New Zealand Checklist

We have compiled a brief, up-to-date and meaningful guide to assist you in your move to Aotearoa.  This information is provided as a guideline only.

Before you leave...
In order to work within New Zealand, you need to hold a valid work permit / visa. For information on work permit / visa types, your eligibility and to lodge a formal application, please refer to either The New Zealand Immigration Service or Malcolm Pacific (Malcolm Pacific is the largest, independent immigration consultancy in New Zealand).
 
Documentation
Your first few days in New Zealand are more likely to be easy and problem-free if you arrive with the following documents:
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificates
  • Academic qualifications
  • References from previous employers
  • An up-to-date CV
  • Credit references
  • An international drivers licence or permit
NOTE: All documents should be originals - not copies. If documents are not in English, they should be accompanied by certified translation.
 
Insurance
You should obtain adequate travel insurance before arriving in New Zealand and ensure that it covers loss of passport, baggage and money.

Plan what to wear
The weather is changeable, so bring a range of clothes and do not forget to include a raincoat. Remember, seasons are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere.
 
Money requirements when you first arrive
Most New Zealand banks have branches at international airports with comprehensive foreign exchange facilities. But if possible, arrive with some New Zealand money in mixed denominations. $5, $10, $20 and $50 notes are recommended as traveller’s cheques may not be accepted for small purchases.

Mail
If you are expecting mail to arrive for you in New Zealand, but you do not have a permanent address, then New Zealand Post can set up a 'private box' or 'private bag' at a post office in the city or town in which you plan to stay (a hotel or motel address is not acceptable).
 
Bringing your belongings
The New Zealand Customs Service will help with Customs formalities when you arrive in New Zealand and will provide information about importing household effects, motor vehicles, boats and aircraft.
 
Pets
You may need to plan six months in advance if you wish to bring your domestic pets into New Zealand. The New Zealand Government is extremely careful about the importation of livestock into the country. Cats and dogs from many counties of the world can come to New Zealand. They are likely to need to be put into quarantine once they arrive. How long depends on what country you come from and what steps you have taken to meet the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) testing requirements before arrival. Nearly all other animals including birds, turtles and monkeys are prohibited from coming to New Zealand.

Cats and dogs must be identified with a microchip or permanent tattoo and the identification details must be shown on the accompanying certification when they are imported to New Zealand.
 
Currency
New Zealand’s currency is in dollars and cents, with banknotes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100, and coins worth 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and $1 and $2.

Tax
If you are working in New Zealand for the first time and intend to work as a normal employee, you will need an IRD number before you start a job or open a bank account. Otherwise, your employer or bank will deduct the ‘no declaration’ rate of tax from your salary - this rate is much higher than the standard deduction rates and will significantly reduce the net income you receive.

You can apply for a number by filling in the appropriate application form - IR 595. This form needs to be completed and returned to Inland Revenue Department (IRD) with identification, such as a copy of your birth certificate or passport. They will then issue you with an IRD number and tax code, which usually takes between 10 - 12 working days.

If you choose to work as an independent contractor (GST registered), you will be classified as self-employed and will also need to register with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

People living in New Zealand also pay a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 12.5% on the purchases of all goods and services.

Opening a New Zealand Bank Account
Banks normally operate from Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm with some banks and building societies now opening their doors on Saturdays and Sundays. There is an abundance of 24 hour Automatic-Teller Machines (ATMs), and there are several major banking institutions in New Zealand to choose from for your financial requirements:
  • ASB
  • National Bank
  • Westpac
  • ANZ
  • BNZ
  • Kiwibank
  • HSBC

Opening a bank account in New Zealand is reasonably straightforward. Most banks will have an account operating for you within ten working days, if not sooner. You will require proof of identification (eg - passport, drivers licence), a photocopy of your immigration or entry papers and copies of recent bank account or credit card statements from your bank in your home country. As a precaution, a reference from your bank in your home country will always provide solid evidence of your banking history.

In addition to cheque and savings accounts and foreign exchange facilities, New Zealand banks offer a range of services that include personal loans, home loans, insurance, investment, credit cards, and property and business finance.

