Moving to New Zealand
from Australia
Since 1969, OSS World Wide Movers have provided complete global door to door moving services to New Zealand. That’s over 50 years of specialist international moving, and over 200,000 moves.
New Zealand is, and has always been, a popular and exciting destination for Australians and returning New Zealand nationals. Moving to New Zealand for lifestyle opportunities, family, to further one’s professional training, and/or career opportunities are common occurrences.
Moving to New Zealand for the Lifestyle
New Zealand – a unique land of breathtaking scenery that includes some of the world’s most surreal and wonderful life form; from flightless birds to gigantic kauri trees. Superlatives abound here and visitors to New Zealand may struggle to adequately describe everything they see and experience.
New Zealand was thrust into the world’s spotlight by the success of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The country has seen a massive surge in visitor numbers and continues to reap the benefits of this cinematic triumph. New Zealand has overwhelmed and wowed viewers on the big screen. It is certain to leave them breathless when they arrive and explore its remote, rugged and remarkable landscape in person.
New Zealand is an incredibly diverse and complex nation. It punches well above its weight in terms of what it can offer to any expat moving to New Zealand. The North Island of New Zealand is less dramatic visually than its southern counterpart. However, it is home to around two thirds of the country’s inhabitants. The majority of the major urban centres are here, including Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, creates a vibrant and multicultural experience.
The South Island of New Zealand, in contrast, is home to far fewer people, but boasts the country’s most spectacular scenery. Breathtakingly remote and isolated beaches, soaring mountain ranges, glaciers, fjords and wide-open expanses are all waiting to be discovered.
Outdoor enthusiasts are really spoilt for choice in New Zealand, with superb tramping (hiking), cycling, climbing, white-water rafting, caving and other adrenaline-fuelled activities such as zorbing and, of course, bungee jumping on offer. Moving to NZ will ensure that you have the opportunity to experience these adventures at any time.
New Zealand revels in its status as a world leader for ecotourism and has developed into one of the cleanest and greenest countries in the world. There are 14 national parks throughout the country and almost a quarter of New Zealand is protected environment. Home to a mass of animals and birds including the reclusive kiwi, fur seals, yellow-eyed penguins, Hooker’s sea lions, dolphins and whales, New Zealand is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers.
Moving to New Zealand from Australia with Confidence
At OSS World Wide Movers, our network of FIDI / FAIM accredited partners cover the whole of New Zealand.
Our partners in New Zealand are well versed in all aspects of the requirements for importation of personal and household goods.
This guarantees you a seamless, tailor made move to New Zealand, right through to your new home not only your personal effects and vehicles, but also for your much loved pets as well.
Pair the country’s natural traits with a cultural resurgence that’s seeing local films, literature, painting, sculpture and design gaining more and more attention, and there’s a destination that’s becoming increasingly cosmopolitan.
MOVING YOUR HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO NEW ZEALAND
How long will my move to New Zealand take?
When moving your household goods to New Zealand by sea freight, this will typically take 2 – 3 weeks for an FCL service. For services such as LCL and shared container services (i.e. groupage), these will take longer to reach your destination as your goods will need to be consolidated with other consignments heading to the same destination. Please discuss these options & shipping times with your removal consultant, as shipping times will vary greatly for each destination when using this type of service over an FCL service.
When moving to New Zealand, can I pack my own goods?
If you are moving to NZ and sending items which have been “owner packed” then they will attract more stringent inspection by Customs and MAF Biosecurity on arrival. Providing a detailed carton by carton inventory to assist Customs and Biosecurity in inspecting your effects may avoid delays. It is advisable to have your goods packed by your moving company if you are looking at sending larger consignments to ensure the clearance process can be conducted with a minimum of fuss.
Moving to New Zealand with my car
It is possible to move your vehicle to New Zealand, provided the strict rules set by the New Zealand government are complied with. Our Service for moving a vehicle will be a delivery service from our depot to our partner’s depot in New Zealand, with the main depot’s being Auckland, Christchurch & Wellington. (If delivery is required to another depot location please let us know and we can arrange this, delivery to your residence can be arranged for an additional fee).
