Arriving with a visa sorted and accommodation arranged is a good start, but the first weeks and months of life in New Zealand involve a series of practical steps — some time-sensitive, some just important — that set up everything else. This guide covers what to do and what to expect across the major areas of settlement.
The Border and Arrival
New Zealand's arrival process is thorough. You'll clear immigration (present your passport and answer questions about your plans), complete a biosecurity screening, and clear customs. The biosecurity declaration is taken seriously — New Zealand's island ecology is protected through strict controls on what can be brought in. Declare any food items, plant material, outdoor and garden equipment, and wooden objects, even if you intend to submit them for inspection and disposal. Undeclared prohibited items risk significant fines. When in doubt, declare it.
Your visa will be confirmed electronically when you enter — there's no paper stamp for electronic visas. Keep a record of your arrival date, as it starts various immigration and entitlement clocks running.
Getting Your IRD Number: Do This First
Your IRD (Inland Revenue Department) number is the most time-sensitive administrative task on your arrival list. Without it, employers must deduct tax at the no-declaration rate (the highest rate), and you can't enrol in KiwiSaver. Banks may allow you to open an account without an IRD number initially but will require it for interest-bearing accounts and high-value transactions.
Apply for your IRD number through the IRD's website as soon as you have a New Zealand address. You'll need your passport, visa confirmation, and a New Zealand address. Processing typically takes a few days to two weeks and the number arrives by post or online depending on your options. Some new arrivals can get the number at the bank at the same time as opening an account — worth asking.
Apply in your first week. There's no good reason to wait, and delays cost you money through higher tax withholding.
Opening a Bank Account
The major banks in New Zealand are ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Kiwibank. They offer broadly similar products and services; the differences are in interest rates, fee structures, branch locations, and online banking interfaces. Kiwibank is New Zealand government-owned and popular for that reason among some customers; the others are Australian-owned. For most migrants, the choice is largely about which branch is convenient and which app you find easier to use.
To open an account you'll need your passport, visa evidence, and a New Zealand address. The address can be a temporary address — a hotel, a friend's address, or a short-term rental — as long as it's where your mail will reach you initially. Most banks require an appointment for new accounts; book this before you arrive if possible, or as soon as you know your address.
Some migrants choose to open a New Zealand bank account before arriving, through international account opening services — worth exploring if you have specific banks in your home country with NZ relationships.
Once your account is open, enable online banking immediately. Almost all payments in New Zealand are made electronically by direct debit or online transfer; cash is rarely needed and card payments are ubiquitous.
Housing: Finding and Securing a Rental
The New Zealand rental market is competitive, particularly in Auckland and Wellington. Properties list and lease quickly — in tight markets, a suitable property can be applied for and taken within 48 hours of listing. If you're searching for a rental from overseas before arriving, be aware that most landlords expect viewings and won't hold properties for applicants who haven't inspected in person. Temporary accommodation for your first few weeks (short-term furnished rentals, Airbnb, serviced apartments) is often necessary while you find the right place.
Finding properties: Trade Me Property is the main rental listing site. Real estate agency websites (Harcourts, Ray White, Barfoot & Thompson in Auckland) list properties managed by their property management divisions. Facebook Marketplace and community Facebook groups have private listings. The combination of Trade Me and one or two agency websites covers most of the market.
Applying: Rental applications typically require two or three character references (previous landlords, employer, or other professional contacts), evidence of employment and income, photo ID, and a statement of your rental history. If you're newly arrived and have no New Zealand rental history, emphasise your employment (provide a letter from your employer confirming your role and salary), character references from overseas landlords or professional contacts, and offer additional bond if the market allows it.
Bond and costs: Landlords can require up to four weeks' rent as a bond, which must be lodged with Tenancy Services (the government agency) rather than held by the landlord. This protects your bond if there's a dispute at the end of the tenancy. You'll typically also pay two weeks' rent in advance at the start. Letting fees (paid to property managers for arranging the tenancy) are limited by law.
