

An electrical inspector can carry out jobs that an electrician can offer. Additionally, he can inspect the work completed on the aforementioned systems.

Electrical Installer

An individual with this job title can install or maintain conductors used for electricity-operated systems like railway systems, fire alarms, security systems, HVAC systems and lifts. He can also certify, test, and supervise work carried out on these systems.

Electrical Appliance Serviceperson

The electrical appliance serviceperson comes in two types and require specific licenses. The first type is certified to maintain appliances running on 250 volts of electricity or less. Appliances with this rating must get electricity through a flexible cord and connected by a plug. He can also test and supervise work carried out on these systems.

The other type is a serviceperson who can carry out work mentioned above, but he can also connect or disconnect these appliances. This type of work requires a different license as appliances get electricity directly from a permanent connection unit and not just connected by simple plugs. He can also certified works carried out on these systems.

Electrical Service Technician

An electrical service technician's work is limited to conductors, electrical installations, and appliances maintenance. This implies that he can't install electrical conductors from scratch, but can be the individual who can maintain these systems. Just the same, he's allowed to test, certify and supervise procedures carried out on these systems.

Electrical Engineer

An electrical engineer can carry out the same works accomplished by an electrician.

Cable Jointer

A cable jointer can install or maintain low or high voltage conductors used in different systems. Cables must be paper and polymeric insulated conductors used for oil and gas-filed connections of different types. He can also test, certify and supervise work carried out on these systems.

Line Mechanic

A line mechanic can install and maintain conductors used on electric lines for electrical line systems or lines used for carrying out these works. Just the same, he's in charge of testing, certifying and supervising works carried out on the system.

Associated Tradesperson

An associated tradesperson is an individual who's not directly in the electrical field, but need to carry out temporary electrical works as part of their jobs. Examples include plumbers and gasfitters with associated tradesperson license.

Licensing Authorities in New Zealand

There are two licensing authorities in New Zealand:

Energy Safety Service, Ministry of Consumer Affairs

http://www.ess.govt.nz/

Electrical Workers Licensing Group (EWRB), Department of Building and Housing

http://www.ewrb.govt.nz/

Aside from handling local licensing procedures, these authorities coordinate with Australia's licensing authorities for New Zealand electricians who want to work in Australia.

License Recognition

New Zealand electricians can also use License Recognition, a website where they can check license requirements in Australia according to what they currently have. This allows electricians from New Zealand to find work in Australia. They can obtain license to work in Australia by comparing the requirements with their current license. Depending on the result, an electrician would need to undergo competency exams or other procedures to work in the country.

Employment Statistics

EWRB's annual report for 2013 to 2014 show an increase in the number of electricians, electrical service technicians, line mechanics, jointers, appliance servicepersons, and engineers servicing its consumers from 2013. However, it also noted a drop in the number of associated trade technicians and installer while maintaining the same number for inspectors for the same year.

The authorities also noted down the number of newly registered experts from 2013 to 2014. The highest number of registered experts is that for electricians, followed by inspectors. The lowest number of recorded experts is for cable jointers.

New Zealand has a growing number of electricians and related field experts. It can offer a good job opportunity for individuals who want to enter the field while offering a faster mean of getting licensed through its competence-based programs.

References:

http://www.ewrb.govt.nz/for-the-trade/limits-of-work/#electrical-serv-tech

http://www.ewrb.govt.nz/for-the-trade/employer-licensing/

http://www.ewrb.govt.nz/training-and-qualifications/requirements-by-class/

http://www.ewrb.govt.nz/news-and-resources/annual-reports/

New Zealand has long been recognized to be one of the leading countries in terms of quality of living. In the Human Development Index report of the United Nations last July 2014, which accounts for citizen well-being and income, New Zealand placed seventh among all participating nations in the world. One of the major reasons why the country has become very highly developed is the government’s focus on education. Under the same report, New Zealand remains in the top ten in education expenditure apportioning 7.2% of their gross domestic product to quality schooling from 2005 to 2012.

