English
man on top of jeepny

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

New Zealand

man on top of jeepny

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

New Zealand

man on top of jeepny

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

New Zealand

GUIDE FOR

Moving to New Zealand? Here is what you need to know

Moving to New Zealand? Here is what you need to know

New Zealand has become a top destination for expats, families, and digital nomads thanks to its breathtaking natural landscapes, relaxed lifestyle, and friendly, welcoming culture. With vibrant cities, a strong sense of community, and some of the world’s most stunning outdoor environments, New Zealand offers an incredible quality of life. Whether you're drawn to Auckland’s multicultural energy, Wellington’s creative spirit, Christchurch’s evolving urban scene, or the peaceful beauty of small coastal and mountain towns, New Zealand has something for everyone.

To ensure a smooth relocation, it’s important to understand the country’s culture, climate, work environment, and moving costs.
This guide offers a clear overview of New Zealand, with insights into everyday life, work culture, language basics, and helpful relocation tips.

How much does it cost to move to New Zealand?

The cost of moving to New Zealand can vary widely depending on your location, shipment size, and transport type. Here are typical price ranges to help you budget more accurately.

Average moving costs by region of origin

  • From within Oceania (Australia/Pacific): €2,500 – €6,000

  • From Asia: €3,500 – €7,500

  • From Europe: €6,000 – €12,000

  • From the UK: €6,500 – €12,500

  • From North America: €6,000 – €11,000

  • From Latin America: €7,000 – €13,000

Final costs depend on shipment volume, container choice (shared vs. full), and additional services such as packing, customs handling, insurance, and storage.

Factors that influence your moving cost

  • Distance and country of origin

  • Volume of belongings (m³)

  • Transport method:

    • Sea freight – economical and most common

    • Air freight – very fast but significantly more expensive

  • Season: higher prices during summer and early winter

  • Additional services: packing, customs assistance, insurance, pet relocation, vehicle shipment, storage

Typical examples

  • Move from Australia to Auckland with 10 m³: €2,500 – €4,000

  • Couple relocating from the USA to Wellington with 20 m³: €6,000 – €9,000

  • Family moving from the UK to Christchurch with 30 m³: €8,500 – €12,000

A personalised moving quote will always give you the most accurate estimate.

A Glimpse into New Zealand

Geography and climate

New Zealand consists of two main islands like the North Island and the South Island, along with many smaller islands. The country is famous for its diverse landscapes, including:

  • Snow-capped mountains

  • Volcanoes and geothermal areas

  • Rainforests

  • Rolling farmlands

  • Turquoise lakes and fjords

  • Stunning coastlines

Climate varies by region:

  • North Island: warmer, more humid, mild winters

  • South Island: cooler, with snowy winters and crisp summers

  • Overall: temperate, with plenty of sunshine and fresh air

New Zealand’s natural beauty encourages an outdoor lifestyle year-round.

A snapshot of history

New Zealand’s history is a rich blend of Māori heritage and European influences.

Key historical highlights:

  • Early Māori settlement: the indigenous Māori people arrived more than 700 years ago

  • European arrival: Dutch and British explorers reached New Zealand in the 17th–18th centuries

  • Treaty of Waitangi (1840): foundational agreement between Māori chiefs and the British Crown

  • Modern New Zealand: a multicultural democracy with strong Māori cultural revitalisation

  • Today: known worldwide for stability, environmental efforts, and innovation

Māori traditions, language, and values remain central to New Zealand’s identity.

Diving into Kiwi culture

New Zealand culture is relaxed, friendly, inclusive, and deeply connected to nature.

Food and drink

New Zealand cuisine is fresh and diverse, influenced by Māori, British, Pacific, and global flavours. Popular foods include:

  • Fish & chips

  • Roast lamb

  • Pavlova

  • Hāngī (traditional Māori earth-cooked meal)

  • Green-lipped mussels

  • Flat white coffee (a local favourite)

Wine lovers will enjoy world-renowned regions such as Marlborough and Central Otago.

