About us
Yield Qwest is a company created and operated by Americans for Americans who are considering migration to New Zealand for business or investment purposes.
Yield Qwest acts as a “go-between” for those in the exploratory phase of this migration.
Founded in 2008, we have assisted numerous Americans in moving their skills and assets overseas. Our program is one of a kind in that you will be working closely with Americans who have already successfully managed the transition from the US to New Zealand .
Our team is comprised of Accounting and Legal professionals, Business Integrators and Business Assimilation Specialists. Each person helps to translate the subtle differences involved in re-establishing and operating a profitable organization.
Our business focus attempts to capitalize on the export of your product or service to the North American, Asia Pacific, and emerging market regions of the world.
Our typical clients are business owners and investors who are curious about the various opportunities present in the Australasian Region.
Our People
Our people distinguish us from our competitors. Our principle group has, on average, over 10 years of experience as Americans living and conducting business in New Zealand . We also use the services of established locals and overseas professionals from the UK and Australia.
Michael Reps, Director
Mike moved to New Zealand in 2001, at that time the NZD was worth 40% of 1 USD today that ratio has changed. A new Zealand Dollar now is worth 70% of a USD. This can be viewed as more a USD decline than a NZD appreciation, as most global currencies from major industrialized economies appreciated against the USD. The NZD has, however, shown recent strength toward Euro and British Pound.
Mike’s first years in country were spent at major financial institutions such as ASB Bank, Goldman Sach JBwere and NZ Guardian Trust where he oversaw high net worth portfolios.
In 2008, recognizing a gap in the market for overseas investors and business owners, he started Yield Qwest, which today has helped numerous individuals transition from their operations in the US to New Zealand.
A graduate of Claremont McKenna College , with a BA in Philosophy, prior enlisted in the US Army 82ND Airborne division and former Captain in the USMC. m.reps@yieldqwest.co.nz
John Reps, Business Integration
John moved to New Zealand in 2002 after 11 years of US Military Service. A graduate of Lewis and Clark College in Portland Oregon with a BA in Biology, John started his career in New Zealand working in project management with Air New Zealand and Safe Air Limited. He later assisted in project management and business integration services with a major defense contractor until starting his own company, Javelin Project Solutions. John works out of Auckland and often will often investigate business opportunities throughout the North and South Island for Yield Qwest Clients. John's principle task is to integrate your business into the New Zealand Economy. In some cases it may be more prudent to buy an existing business rather than build from the ground up. In this instance, John also assists in the due dilligence process for full or partial acquisitions. jreps@javelinsolutions.org
Carol Hall B.S., JD. Immigration Services
Carol Hall has lived and worked in New Zealand for over 20 years. She practices law from her offices in Napier, Hawkes Bay . Carol has a wealth of US and NZ legal experience. Foremost is her seven years with the United States Congress as Legislative Counsel for the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. After her admission to the Ohio Bar of the Supreme Court in 1979, Carol worked for the Ohio State Government. She also served with the US Peace Corps as a volunteer in Costa Rica and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from Ohio University . Carol's diverse background provides her with strong cross-cultural communication skills.
Carol provides not only immigration services but along with her law firm. Carlile Dowling, can assist in the establishment of Trusts, Business Acquisitions and Formations, Conveyances, and Partnership Agreements. carol.hall@cardow.co.nz
Suzy Morrissey US/NZ Taxation
Suzy heads up the BDO tax team in Christchurch . After commencing her career working for government bodies, Suzy spent a number of years working for Big Four firms. Suzy is originally from the UK and lived and practiced in Australia for 11 years before moving to Christchurch in 2008. Suzy is a specialist in international and expatriate taxation issues. She can provide advice regarding trans-Tasman investments and individual and corporate migration between Australia and New Zealand . She is also experienced in working with the UK , US and many Asian countries.
Suzy has a strong corporate tax focus, particularly for SMEs. She has experience in a range of corporate tax issues including loss utilization, transfer pricing, transactions with shareholders and employment tax issues.
Suzy also helps with the initial stages of business formations and acquisitions in regard to tax planning. suzy.morrissey@bdo.co.nz
Other useful contacts include:
Dr Stephen Bagshaw, MSc, PhD, PostGradDipBusAdmin.
Steve is a career research scientist specialising in nanomaterials chemistry, inorganic chemistry and clay chemistry, a science educator and small business owner/operator. He is a New Zealand Citizen with overseas work experience in the USA ( Michigan ), UK ( Kent ), EU (France, Italy ), Canada , Singapore and Japan .
