Eva(28)

I taught for four years at a primary school in Maastricht. The work was rewarding, but the workload increased every year — larger classes, more administration, less support. When I heard that primary school teachers were on INZ's Green List, I started seriously thinking about emigration. New Zealand not only had a teacher shortage, but also an education system that appealed to me.

The first step was registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. My Dutch teaching degree was recognized as equivalent to a New Zealand teaching qualification, but I had to demonstrate I met the Practising Teacher Criteria. This included a portfolio of my teaching experience, references and an IELTS score of at least 7.0. The whole process took four months and cost NZ$1,100.

Rotorua is a town of about 75,000 in the Bay of Plenty region, known for geothermal activity, Māori culture and tourism. The school where I work is a decile-3 school with a large Māori student population. Education here integrates te reo Māori (the Māori language) and tikanga (Māori customs) into the curriculum. I learn every day — from my students and colleagues.

The New Zealand education system is different from the Dutch one. Children start on their fifth birthday (not on a fixed date), classes are smaller (average 23 students) and there's much more emphasis on outdoor learning and cultural responsiveness. Salary starts at NZ$55,000 and grows to NZ$90,000 with experience. As a beginning teacher I'm on NZ$62,000 — comparable to the Netherlands, but with lower rent costs.

Rotorua is affordable compared to Auckland or Wellington. My two-bedroom apartment costs NZ$350 per week, and the town offers plenty for an active life — mountain biking in Whakarewarewa Forest, swimming in the hot pools and weekend trips to the coast. The geothermal smell (sulfuric) took some getting used to, but after a week you don't notice it anymore.

My advice to Dutch teachers: the Green List makes the visa process fast and relatively straightforward. Start your Teaching Council registration and IELTS preparation while you're still in the Netherlands. Consider a school outside the big cities — the experience is richer, the community is closer and you really make a difference. After two years I applied for my residence and plan to stay. Teaching here gives me energy instead of draining me.