Festivals

New Zealand hosts a variety of cultural and seasonal festivals, such as:

  • Waitangi Day (6 February)

  • Matariki (Māori New Year): national celebration

  • Pasifika Festival (Auckland): celebrating Pacific Island cultures

  • Wellington On a Plate: major food festival

  • Queenstown Winter Festival: skiing, music, and outdoor events

Festivals highlight the country’s cultural diversity and strong community spirit.

Lifestyle and social norms

Life in New Zealand is characterised by:

  • Relaxed, friendly interpersonal interactions

  • Strong work–life balance

  • Love for the outdoors: hiking (tramping), surfing, cycling, camping

  • Respect for the environment: sustainability is highly valued

  • Informal communication style: people are approachable and down-to-earth

  • Equality: low power distance and collaborative attitudes

Kiwi culture is easy to adapt to, especially for newcomers.

Working in New Zealand

New Zealand offers a progressive work environment that values flexibility, safety, and employee wellbeing.

Business culture

  • Relaxed but professional

  • Hierarchies exist but are not rigid

  • Employees call managers by first names

  • Meetings are straightforward and solution-focused

  • Work hours reasonable, overtime uncommon

  • Open communication and teamwork encouraged

Job opportunities for expats

  • Healthcare

  • Engineering

  • Construction & infrastructure

  • Agriculture & viticulture

  • IT & software development

  • Hospitality & tourism

  • Education

New Zealand also welcomes remote workers, seasonal workers, and skilled migrants through various visa pathways.

Te Reo Māori & English

New Zealand has two official languages: English and Te Reo Māori. English is spoken everywhere, but learning basic Māori phrases shows cultural respect and helps you connect with locals.

Common phrases

English

Māori

Hello

Kia ora

Goodbye

Haere rā

Thank you

Ngā mihi / Kia ora

Please

Kia koa (informal)

How are you?

Kei te pēhea koe?

I don’t understand

Kāore au i te mārama

Where is the nearest…?

Kei hea te … tata?

Can you help me?

Ka āwhina mai koe?

How much does this cost?

E hia te utu?

Do you speak English?

He kōrero Pākehā āu?

Even simple greetings like Kia ora go a long way in daily life.

New Zealand offers an exceptional lifestyle with its natural wonders, friendly communities, and relaxed pace of life. Whether you're relocating for work, adventure, family, or a fresh start, New Zealand provides a safe, inspiring, and enriching environment for newcomers.

Embrace its culture, enjoy its outdoor beauty, and discover why so many people choose to call Aotearoa, their new home.

Nau mai, haere mai ki Aotearoa!

Sponsors

A Place in the Sun Currency

A Place in the Sun Currency

A Place in the Sun Currency

Our service is specifically designed for anyone making overseas payments to buy, maintain, or sell an overseas property. We understand the importance of an efficient and transparent currency service and have an experienced team in place to help make your money go further and secure your very own “place in the sun”.

Buying and transferring currency across borders is a critical part of any overseas property transaction to get right, and our personal account-manager led service is here to help you understand and navigate the process safely and securely, without incurring any unnecessary costs. You can benefit from our knowledge about both the currency markets, and the logistics of international payments.



Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.

From recent graduates to experienced professionals, we provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, offering job placements in fields such as customer service, finance, marketing, and more. Our goal is to make international job transitions seamless, ensuring candidates find the right opportunities while supporting them every step of the way.

It is of utmost importance to us that we offer a high level of service and build strong and trusting relationships with clients and candidates. As an international agency, we are devoted to international professionals in order to help them succeed on the Dutch labor market. As part of our recruitment services we can provide you with feedback on your CV & interview preparation sessions.

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote is a leading comparison platform for health insurance, providing an easy way for individuals and businesses to compare health plans from a wide range of providers. With a focus on transparency, ActiveQuote helps customers find the best insurance coverage that suits their needs and budget, whether for personal or family health insurance, or for small businesses looking to provide benefits to employees.

