Top Tips for Living in New Zealand

It’s not on the official list, but emigrating must be one of life’s more stressful experiences - there is so much to organise, there is the emotional wrench of leaving home, and then you have the challenge of setting yourself up in a new country.

The better prepared you are in every aspect of your life, the smoother the physical and emotional transition will be for you and your family. Here are our top five tips for not only surviving but enjoying the process of emigrating to New Zealand and settling in to your new life.

01Research, research, research – decisions that you make fairly early on in your emigration process can have long-lasting implications. Get as much information as you can from sources you trust, and give yourself time to think things over.

02Shop around – emigrating to New Zealand is expensive, but there are savings to be made in everything from foreign exchange to shipping to visa advice. Get at least three quotes and compare like with like. As well as getting a good price, you’re likely to pick up plenty of valuable advice along the way.

03Have realistic expectations about what your new life will be like – get an idea of how far your pay packet will go, what there is to do at the weekend, and what the weather will be like. Kiwis have a great lifestyle, but they don’t spend their whole lives lounging by the beach!

04Know that not everything will go exactly to plan – no matter how much planning you do, there is bound to be something that you didn’t expect along the way. Not all surprises are unpleasant of course, but be prepared to be persistent and stay positive.

05Get involved – you’re probably emigrating because you want a change in lifestyle, so have a bit of a plan for each member of your family – things you’d like to try, places you’d like to go – then when you’ve arrived and sorted out life’s necessities, throw yourself into social, community and sporting activities. You’ll meet new people, you’ll try all sorts of new things, and within a few months you’ll really start to feel at home.

Broadbase International will work with you every step of the way to help you make a confident start to your new life in New Zealand. Please contact us if you have any questions about the financial side of life in New Zealand, and don't forget to order your free copy of our comprehensive New Zealand Guide.