Cost of Moving to New Zealand: What to Expect

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Moving to a new country is an exciting adventure, but it also raises big questions – How much does it cost to move to New Zealand? We’ll break down the main expenses so you can budget with confidence. This guide covers visa and immigration fees, travel and shipping costs, housing and rent deposits, day-to-day living costs, healthcare, schooling, and other settling-in expenses.

Key cost categories include:

Visa & immigration fees (visa applications, eTA, conservation levy)
Flights & shipping (airfare, extra baggage, moving your belongings)
Initial housing costs (short-term stay, rental bond, first rent)
Cost of living (groceries, utilities, transportation)
Healthcare & insurance (public vs private medical costs)
Schooling (for children, if applicable)
Settling-in expenses (furniture, car purchase, phone/internet setup, etc.)

Visa & Immigration Fees

Every traveler needs the right visa or eTA. Fees vary widely by type: for example, a Skilled Migrant Resident visa is about NZ$6,450, whereas a Partner work visa is NZ$1,630. Short-term visitors need an NZeTA (electronic travel permit) – roughly NZ$30 (via app) – plus the NZ$100 International Visitor Conservation Levy (IVL). (This IVL applies to most tourists and working-holiday travelers.) Student visas run about NZ$750, and a visitor visa is NZ$341. Permanent residency applications (after arrival) cost only about NZ$315.

Visa Tip: These fees change over time. Check the latest Immigration NZ site for current rates. Planning ahead is key: The Kiwi Kit even offers a relocation course (“Zero to Zealand”) with a budgeting formula to calculate exactly how much you need to save.

Flights & Shipping Personal Belongings

Airfare depends on origin and season. For example, KAYAK reports average round-trip flights to NZ from the USA cost about US$1,060 (roughly NZ$1,600). Major routes like Honolulu–Auckland or Dallas–Auckland run around US$1,000 on average. Don’t forget luggage: most airlines include one checked bag, but each extra bag or overweight fee can add ~$100.

Flights: Round-trip tickets typically range NZ$1,500–$2,000 (US$1,000–$1,300) for popular routes. Booking well in advance or outside peak season can save money.
Extra baggage: Airlines allow 1–2 bags free; extra bags (~23 kg each) usually cost NZ$50–$100 per bag. Bringing many boxes by air can get very expensive.
Sea freight: Most people “downsize” for NZ. The Kiwi Kit notes sea shipping is cheaper (but slow) while air freight is extremely costly. A 20-ft container (enough for a 2–3 bedroom home) can cost around £4,800 (~NZ$10,000).
Tip: Only ship essentials. Many migrants sell furniture and bulky items before moving, then buy locally after arrival.

Initial Accommodation & Rental Deposits

On arrival, you’ll need a place to stay and have to pay upfront for a rental. If you haven’t locked in long-term housing, book short-term (hotel, Airbnb, or serviced apartment) for the first 1–2 weeks. This gives you a base while you hunt for an apartment. Budget at least NZ$100–200 per night for a modest short-term stay in a city.

When you sign a lease in NZ, typical upfront costs are:

Rental bond (security deposit): usually up to 4 weeks’ rent. (Example: if rent is $500/wk, bond ~NZ$2,000, half refundable later if everything’s OK.)
Advance rent: 1–2 weeks’ rent due immediately.
Typical rents: In major cities, rents are quoted weekly. A one-bedroom in Auckland city center averages ~$500+ per week (~NZ$2,000+/month). In smaller cities (e.g. Dunedin) a similar apartment might be $300–$400 per week.
Example: Renting a $500/wk flat means ~$2,000 bond + $500 first week, so ~$2,500 on hand at move-in.

Be prepared to pay a security bond and first rent when renting in NZ. Once you have a home, remember utilities (electricity, water, internet) are usually extra (see below).

Cost of Living (Groceries, Utilities, Transportation)

New Zealand’s day-to-day costs are moderate. Numbeo estimates the monthly living costs (excluding rent) for a family of four at ~NZ$6,075. For a single person, it’s roughly NZ$1,687. Typical expenses include:

Groceries & food: Basic staples are reasonably priced. For example, 1 L milk ~$1.96, a loaf of bread ~$2.10, a dozen eggs ~$7.60. Expect to spend roughly NZ$150–$200 per week on food for one person. Eating out: a casual lunch costs ~$14–$17, and a mid-range dinner for two is about $65–$80 (McDonald’s meal ~$8–$12).
Utilities: Combined power, heating, gas, water and internet typically run NZ$200–$250 per month for a small household. (Electricity bills can spike in winter.) Home internet plans are ~$60–$70/month; a starter mobile plan is ~NZ$30/month.
Transportation: Public transit is affordable. A one-way bus/train fare is about NZ$2.20–$2.70; monthly passes are ~$95–$130 (higher in cities like Auckland). Driving? Expect around NZ$2 per liter for petrol. Used cars are common – for example, a VW Golf costs around NZ$18,000 in smaller cities (most sedans are $10,000+).
Average budgets: As a guide, a single person’s total living expenses (including rent) are often ~NZ$1,800–$2,200/month. A family of four might spend NZ$5,000–$6,000/month (including rent).

