How to prepare for a move to New Zealand

Relocating to another country is both exciting and daunting at the same time. You need to learn much in a short period of time to make the most out of your relocation. You will also need to find a qualified moving company to help you relocate internationally. Transparent International NYC has years of experience conducting international relocations, and we can help you relocate to New Zealand without any issues. That said, you will still want to prepare for a move to New Zealand, and that is what this article is for. It will guide you through the process and provide several tips to make your move easier.

Prepare for a move to New Zealand in 5 easy steps

Apart from the “standard” relocation process, here are the things that you may want to accomplish prior to your relocation to New Zealand:

• Make sure your documents are in order
• Find a job before relocating
• Research your new neighborhood
• Consider finances and budget
• Learn more about import regulations

Figuring these things out will make it a lot easier, simple as that.

While there are many other things that you will need to do, it is absolutely critical that you go through the above steps. Missing any one of the steps may result in negative repercussions, and might even prevent you from entering the country in the first place. You may also want to hire extra international services to make the preparation process a bit easier. That being said, let’s explore these steps in more detail. The first thing you will want to make sure is that you:

Bring the important documents with you

Once you arrive in New Zealand, you will want to have all your important documents sorted and readily accessible. As you will need to register for numerous services in the country, having these documents with you will make the process a lot easier. Otherwise, you may need to go through the excruciating process of having them shipped to you. Here are the documents that you don’t really want to forget:

• Birth and marriage certificates
• Any academic qualifications
• Credit references
• International driver’s permit or a license
• Your printed CV (resume)

New Zealand will usually accept colour photocopies of your documents, even in another language than English. But you will have no problems with that when moving to New Zealand from US, of course. Another thing to note is that some applications, such as applying for residence, may require additional documentation, as well as original paperwork.

The best way to prepare for a move to New Zealand – Have a job already lined up

If you don’t already have a job in New Zealand, you may want to put finding one high on your priority list. You may think that it will be easy for you to find a job once you arrive but this is not always the case. It is best if you ensure that you have means of income available once you arrive in the country. At the very least, you may want to research ways in how you can meet with potential employers. Do note that it is perfectly legal to apply for jobs in New Zealand even if you don’t have a visa yet. Your employers are generally understanding of the situation and will even help you with your visa application. You will not, however, be able to start working and earning income until your visa gets approved.

Find the best place to live

Moving on, you will also want to think about where you want to live, both short and long term. The very least that you need to do is organize accommodation for the first few days or weeks. There are a lot of great places to live in New Zealand, and you will be spoiled for choice. You may also want to combine this with job offers, so it might be best if you keep your options open for the time being. Another reason why you will want to figure out your new place of residence in advance is to figure out how to go about moving boxes overseas. For example, if you are planning on staying in one location for a time and then moving to another, you might want to ship your items straight to the second destination. They will take quite some time to arrive, after all.

Set up a bank account and learn more about living costs to prepare for a move to New Zealand

Another thing that you absolutely need to do is set up a bank account with one of New Zealand’s financial institutions. That way, you will be able to make withdrawals the moment you arrive. Furthermore, some things in New Zealand may cost quite a bit more than what you’re used to. It might be very worth your while to check out how much things cost in New Zealand, prior to your relocation. While you’re at it, learn as much you can about taxes, benefits, and finance options. Otherwise, you may be in for a rude awakening once you do arrive.

Lastly, New Zealand is famous for its low cash circulation. Most people get their wages and salaries deposited directly into their bank accounts and a credit card is used for almost everything, even small purchases. Therefore, make sure that you have your financial options all set-up, to avoid any inconveniences.

Learn what you can bring to the country and what is prohibited

New Zealand has strict policies on what you can bring into the country. The residents are very proud of their natural environment and do everything they can to protect it. Unfortunately, this means that some of the items you may be planning to bring with you might not be allowed. The list of prohibited items is quite long, and you may want to study it fully, but here are some prominent examples:

• Ivory in any form, including carvings and jewelry
• Meat or food that comes from dolphins, whales, sea turtles, or rare crane
• Medicines that contain musk, or any derivatives from tigers or rhinoceros
• Cat skins
• Trophies of big cats, cranes, bears, antelope, deer, and rare reptiles

Of course, almost every prohibition that the US imposes on arrivals is observed in New Zealand as well. It is always smart to prepare for a move to New Zealand by reading up as much as you can about rules and regulations before you leave the country. That way, you will be able to relocate without any issues.