Strength in digits

New Zealand population is close to 4.6 million. As of July 2014, the number of students amount to 767,258 and this quantity is being housed by 2,532 schools. For the tertiary to post-graduate level, 417,516 domestic and international students have been accounted for across 8 major universities and a number of stand-alone colleges during 2013. About 95.2% of the adult population (25 years and older) have had some secondary education and 79.1% possess at least a bachelor’s qualification. Meanwhile, gender difference is a close count with 51% and 49% distribution for male and female students respectively.

Age does matter

Roughly 100% of the population age for primary and secondary school (ages 5 to 15) enrolls every year while 81% of tertiary school-age population (ages 15 to 25) participates in college education. Learning also starts early as 93% of preschool-aged children enroll in kindergartens or preparatory classes. Student performance is also noteworthy as the mean years of schooling in the country is about 12.5 against the expected number of 16.5 years.

School types

Primary and secondary schools in New Zealand may be classified as state, integrated or private. A State-owned or state-integrated school is funded by the government on a decile basis depending on the socio-economic background of the schools’ populace. For example, a decile 1 school may be located in an area with lower household income or whose students have parents with lower-skilled occupations as compared to that of a decile 6 community. Thereby, a decile 1 school student receives a higher grant than a decile 6 pupil. A private school may also receive funding from the government but on a limited scale. With a relatively huge chunk of government budget allocated on education, state schools greatly outnumber its peers with a 2,107 school count. Meanwhile, integrated schools total to 331 and private and special schools count 94. Furthermore, most schools are co-ed as only 5% of the total number of schools is split between all-girls (65) and all-boys (54) schools.

For tertiary and graduate education, there are 8 universities and 30+ colleges, institutes and polytechnic schools that offer various fields of study from sciences, engineering, management, arts and others. Polytechnics and other private training institutions offer vocational and technical courses for practical disciplines such as IT, tourism, hospitality, etc. Also, a special education system called Wananga focuses on the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand. This school type offers certification and bachelor qualifications applicable to such localities. There are 3 recognized Wananga campuses in the country, while some other smaller tier Maori schools remain operational across the country.

Ethnicity and gender

Aside from the Maori people, which comprise 23% of the studying population, other ethnic groups are well-represented in the New Zealand education system. The larger chunk came from those with European parentage at 53%. Asians and Pasifikans (those that came from the islands of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and others) represent the populace with 10% apiece. The remaining 6% comprises of Middle Eastern, Americans and Latin groups. Each race also study different fields. Europeans mostly study engineering and tech courses. Maori and Pacific people commonly study culture and business, respectively.

Despite a close margin in population, more women obtain qualifications than men. The female force dominates the males’ 60 against 40 in all qualifications and degrees save for the level 4 certification with which 72% are male. In terms of field of study, most men take engineering and technology disciplines while women mostly study management, health and education.

Faculty headcount

In 2012, the teacher headcount stretched to 52,238 and is mostly dominated by female educators at 72.4%, including other staff such as guidance counselors and school management. With that, the pupil-teacher ratio in New Zealand is about 15, which is a fairly average count for highly developed countries. Most teachers are of European descent (75%) and are more frequently tenured in medium (decile 4 to 7) to high decile (decile 8 to 10) schools.

Budget and income

Government spending on education have increased from 5% of GDP in years prior to 2005 up to 6-7% as of recent. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2012 statistics reports that New Zealand public spending on education is higher than the average expense of top tier nations. On the other hand, private spending for NZ is below the OECD average. Such high expenditures may be attributed to increasing amount of student grants and loans. Annual expenditure per student would range from USD 6,841 and USD 8,170 for primary and secondary students, correspondingly. Consequently, the average full-year term cost for tertiary education is about USD 4,464 per student and about 80% of college students subscribe to government loans amounting to USD 7,633 based on 2011 data.

Teacher salaries also play a part in government costs. For example, according to OECD data, primary school teachers’ annual salaries may range from USD 29,000 to 43,000 depending on years of experience and school decile.

While the cost of learning goes higher, other schools (particularly tertiary colleges and universities) generate revenues from research contracts with other government agencies and private businesses. In recent years, total university income from research projects ranges from USD 390M to 450M per year. Other sources of income include student loan maturities and retail goods.