To complete the importing process, you must provide evidence of:
- Proof of ownership
- Emissions Standards
- Frontal Impact Standards
- Fuel Consumption
- Light-Vehicle brakes standards
- Heavy-Vehicle brakes standards
- Overall standards
You must make sure that you deregister the vehicle with its current country’s registration authority and keep all the documents required for arrival, as well as arrange for an entry certifier to perform the entry certification inspection.
Please note you cannot export tyres to New Zealand without rims. If you do they will incur mandatory fumigation with no option of destruction.
Moving to New Zealand with pets?
Moving overseas with your pets presents a unique set of logistical challenges. As New Zealand is a country filled with unique and fragile ecosystems and some species that can only be found on its islands, New Zealand does have a very specific set of regulations about the kinds of pets you can bring on your move.
That said moving your cat or dog between New Zealand and Australia is fairly easy but there are a number of conditions from the Import Health Standard (IHS) that need to be followed, such as restricted breeds.
So when we are moving your loved pets, this process will be managed with a specialist ‘OSS approved’ pet moving provider who understands the needs of both the pets and their owners, and will take care of all the relevant arrangements for your move to New Zealand.
Moving to New Zealand with my boat
Moving a boat to New Zealand has similar requirements to moving a car to New Zealand when it comes to registration requirements and processes.
Customs and Quarantine in New Zealand will have a special interest in the boat due to its exposure to marine life, however as Australia has a fairly clean marine environment, your boat should pass customs and quarantine without any problem.
When moving to New Zealand, what insurance should I have?
OSS offers a full range of moving insurance options depending on your needs when moving to NZ.
Although your shipment to New Zealand will be packed to export standards (designed to withstand the the longest journey), the small cost of insurance gives you complete peace of mind with regard to the exposure and rigours that are always inherent when moving from one side of the world to the other.
Ask us about MoveCover, our Marine Transit Insurance product.
Moving to New Zealand with restricted or prohibited items
When moving to New Zealand you will need to consider the extensive list of restricted and prohibited items. The following is a sample of the extensive list you can see via this PDF: Moving to New Zealand – FIDI Guide
- Objectionable material contained on items like videotapes, films, records, CD-ROMs and in publications
- Weapons like flick knives, butterfly knives, swordsticks, knuckle-dusters and any weapon which is disguised as something else
- Equipment for using cannabis or methamphetamine
- Anything which you’re planning to use in a crime
You need a permit to import certain items, including:
- Ivory in any form, including jewellery, and carvings
- Tortoise or sea turtle shell jewellery, and ornaments
- Meat or food derived from whales, dolphins, rare crane, and pheasants, or sea turtles
- Medicines containing musk, or rhinoceros or tiger derivatives such as ground horn or bone
- Carvings or other things made from whalebone or bone from other marine mammals
- Trophies of sea turtles, all big cats, rare reptiles, cranes, pheasants, bears, antelope, and deer
- Live species, including pet eagles, hawks, owls and parrots, many cacti, orchids, cycads, and cyclamens
- carnivorous plants.
Moving to New Zealand and tax implications
If you are considering moving to New Zealand then it’s very important that you understand the tax differences and rates between the two nations. These rates are based on your total income for the tax year. Your income could include:
- Salary, Wages or Earnings from Self-Employment
- Work and Income benefit
- Scheduled payments
- Interest from a bank account or investment
- Money from renting out property
- Overseas income
Some income is taxed before you get paid (which includes salaries, wages, work and income benefits, scheduled payments and interest). The amount of tax your employer or payer deducts depends on the tax code and income information you gave them. Other income is not taxed, and you pay tax on this income at the end of the year, with the amount depending on your total income for the tax year.
Refer here to visit the IRD government website to understand more about taxation in New Zealand
It is vital that you understand and obtain specific accounting and taxation advice suitable to your individual circumstances before moving to NZ.
