Soft Landing NZ

By Brett Corlett | Soft Landing Podcast

Introduction

As an immigrant myself, I know how daunting it can feel to rebuild your life in a new country. There’s excitement and hope, yes, but also a constant whisper of fear. Will I ever be able to buy a home here? Can I retire comfortably without becoming a burden on my children? These are questions that keep many of us awake at night.

That’s why I was so excited to sit down with Ivandee Fitchet, Founder of Migrant Financial Services, to talk openly about the real financial journey of migrants in New Zealand. In this first conversation, we dig into her story, how she left South Africa, rebuilt her career from scratch, and what she’s learned about financial resilience along the way.

Meet Ivandee: From Cape Town to New Zealand

Ivandee moved from Cape Town to New Zealand back in 2018, leaving behind a successful career as a Financial Director. She shared how, at first, it wasn’t the crime that pushed her to leave, it was the uncertainty about the future and the sustainability of her career back home. After arriving, she quickly realised how tough the job market can be for new migrants, even those with impressive experience.

It took her four months to land her first role and that meant starting again on a $54,000 salary, far from her previous income level. But what stood out in her story was her attitude. Instead of giving up, she studied, upskilled, and worked her way back up. Today, she runs Migrant Financial Services, helping others make that same financial transition smoother and more sustainable.

Why Migrant Financial Services Exists

Ivandee saw a gap that so many migrants experience: the lack of clear, honest financial guidance that connects their old life to their new one.

MFS is here to assist you with everything from Income & Budget, Insurances, Medical cover, Last Will & Testaments, Investments, KiwiSaver, Mortgages & Retirement planning.

Her business now helps migrants prepare financially even before they leave their home country. Through online consultations, she walks them through realistic budgets, startup costs, and long-term plans, all the way from their first rental bond to buying a home and planning for retirement.

MFS provides financial advise that moves with you on your immigration journey.

The Soft Landing x MFS Series

In this new video series, Ivandee and I are teaming up to take things one step further. I’ve volunteered to be the guinea pig, letting her guide me through the process of understanding what it really takes to buy a home and plan for retirement in New Zealand. We’ll unpack everything, from income planning and budgeting to investments and how to ensure we’re not a financial burden on our children later in life.

Our goal is simple: to make this journey transparent, relatable, and practical for anyone trying to build a secure future in New Zealand. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s even possible to own a home here or retire with peace of mind, come along for the ride. We’ll figure it out together.

A Few Highlights from Our Conversation

💬 **On letting go of status symbols:** “Not trying to live like the Joneses. I wish I had the New Zealand mentality earlier — no one cares what you drive here.”

💬 **On credit and debt:** “You don’t need debt to build a good credit score in New Zealand. The way you manage your accounts and bills is enough.”

💬 **On resilience:** “Living in South Africa is hard. Living in New Zealand is also hard. But I’d choose this ‘hard’ any day.”

What’s Next

This episode is just the beginning. In the next part of our series, Ivandee will sit down with me to go through the numbers, my budget, income, and expenses and help me map out a path towards home ownership and retirement.

If you’ve been wondering how to make New Zealand work financially, from buying your first home to planning for your future, subscribe to the Soft Landing YouTube channel and follow the journey with us.

🎧 Watch the full conversation on YouTube:

📌 Guest:

👩‍💼 Ivandee Fitchet – Founder, Migrant Financial Services

We’re here to make your move to New Zealand smoother. Share your details and we’ll connect you with the right person to help: https://forms.gle/qbbvMZW3ESvGFpEQ9

📢 Stay Connected

I’d love your help.
The Inner Circle App is coming soon — a free space for migrants to connect, learn, and belong in New Zealand. We’d love your input! Help us shape it so it truly supports your needs.

https://forms.gle/FuTEd7cMwv7jzSK56

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