Fruits of quality education

New Zealand’s revered focus on the education sector has produced much enthusiasm in students and graduates. Government statistics indicate that the average income of individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree is 24% higher than those with secondary education. Additionally, graduates with tertiary levels have higher chances of getting stable employment. Unemployment rate in the country is only about 5.5% or 2% lower than the OECD total. Long-term unemployment is also very low in NZ, behind only South Korea, Mexico and Norway.

With the influx of government loans, more students aspire to obtain qualifications or post-doctorate degrees wherein the highest premiums are paid. While most jobs provide lower wages for females compared to males with equal level of education, there are more women with bachelor’s or master’s degree than men. Hence, on the average, the margin between men and women earning is 2% only.

Valued effort in academics, as seen in the above statistics, prove to create a highly developed society and produce accomplished individuals that contribute to the total economic development of New Zealand as a nation.

Reference Links:

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/hdr/2014-human-development-report/

http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/indicators

https://data.oecd.org/eduresource/education-spending.htm

http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/qstats-education-training.aspx#

Doctors trained in general practice and in specialties are significant in the medical care of Zealanders; however New Zealand is on the brink of medical workforce shortage, especially on doctors that have vocational training or specialty. Maori and Pacific doctors who could augment the low supply of doctors cannot contribute as they significantly remain to be under-represented.

This article discusses the demographics of New Zealand doctors, the participation and involvement of Maori doctors, the problem in retaining New Zealand’s specialty doctors, and the government’s role in the medical field.

Demographics; a Look into New Zealand’s Doctors

A: Size of the Workforce

According on the Medical Council’sregistration data, the number of active doctors in New Zealand has increased by 2.5 percent,from 14,333 in 2011 to 14,686 in 2012. Urban areas have a higher concentration of doctors, and GPs compared with rural areas where population density is lower. Main urban areas have 342 doctors per 100,000 residents compared with 140 doctors per 100,000 in rural areas.

B: Age Distribution

The 2012 survey of Medical Council of New Zealand indicated that in earlier years (2000–2003), the largest group of doctors (almost 20 percent) was in the 40–44 year age group. By 2009, the largest group of doctors is aged 45–49 and in 2012, the largest group is doctors aged 50–54. Female doctors are more likely to be younger than male doctors: 45 percent of females in the workforce are under the age of 40, compared to 28 percent of males. For the over 60 age group, females account only for 5 percent compared to 19 percent of males. This reflects that although male doctors have historically outnumbered female doctors, and still make up 59 percent of the medical workforce, this gap is decreasing. Females now outnumber males among new doctors.

C: Average hours worked

According to the Medical Council of New Zealand, the average number of hours worked for all active doctors is 43.9 percent per week with doctors aged in their twenties working the most hours each week on average. For both males and females, the trend is for the average number of hours to decrease between the ages 30 and 44, and then increase slightly, before decreasing again after the age of 60.

D: Wage

Based on Head Medical.Com, doctors in New Zealand earn between NZ$150,000 to 185,000 on average depending on their experience, and the number of hours they work per week.

Specialty “Breakdown”: Struggling to Get Hold of Specialists

Based on the website of New Zealand Now, the country needs 380 specialists every year to meet its OECD average by 2012. This statement is echoed in the 2014 study of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), stating that “specialist workforce is a ‘leaking bucket”. This is because of several factors noted by ASMS such as:

A. The changing demographics of the medical workforce where a significant portion of the specialist working force is approaching retirement age. The unpublished Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) workforce survey data indicated that based the on recent trends, about 19 percent of the specialist workforce will be lost within five years due to retirement.

B. The younger generation doctors migrate to other countries in search of a better life-work balance. On average, more than 10 percent of medical school graduates are not registering after their final class year. Of those who do register, about 37 percent are no longer practicing in New Zealand a decade later, when they usually are in training to become a specialist or a general practitioner. Of the medical graduates who do gain vocational registration, about 10 to 12 percent are lost and no longer practicing in New Zealand.

