If you’re moving to New Zealand for work, studies, or for the lifestyle, then there’s plenty of things to consider in order to ensure a smooth transition. Fortunately, there are plenty of professional removals firms in the UK who help individuals, couples and families to relocate to the country. What do you need to know?
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What Are the Costs of Moving to New Zealand?
Other than the airfares that you’ll need to pay, moving to New Zealand involves the cost of transporting your items to the other side of the world. Bear in mind that this is no mere move from one side of the country to the other so packing up your belongings into a van will simply not do. Most removal jobs to New Zealand involve shipping them over while you fly to your new home.
Costs of Moving to New Zealand
| Number of Bedrooms | Shipping Container | Other Moving Costs |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 | £1300 (20 feet) | £500 |
| 4 to 5 | £1300 (20 feet) | £800 |
| 6 and up | £2000 (40 feet) | £1000 |
Additional Shipping Costs
Of course, all of these prices are approximate and they can vary depending on the time of year your planned move will occur. You should also bear in mind that some people require additional shipping containers if they have lots of items they are taking with them, such as antique furniture, for example.
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Top 5 Tips When Relocating to New Zealand
1. Hire a Removal Company
Since all removal firms work slightly differently when it comes to international removal costs, prices vary. However, the most costly part of the move will be hiring a shipping container to transport your items between continents for you.
2. Keep Important Documents Close
Keep your most important documents with you at all times and don’t ship them separately. This means your passport, of course, but also your family’s birth certificates, your marriage certificate, your credit references and your driver’s license.
3. Packing: DIY or let others do it for you?
Your chosen removal company will either provide you with packaging crates or take on packing for you, depending on the moving services you’d like to go for.
4. Check Customs Formalities
Check what you can bring to New Zealand. Do not attempt to ship something into the country without first having made sure that it is allowed in. New Zealand’s rules are different from those in the UK and some things simply cannot be taken with you, especially items that contain certain chemicals.
5. Save Money with a Group Container
To cut costs, consider sharing a shipping container. While this option may lead to potential delays, you can send less urgent items this way. For essential or immediate needs, you could consider opting for full-container load or priority airport shipping to ensure the timely arrival of your international shipment.
Packing for an International Move
Before the actual removal, you should organise your items carefully for the long journey they will undertake. Plastic bags and cardboard boxes are not durable enough for an ocean-going voyage even if they are placed securely inside a shipping container. Only use robust, lidded stacking crates for your belongings.
Here’s some essential packing tips for moving to New Zealand:
1. Label Your Boxes
Wrap anything that is potentially breakable – from dinnerware sets to electrical equipment – in bubble wrap and place them carefully inside their respective crates. Finally, write on the side of each crate its intended destination and the room it will be delivered to. This will help the removal companies in New Zealand to make sure everything gets to the correct place which, in turn, makes it easier for you to unpack.
2. Sizeable Items
When it comes to items that are too big for storage crates, take care to cover them with old linen or plastic sheeting. Flatten everything you can. If you have a dining set that can be unscrewed, for instance, then take it apart. For specialist or heavy items, like pianos or large canvases, seek professional advice before shipping them.
3. Moving to New Zealand with Kids
Involving the whole family in decision-making can prevent feelings of being overlooked, particularly when it comes to children’s items. Kids often form sentimental attachments to toys, even those they rarely use.
To streamline the process, consider creating a comprehensive inventory of your possessions. Then, categorise them into two lists: items to bring along and those to sell or donate. This collaborative approach ensures everyone’s input is valued and can make the transition smoother for all.
Why Hire a Company for Moving to New Zealand?
Without professionals, you will feel very much on your own during the move. If items are broken or go missing when shipping them yourself, sorting out these issues will fall to you just as you are trying to get on with settling into your new life overseas.
Expertise
Remember that professional removal firms are experts and will offer you specific advice for the sorts of things that your family want to take with them. In addition, professional and reliable companies provide international moving services with the necessary insurance to ensure you have complete peace of mind while your treasured possessions are at sea.
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