Moving to New Zealand

Moving to New Zealand

Moving to New Zealand

Most migrants Moving to New Zealand will have possessions that they will want with them when living in New Zealand. The amount of possessions can be a few cartons (”tea chests”) or it could be 40 foot shipping container.

If shipping your valuables overseas it is essential that you are well organized if you want to avoid unnecessary stress or potential disaster - how would you feel if all your photographs were water damaged or lost!

Moving to New Zealand

Air or Sea

Moving anything by air is only an option if it is a small amount of possessions (perhaps less than 1 carton) or you can take it on the plane as hand baggage. Shipping anything by air is very expensive.

Do organise yourself a “survival kit” of important documents or the things that you may immediately need when arriving in New Zealand.

Overseas Shipping Containers

The majority of migrants rely on overseas shipping containers when moving to New Zealand. You will need to consider the following.

FULL SHIPPING CONTAINER REMOVALS

A normal family of two adults / two children can normally fill their household possessions in a 20 foot shipping container.

Obtaining a Quote

1. Get at least 3 quotes. The international moving companies should be able to send someone to your home to see what possessions you are shipping and to give you a FREE quote.
2. Prepare for the quotes, decide beforehand what is to be taken or left behind. Check New Zealand Customs Service, e.g. do you want to clean all the soil off your bikes or garden tools as New Zealand immigration and customs are strict on this. Make sure you ask all the companies for the same service - eg. the same items to ship, door-to-door, full packing/unpacking, with or without insurance.
3. Insurance can be a significant part of the removal costs (around 3% of the value of items being shipped). Discuss this with the international removal companies, and check the fine print. Whether you choose to insure or not its your call - their your possessions!
4. The quotes will give you an idea how much shipping container space will be needed. Check whats included in the quote - eg. packing, transportation, clearance through customs, delivery to your home in New Zealand, unpacking and disposal of materials. Check , the costs, and look at whats included and what will be at extra costs. Check your quote carefully, they will not all be the same, and you can get a “feeling” for their level of service and expertise. Cheapest is not always best!

Finding an international moving company

You can find a list of international removal companies advertising on this page or in the yellow pages under removals - overseas,check they do international removals and belong to FIDI with FAIM accreditation and Bar Overseas.

Or go look at the overseas moving companies advertising on the web

Storage

If you are moving to New Zealand on a temporary posting, or renting out your house while living in New Zealand, and you don’t want to move all your possessions to New Zealand, a good option is to put them into long term secure storage in your home country.

Go look at some of the storage companies advertising on the web

Remember do your research and you won’t have any problems with moving to New Zealand