Soft Landing

Applying for hundreds of jobs but getting nowhere? In this episode, Brett Corlett and licensed immigration adviser Desire Lindeque unpack one of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to secure a job in New Zealand from overseas. Instead of relying solely on job boards like SEEK, they explain why building genuine relationships on LinkedIn can help you stand out from hundreds of applicants. T...

In this week's Weekly Live Q&A #3 , I share one of the most powerful tools you can use to improve your chances of finding a job in New Zealand—LinkedIn. Having been through the job search myself as an immigrant, and after years of hiring and interviewing candidates, I've seen LinkedIn from both sides. In this episode, I explain what hiring managers are actually looking for, why your LinkedIn profi...

Finding work in New Zealand can be very different from what many migrants expect. In this episode (TikTok Live recording), Brett Corlett and licensed immigration adviser Desiree Lindeque discuss the realities of the New Zealand job market, including networking, LinkedIn strategies, interview techniques, workplace culture and the role relationships play in securing opportunities. Drawing from their...

Moving countries is about far more than visas, jobs and paperwork. In this episode of Soft Landing, Brett Corlett sits down with Lindy Lelij, founder of MpowerMe Coaching, to discuss the emotional, cultural and personal challenges that immigrants face when building a new life in New Zealand. Lindy shares her own immigration journey from the Netherlands to New Zealand and explains why so many immig...

There's so much noise online right now about moving to New Zealand. Some people say it's impossible. Others say the cost of living is too high. Some say there are no jobs. Others say immigrants shouldn't even come here. So in this episode, I wanted to sit down and have an honest conversation about my real experience immigrating to New Zealand with my family, and how I can help you. After living he...

Moving to New Zealand is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. And most people focus on: visas jobs housing costs But there's another layer that often gets missed. The real, lived trade-offs. In this episode, Brett shares what he's experienced personally since moving to New Zealand, including: Distance from family What it really means to live on the other side of the world — emotionally, not j...

Many immigrants believe buying a home in New Zealand is impossible… but that's not actually true. In this episode of the Migration & Money series , Brett Corlett sits down with Ivandee Fitchet from Migrant Financial Services to unpack one of the biggest milestones for immigrants in New Zealand: buying your first home. For many newcomers, owning a home is the moment when New Zealand truly starts to...

Most immigrants arriving in New Zealand hear about KiwiSaver … but very few actually understand how it works. In this episode of the Migration & Money series , Brett Corlett sits down with Ivandee Fitchet from Migrant Financial Services to unpack one of the most important financial tools available to immigrants in New Zealand: KiwiSaver . If you've ever wondered: • What KiwiSaver actually is • Who...

You've immigrated. You're rebuilding. But when do you actually start investing? In this episode of the Migration & Money Series, Brett speaks with Ivandee Fitchet (Migrant Financial Services) and David Morgan (Forsyth Barr) about what financial planning looks like for immigrants in New Zealand. We cover: Emergency funds House deposit planning Retirement after immigrating later in life Investing sm...

The Journey Continues – Life After Moving to New Zealand Almost a year after moving to New Zealand, I thought we were finally finding our feet. Instead, everything seemed to hit at once. In this episode, I continue our immigration story and share what was really happening behind the scenes during our first year in New Zealand, the part that doesn't often get talked about. From serious family illne...

Almost a year after moving to New Zealand , we thought we were finally finding our feet. Instead, reality hit — hard. In this episode, I continue our immigration journey from Episode 6 and share what was really happening behind the scenes during our first year as migrants in New Zealand . From serious family illness back home, to the guilt and helplessness of being far away, job uncertainty, finan...

Moving to New Zealand often feels like a fresh start, but few migrants realise how complicated things can become if tragedy strikes. In this episode of the  Migration and Money Series , Brett Corlett (Soft Landing NZ) speaks with Ivandee Fitchet from Migrant Financial Services and Alistair van Schalkwyk from ASCO Legal about one of the most important and most overlooked, parts of migration:  havin...

