Your Complete Guide to Moving to New Zealand: What You Really Need to Know

Thinking about moving to New Zealand? It is one of the biggest, bravest decisions you will ever make. I know because I have done it myself. We arrived in Auckland with children, no home sorted, and no idea how many tiny details we had yet to figure out.

This guide to moving to New Zealand is designed to give you the honest version. The parts that are exciting, the parts that are stressful, and the practical steps that will help you land on your feet. It is not a glossy travel brochure. It is the real story, with tips from my own journey and from the families we work with every day.

Why New Zealand?

Let’s start with the obvious. New Zealand is beautiful. You can finish work and be at a beach or on a bush walk within half an hour. The pace of life is calmer. People are warm and welcoming. Families often tell me that one of the biggest gifts of moving here is time. Time together, time outdoors, time to breathe.

There are challenges too. The cost of living is higher than you might expect. Housing is competitive, especially in Auckland, Queenstown and Wellington. Things can move more slowly than you are used to. If you are coming from the UK or US you might need to learn a little patience. The phrase you will hear everywhere is “she’ll be right.” It is not laziness. It is a genuine belief that things usually do work out.

Step 1: Planning Your Move

Visas and paperwork
Every situation is different; get professional help. A licensed immigration adviser is worth their fee a hundred times over. Charlotte Stockman at New Zealand Shores helped with all 4 of our visas and I highly recommend them to anyone looking into moving to NZ. They offer a free assessment of your visa eligibility, which will give you certainty about whether a move is even possible or not.

Budgeting
Make sure your numbers are realistic. Moving here is not cheap. You will need to cover:

• Flights for the family;

• Shipping costs and insurance;

• Visa costs;

• A rental bond and (commonly) 2-4 weeks’ rent in advance;

• Temporary accommodation if you have not secured a home;

• A car and insurance;

• School uniforms and set-up costs;

• Furniture and appliances.

It adds up quickly. A rough family budget can easily run into tens of thousands by the time you are settled.

What to bring
Every expat group debates this daily. My view:

• Bring sentimental things and quality items you cannot replace;

• Sell bulky furniture because NZ homes are laid out differently than what you're used to;

• Be cautious with appliances as not all will work in NZ, especially those with smart connectivity related to your home country, and differences in voltage if you're from the US.

• Travel lighter than you think. You can top up once you are here (decluttering is actually a positive to this whole move!).
  

Step 2: Choosing Where to Live

This is where emotions run high. Your choice of city and suburb shapes everything from commute times to school options to whether you feel at home.

• Auckland is the biggest city, with the widest job market. It is diverse, busy, and full of opportunity. The downside is traffic and higher rents.

• Wellington has a creative, political, and foodie vibe. It is often called the coolest little capital. It is also famously windy.

• Christchurch is affordable, flat, and great for cycling. It has mountains and beaches within an hour.

• Smaller towns can offer lifestyle and affordability, but check job opportunities before you commit.

For families moving to Auckland, I always say this: suburbs are not interchangeable. One 20 minute drive can take you from relaxed coastal living to inner city bustle. Research your school zone, your commute, and your lifestyle priorities before you choose.

Step 3: Housing in New Zealand

Finding a home is often the hardest part. Rentals often move quickly, especially in-demand school zones. Landlords can be picky and many houses are unfurnished (including no/minimal white goods).

What helps:

• Create a tenant profile with references and a short introduction about your family;

• Be ready to act fast when a good property comes up;

• Accept that you may need to compromise on size, style, or location;

• Work with someone in NZ if you can. Having someone on the ground to view homes, video them, and negotiate the lease before you arrive can save thousands in temporary accommodation costs.

Our families tell us that once they'd secured a home before flying out, the relief was huge. Walking out of the airport and going straight to a place they could call home made all the difference.

Step 4: Getting Set Up Once You Arrive

Banking
Opening a bank account can be difficult from overseas, but you can usually get the bank account set-up before you arrive and then activate it once you're here - however, different banks have different rules so speak to them directly before you go ahead You'll need to set up an IRD number before you start work. Wise and TorFX are popular for transferring money from overseas.

Healthcare
Register with a GP as soon as you have an address. Some families also take out private insurance. Southern Cross is the most common provider - you will find the acceptance of pre-existing conditions to be covered on private health insurance in NZ is likely a lot less than what you're used to.

Phones and Internet
Major providers include Spark, One NZ (previously Vodafone), and 2degrees. Internet is fast in most cities but patchy in rural areas.

Transport
You can drive on your overseas licence for 12 months, then you must convert it. Public transport is fine in Wellington, central Auckland, and Christchurch, but most people need a car.

Step 5: Everyday Life

These are the things you will not find in an official handbook, but they shape daily life.

• Shopping: There are fewer big box stores. You will shop local, use TradeMe (NZ’s version of eBay), and learn to wait longer for deliveries.

• Schools: School zones matter. Kids usually attend the school in their zone. The curriculum is NCEA, but some private schools also offer IB or Cambridge.

• Community: Join sports clubs, local Facebook groups, and school parent groups. This is how you make friends.

• Kiwi quirks: People are informal. Tipping is rare. Shoes are optional for kids.

One of the best surprises for us was how independent children are expected to be. They walk to school, climb trees, and often go barefoot - it feels incredibly liberating.

Step 6: The Emotional Journey

Moving across the world is not just logistics. It is a huge emotional leap. There will be moments you wonder if you made a mistake. There will also be moments of pure joy.

What helped us:

• Building small routines quickly so life felt normal again;

• Giving ourselves time. It takes most people at least 2 years to feel settled;

• Taking time to actually enjoy New Zealand before starting work and school. This allowed us to take stock of what we'd actually achieved.

  
  

Moving to New Zealand Checklist

• Visa confirmed;

• Flights booked;

• Shipping arranged;

• Temporary accommodation or lease signed;

• IRD number applied for;

• Bank account opened;

• School enrolments underway;

• Healthcare sorted;

• Phone and internet set up;

• First-week essentials ready (bedding, food, car seat, SIM card).

  
  

Final Thoughts

This guide to moving to New Zealand gives you some pointers, but remember no two journeys are the same. It is both exciting and exhausting. It will stretch you, surprise you, and reward you in ways you cannot yet imagine.

If you are dreaming of your new life here, know this: it is possible. With good planning, a realistic budget, and the right support, you can make the leap.

And if you want more help, just get in touch. We have done it ourselves, and we now want to help others do the same - you do not have to do it alone. Email us info@asthekiwiflies.com