Maori and Pacific Doctors: Not Represented and Under-represented

Producing a medical workforce that is reflective of the social and cultural diversity of New Zealand is essential. For several years, Maori and Pacific people have signaled a need for more Maori and Pacific medical practitioners. It is considered that a more culturally appropriate service is likely available from someone who has the same cultural background, beliefs, and values. However, Maori and the Pacific doctors have remained significantly under-represented in the medical workforce. Although the 2012 survey of Medical Council of New Zealand has noted an increase of 2.9 percent in the number of Maori practitioners and a 1.6 percent to 1.8 percent increase in proportion of Pacific doctors, they remained to be under-represented.

Moreover, based also on the 2012 survey, doctors identifying themselves as Maori reported their main work roles as: General Practitioners (30 percent), specialists (24 percent), registrar (20 percent), and house office (15 percent). The Pacific medical practitioners also showed similar figures, reporting their work role as: General Practitioners (26 percent), specialist (22 percent), registrar (22 percent), and house officer (19 percent).

Government: Taking Measures and Initiatives

The New Zealand health workforce faces two problems. First, the demand for health workforce exceeds supply. Second, there is a lack of overall planning on the education and training of health practitioners. Hence, the government placed strategies to address these problems;

1. Voluntary Bond Scheme – This initiative by the Health Workforce New Zealand aims to move graduates into the communities and specialties which have high vacancy rates and to retain essential allied health professionals in New Zealand. Those on the scheme receive annual payments to help repay their student loan or cash incentives.

2. In 2009, government allocation was also put in place to increase the number of new medical training places over the next 5 years up to 200 additional places per annum, plus 50 new training places for general practitioners (GPs) over the coming year.

3. In August 2009, Health Workforce New Zealand Board was established to coordinate the education and training of doctors, nurses and other health professionals. The Board's role is to rationalise the planning and funding of health workforce training, with the aim to improve training, recruitment and retention of the health workforce.

Measures and initiatives are put in place to rapidly address the shortage of medical workforce, but unless New Zealand finds a way to increase retention of leaving medical specialists and to increase involvement of the marginalized Maori and Pacific doctors, the country could still be at risk of workforce shortage and be totally dependent on international medical graduates.

References:

https://www.mcnz.org.nz/assets/News-and-Publications/Workforce-Surveys/2011.pdf

http://maorihealthspecialists.co.nz/

https://www.mcnz.org.nz/alpinfo/find-a-maori-doctor/

https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2007/186/10/strengthening-m-ori-participation-new-zealand-health-and-disability-workforce

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/health-practitioners/page-6

https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/work-in-nz/nz-jobs-industries/healthcare-jobs

http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/health-workforce/voluntary-bonding-scheme

https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2007/186/10/strengthening-m-ori-participation-new-zealand-health-and-disability-workforce

https://www.mcnz.org.nz/assets/News-and-Publications/Workforce-Surveys/2011.pdf

Stability of financial conditions in a certain country entices many of its people to start their own businesses. Enthusiastic to earn profit or to help organizations, these young entrepreneurs and small business owners exert all their efforts in making their business a success. They draft business plans, polish it with objective information and present it to prospective partners. Despite the perfectness and feasibility of the plan, most of the time they remain as plans not because the owner is incapable of running it, but because he lacks sufficient financing to bring it to operations. As such, knowledge of the small business financing options and their interest rates in NZ is indispensable.

Before a person engages in a start-up or small business, he must consider the following small business financing options and their interest rates in NZ (New Zealand):

1. Credit cards

Credit cards are one of the accessible ways to get financing. Because it is easy to get one, about 80% of entrepreneurs immediately resort to credit financing. However, in doing so, one must be wary of the costs of this option and the legal implications if in case he fails to pay his obligations. This is not to scare the small business owner; this is to enlighten him of the possible consequences of getting a credit card.

Firstly, using it is one of the small business financing options and their interest rates in NZ depend on the type of rates each credit card provides. For those with floating rates, the interest rate is at 6.74% per annum, and for those with fixed rates, the interest rate is at 6.49% per annum.

