New Zealand is a wonderful country with magnificent scenery and landscapes. It offers a quiet and relaxed lifestyle, and the people are friendly and welcoming in general. With its temperate climate, excellent career prospects due to a fast-growing economy, top-notch education, and healthcare system, it comes as no surprise that it is one of the most popular destinations to live in for many. After all, only a few countries offer a stress-free lifestyle, and the standard of living New Zealand does.
If you are looking to relocate to one of the world’s most progressive societies in the world, consider these few moving tips that would make your transition into the Kiwi culture a smooth one.
Preparing Your Documents
Relocating to another country is a complex task, and with a lot to think about, anything could slip your mind in the frantic rush. For that matter, you must prepare a checklist of documents that need to be taken care of. By having these relevant documents with you when moving to New Zealand, you can avoid any unwanted surprises.
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Work references
- CV /Resume
- Credit references
- Academic qualifications
- International driver’s license
- Medical certificates
With no history with banks, insurance companies, or service providers, you must ensure to bring in as many documents with you as possible. It is important to note that all your documents should be originals and not copies. Also, they should be in English. If not, bring a certified translation with you.
Choosing a Freight Company
Transporting your personal belongings to New Zealand can be an expensive and overwhelming experience. Whether you require assistance with shipping to New Zealand from the UK or anywhere else, there is a myriad of industry and regulatory obligations to navigate, which are best handled by a reputable freight forwarder.
It is important to note that the Kiwi nation’s rules about what one can and cannot bring into the country are a bit stricter than in other places. That is no surprise as New Zealand takes pride in its environment and natural resources and is keen to protect them. The country’s strict biosecurity laws prohibit certain items from entering New Zealand, while many others will need inspection upon arrival. Using a specialist shipping company can ensure your move is stress-free, as they can assist you with customs and MPI requirements.
Looking for Accommodation
Needless to say that you will need to find somewhere to live before moving to New Zealand. Finding a home is one of the most crucial steps to feeling settled anywhere. Renting out a short-term apartment or hotel would be your best option, to begin with, as purchasing a house in New Zealand is very expensive due to the real estate market booming.
Whatever option you choose, you must be well aware of the resources to utilize well beforehand. You may use search engines like RealEstate.co.nz that allow you to enter your budget and area to help find properties available for you. Trade Me also advertises rental properties and is a great place to start your search.
Opening a Bank Account
It is a great idea to open up a New Zealand bank account before arriving so you can make credit card and cash withdrawals straight away and hit the ground running upon your arrival.
Depending on the bank you choose, you may apply and open a bank account remotely up to 12 before you arrive in the country.
This is even more imperative if you are moving to the country for work purposes, as opening a bank account will facilitate obtaining the IRD number and payment of your salary and wages. Besides, it can be a hassle to give the bank proof of address if you are in temporary accommodation upon arriving, which is another reason to have a bank account set up beforehand.
Finding Employment
Unless you plan to establish a business, which is highly unlikely as a new immigrant, one of your priorities would be to look for a job. You may check out Careers New Zealand, which is a government-run website featuring various tools and career resources for job seekers. It has an up-to-date and comprehensive list of job vacancies and recruitment websites, including a dedicated section for migrant workers.
Seek, Indeed, and TradeMe are some of the most popular job boards where you have the highest chances of success. You may also sign up with recruitment agencies to boost your chances of getting hired promptly.