Overall, everyday items (fresh food, basic services) are comparable to Western prices. Imported goods and cars run higher, but you’ll adapt by shopping locally and enjoying NZ’s abundant produce. Remember, living costs vary by city – Auckland is pricier than smaller towns.

Healthcare & Insurance

New Zealand offers quality healthcare, but it’s partly determined by visa status. In summary:

Public healthcare: Free/subsidized for residents and long-term work visa holders (≥2 years). If you have permanent residency or a 2-year (or longer) work visa, you’re eligible for publicly funded care – meaning low or no costs for doctor visits and public hospitals. Short-term visa holders (e.g. working holiday) generally aren’t covered, so they must pay per service or have insurance.
ACC (Accident Cover): Everyone in NZ (even visitors) has 24/7 accident insurance through ACC, at no extra charge. This covers medical treatment for injuries from accidents.
Private insurance: Many newcomers (and locals) buy private health insurance for additional peace of mind. The public system is good, but wait times for non-urgent care can be long. Insurance (from providers like Southern Cross, nib) covers things like specialist visits or elective surgeries. The Kiwi Kit notes that some plans cover you during any waiting period for public eligibility for specialists and hospital stays (often meaning you only pay the insurance premium) – just check each plan’s coverage details. (ACC covers accident injuries for everyone.)
Family notes: Children under 13 get free GP (doctor) visits, and maternity care is largely free for eligible mothers. Once you have a local address, enroll the family with a doctor (GP) for the public system.

In short, if you qualify for public care, you’ll mostly pay modest fees or nothing for standard medical needs. If not, plan to budget for private insurance or out-of-pocket fees.

Schooling (If Applicable)

For families with kids, NZ’s schooling is very affordable. Public (state) schools are government-funded and free for resident students (ages 5–18). Parents only pay small extras like uniforms or optional activities. Key points:

State (public) schools: Free education for resident children. (As a parent, you’d only pay for school uniforms, stationery, etc.)
State-integrated schools: These are public schools with a special character (often religious). They charge “attendance dues” – typically about NZ$1,500 per year to cover building costs.
Private (independent) schools: Not government-funded; tuition is typically around NZ$20,000 per year (boarding schools cost more). Very few children attend these.

If you plan on public schooling, education costs won’t add much to your budget. For international or private schooling, expect higher tuition fees. (Remember that each region has zones; where you live can affect your nearest school – but that’s more about location than cost.)

Miscellaneous Settling-In Costs

Finally, plan for one-off expenses as you set up home:

Furniture & appliances: Buying basics (beds, sofa, fridge, etc.) can easily total several thousand NZD. Many newcomers furnish via second-hand markets (TradeMe) or flat-pack imports. For example, a decent sofa might be ~NZ$1,500 and a double bed ~NZ$600. Overall, budget around NZ$5,000–$10,000 to furnish a modest apartment if starting from scratch.
Vehicle: If you’ll drive, factor in about NZ$15,000 or more for a reliable used car. (Cars are generally pricier than in some countries – even an older hatchback often sells for mid-$10k.) Also budget for yearly costs: insurance (~NZ$600–$1,000) and registration (~NZ$500). (If you ship your own car, add roughly £1,000–2,000 for transport.)
Import duties: Good news – NZ allows personal used effects (owned 12+ months) duty-free. So if you ship household goods you’ve long owned, you won’t pay customs duty (though GST may apply on some items). Newer items (<12 mo) do incur duties.
Connectivity: Setting up SIM cards and internet is cheap. A SIM is ~$10, pay-as-you-go data ~$15–$30/month, and home broadband ~$60–$70/month.
Other: One-time extras like bank account setup (free), driver’s license exchange (NZ$50 or so), or club membership dues are minor costs.

These final expenses can be managed by shopping around and buying used. Many expats recommend selling furniture/goods in your home country (instead of shipping) and re-furnishing lightly in NZ to save money.

Final Tips

These figures cover the big up-front costs. Once you arrive and start living in NZ, your monthly budget will look like the living expenses above. Planning ahead means no surprises: have your visas sorted, flights booked, and savings ready for the bond and first rent.

For extra support, see our Moving to New Zealand Checklist to track every task and expense, and consider our Zero to Zealand relocation course. It even includes a formula to calculate exactly how much you need to save for your move.

Moving to New Zealand is a big step, but with careful budgeting and these insights, you can make it smoothly. Best of luck on your Kiwi adventure!