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, financial pressure, and the stress of having to move again — everything seemed to pile up at once.

This isn't a polished success story. It's an honest conversation about:

• the emotional toll of immigrating to a new country

• the guilt of leaving family behind when they need you most

• work stress and job uncertainty after migrating

• trying to stay strong for your partner and kids while you're struggling yourself

If you're in your first year or two after immigrating, or you're thinking about moving to New Zealand, this episode is for you. You're not weak for finding this hard — and you're not alone.

Sometimes the journey doesn't fall apart.
It just asks more of you than you expected.

Follow my Soft Landing podcast and subscribe to my YouTube channel @softlandingnz for real stories, walkthroughs, and practical tips for newcomers to New Zealand.
📍 All links & platforms: https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

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: having a valid Last Will & Testament in both countries.

Brett opens with a deeply personal story: the loss of his sister-in-law to cancer, and the emotional and administrative challenges of managing her estate from the other side of the world. Their family's experience shows just how unpredictable life can be and why having the right legal documents in place can protect your children, your partner, and your assets when the unexpected happens.

Planning Ahead_Your Last Will &…

Ivandee and Alistair then explain, in clear and practical language:

• Why migrants need a will in both their home country and New Zealand

• Why your South African will does not automatically work in NZ

• What happens if you die without a will (intestate law) and why it can become a nightmare

• What "guardianship" really means when you're an immigrant

• Why online wills and templates often fail migrants

• How jointly owned assets and life insurance are treated in NZ

• How often you should update your will

• What happens if your nominated guardians are not NZ residents

• Why original wills must be safely stored and who should keep them

Whether you're still preparing to move or already settled in New Zealand, this episode gives you the clarity, confidence, and peace of mind to protect the people who matter most.

📌 Links & Resources

Book a financial consult with Ivandee (Migrant Financial Services):
👉 https://forms.gle/75TwxcnrUxN79SH8A

Watch/listen to the full Migration and Money series:
👉 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUyrX6hymTr1qQui1OZVKXhNO7HOeLZag&si=lS3mV-CC9Y6Ko5yL

🌟 Stay Connected

Follow my Soft Landing podcast and subscribe to my YouTube channel @softlandingnz for real stories, walkthroughs, and practical tips for newcomers to New Zealand.
📍 All links & platforms: https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

A practical, migrant-focused guide to understanding wills in New Zealand. This episode explains why newcomers need a Last Will & Testament in NZ, what happens if you don't have one, how guardianship works for migrant families, and the legal steps needed to protect children and assets across two countries. Perfect for South Africans and anyone moving to NZ.

Q: Do immigrants need a will when moving to New Zealand?
Yes. Your home country will does not automatically apply in NZ. Migrants need a will that reflects New Zealand laws to protect partners, children, and assets.

Planning Ahead_Your Last Will &…

Q: What happens if I die without a will in New Zealand?
Your assets may be split between your spouse and children — not automatically to your partner — which can cause major complications.

Planning Ahead_Your Last Will &…

Q: Can I use my South African will in New Zealand?
It may not be valid for NZ assets. Migrants often require separate wills in each country.

Planning Ahead_Your Last Will &…

Q: Who should keep the original copy of my will?
Most NZ law firms store originals safely and notify families if a death occurs.

Planning Ahead_Your Last Will &…

Q: How often should I update my will?
Every 5–8 years or when major life events occur (kids, new assets, inheritance, loss in family).

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 cancer before immigrating, and how having the right insurance cover in place protected his family when life took an unexpected turn. Ivandee then explains, in simple, practical language, the exact types of insurance every newcomer should understand, when to take them out, and why timing matters so much, especially in your first months in New Zealand.

Whether you're still offshore planning your move or already settling in, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to protect your family, your income, and your future in New Zealand.

🔎 Summary

A practical, migrant-friendly guide to understanding insurance in New Zealand. This episode explains the essentials, life insurance, trauma cover, disability cover, income protection, medical insurance, ACC, and what migrants should have in place before and after arriving. Perfect for anyone planning to move to New Zealand or already settling in and wanting to make smart financial decisions.

📌 Links & Resources

Book a financial consult with Ivandee (Migrant Financial Services):
👉 https://forms.gle/75TwxcnrUxN79SH8A

Watch/listen to the full Migration and Money series:
👉 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUyrX6hymTr1qQui1OZVKXhNO7HOeLZag&si=lS3mV-CC9Y6Ko5yL

🌟 Stay Connected

Follow my Soft Landing podcast and subscribe to my YouTube channel @softlandingnz for real stories, walkthroughs, and practical tips for newcomers to New Zealand.
📍 All links & platforms: https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

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 immigrating to New Zealand.

