Are you interested in moving to New Zealand from the United States? You’re not alone! New Zealand is rising up the list of top destinations for American expats thanks to the stunning landscapes, high quality of life, and progressive politics. As professional movers, we’ve helped thousands of Americans make the life changing move to New Zealand. Here is everything you need to know about relocating across the world and settling in the beautiful country of New Zealand.
Things to consider before you move
Moving to a new country can be nerve wracking! It’s also easy to get lost in the fantasy of living overseas. Here’s what you need to know before you book your tickets and pack your suitcase for New Zealand.
Decide if moving is right for you
When most Americans think of New Zealand, the Lord of the Rings franchise springs to mind. However, resettling in a new country is never quite like the movies. Having realistic expectations of your new home is important in order to avoid disappointment. If possible, visit New Zealand as a tourist to get a realistic understanding of your new home before you commit to moving.
Choose the appropriate visa
The reasons for moving to New Zealand will determine which visa you will choose. If you’re moving to study, you can easily apply for your student visa and can receive assistance from your education provider. In the case of moving for work, it’s best to first obtain a job in New Zealand and have them assist in organising your visa. If you’re moving for lifestyle reasons, check if your skills are in demand. Having skills which are needed in New Zealand will increase the likelihood of your visa being accepted and fast track your move. You can find all New Zealand visa requirements and information here.
Respect the Maori culture
New Zealand, or Aotearoa, has a rich indigieous history and culture. This culture was greatly impacted by British settlement, but Maori customs, cultural practices and language still remain prominent and form a distinctive part of New Zealand culture as a whole. Take the time to learn about the history and culture to get a comprehensive understanding of life in modern New Zealand.
High cost of living
New Zealand is well known for its high quality of life, but the cost of living is more expensive than in the United States. It’s easy to take advantage of the availability and affordability of consumer goods while residing in the United States. When living in New Zealand, you’ll find a more limited range of products with higher prices. While there is still an abundance of locally made products and services available, expect to pay more for anything produced overseas.
Strict biosecurity
When it comes to biosecurity, New Zealand has a strict and enforced policy. As the majority of the economy is reliant on the primary industries, like agriculture, and their ecosystem consists of mostly native flora and fauna, biosecurity is taken extremely seriously. Ensure to check what items you can bring to New Zealand before packing your bags or risk refusal of entry.
Distance from the U.S.
New Zealand is a 16 hour flight from the United States, and it's even further from the continents of Europe and Africa. It’s important to acknowledge that moving to New Zealand will make seeing friends and family more difficult and expensive. However, it’s proximity to Asia, Australia and the Pacific region opens a new world of possibilities and adventures.
American culture vs New Zealand culture
It’s easy to assume that New Zealand will be similar to the United States in terms of culture as it's also an English speaking country. While it was settled by the British like the United States, it has a distinct culture and specific customs. New Zealand culture is not dissimilar to British culture, however Kiwis (the colloquial term for New Zealanders) are considered more laid back and there is less of an obvious class divide.
The work-life balance is one of the many reasons why Americans make the move to New Zealand. You can expect less of a focus on career and urgency to move up the corporate ladder when you move to New Zealand. However, this is also reflected in the range of career development opportunities. It’s not uncommon for Kiwis to move overseas to pursue greater job prospects.
With such an incredible variety of landscapes and a pleasant climate, embracing the outdoors is popular. From skiing to surfing to rock climbing, there’s an abundance of exciting outdoor activities to try and enjoy. If you’re more of an indoors type, the local arts scene in the larger cities are beginning to gain more traction.
While the cost of living in New Zealand is higher than in the United States, so is the minimum wage. Because of this, tipping is not common and is usually only done after receiving exceptional service.
Life in New Zealand
If you’re ready to relocate to New Zealand, here’s what you should expect when you first arrive and begin getting settled.
Work
As mentioned above in our visa section, it’s best to first obtain a job before moving. However, there still are plenty of opportunities to find work when you arrive. You can either contact a New Zealand recruitment agency or apply online through job sites like New Kiwis. Hospitality and farm work are also great options for American expats.
Healthcare
New Zealand’s generous healthcare and other social services is often a key reason why Americans are interested in relocating. The public healthcare system gives New Zealand permanent residents access to free and heavily subsidised hospital and emergency care as well as standard medical tests, visits to General Practitioners, and some prescription medicines. To be eligible, you’ll need to have permanent residency status. If you aren’t a permanent resident, ensure to have appropriate health insurance.
Housing
New Zealand is currently experiencing a housing crisis as the cost of purchasing a home is skyrocketing. The development boom and rise in interest from foreign buyers has seen the New Zealand housing market become overly competitive and expensive. It’s recommended to consider renting when you first move to New Zealand. The average cost of rent is more expensive than most American cities, but cheaper compared to New York City or Los Angeles. Sharing a flat or house is common among younger people to reduce costs. You can find up to date housing information on New Zealand Now.
Sport
Rugby Union is the most popular sport in New Zealand with Kiwis fiercely proud of their national team the All Blacks. There are a range of local rugby, cricket, soccer and other sporting clubs across New Zealand. Unfortunately, you won’t find much interest in American Football or baseball here so take the opportunity to try something new.
Transport
Having a car will make life significantly easier in New Zealand, but there are public transport options available in the bigger cities like Auckland and Wellington. Buses are the most common form of public transport, but may be less efficient compared to the public transport in the United States. It’s also important to note that you’ll be driving on the other side of the road and will need a car with right hand drive.
Climate
The climate in New Zealand varies widely with the far north experiencing sub tropical weather during the summer and the far south having temperatures as low as 14° Fahrenheit (10℃) during the winter. Temperatures are reported in Celsius opposed to Fahrenheit in New Zealand. Being located on the Ring of Fire means New Zealand experiences a high level of earthquakes of varying degrees. To learn more about how to prepare for earthquakes, visit Get Ready.
Pets
Kiwis love their pets, with cats and dogs being the most common furry companions. If you’re wanting to bring a pet from the United States to New Zealand, you’ll need to be aware of the restrictions and ensure you have necessary documentation. You can find out more on the New Zealand Government website or contact Allied pet transport services to discuss your pet’s relocation.
Laws
A key distinction between New Zealand and the United States is the level of regulations and laws. There is strict gun and drug control in New Zealand, as well as various rules and regulations enforced by police and local council. This has made New Zealand considerably safer than the United States and is considered a good place to raise a family.
Ready to relocate?
Are you ready to make the move to New Zealand? Allied can make your international relocation from the United States easy. Our expansive global network of movers and decades of experience will ensure that your move to New Zealand is smooth and seamless. Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your specific moving requirements.