Living in New Zealand
Starting a new life as an immigrant requires cramming a lifetime of knowledge, experience and information into an incredibly short space of time. This scramble to gather information usually becomes extremely frustrating, and is often impossible. This leads to considerable disillusionment and dissatisfaction with the emigrant's new country. Add to this the practicalities associated with migration, such as finding accommodation, transportation, etc. and it can become overwhelming.
When you arrive, why not sign up for social clubs, playgroups for your children and even expat groups to help you get adjusted? You can also get professional resettlement advice, which can pay for itself in helping you avoid costly mistakes in your new homeland.
What to expect
New Zealanders speak English and drive on the same side of the road, but don't let that lull you into a sense of false security. You will find some very real differences in culture that you may not have thought of, and you need to prepare yourself for in order to reduce culture shock upon arriving. New Zealanders create an incredibly friendly environment, but you'll still need to be aware of the different customs and social standards that may exist within your new homeland.
Finding and making a home
Finding a place to live is also a key part of making your new country feel like home. Research regions, commuting distances (and traffic during rush hours) in addition to public transportation options. Picking the wrong area could find you spending 45 minutes in the car to go a mere 5 miles, or so far out in the country that going to work or sending the children to school is extremely inconvenient.
Expat expenses
Banking as an expat - Before you leave, try to arrange a bank account. This will make your life much easier; as once you're in New Zealand it is more difficult to establish a banking presence. Keep in mind that you will not have a credit history in New Zealand, and you'll need to start from scratch. Having a bank account already set up for you can help you build up your credit rating. The Bank of New Zealand offers a bank account for migrants, which you may want to investigate.
Education in New Zealand - Education is also very different in New Zealand. Get as much information as possible before you go, and weigh up the pros and cons of the educational system to determine if it is the best for your child. As in the UK, private education is available, but remember it can be expensive.
Driving in New Zealand
Distances and speeds are measured in kilometres, not in miles. Speed limits and the rules of the road are also different. Prepare yourself in advance by reading up on New Zealand road rules, and you'll need to find out the rules about driving on a UK licence and converting your UK licence to a New Zealand one.
Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Bradshaw can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0161 877 5555 (Manchester) or 0121 504 0966 (Birmingham & Coventry) and speak with one of our removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and efficient
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Personal recommendation
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Heard only good comments
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and efficient. Extremely hardworking. Couldn't have asked for a better team of lads.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Your service was excellent
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Went the extra mile to ensure everything went off to our satisfaction
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Local removal company online search
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Clear explanation and assurances, plus arrangements to store furniture and move split over two days.
The price was competitive compared with other quotes.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Brilliant. Mark and his team were calm, efficient and approachable, and literally went the extra mile to ensure everything went off to our satisfaction over the two day move into storage.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
When downsizing, do an in person tour rather relying than video tour to get a more accurate impression of volume and accessibility advice - eg if wardrobes etc need to be dismantled beforehand..
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10
They made moving seem easy
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Postcard through the door
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Just good service from Ernie and Lynne. Also, they made moving seem easy!
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were great. Friendly, efficient, and went above and beyond to help with a few other things as well in the new house. Peter and Simon are a credit to you!
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Honestly couldn’t fault you at all - well done!!!!!
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Took good care of the furniture
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Already used you before
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Liked what you did last time
How would you rate your move team?
9/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Good and listened to what we asked. Took good care of the furniture
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
Nothing really. Maybe one thing - try to keep the same team everyday but understand need for change of some team members. Our Team leader remained the same.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10
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