Health
New Zealand’s public health system is widely regarded as one of the best of the OECD countries.
  • General Practitioners - Registering with a GP is free and easy. Most GP’s are open from 8.00am - 6.00pm.
    Costs - Adult:  $45 to $55 per visit (weekend or night visits usually cost $10 to $15 extra)  6 - 17 years:  $20 per visit  Under 6:  Free
  • Hospitals - New Zealand has 85 public hospitals.
    Costs - With minor exceptions, hospital treatment is provided free of charge.
  • Dental Care - Routine dental checks are provided free for all children through school clinics.
    Costs -     Standard check-up:  $50 - $90 per visit
  • Prescriptions - GP's do not dispense medicines directly. However, they do provide written prescriptions or scripts (orders for medicine). These are dispensed by registered Pharmacists. Prescriptions usually cost between $3 - $15 per prescription item for up to 20 items a year. Prescription medicine for children under 6 is free.
Water
All New Zealand tap water is safe to drink and most is of very high quality.

Accommodation
Finding somewhere to live will be one of your biggest priorities when you first arrive in New Zealand. Lots of people choose to rent a house first and then buy later. This gives you the chance to become familiar with the city or region you’ll be living in before you buy. You can take some time to discover the types of housing New Zealand has and what it costs.
 
Renting/Flatting:
Typically, weekly rates for accommodation for a flat/room may vary from anywhere between NZ$90 - NZ$200 per week.  A three to four bedroom house will cost anywhere from NZ$200 - NZ$2000 per week.  Newspapers, Websites and Real Estate agencies produce lists of available accommodation within most areas. All you need to do is establish where you want to live and how much you want to spend.  As a guide, when you agree to rent a property, you usually need to pay:
  • A fee to the letting agent if you have used one
  • A bond
  • Rent in advance
  • For getting the telephone, electricity and, where applicable, gas connected
To save you unnecessary stress and confusion, some of the following considerations should be addressed with a potential landlord:
  • Finding out what bills are included in the cost of the rent and what are counted as extra.
  • Find out exactly how much landlords are charging per month as some advertisements mislead you by giving a weekly rate.
  • Find out if the property is furnished or whether you will have to provide any or some of your own furniture.

Factors such as proximity to transport, shops and schools, as well as the general feel of the neighbourhood, also need to be taken into account. Demand for good quality rentals is high. It may take some time to find a suitable property, and when you do, you will usually have to make a quick decision.

Buying a home:
New Zealand proudly boasts one of the highest home ownership rates in the world. Housing in New Zealand is affordable compared to numerous other countries, however the amount you should expect to pay for a house depends on where in New Zealand you choose to settle - prices for homes vary considerably. For example, homes in Auckland are generally more expensive than homes in Wellington. Costs also vary within neighbourhoods so it is important to find out as much as possible about an area before purchasing.
 
Transportation
Car:
If you intend on driving in New Zealand you will need to produce your own national driving licence or apply for an international driving permit. Only permanent residents are required to obtain New Zealand driving licence.

For information on car hire throughout New Zealand, please refer to any of the following:
  • Avis
  • Thrifty
  • Hertz
  • Budget
  • Apex Rentals
Public Transport:
 The New Zealand public transport system is efficient with trains, buses and taxis readily available to take you to all mainland destinations. For further information on specific transport times and destinations, please refer to: http://www.maxx.co.nz/

Cost of Living and Shopping
The cost of living varies depending on where you live in New Zealand. For instance, Auckland is the most expensive city in New Zealand in which to live, particularly for housing. However, Auckland salaries tend to be higher. The further South, the less expensive the cost of living becomes.
  • Shopping Centres:
     The majority of shops open at 9.00am and close at 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Some stores have at least one late night a week in which they stay open till 9.00pm. In the larger shopping centres, the late night is usually Thursday and/or Friday nights. Most shops in the main centres and shopping malls open on weekends.
  • Tipping:
     New Zealanders do not expect tips for normal service - even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for extra special service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.
New Zealand Public Holidays
The following are public holidays in New Zealand:
  • 25th December - Christmas Day
  • 26th December - Boxing Day
  • 1st & 2nd January - New Years
  • 6th February - Waitangi Day (marking the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi)
  • During April - Easter Friday, Easter Monday
  • 25th April - Anzac Day
  • Monday after first week in June - Queens Birthday
  • Last Monday in October - Labour Day
  • Each province in New Zealand also has it’s own anniversary day.
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