By simplifying the process of comparing and purchasing health insurance, ActiveQuote offers a personalized experience, ensuring customers make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. With a commitment to excellent customer service and competitive pricing, ActiveQuote is dedicated to helping you secure the right health insurance coverage for your circumstances.

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna is a leading global health insurance company providing a wide range of health plans and services for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence in both the United States and internationally, Aetna focuses on improving health outcomes by offering affordable and accessible healthcare coverage.

Aetna provides a comprehensive range of products, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as health management programs designed to support customers in leading healthier lives. With an emphasis on innovation and customer care, Aetna aims to deliver high-quality healthcare solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations worldwide.

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Our life is full of metaphors; sometimes we don’t even notice them. However, if you look at today’s world through such a metaphorical lens, you understand why it can be compared to the river. It is dynamic, it is fast moving, every day it gets filled with new streams of ideas, tendencies, and innovations. Then, we can consider different organizations as banks of that river. They all have their traditions, cultural colors, and shades. That’s why there must be something to connect these banks, to make them united by common desires, ideas, business, strategies, language, etc. Therefore, our company come to serve as the bridge for that; we can build a connection between people, business organizations and various establishments. This singular belief makes ourselves and our clients’ products/services and international brand distinguishable amongst all of the rest.

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

AIMS is a leading immigration and relocation consultancy based in Singapore, specializing in visa and residency solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence across Asia, AIMS provides expert guidance on immigration programs, investment migration, and global mobility solutions.

From securing work permits and permanent residency to facilitating business expansion through investor visas, AIMS offers personalized services to help clients navigate complex immigration processes. With a commitment to professionalism and efficiency, AIMS ensures a smooth transition for those looking to live, work, or invest abroad.

April International

April International

April International

Global Health Insurance, 100% Online – Anytime, Anywhere!

Whether you're an expatriate, student, frequent traveler, au pair, or business, we offer flexible insurance solutions for anyone traveling abroad. From registration to reimbursement, we make it easy to manage your health needs worldwide!

As a global leader in international health insurance, APRIL International provides comprehensive coverage for individuals, families, and businesses. Specializing in expatriate insurance, we offer tailored health plans that ensure access to quality healthcare—whether for short-term trips, long-term stays, or corporate needs.

With a strong focus on innovation, digital services, and customer support, APRIL International simplifies international health coverage, giving you peace of mind wherever you are. Our commitment to accessibility and personalized service makes us a trusted partner for those living, working, or traveling abroad.

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners is a trusted financial advisory firm based in Australia, providing expert wealth management, financial planning, and investment solutions. With a client-first approach, we help individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals through tailored strategies and long-term planning.

From retirement planning and superannuation to tax-effective investment solutions, Apt Wealth Partners offers comprehensive financial guidance designed to build and protect wealth. Our focus is on delivering financial advice that allows us to become your personal CFO. Your finances will be tailored to your needs, allowing you to concentrate on living the life you want. We're privately owned and focus on providing the most transparent advice possible.

AvD

AvD

AvD

The AvD is the most traditional automobile club in Germany. Many things that are taken for granted today has been actively promoted and shaped by the AvD. To this day, the AvD is associated with the driver's license, the zebra crossing, the IAA and successful petitions, among other things. The AvD is committed to road safety, Motorsport and the preservation of historic vehicles. Today and in the future.

AXA PPP International

AXA PPP International

AXA PPP International

We’re AXA – Global Healthcare, and we’re experts when it comes to healthcare around the world. We use AXA’s resources around the world to help our members access quality medical care whenever they need it. We do that by matching them up with international health insurance that suits them, and by keeping them supported before, during and after treatment.

We help our members to live life to the fullest, knowing we’ll be here to help if they need us.

Load More

Start now

Sign up to get in touch with trusted local service experts!

Sign up to get in touch with trusted local service experts!

Sign up to get in touch with trusted local service experts!