From your first 90 days to driving, banking, housing, healthcare and everyday life β the practical detail you need to settle in and feel at home in New Zealand.
A realistic timeline of what to do and when after you arrive.
Apply for your IRD number, open a bank account, get a NZ SIM, sort short-term accommodation, register with a GP.
Activate your bank account, convert your driver licence, enrol children in school, start the hunt for longer-term housing.
Start work, enrol in KiwiSaver, arrange contents insurance, set up power/internet, explore your neighbourhood.
Review finances and insurance, consider a vehicle purchase, look at mortgage pre-approval, connect with community.
Your NZ licence is also your main form of ID. You can drive on your overseas (e.g. South African) licence for your first 12 months β but convert to a NZ licence as soon as you can.
Visit your local AA to convert: you get a temporary licence instantly and the permanent one arrives within ~2 weeks. You can even start the process while still in South Africa.
Child safety seats (restraints) are mandatory in New Zealand β check the requirements before you travel with children.
Thousands of second-hand cars are available. Every vehicle needs an annual Warrant of Fitness (WoF) safety check and an annual vehicle licence (rego). The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is your hub for all transport matters.
Imported cars (often from Japan, UK, Australia, USA) offer wider choice and features but can affect resale value and must meet NZ safety/emissions standards. NZ-new cars come with warranties, dealer support and easier servicing/parts.
We highly recommend renting before buying. It gives you time to learn the pros and cons of vehicles here β and rental costs include maintenance, WoF, rego, road-user charges and insurance.
Buying means upfront cost, maintenance, insurance (which can be high), possible loan payments and Road User Charges (RUC) for diesel vehicles. Renting bundles these in.
Major banks include ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank. Smaller banks include TSB, The Co-operative Bank, SBS, Heartland, Rabobank, The Warehouse Money and First Credit Union.
You can open a NZ account from your home country β just present ID at a branch once you land. EFTPOS cards link to your account for purchases and ATM withdrawals.
NZ is increasingly cashless and bank hours are limited β most banking is done online or by phone.
First Credit Union runs a great in-school savings programme so kids can start saving from age 5.
Most major banks offer an international link for new migrants: ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac all have dedicated migrant banking pages to get you started before you arrive.
Rental prices are higher in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch than in smaller towns. You'll sign a tenancy agreement (a legally binding contract) and pay a bond of 3β4 weeks' rent, which should be lodged with Tenancy Services (you can ask to pay it to them directly rather than the landlord).
Search on Trade Me Property and Realestate.co.nz, plus property managers and listings.
Research the local market (prices vary a lot by region). A licensed real estate agent can help you find and negotiate β and they're generally free for buyers (the seller pays). First-home buyers may access government support such as First Home Grants and First Home Loans.
NZ's mortgage market is highly competitive. Lenders assess income, credit history and employment stability. You can choose between fixed-rate, floating (variable) and interest-only options. Rates move with market conditions and the Reserve Bank's official cash rate.
NZ's healthcare is a mix of free and subsidised services. Free or low-cost public care is available to residents, citizens and holders of work visas valid for 2+ years (with reciprocal exceptions for UK and Australia visitors).
Free or low-cost for eligible residents. Children under 13 get free GP visits. Wait times for non-urgent treatment can be long.
The Accident Compensation Corporation provides no-fault injury cover for all residents and visitors β emergency accident care is covered, plus many related medical costs.
Private cover means faster specialist access and no waiting lists for non-accident procedures.
Malls (Sylvia Park, Westfield Riccarton, Queensgate), department stores (Farmers, Smith & Caughey's), high-street strips (Ponsonby Rd, Cuba St), markets and online retailers. Prices can be higher than home due to NZ's isolation.
To cut cost when setting up, our members recommend Salvation Army, Red Cross and Hospice shops for good, affordable items. Don't forget warm winter clothing.
Kiwis love DIY. Bunnings Warehouse, Mitre 10 and PlaceMakers stock tools and materials (with workshops). Expect to mow your own lawns, refuel your own car and pack your own groceries at Pak'nSave.
Genesis, Mercury, Contact, Meridian and Trustpower are the major retailers. Smaller companies often have great deals β compare on the government-funded comparison site and pick on price, location and bundles.
ISPs include Spark, One NZ, 2degrees, Orcon, Slingshot and Starlink. Watch for data caps vs unlimited plans, and bundle options.
Spark, One NZ (Vodafone), 2degrees, Skinny and Warehouse Mobile offer prepaid and postpaid plans. Compare coverage, pricing and data.
Free-to-air: TVNZ 1 & 2, Three, Prime. Pay/streaming: Sky, Netflix, Neon. On-demand: TVNZ+ and ThreeNow.
You'll pick these up fast β here are a few to get you started.
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