Moving to New Zealand with electrical goods
New Zealand appliances are manufactured to operate on 220-240 Volt AC supply which is the same as Australia. You should not expect any compatibility issues with appliances purchased and used in Australia. For New Zealand, the associated plug type is I, which is the plug that has three flat pins in a triangular pattern.
Information on Immigration when Moving to New Zealand
Because of the close historical relationship between Australia and New Zealand, trans-Tasman immigration is easier than you may expect.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia, you won’t even need to get a visa in advance. The Australian Resident Visa is available to apply for upon your arrival in New Zealand.
If you are an Australian citizen moving New Zealand, all you need to do is be able to prove that you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident and are of “good character”. This means that you don’t have a criminal conviction, haven’t been deported from another country and aren’t an official security risk to New Zealand.
New Zealand High Commission Canberra, Australia
Includes contact information for the High Commission and the Consulate-General, and also a brief comment on the New Zealand-Australian relationship: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/australia/new-zealand-high-commission-to-australia/
New Zealand Visa Information
General visa information can be found here: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/options/work
New Zealand Passport Office
Apply for an adult New Zealand passport, a child passport, or renew an existing. You won’t need to print off forms, mail us anything or visit a Passport office: http://www.passports.govt.nz/
New Zealand Immigration Information
New Zealand immigration information. Learn about visa requirements and how to apply for work, business, study and visitor visas: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/
New Zealand Citizenship Information
A guide to citizenship: http://www.dia.govt.nz/New-Zealand-citizenship
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise
Learn about exporting from New Zealand, buying New Zealand products and key investment sectors: https://www.nzte.govt.nz/
Moving to New Zealand – Recent Blogs
Sydney to Auckland – Moving Home
Moving home to Auckland, New Zealand? Moving to New Zealand is commonly enticed by a change in lifestyle, often caused by a recent retirement, change in jobs or moving closer to family and friends. To read more about your move home to Auckland and moving to New Zealand in general, click here.
What to Think of When Moving Overseas to New Zealand
Are you moving your household goods overseas to New Zealand? Whether you’re moving to New Zealand for work, study, or just a change of scenery, there’s a lot to think about! Here are our top moving tips to help make your transition as smooth as possible: Moving Overseas to New Zealand
Moving Reviews about Moving to New Zealand
Our Second New Zealand Move With OSS
We used OSS World Wide Movers three years ago to move us from Sydney to New Zealand and then back to Australia this year. They were a pleasure to deal with online and in person. Our move from New Zealand back to OZ was of a four bedroom house and a split shipment wherein half went into their storage. They handled it with no problem. We’ve just had the remainder moved into our new house in the Blue Mountains and it was easy as. I highly recommend OSS and would gladly use them again.
This post about moving from NZ to Australia was made on October 25 2022
An Excellent Job Moving Household Goods to New Zealand
OSS were the final, and arguably the most important, link in the chain involved in getting our possessions shipped over from New Zealand to Australia. From keeping us updated on the status of our container, to letting us know when our stuff finally cleared customs, to organizing the final delivery, they were effortlessly professional. The guys who brought them to us arrived on time, and were careful and respectful of our things. Everything arrived, nothing was lost or broken. A first class job. I would unhesitatingly recommend them.
This post about moving from New Zealand to Australia was made by Steve on September 10 2022
Across the ditch without a hitch – Moving to New Zealand
We moved 133 of boxes and furniture items, being 35cubic metres of household effects from Australia to New Zealand into storage. The pickup went off without any problems as did the transit into storage and no damage. All the staff and contractors we had contact with were very professional and we always had our original contact to fall back to should we have any concerns and they were always so helpful. We could not commend them highly enough.
This post about moving from New Zealand to Australia was made by Malibu on October 6 2022
Are you Planning on moving furniture and other household goods to New Zealand? OSS World Wide Movers provides safe and reliable moving & relocation services to all parts of the New Zealand. Our professional international relocation service can quickly and efficiently move your effects through customs via our New Zealand moving partners.