In this kickoff episode, Brett Corlett sits down with Ivandee Fitchet to answer the question almost every mover asks:

👉 "How much money do I really need to survive my first year in New Zealand?"

Together, they walk through Brett's actual numbers from his own immigration journey, breaking down:
• What a real first-year NZ budget looks like
• Rent, transport, food, setup, and hidden expenses
• Why the first 12–24 months feel financially tight
• Practical ways to plan, prepare, and manage the transition more confidently

This series exists because migrants deserve honest, lived-experience guidance — not guesswork or generic advice.

📌 Want personalised help or partner support?
Share your details here:
https://forms.gle/DhzeGRL4cLF1egs68

• New Zealand immigration budget

• NZ cost of living 2025

• NZ immigrant finances

• Migrant Financial Services

• Moving to New Zealand costs

• New Zealand family budget

• NZ first-year expenses

• Soft Landing NZ

• Brett Corlett podcast

#SoftLandingNZ #NewZealandImmigration #NZCostOfLiving #MigrantFinancialServices #MoveToNZ #ImmigrationBudget #NZVisaJourney #NewZealandLife #ImmigrantStories #BrettCorlett #NZBudgeting #MovingToNewZealand

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 NZ.

Ivandee opens up about her own journey, rebuilding her career, supporting her parents from abroad, and learning what financial resilience really means. Together, we explore:
✅ The real cost of starting over in New Zealand
✅ Why buying a home and saving for retirement can feel impossible and how to fix that
✅ Common money mistakes new migrants make
✅ What "choosing your hard" really means when you immigrate
✅ How we'll be using Brett as the "guinea pig" in future episodes to model the full financial journey from budgets to home ownership to long-term security

If you've ever wondered whether you can truly build a stable life in New Zealand, this conversation will inspire you to believe that you can.

Guest:
👩‍💼 Ivandee Fitchet — Founder, Migrant Financial Services
📧 ivandee@migrantfinancialservices.com | 📲 +64 210 825 2035

Host:
🎙️ Brett Corlett — Soft Landing NZ
Helping immigrants make New Zealand home through real stories, practical guidance, and honest conversations about money, mindset, and belonging.

Stay Connected:
Follow the Soft Landing podcast and subscribe to the YouTube channel @softlandingnz for real stories and practical tips for newcomers to NZ.
📍 All links & platforms: https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

🎯 Hashtags (for show notes / SEO)
#SoftLandingNZ #IvandeeFitchet #MigrantFinancialServices #ImmigrateToNewZealand #MovingToNewZealand #NZFinanceTips #FinancialPlanningNZ #MigrantStories #NZHomeOwnership #KiwiSaver #LifeInNewZealand #BrettCorlett #RetireInNZ

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 buying our first home in our 20s, investing in property, and building stability, to now navigating NZ's housing market, rising costs, and the challenge of saving for a deposit. This episode is raw, reflective, and deeply relatable for anyone trying to make NZ their forever home.

We'll also be diving into practical next steps in upcoming episodes, including expert advice from Ivandee Fitchet (Migrant Financial Services) on how to plan, budget, and turn the dream of home ownership into reality.

If you've ever wondered how to put down roots, buy a home, or build a secure future in New Zealand, this one's for you.

Want to be part of an accountability group and support one another through this journey of buying a home in NZ - Share your details and we will get in contact and help make this a reality together - https://sites.libsyn.com/574215/contact

📍 All my content & free tools: https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

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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 resilience, faith, family, and a true medical miracle. Cisko's testimony will inspire anyone facing tough challenges, whether in a new country or in life itself.

Stay connected:
Subscribe to the Soft Landing podcast and follow my YouTube channel @softlandingnz for more real stories and practical tips.

All links & resources: https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

#SoftLandingNZ #ImmigrationStory #InspiringStories #MedicalMiracle #SouthAfricanInNZ #NewZealandLife #HeartTransplant #Resilience #FamilyFirst #ImmigrationJourney

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 Life)

• Practicing Kaizen — small improvements every day

• Creating routines and discipline (21 days to form a habit)

• Paying it forward — helping others along their journey

This is for anyone who feels stuck, lonely, or uncertain about their future in New Zealand. My hope is these steps give you encouragement, clarity, and a practical way forward. Don't give up, you got this!!!!

Find your Why/Purpose - https://youtu.be/IvRxnZJvHLU

Books -

Stay connected:
Subscribe to the Soft Landing podcast and follow my YouTube channel @softlandingnz for more real stories and practical tips.

All links & resources: https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

#ImmigrationJourney #MakingNZHome #ImmigrantMindset #SoftLandingNZ #ExpatLifeNZ #ImmigrantStories #MovingToNZ #ImmigrationGrief #MindsetShift #WheelOfLife #PositiveMindset #Kaizen