Soft Landing

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 just logistically.
Pace of life
Why things can feel slower… and how that connects to lifestyle.
Career realities
Smaller markets, rebuilding networks, and adjusting expectations.
Cost of living
Not just the numbers — but the impact on how you live and plan.
Social reset
Why making friends takes effort — and what you need to do about it.
This episode is about one thing:
Alignment.
Is New Zealand aligned with what you want your life to look like?
Stay Connected
If you're thinking about moving to New Zealand or already on the journey, come join the free Soft Landing Inner Circle community. It's a place to get clarity, ask questions, and learn from others going through the same process. 👉 https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

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 feel like home.
But between rising house prices, deposits, and confusing mortgage terms, the process can feel overwhelming.
In this episode, we break down:
• The first steps immigrants should take when planning to buy a home
• How long it realistically takes to save for a deposit
• Whether you really need a 20% deposit
• The difference between fixed, floating and split mortgages
• The most common mistakes immigrants make when planning for a mortgage
Ivandee also shares why starting the conversation early can make a huge difference to reaching your goal of home ownership.
Buying a home in New Zealand might feel out of reach at first — but with the right planning, it may be far more achievable than you think.
Also, If you're exploring a move to New Zealand and want practical help figuring it all out, you're welcome to join the Soft Landing Inner Circle community.
Inside you'll find resources, conversations and guidance to help you work out whether New Zealand is the right move — and how to make it work if you decide to go for it.
You can join the free community here: 
https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

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 qualifies for it
• How employer contributions work
• Whether it helps you buy your first home in New Zealand
• And the biggest mistakes immigrants make with KiwiSaver
…this episode is for you.
KiwiSaver can play a powerful role in helping immigrants build retirement savings and potentially buy their first home, but only if you understand how to use it properly.
Ivandee breaks down how it works, what to look out for in your employment contract, and why getting the right advice early can make a huge difference.
If you're planning your future in New Zealand, this is a conversation worth listening to.
Also, If you're exploring a move to New Zealand and want practical help figuring it all out, you're welcome to join the Soft Landing Inner Circle community.
Inside you'll find resources, conversations and guidance to help you work out whether New Zealand is the right move — and how to make it work if you decide to go for it.
If you're thinking about moving to New Zealand or already on the journey, come join the free Soft Landing Inner Circle community. It's a place to get clarity, ask questions, and learn from others going through the same process. 👉 https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

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 small vs waiting
Investor visa pathways
Why savings accounts alone may not be enough
If you're 2–3 years into your move and starting to think long-term, this conversation will give you clarity and confidence.
If you're thinking about moving to New Zealand or already on the journey, come join the free Soft Landing Inner Circle community. It's a place to get clarity, ask questions, and learn from others going through the same process. 👉 https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz

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 illness back home, to the guilt of being far away when people you love need you most, to work pressure, financial stress, and the emotional toll of having to keep going when you're already exhausted.
This isn't a polished success story. It's an honest conversation about:
what happens when the excitement wears off

the emotional weight immigrants carry quietly

feeling responsible for your family when you're struggling yourself

and what it's like when the journey has to continue… even when all you want to do is stop

If you're in your first year or two after immigrating, or you're considering making the move — this episode is for you.
You're not weak for finding this hard. You're not broken for feeling overwhelmed. And you're not alone in carrying more than you expected.
Sometimes the journey doesn't fall apart, it just asks more of you than you thought you had.
Stay Connected
If you're thinking about moving to New Zealand or already on the journey, come join the free Soft Landing Inner Circle community. It's a place to get clarity, ask questions, and learn from others going through the same process. 👉 https://linktr.ee/softlandingnz