Tenant rights: New Zealand has a Residential Tenancies Act that provides strong protections. Properties must meet Healthy Homes Standards — minimum heating requirements, insulation, ventilation, and draught stopping. Fixed-term tenancies can only be ended early by agreement or in specific circumstances; periodic tenancies can be ended by either party on proper notice (the notice periods and conditions for landlord notice changed with 2020 legislation, and are less restrictive for tenants than landlords). The Tenancy Tribunal handles disputes and is accessible without needing a lawyer.
Healthcare: Enrolling and Accessing Care
Your healthcare access depends on your visa status:
Residents and most work visa holders with work rights have access to New Zealand's publicly funded healthcare system. This means subsidised GP visits, public hospital care, prescriptions at $5 per item (for subsidised medications), and other public health services.
Visitor visa holders and short-term visitors have limited access — ACC covers accident treatment for everyone regardless of visa status (New Zealand's accident compensation scheme is universal), but illness, specialist care, and non-accident hospital admissions require travel insurance or out-of-pocket payment.
The most important healthcare step is enrolling with a General Practitioner (GP — a family doctor). Find a medical practice in your area that is taking new patients (not all are; this can take some searching in undersupplied areas) and complete the enrolment process. Enrolled patients pay subsidised consultation fees — typically NZ$20–50 for adults, sometimes less or free for children and Community Services Card holders — rather than the higher unsubsidised rate.
Emergency care is always available at hospital emergency departments regardless of status. If something is genuinely urgent, go to the hospital emergency department. Non-urgent care through GPs is more appropriate for routine health needs.
Prescriptions for subsidised medications cost NZ$5 per prescription for enrolled patients. Not all medications are on the Pharmac subsidy list — some brand-name or newer medications are unsubsidised and can be expensive. Your GP can advise on subsidised alternatives.
Dental care is not covered by the public system for adults (only for children and young people up to 18). Dental costs are out-of-pocket unless you have private insurance. Budget for this — New Zealand dental care is comparable to Australia in cost.
Children's Education
Children of New Zealand residents and most work visa holders are entitled to attend state schools at domestic rates. The zoning system divides each school's enrolment area geographically — your home address determines which school you have a right to enrol in. Schools outside your zone can sometimes accept enrolments if they have space, but in-zone students have priority.
The school year runs from late January or early February to mid-December, divided into four terms with two-week breaks between terms and a six-week summer break. Year levels run from Year 1 (age 5, when children turn 5 and can start school any time) through Year 13 (final year of secondary school, age 17–18).
State schools are free for eligible students — no tuition fees. Schools may ask for "donations" and activity costs (sports, trips, stationery), but these are not compulsory for state schools. State-integrated schools (those with a religious or special character integrated into the state system) may charge attendance dues in addition to the activity costs.
For early childhood education, the government funds 20 hours per week of ECE for children aged 3–5 at approved providers. This reduces but doesn't eliminate childcare costs — full-day care has additional fees on top of the 20 funded hours. Childcare costs in New Zealand are significant; budget accordingly if you have young children.
Driving and Getting Around
Your overseas driver's licence is valid in New Zealand for 12 months from arrival. After 12 months, you must obtain a New Zealand driver's licence. The process depends on your home country:
Citizens of some countries (Australia, UK, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland) can convert their licence at a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) agent without sitting tests — just pay the fee and present your overseas licence with a certified translation if not in English.
For other countries, you take a theory (knowledge) test and a practical driving test. Study the New Zealand road code, which is available online and at NZTA agents.
New Zealand drives on the left. If you're from a right-hand-drive country, allow time to adjust before driving in busy or unfamiliar areas. The Give Way rules at intersections (a notoriously different standard compared to most countries — vehicles turning left must give way to oncoming vehicles turning right at the same intersection) have caught out many new arrivals.
A car is essential in most of New Zealand outside Auckland and Wellington central areas. Public transport is adequate in the main cities but covers limited routes, and suburbs and regional areas are designed around car ownership. If you're settling outside a main urban centre, budget for a vehicle as a near-essential expense.
