New Zealand, a unique and picturesque island in the middle of Oceania that boasts fauna and flora that can’t be found elsewhere, a strong economy, and a great quality of life. It’s no wonder so many Brits move to New Zealand!
You may wonder what you need to move to the Kiwi Nation successfully? To help answer that question we’ve put together a short guide of the most important things to do when moving to New Zealand from the UK.
Did you know? The kiwifruit isn’t actual native to the Kiwi Nation. It’s originally from China but became success after being cultivated in New Zealand for global export. Maybe you too will be successful in New Zealand!
Visa
One of the first things that you will need to consider when moving to New Zealand is applying for a visa. While you can travel to New Zealand on holiday visa free, you can’t work or live there permanently.
If you’re not familiar with the procedures of visa application, the smartest thing to do is visit the New Zealand Government’s page on applying for a visa to see which visa suits your needs! If you’re moving to New Zealand permanently, you will probably need to consider applying for a work visa or an essential skills work visa.
Also, the visa application can be lengthy, up to three months on average (and even longer in some cases), so patience will be important. It’s always best to be well prepared, so be sure to have all the necessary documentation ready!
Moving
Next on the list is moving house. In order to prepare you’ll be needing to know how to move your belongings to New Zealand from the UK! And that’s easy with the help of a moving company, but choosing one that suits your needs and budget is the hard bit. Since there are many companies out there, you can make your life considerably easier by using a service like Sirelo.co.uk. You’ll receive free quotes, so you can choose the best company for your budget. After that, all you’ll have to worry about is packing and choosing what you’ll need to bring with you for your new life in the Kiwi Nation.
Work
If you are applying for a visa, it is wise to be in midst of a job search. If you find one, it will aid you in the visa application.
The New Zealand government, as always, is happy to help you apply for jobs. If you register with them, they will send you emails about job opportunities. These will be in sectors that are of benefit to the Kiwi Nation, so your chance of getting a work visa approved is greatly improved!
Housing
The next thing that you’ll need to give consideration to is where you’ll be living. It’s all fine and dandy getting on a plane, but where do you go when you land? Once your visa is sorted and you’re almost ready to move, it’s time to think about where you’ll be spending the majority of your time. This blog mentions 3 house finding websites and there are many more like it to be found online.
Banking & Money
The UK and New Zealand have a lot in common, such as the healthcare system (which we’ll talk about in a bit), but one point of difference is the banking system and currency. When moving to New Zealand, you should consider opening an account with a local branch. Why? The conversion fees! It’s definitely best to avoid unnecessary expenses, and not to mention the difficulty you’ll have accessing your account information or withdrawing money.
Health
Before moving, you will need to ensure that you are up-to-date with all your standard vaccinations, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (or chickenpox), polio, and the yearly flu shot. Be sure to book an appointment with your doctor at least one month before departure, to avoid any kerfuffle when you arrive in New Zealand.
One thing that you’ll be glad to hear is that the New Zealand healthcare system operates in a similar manner to the NHS –it is publicly funded and pretty comprehensive. All you’ll need to access it is your work visa or permanent residency visa. Of course, you can still consider private health care if that is the system you prefer, just don’t forget insurance.
We’re certain this guide on moving to New Zealand will enable you to take the first steps in moving. New Zealand is definitely a place worth moving to for a change of pace. So, keep at it champ!