Steve provides our clients with academic and research services regarding University, (CRI) Crown Research Institute and Government Funding channels as they relate to research and development projects. stevebagshaw@hotmail.co.uk
Mike Hearn, American Chamber of Commerce
Mike is the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce. Based in Auckland he assists businesses in networking with other Americans as well as providing up to date changes in overseas trade. Mike@amcham.co.nz
Janet Coulthart, US Commercial Services under the US Department of Commerce
The U.S. Commercial Service is part of a global network based in over 100 U.S. cities and in nearly 80 countries. The U.S. Commercial Service operates to:
Promote U.S. exports, particularly by small and medium-sized companies
Represent U.S. business interests internationally
Help companies identify qualified international partners
To learn more about the U.S. Commercial Service in New Zealand , contact Janet Coulthart at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington . Janet's business contact details are:
U.S. Commercial Service
American Embassy
PO Box 1190
Wellington
New Zealand
Email: Janet.Coulthart@trade.gov
Our Process
Our process starts with an assessment on the viability of your entrance into New Zealand . This assessment is conducted by either a licensed immigration advisor or lawyer we have on retainer.
We then conduct an initial interview to discuss the viability of your business and its likelihood of success in New Zealand .
From there, we can provide you with more detail on our services and whether or not they are suitable for your plans.
If you elect to use Yield Qwest, we then coordinate a time when we can best assist in your travel to New Zealand .
Once here, our process starts with a day course covering various elements regarding your migration. We can provide a syllabus upon request.
After the day course we encourage people to go out and about for the evening to take in the environment.
We also end our program with a day course which acts as a debrief and follow up to your visit.
In between the day courses we spend 4 days on the North Island and 4 days on the South Island . In between the North Island and South Island visit, there is a 2 day break which frees you up to engage in more tourist related activities, should you be inclined.
All totaled, you should plan to make your visit for a minimum of 12 days to incorporate the entirety of our service.
You will not be required to drive a vehicle while with us and all transportation to and from the main airport terminals is provided by us.
During your time with us we travel the country, visiting businesses, research facilities, professionals and consultants. We also immerse ourselves in the everyday life of what likely will be the life you would experience on a permanent basis.
We discuss the various cultural, economic, and social differences that exist here in comparison to the region of the US you hail from.
Overall, our service is meant to act as a “fast tracking” of your business. This leads to cost savings and lower overall risk as a result of improvements brought by the advantage of local knowledge.
At the end of your time with Yield Qwest, you will have been appraised of your likely migration options, tax implications of your move, an analysis of the sector you likely will operate in, as well as a follow up report on our recommendations for the most prudent direction we believe your business should pursue.
For those who are not traveling to New Zealand but require business emigration services, we offer a seperate program that can assist you from you home location.
Our Fees
Our fees are discussed on a discretionary basis.
Our Financial Arrangements:
Yield Qwest does not participate in financial arrangements with any service providers it endorses. We remain free of conflict as a result. Yield Qwest, the company, and its directors, have chosen not to seek licensing under the Immigration Advisors Authority so as to remove any conflict of interest as it relates to business formations and their relationship with our clients residency requirements. Yield Qwest is a Business Emigrations Solutions Provider. Our primary focus is on business viability.
Business and Employment Opportunities:
Depending on the type of visa that best fits your requirement. Yield Qwest offers a range of services to assist in locating suitable employment opportunities in New Zealand .
We have found that for those individuals who initially prefer to make a partial commitment to New Zealand, employment in a related industry may be a suitable option. As a result, work visas may be lodged simultaneously with business visas, allowing you time to get better acquainted with New Zealand by working in a particular field.
Equity Stakes and Equity Swaps and Private Placements:
Sometimes it’s best to partner with another person, whether that be another American or a local Kiwi. Partnerships are not for everyone, but this avenue offers the overseas investor or business owner an entry into an existing enterprise. There are restrictions to this category, and our legal services team will be able to walk you through these restrictions step by step.
Passive Investments:
Based on the outcome of your consultations for emigrating, the best avenue may be to invest into the New Zealand Economy in a passive as opposed to active manner.
If this is an option, Yield Qwest can assist in the structure and formation of Trusts, Investments Management, and risk mitigation on your investment assets. We have over 20 years of experience in this area.
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