Phone and Internet
Getting a local SIM card is straightforward. The main providers are Spark, One NZ (formerly Vodafone), and 2degrees, with budget subsidiaries (Skinny, Warehouse Mobile) offering cheaper plans on the same networks. Buy a prepay SIM at any supermarket, convenience store, or carrier store and activate it with your passport. Plans shift between prepay and monthly — monthly plans offer better value once you have a bank account.
Fibre broadband is available in most urban areas throughout New Zealand and is the standard choice for home internet. Installation can take 1–2 weeks. The main providers — Spark, One NZ, 2degrees, Skinny Broadband, and others — all resell on the same Chorus fibre network at the same speeds; competition is on price and customer service. Compare plans at a comparison website (Canstar, Consumer NZ) before choosing.
Employment Rights
All employees working in New Zealand — regardless of visa status or nationality — are covered by New Zealand employment law. Key entitlements:
The minimum wage is currently NZ$23.15 per hour (verify the current rate; it's updated annually on 1 April). All employees must have a written employment agreement — oral agreements are not legally valid. Annual leave of four weeks accrues after 12 months of employment. Sick leave of 10 days per year is available after 6 months of employment with the same employer. Public holidays (there are 12 per year) must be compensated at time-and-a-half for those who work them, with an alternative day off.
KiwiSaver is New Zealand's voluntary retirement savings scheme. Employees are automatically enrolled when they start a new job but can opt out within eight weeks. If you stay enrolled, you contribute 3% of your gross income (or more if you choose), your employer must contribute at least 3%, and the government contributes a small amount annually. For temporary workers planning to leave New Zealand, KiwiSaver contributions can be withdrawn when you permanently emigrate. For those planning to stay, it's a valuable savings mechanism.
Workplace disputes can be resolved through mediation (free, government-funded service) or the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) for more formal disputes. Personal grievance claims (for unjustified dismissal, harassment, discrimination) must be filed within 90 days of the action giving rise to the claim. Employment New Zealand's website (employment.govt.nz) is a comprehensive and accessible resource for understanding your rights.
Finding Community
Many migrants find the practical settlement tasks go more smoothly than the social ones. New Zealanders are generally friendly in public interactions but tend toward smaller, close-knit social circles built over years — making new deep friendships as a newcomer takes time and active effort.
Workplaces are the most common source of initial social connections. Outside work, joining a club or regular activity (sports, fitness, volunteering, hobby groups) that meets regularly tends to build relationships more effectively than one-off social events. Ethnic community organisations exist in most cities for major migrant communities, providing cultural connection and often practical settlement support.
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is a free resource worth knowing about — trained volunteers can help with questions about your rights and entitlements, connecting to services, and navigating bureaucratic processes. Most towns have a CAB branch.
Settlement Support New Zealand operates in many areas and provides free support specifically for migrants: orientation, language assistance, helping you navigate systems, and connecting you with relevant community organisations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do absolutely first when I arrive?
Get your IRD number applied for and your bank account opened. These are the foundation for everything else — receiving income, making payments, and accessing services that require an IRD number.
Do I need a car to live in New Zealand?
Outside the central areas of Auckland and Wellington, a car is effectively essential. Public transport exists but is limited in coverage and frequency outside main routes. If you're settling in any smaller city, town, or rural area, budget for a vehicle as a priority expense.
How do I find a GP if none near me are taking new patients?
This is a real problem in some areas, especially regional New Zealand where there are genuine doctor shortages. Options: check the Healthpoint website (healthpoint.co.nz) which shows practices and their enrolment status; ask your employer if they know practices that are taking patients; consider telehealth services (Tend, Cleo, etc.) for immediate healthcare access while you find a practice; or enquire with your local hospital's community health services.
Am I entitled to New Zealand superannuation?
New Zealand Superannuation is available from age 65 to those who meet residency requirements — generally 10 years of residence in New Zealand after age 20 (with at least five of those years after age 50). Visa type during residency and citizenship are not requirements; time spent as a legal resident counts. Social security agreements with some countries allow overseas pension time to count toward the NZ residency requirement.
Moving to New Zealand? Find a licensed immigration adviser who can help ensure your visa is right and advise on what to expect when you arrive.