Because the interest rates are relatively lower compared to other countries (which ranges from 18 to 19% per annum), small business owners are highly advised to obtain a credit card to finance their businesses. Start-up business owners may opt to obtain one, but they must do so only when their business has already established a stable financial condition capable enough of paying its obligations.

2. Mortgage loans

Mortgage loans are financing options which are available only for those which have enough property to be used as collateral for the loan to be obtained. The system of this financing option is to grant a person his requested loan while placing his property as security, so that in the event that such person fails to pay his obligation, the financial institution granting the loan can go after his property. This option is considered the riskiest; nevertheless, a lot of individuals opt to go with the risk just to obtain financing.

Using it is one of the small business financing options and their interest rates in NZ ranges from 5.75% to 6.49% per annum, depending on the financial institution from which the mortgage loan is obtained.

Small business owners who have properties may opt to consider this financing option. Start-up business owners who have properties may also do so, but those who do not have properties are not advised to take this financing option unless he has friends and relatives who are willing to put their properties as security.

3. Home mortgage loans

Home mortgage loans are one of the small business financing options and their interest rates in NZ are usually more stable than mortgage loans. The security used in this kind of mortgage as collateral for the property is the family home. It must be noted that using the family home as a security for a loan is prohibited. However, modern times have changed this rule, and most countries now allow home mortgaging as a financing option.

Using it is one of the unique small business financing options and their interest rates in NZ are usually locked at 5.39%. The interest rates for home mortgages are lower than the typical mortgage loans because of the assurance that the home is free from any encumbrance other than the mortgage to be instituted. Simply stated, the financial institution is secured that no other obligation secures such property.

Because of the nature of home loans, only small business owners and start-up business owners which have homes are capable of utilizing this financing option. Those without homes may opt to do so, but the security that they will be using is usually the family home of his parents. Thus, this is not advised for them.

4. Equity financing

Equity financing is another financing option wherein a person desires to invest in someone’s business, and expects a share in the profits as return of his investment. This is also one of the accessible options for business owners who do not have any connections with well-known investors, and only has his friends and relatives as sources of funding. This is also applicable to persons who do not have friends or relatives, but such set-up may subject him and the investor into a more stringent agreement.

Using it is one of the small business financing options and their interest rates in NZ are primed at zero percent. This is because in equity financing, some people such as angel investors might consider their investment as a donation to the business owner. However, if the investor will not consider it as such, the interest rate ranges from 6% per annum to 8% per annum, depending on what has been agreed upon.

Knowing the small business financing options and their interest rates in NZ, as well as the economic condition of the country, helps a person in assessing the possible financing options available to him based on his capacity.

Most people are anxious about what’s going to happen in the future. Even if you already have a stable job or a growing business, there is always the possibility of a great financial crisis that could make you lose your job or push you into bankruptcy. In New Zealand, everyone who is 65 years of age or older can apply to receive pension through the superannuation scheme. What is this scheme all about and how is it different from other retirement plans around the world?

Basic Qualifications

As a general rule, only people who are 65 years of age or older are eligible to avail of the fund. You should also have stayed in New Zealand for at least 10 years after you have reached the age of 20. In addition, 5 out of the 10 years mentioned should be during the period that you were already over 50 years of age.

If you do not meet the requirements mentioned above, the government has also created a set of eligibility rules which include the following:

-if you are working as a missionary,

-having special medical or surgical treatment,

-if you are doing vocational training,

-if you are working on a New Zealand owned or registered ship trading to and from here,

-if you are serving in one of the Commonwealth's armed forces,

-if you are working overseas and paid tax in New Zealand on the earnings from that work, or

-if you are working with Volunteer Service Abroad

If you are over 65 years of age and you are not sure if you are qualified, you can also get in touch with the government to confirm if you are eligible to receive pension.

How Much Will I Receive?

Pensions are paid twice a month and the amount you will receive depends on your previous employment background, your civil status and if you are living alone or under the care of your family. If you are married, the amount of pension you will receive will also depend on whether you and your spouse are both qualified to receive pension.

