Moving to New Zealand involves significant upfront costs. Here's a realistic breakdown to help you budget. All figures are in New Zealand dollars (NZD) unless stated.
Visa Fees
- Skilled Migrant EOI: NZD $590
- Skilled Migrant Residence Application: NZD $4,290 (main applicant), plus fees for partner and dependents
- Accredited Employer Work Visa: NZD $750 — $1,350
- Student Visa: NZD $375 — $500
- Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa: NZD $860
- Partner of a New Zealander Residence: NZD $2,540
- Immigration Levy: NZD $55 — $350 per application (varies by visa type)
Note: Fees are reviewed annually by Immigration NZ. Check the official fee finder at immigration.govt.nz.
Flights to New Zealand
Prices vary greatly by origin and season. Typical return (or one-way) economy flights:
- From UK/Europe: NZD $1,500 — $2,800 per person
- From USA/Canada: NZD $1,200 — $2,500 per person
- From Australia: NZD $300 — $800 per person
- From Asia: NZD $600 — $1,500 per person
Book outside of December: January and July: August peak seasons for the best prices.
Shipping Household Goods
Shipping a container of household goods to New Zealand is a major expense. Estimates are for door-to-door shipping:
- Small shared container (20ft shared): NZD $4,000 — $7,000
- Full 20ft container: NZD $6,500 — $12,000
- Full 40ft container: NZD $9,000 — $16,000
- Air freight (small volume): NZD $2,000 — $5,000
Major ports: Auckland (most common), Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin. Shipping to the South Island costs more. Allow 8 — 12 weeks for sea freight from the US/Europe, 2 — 4 weeks from Australia or Asia.
Customs and Biosecurity
New Zealand has strict biosecurity laws. You'll need to declare all used items and may need to pay for cleaning or treatment of items like outdoor equipment, bikes, and gardening tools.
- MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) inspection fee: NZD $150 — $500
- Quarantine cleaning of items: NZD $100 — $300
- Used vehicle compliance and cleaning: NZD $500 — $1,500
- Customs Broker fee: NZD $200 — $500 per shipment
Settling-In Costs (First Month)
- Short-term accommodation: NZD $1,500 — $4,000 (motel/Airbnb for 2 — 4 weeks)
- Rental bond (4 weeks' rent): NZD $2,000 — $3,200 (typical)
- First month's rent in advance: NZD $500 — $800 per week
- Basic furniture and appliances: NZD $3,000 — $7,000
- Car purchase (used): NZD $5,000 — $15,000
- Car registration and insurance: NZD $500 — $1,200
- Phone and internet connection: NZD $200 — $500
Total Estimated Moving Costs
| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fees | NZD $1,000 | NZD $6,000 |
| Flights (family of 2) | NZD $2,000 | NZD $6,000 |
| Shipping & customs | NZD $5,000 | NZD $15,000 |
| Settling in | NZD $10,000 | NZD $25,000 |
| Total | NZD $18,000 | NZD $52,000 |
These are rough estimates. A single person shipping very little could move for NZD $8,000 — $12,000. A family shipping a full container could easily spend NZD $40,000+.