Residents » Overview » When You Arrive

The to-do list gets even longer when you arrive in New Zealand. Obviously, you’ll need somewhere to live. If you’re planning to rent, be aware of the fact that most places come unfurnished. Unless you had the foresight to ship a container of your possessions ahead of you, you might have to put up with the basics.

Once you’ve got a roof over your head, you’ll need to contact the Inland Revenue Department and get an IRD number. Without this, you won’t be able to open a bank account (unless you set one up before you left) and any wages you might earn will hover in limbo. You should also register with your local medical centre, so that if you’re unfortunate enough to fall ill, you won’t have to fill out too many forms before you are seen by a doctor.

You can drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months, using either an International Driving Permit or your current overseas driving license. After that, however, you will need to get a New Zealand driving licence. Hooking up to the electricity and phone networks in New Zealand is relatively simple – most just require proof of identification, proof of residence, and one payment up-front. You should register with your embassy. And don’t be afraid to knock on your neighbour’s door to introduce yourselves; chances are that they’ll invite you in for a cuppa.