You’ll have less stress and hassle if you do some homework about New Zealand before you arrive. Interested in coming to New Zealand? Register with us and you’ll receive great info on jobs and upcoming events. Is there anything wrong with this page?Page last updated: 31/08/2016 Help us improve New Zealand Now Your feedback is very important in helping us improve the New Zealand Now website. Please don’t include any personal or financial information. What is wrong with this page? Moving to Australia Checklist Below is a Moving to Australia Checklist (Pre Move Planner) ausmove put together to help you organize and plan your move. You can download a printable version here, ready for you to print and put on your fridge - Moving to Australia CheckList.pdf. 4 weeks before you move: Ensure passports, visas and any travel bookings are finalized. Contact Post office and request change of address forms for redirection of mail. Contact your doctors, dentist, schools and request all records be sent out to you.

(Tip: Ask Doctors and Dentists for referrals to reputable Health professionals in your new location). If you havent already started, now would be a good time to start discarding unwanted items. You may want to consider having placing an ad for a garage sale. Advise your bank and credit card companies to arrange transfer of funds and/or termination of your account. Notify the following departments/groups letting them know of your move- Department of Inland Revenue (I.R.D)- Electoral Registrar- Your local council- Police Department if you hold firearms licence - Your solicitors- Your church or clubs you belong too- Publications to which you subscribe (cancel or transfer subscription)- Friends or Family Confirm your removal date with Ausmove. And any other aspects of your move packing, storage, insurance, documentation, your pets etc. 2 weeks before you move: Ensure to discontinue the following:- Milk/bread delivery- Newspaper delivery- Telephone – final reading also- Gas and electricity- Water services

If your plants won't survive relocation give them away to friends or neighbours. Organise someone to look after your children and pets on the day of the move.Carpet Cleaning Machines With Brushes Return all items burrowed and collect items on loan.Used Furniture Buyers In Queens New York Arrange for the cancellation of services such as electricity, gas, phone and internet.Car Seat Covers With Flip Flops Arrange for disposal of anything not sold at your moving sale.Dispose of items that cannot be moved, such as inflammable liquids. Transfer prescriptions and be sure you have an adequate supply of medications on hand. Assemble a file folder of information to leave for the new owner of your home.

Take animals to vet for immunization if necessary. Personal accident and medical insurance arranged. Inoculations for yourself and family done. Power of Attorney arranged. International drivers licence arranged. Collect any laundry from drycleaners. Remove all food from the refrigerator, and defrost the freezer. Empty the fuel and oil from mowers. Clean out medicine cabinet and dispose in a safe way. I.e. via the chemist – unwanted medicines. Have your T.V. aerial taken down and dismantled. Anchor the drum of the automatic washing machine – please consult your local appliance dealer. Arrange an easy meal for moving day with disposable utensils, or eat out. Disposal of, or arrange with Ausmove to store unwanted furniture. Return any borrowed items and garden tools Set aside jewelry, money, valuable documents, travel documents, stamp collection, to take in your possession. Don't forget to books and games for the children.

Lock up pets if required Arrange for someone to mind the children on move day Be sure someone is at the old house to answer questions. Anything left behind, check prior to Ausmove leaving the garage, under the house or in unused cupboards? No clothes at the dry cleaners, goods at repairers Has your new house  been cleaned prior to moving in – its easier to do when its empty Ausmove can arrange this if required. Ensure fridge/freezer cleaned – wipe out using a damp cloth with vanilla essence, blow dry especially corners, put silica gel into fresh a compartment or four to five tea bags which will soak up any moisture and will ensure it won’t go mouldy. Don’t place breakables, liquids or heavy items in drawers Avoid overloading drawers with linen etc, and don’t forget to check that all items have been moved.So, now that you’ve decided that New Zealand is the place for you, it’s time to tackle the all-important ‘to do’ list before heading over.

This can be quite extensive depending on whether you’re going over for a year on a working holiday, or moving the whole family across indefinitely. If all the aspects of moving abroad are researched thoroughly and given ample time to be achieved, your move will be made significantly easier. We’ve put together an extensive list of things you should consider to help you get across to New Zealand prepared and ready to start life’s next adventure. Look at your visa options The starting point for any successful move overseas is securing the right visa for you, and if applicable, your family. If you are not a New Zealand citizen, you must have a visa to enter New Zealand. Decide what you want to do in New Zealand (short term working holiday, or longer term employment and residency) and then look into your visa options – we have a great Guide to New Zealand Visas to get you started. Ensure you and all family members or friends you are travelling with have valid passports that are in date for the full duration of the visa you are applying for (e.g. If you are applying for a 4 year visa, you should have at least 4 years of validity on your passport).

If it needs replacing, then do so. Look into what it will cost for you to move to, and live in New Zealand. Make sure that you will be able to achieve the standard of living you are hoping for, without doing this you can set yourself up for a bit of a shock! Our Cost of Living page is a great place to start. Look at your job options Once you’ve decided which visa is most suitable for you, you may want to look at job opportunities, visit our Jobs Board to see what is on offer, and read our Guide to Employment. Ensure you have all your qualifications and work experience listed and up to date, this will allow you to apply for jobs before you arrive, visit our Jobs Board to see what kind of employment is on offer. Get your trade or qualification recognised If you have a trade or qualification it’s advisable to have your qualifications formally recognised by the relevant authority in New Zealand. This may improve your chance of gaining employment in your profession or trade.

Visit our Employment section for more information. If you are going on a working holiday, this may not be necessary. Do you have property? Will you want to sell it, or rent it out while you are in New Zealand? Once you are in New Zealand will you want to stay in temporary accommodation, or move straight into a rental? Will you eventually want to buy, and how much do properties cost? Visit our Finding a Home section for more information. Do you want to ship your household items and maybe even the pets? If you are going longer term, and you would like to take your household items, the car and even your pets, there are a few things to consider when shipping to New Zealand. Take a look at our International Shipping section for more information. Will you need to maintain an account in your home country (e.g. for payments into your account or to maintain bills)? Will you need to open a bank account in New Zealand so that you can transfer funds to pay for anything before you arrive?

Take a look at our Money & Tax section for more information on how this can be done Closing down accounts in the UK such as utilities, subscriptions, etc. You don’t want any loose ends or headaches with things that have been left when you are in New Zealand. Also ensure you have your post re-directed to either a family member or friends address, or have it re-directed to your new address in New Zealand. Many large airlines offer special one-way fares for people migrating to New Zealand depending on your arrival visa type. It may be worth ringing their booking line directly to inquire about what services are available. Look at health and travel insurance Now you know you’re travel dates, ensure you have travel or health insurance suitable for your time in New Zealand. If you are planning to stay in New Zealand for an extended amount of time, you may want to register with Medicare (the local health service) visit the Health Service & Insurance section for more information.

If you have secured a job in New Zealand, it is advisable to arrange a start date with your new employer before you leave. This will ensure that upon arrival, you have a set amount of time to get adjusted, unpack and begin your new life. Before you leave, make sure you have said all your goodbyes, provide your new contact details and travel itinerary to your family and friends. Apply for a New Zealand Inland Revenue Department Number (IRD) Do this as soon as possible. To receive an income in New Zealand, you need an IRD number, this will be your reference for paying income tax. Visit our Money & Tax section for more information. Register with the local health service The New Zealand Government provides help with basic medical expenses through a scheme provided by the Ministry of Health. You will need to check your eligibility, you can do so by visiting the Ministry's website or find out more information in our Health Service & Insurance section. Pick up your New Zealand bank debit card