Can Personal Contributions Be Made?

At the moment, there is no option for individuals to contribute to the fund. The superannuation scheme is funded by the New Zealand government through the NZ Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001. Therefore, there is no need to set aside a portion of your income to put into the super fund so that you can apply for pension when you reach the age of 65.

Investment Options

The funds in the superannuation scheme is being invested by a group of investment managers who look at making the portfolio as diverse as possible, and their investment decisions are guided by their intention to reduce risk without compromising potential returns. They ensure that the portfolio consists of securities that are stable, but at the same time they also ensure that the returns are not stagnant. This is in lieu of the fact that they are foreseeing a steady growth of the number of people who will reach the retirement age in the years to come, and they want to ensure that they are able to grow the fund in order to compensate for the anticipated growth in the number of retirees.

At the moment, the public is not allowed to intervene or make investment decisions, which can also be considered a blessing since people are not burdened by the responsibility of making sound investment decisions in order to secure their future.

How can I Save for my Retirement?

While there are no available retirement plans in New Zealand at the moment, the superannuation scheme offers everyone a secure future during their retirement years. Even if there are no options at the moment to save for retirement and have the said amount deducted from one’s taxable income, such as the practice in other countries, the superannuation scheme offers benefits that are available to retirees at no cost at all. There is also no need to worry about investment options since competent and skilled investment managers are doing their best to ensure that the super funds will grow steadily and will be able to support every citizen that will be qualified for pension.

However, you have the option to open an investment account where you can keep your savings for your retirement. At the moment, there are no special considerations or rules governing retirement funds in New Zealand, so any amount you set aside for your retirement will not be tax deductible. In addition, any gains you make from investing in stocks or mutual funds could also be subject to any corresponding taxes that the government mandates.

For some people, saving for retirement is not an optional matter. If they do not save up enough funds for their retirement, they could end up penniless and with no means to support even their basic needs. Thanks to the superannuation scheme in New Zealand, everyone can be at peace knowing that when they retire, they will be eligible to receive pension and will be able to go on living their lives. They are assured that no matter what happens the government will be able to provide for their basic needs. They do not have to worry about their future because the government was one step ahead and through the establishment of the superannuation fund, they are able to secure the future of everyone who will reach their retirement age. 

1. Sole Trading

The most common entity is the sole trading. Generally, it is owned and directed by a person who accepts all the legal terms and conditions relating to the entity.

Benefits

This business is normally easy to put up because only a few things are required: the proprietor’s personal Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number, appropriate permits and licenses, and a fairly low capital to start operating.

A sole proprietor has the direct control over his business and is entitled to the business structure and benefits in NZ. As the sole manager, he may run his enterprise according to how he thinks it can prosper. Additionally, he can easily change the type of structure should he decide that he needs to.

Since the entity is taken over by a single person, all of the profit generated by the business is his own. The difference of the total profit and the incurred expenses, known as the net income, is taxed based on the individual tax rates.

Downfall

Raising a large capital in a sole proprietorship business may be difficult since the entrepreneur can only invest as much of his personal money and property.

A sole trader shoulders all the legal claims against his business. He is subject to unlimited liability wherein he is obliged to use his own assets if the entity cannot pay its creditors anymore. Moreover, if the enterprise incurs a loss, he shoulders all of the costs attached herewith.

Since this is not a separate legal entity, the proprietor is required to file a personal IR3 income tax return annually. In addition, on the second year of the business operation, he may already be subject to provisional taxes.

2. Partnership

The second type of business structure and benefits in NZ is the partnership. In this venture, two or more people contribute for the capital in the formation of the enterprise. A partner may contribute cash, land or property, or skills and talents for the progress of the business.

Benefits

A partnership business is easy to organize and requires only a small amount of start-up costs. More capital is provided here so further promotion of the business is expected. Borrowing capacity is also greater since more individuals are included in the business.

Throughout the year, partners can withdraw funds from the entity for personal use. At the end of every year, the profit or loss provided by the business is divided among them and is based on the rate they have agreed. The money received by each partner is then taxed according to the rate of an individual tax payer.

