Dr. Carsten Hallwass

Director
Licensed New Zealand Immigration Adviser (Number 200900212)
LL.B. Bachelor of Laws

Dr. Carsten Hallwass holds a full licence to operate as a Licensed Immigration Adviser under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007

Dr. Carsten Hallwass is an Associate Member of the New Zealand Law Society as well as a full member of the Hanseatic Law Society of Bremen, Germany.

Before migrating to New Zealand in 1994, Carsten had studied Law and obtained a Ph.D. He was a partner in a law firm in Germany from 1988 to 1994. Being a trained lawyer and having gone through the migration process himself, he can not only provide specialist advice with the residence application process as such, but also understand the needs of his clients from first hand experience. In March 2009 Carsten obtained his professional licence as a New Zealand Immigration Adviser from the Immigration Advisers Authority - and is, together with his colleague Julia Cooke, currently the only licensed Adviser in Nelson.

Carsten is also a passionate soccer player. Since his arrival in New Zealand he has been coaching a junior soccer team and continues to be a keen supporter of his home club Werder Bremen.

He speaks English and German.

Since May 2009 Immigration New Zealand refuses to accept applications from unlicensed onshore immigration advisers - so if you're looking to migrate, Dr. Carsten Hallwass has the specialist information, experience and qualifications to help you.

Martina Könnecke-Hallwass

Director
LL.B. Bachelor of Laws

Martina Könnecke-Hallwass is an Associate Member of the New Zealand Law Society as well as a full member of the Hanseatic Law Society of Bremen, Germany.

Before migrating to New Zealand with her family in 1995, Martina had worked as a solicitor in her own law firm since 1987.

She first came to New Zealand in 1985 and worked as a junior lawyer in Nelson for three months before going back to Germany and obtaining her admission to the bar.

Martina enjoys travelling, the outdoors, yoga and spending time with her two adult children.

Martina speaks English and German.

Carsten Hallwass and Martina Könnecke-Hallwass first visited New Zealand in 1985 and fell in love with the Nelson area and the New Zealand lifestyle. After returning to Germany and working as lawyers for several years, they decided to come back to Nelson for an extended holiday and to find out whether this might be the right place to bring up their children, then aged 6 and 4. The decision was easy: they moved to Nelson that same year and never looked back. Since establishing New Zealand Immigration Concepts in 1995 they have assisted many migrants with their moves to New Zealand.

Julia Cooke

Licensed New Zealand Immigration Adviser (Number 200901849)

Julia immigrated to Nelson, New Zealand with her young family from Hereford, UK in 2007. Moving to the other side of the world, leaving behind family and friends was a huge step for anyone. After going through the migration process herself she understands the anxieties and stress it can cause. This life experience coupled with her professional background makes her a competent licensed immigration adviser. She has trained with NZIC and has held a full licence since it became law in 2009. She takes her responsibility to her clients seriously and strives to make their process as smooth as possible.
Living and working in Nelson is a dream come true for her and her family. They now are able to spend quality time exploring this beautiful country and racing their two crazy huskies!