Moving your belongings to New Zealand
Moving your things to New Zealand can be an expensive exercise - one of our readers our our Experiences page said that they spent almost $10,000 moving their belongings.
If you have luggage to transport, you have 3 main options: Take your luggage on the plane, Post things to yourself (or a friend) in advance, or Have things sent over with a moving company.
Take your luggage on the plane
Advantages:
- You will have your items with you as soon as you arrive in New Zealand
Disadvantages:
- There are weight and size restrictions around how much luggage you can travel with.
- If you carry more than the weight allowance on your ticket, you may be subject to additional charges from your airline. These are not cheap at around $10-$15 per kg.
Some tips to help you travel with more items:
- Take luggage into consideration when booking your ticket. One airline may offer a cheaper ticket, but charge more for checked in luggage making it more expensive for you in the long run.
- Wear lots of clothes. If you've got a big heavy winter jacket that takes up lots of suitcase space, wear it to the airport rather than packing it.
- Take a big carry on bag. You're usually allowed up to 7kgs carry-on luggage.
Note: Weight and size allowances can differ between airlines. Check your airline booking information for the exact amounts permitted.
Post things to yourself (or a friend) in advance
Advantages:
- A good idea if you've just got a few things that you want to take but can't fit them in your suitcase.
Disadvantages:
- The costs to post items can be high (see the Australia Post website for current rates)
- You will have to wait for the items to arrive
- Posting items is difficult if you do not have a place to stay when you arrive in New Zealand - obviously you will need an address to send the items to.
Have things sent over with a moving company
Advantages:
- Everything in your house can be packed up in one container and sent over
- Moving companies often provide packing services to make the process easier. This also ensures that the moving/shipping company is liable for any damages (make sure you check easy companies policy regarding this).
Disadvantages:
- High costs. This will vary on the number of items you wish to ship and the moving company you choose. Generally charges start at around NZD$1500
- It can take a long time for your belongings to arrive. This can range from 3-6 weeks.
The following companies provide removal services and most offer online quotes:
Remember: It's important to shop around when it comes to choosing a mover. Some may offer lower rates but higher insurance charges - make sure you take all of these costs into consideration. There's nothing wrong with getting some quotes and then challenging another company to beat them.