Downfall

Partners generally have unlimited liabilities which means that they have unrestrained degree of paying the debts and obligations of their business. They are therefore held liable even beyond the total worth of their investments which may lead to challenges for business entities and downfall in NZ operationscould be inevitable.

Issues and conflicts may arise from among the partners which may lead to the dissolution of the business.

3. Company

Among the four business entities and benefits NZ is the company. Unlike sole proprietorship or partnership, a company has already its own legal identity. This denotes that everything, including assets and liabilities, is its own.

Currently, there are two types of companies operating in New Zealand: the public and the private companies. Public companies have shares available to the general public. This is an attractive type of business structure and benefits in NZ investors opt to enter such business arrangements. On the other hand, private companies are owned by a public group in order for them to maintain control and management over their business.

Benefits

The directors, who manage and administer the business, and the shareholders, who invest their money to obtain shares and ownership, have a limited liability. This implies that they cannot lose their personal assets just to pay the debts of the company. Furthermore, transactions and agreements regarding the transfer of ownership of a stockholder to another party are simple.

Profits, in the form of dividends, are allocated to shareholders and are then subject to their personal income tax. Shareholders have the option of either getting their gross share and pay the subsequent taxes or receiving their net income after tax. In case of losses, the losses cannot be counterbalanced against the shareholders’ other income. This is for appropriate computation of their income taxes.

Downfalls

Forming a company is not as easy as setting up a sole trading or a partnership. The structure is complicated and start-up costs are expensive. This type of business is mandated by the law to be incorporated with the Companies Office, which holds every public record of the shareholders and directors. Moreover, the profits of the shareholders are subject to tax.

4. Trust

The last type of business structure is the trust. A trading trust is a legal entity which administers in holding the property, estate, fortune, or wealth on behalf of the beneficiary.

Benefits

Trust business involves having a trust deed wherein specific provisions are noted and listed that the trustee and beneficiary both agree. It also has vast powers with regard to borrowing and lending and satisfactory security for trustees. Income is taxed based on marginal tax rates, which means that if the business suffers from a low profit, less impact on business structure and benefits in NZ of having a lower tax payable are expected.

Downfall

The trustees do not own the assets delegated to them and they are entitled to some legal duties and responsibilities in relation with the properties of their clients. This form requires professional guide as this is indeed a complicated venture.

Another major pitfalls of this business structure and downfall in NZ is that the remaining profit not distributed to the beneficiaries is then subject to the trustee rate of 33%. In the occurrence of losses, the trustees can forward it to the succeeding year but they are not allowed to pass this obligation to the beneficiaries.

In the end, understanding the basic business entities and benefits in NZ may help an aspiring entrepreneur plan his desired venture. 

Builders have their role of enhancing the way that family lives by providing the best home for them. Working with the right builder is a good idea to arriving with the best model homes and floor plans. Builders and their designed homes provide the convenience and comfort that best fit on the lives of families.

The List of Builders in the USA is a valuable database that presents the contact details of twenty-seven thousand two-hundred forty-three builders in the United States. This served as a perfect tool in building up the database of contacts among people with the following positions:

Directors of New Companies

Business Owners

Salespeople

Business-Oriented People

Government Institutions

Mailing Centres

The List of Builders in the USA is beneficial to the following types of industries:

Agencies Focused on the Recruitment of Jobs

Finance Companies

Advertising Providers

Computer Establishments and Stores

Suppliers of Office Equipments

Assessors on the Safety and Health

The list of builders in the USA is right and accurate. This presents a complete public record, including the web and phone directories. The sources of data are updated for the people who need them the most. The file that contains the list of builders is separated by the columns. The file includes the business name, business category, address, city, state, zip, phone, fax, email 1, website, subcategory 1 and sub category 2. Each of them contains the approximate percentage of the completed records.

An effective system is responsible in sending the email with the list of builders in USA. Thus, there is no other useful tool that can help people in having the list of builders in any of the states. This is a one way of improving the search on one of the best builders in the state!