Your first week in New Zealand is busy. Here's your priority checklist to get set up with the essentials.
Day 1: Arrival
- Clear customs and biosecurity: Declare all food, outdoor gear, used equipment, and wooden items. Biosecurity officers may inspect your luggage.
- Activate your NZ SIM card: Get a prepaid SIM from the airport or a local store. The main providers are Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees.
- Arrange transport to accommodation: Uber, taxis, or shuttle buses operate from all major airports. Public transport (SkyBus in Auckland) is cheaper.
- Get some New Zealand cash: ATMs are widely available. Most places accept credit/debit cards, but it's good to have NZD for small purchases.
Day 2–3: Banking and IRD
- Open a New Zealand bank account: Major banks are ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Kiwibank. You can often start the process online before you arrive, but you'll need to visit a branch in person with your passport and visa to activate the account.
- Apply for an IRD number: You need an IRD number to work and pay tax in NZ. Apply online through the Inland Revenue website. You'll need your passport and visa details. It usually takes 2–10 working days to receive your IRD number via letter or online.
- Check your KiwiSaver eligibility: KiwiSaver is NZ's voluntary retirement savings scheme. If you're working, your employer will contribute 3% of your pay. You can choose to contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10%. The government adds NZD $521 annually.
Day 3–4: Accommodation and Utilities
- Sort out long-term rental: If you haven't already secured a rental, start applying on Trade Me Property and realestate.co.nz. You'll need proof of identity, proof of income/employment, and references.
- Set up utilities: Power, gas, internet, and water. Power companies include Mercury, Genesis, Contact Energy, and Meridian. Broadband providers include Spark, Vodafone (One NZ), Slingshot, and 2degrees. You'll need your bank account details and address.
- Register with a local GP: Find a general practice near your home and enrol as a patient. You'll need your passport, visa, and address. Enrolling with a GP gives you access to subsidised healthcare.
Day 4–5: Transport and Vehicles
- If you own a car from overseas: Check if you can convert your overseas licence (see Driving in NZ guide). You'll need to register your car with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and get a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) if required.
- If buying a car: Check Trade Me Motors, Facebook Marketplace, or local car dealers. Budget for registration (NZ$300–$500/year) and insurance (NZ$600–$1,200/year for new drivers).
- Get an AT Hop card (Auckland) or a Snapper card (Wellington) for public transport.
Day 5–7: Employment and Social
- Provide your employer with your IRD number: Your employer needs this for payroll. If you don't have it yet, they can use a temporary tax rate of 13.5% or higher.
- Sign an employment agreement: Your employer must give you a written agreement. Read it carefully before signing.
- Set up an online services account with Inland Revenue (myIR): This is where you manage your tax, KiwiSaver, and personal information.
- Get a RealMe account: A RealMe account lets you access many NZ government services online with one login.
- Explore your neighbourhood: Find your local supermarket (Countdown/Woolworths, New World, Pak'nSave), pharmacy, and dairy (corner shop).
- Meet people: Join local Facebook groups, Meetup.com groups, or sports clubs. New Zealanders (Kiwis) are friendly but social circles can take time to break into.
Quick Reference: Key Contacts
- Immigration NZ: 0508 558 855 (within NZ) or +64 9 952 1679
- Inland Revenue: 0800 775 247
- Work and Income (MSD): 0800 559 009
- Emergency services: 111 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Healthline: 0800 611 116 (free 24/7 health advice)
What Your First Week Costs
Newcomers consistently under-budget the first week because the essentials add up fast. Realistic numbers for 2026: temporary accommodation NZ$150–$250 per night (or $500–$900 for a week in a serviced apartment); food for the week $150–$250; a pay-as-you-go phone SIM $20–$40; an IRD number is free; a bank account is free but budget for the paperwork (proof of address is the tricky part — use your temporary accommodation's letterhead); and if you buy a car in week one, add NZ$5,000–$12,000 plus rego and insurance. Total 'landing costs' before your first pay cheque: roughly NZ$2,000–$3,000 per person, not counting accommodation bonds. The order matters: IRD number first (you need it for work and KiwiSaver), bank account second (you need an address), GP enrolment third (you need it before you need it), and everything else after.
The Order That Matters: SIM, Then IRD, Then Bank
Almost every administrative task in New Zealand routes through the same three things, and getting the order wrong is the most common reason newcomers lose their first fortnight:
- 1. A New Zealand mobile number. Buy a prepaid SIM at the airport or a supermarket on day one. Two-factor authentication on banks, government services and almost every utility runs on a local mobile number, and an overseas number will block you repeatedly.
- 2. An IRD number. Apply online at ird.govt.nz once you are in the country — the form generally cannot be submitted before you arrive. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, but the number itself can take longer to issue, and posting it can take up to 20 days, so apply on arrival rather than when you start work.
- 3. A bank account. Most banks let you apply online once you have a mobile number and an IRD number, then finish in branch. Proof of address is the awkward part — some banks accept a hostel address if you are on a working holiday visa, and an IRD letter can serve as address evidence.
Without a bank account in your name it is very hard to be paid, to pay rent, or to set up power and broadband. This is the sequence to front-load.
A 7-Day Setup Checklist
| Day | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | SIM card, NZ mobile number | Prepaid, $20–$40. Required before almost anything else. |
| Days 1–2 | IRD number application | Online, 10–15 minutes to complete, then wait for issue. |
| Days 2–3 | Bank account | Apply online, finish in branch with passport, visa and IRD number. |
| Days 3–4 | Accommodation and utilities | Bond is capped at 4 weeks' rent. Power and broadband both need a NZ bank account and address. |
| Days 4–5 | Transport | Get a local transit card (AT HOP in Auckland, Snapper in Wellington). You can drive on your overseas licence for up to 18 months. |
| Days 5–6 | Enrol with a GP | Enrolled patients pay $45–$75 for a standard visit; casual visits cost $70–$90 or more. Children under 14 are usually free. |
| Days 6–7 | School enrolment if you have children | Children start at age 5. Newcomers with prior schooling can enrol at any time of year. |
Deal with a GP enrolment and school enrolment in the first week rather than the first month. Both involve waiting lists or paperwork, and both are much easier to arrange before anything goes wrong.