Moving to New Zealand is exciting, but it also comes with financial realities many migrants only discover once they're already here. In this episode of the Migration and Money Series , Brett Corlett (Soft Landing NZ) and Ivandee from Migrant Financial Services break down one of the most overlooked parts of the immigration journey: insurance . Brett shares his personal story of being diagnosed with...

Most migrants underestimate how financially hard the first year in New Zealand can be. In this episode, we break down a REAL first-year budget using Brett's own numbers — so you know exactly what to expect, what to plan for, and how to avoid costly mistakes. This is Episode 1 of the  Soft Landing × Migrant Financial Services financial series — your complete guide to understanding the real costs of...

What does it really take to build a secure financial future as a migrant in New Zealand? In this  Soft Landing NZ episode, Brett Corlett sits down with Ivandee Fitchet , founder of Migrant Financial Services , to unpack her inspiring story, from leaving Cape Town to starting over in Aotearo, and how she now helps other immigrants navigate the challenges of money, mortgages, and retirement planning...

In this heartfelt episode of  Soft Landing NZ , I open up about our journey from South Africa to New Zealand, what we built back home, what we left behind, and what it really feels like to start over in a new country. After 2½ years in New Zealand, I'm asking the big question many immigrants face: "Will I ever truly feel settled — will I ever own my own home here?" I share my personal story, from...

In this powerful episode of the Soft Landing  podcast, I sit down with Francisko "Cisko" Du Plessis to hear his incredible immigration story. What began as a family's move from South Africa to New Zealand for a better future became a fight for survival when Cisko faced sudden organ failure and the need for life-saving surgeries. This is more than just an immigration journey, it's the story of resi...

Making New Zealand home takes more than paperwork — it takes resilience, mindset, and purpose. In this episode, I open up about the 5 steps that changed everything for me as an immigrant and helped me feel connected and grounded here in New Zealand. The 5 Steps I Share in This Episode: Taking control of your mind and thoughts Having a clear purpose, vision, and mission (tied to Ep 14: Wheel of Lif...

When you first arrive in New Zealand, one of the biggest challenges is knowing where to buy what. Back home, you knew which shops to trust for food, furniture, or phones. But in NZ, all the logos, brands, and services are different and that can be overwhelming. In this episode, I guide you through the essential shops and services every newcomer should know. From groceries at New World, Woolworths,...

When your child needs hospital care, nothing else matters. In this episode, I share our family's personal experience at  Starship Hospital in Auckland , one of New Zealand's leading children's hospitals. From the emotional toll to the incredible support from staff, I open up about what it's really like when your child needs urgent care in a new country. I also talk about how New Zealand's children...

"If you're starting a new life in New Zealand, you might face an unexpected challenge,  immigration grief and in this video I share my experience and tips." We talk about the waves of loss, the identity shifts, and the moments of doubt that can catch you by surprise, even when moving to a place you love. You'll hear practical ways to navigate these feelings, find your footing, and start truly maki...

From ACC to KiwiSaver — The Financial Safety Nets Every Immigrant Should Know About Moving to New Zealand means starting fresh and that includes understanding how to protect your health, income, and future in a new system. In this episode of  Soft Landing , I take you through the key financial safety nets and insurance options that help provide stability and peace of mind once you've started to se...

In this powerful episode of  Soft Landing , I interview Andre Cronje, a South African immigrant who arrived in New Zealand with just $3,000, two suitcases, and no job and went on to become a general manager at a leading defense company within four years. Andre shares his step-by-step journey: from door-to-door sales to senior leadership, using smart CV strategies, skill stacking, and understanding...

In this honest episode of Soft Landing , I break down the current state of the New Zealand job market and why so many people, especially migrants, are finding it incredibly hard to land interviews and secure work. We talk about: Why unemployment has risen from 3% to 5% The impact of the recent recession and economic slowdown Why employers are hesitant to hire offshore What this means for migrants,...

🎙️Why Am I Here? How I Found My Purpose After Moving to New Zealand In this episode, I share how I hit a turning point after our first year in New Zealand, when survival mode started to fade and bigger questions began to surface: 👉 Why am I here? 👉 What is my purpose? 👉 How do I design a life that feels intentional, not just busy? I walk you through: My honest struggles post-immigration  The ex...