Claire’s story – moving from Hong Kong to New Zealand

Earlier this year, our client Claire had the chance to fulfill a dream by moving to New Zealand from Hong Kong. The move stemmed from a job offer. This meant she had to move fast, as well as negotiate the entry requirements for NZ. It wasn’t straightforward – Claire looked at five different global moving companies before finding the one that met her needs.

Now she’s settled in, she’s sharing her experience and moving tips.

Choosing the right moving company

The tight time frame, and the surprise of New Zealand’s complex paperwork, made it important for Claire to find the right moving company. Simply organising getting herself into the country was stressful enough without thinking about moving her belongings too.

“For example, applying for police clearance certificates and other documentation for visa purposes took time,” Claire says. “I could only start this once I was registered to teach here in NZ, which was itself a very long and in-depth process. They required an awful lot of paperwork.”

Because she’s done this before, she knew what she was looking for to help her with shipping to NZ.

“I was looking for cost, efficiency, delivery time, and knowledge about NZ processes when it came to a moving company.

“Links kept the paperwork minimal. They were very knowledgeable about NZ processes and ensured I was aware of all the costs involved. They were particularly incredible for this stressful time. The professional service they offered was so easy, informative and streamlined compared to everything else that was going on. The packing day was amazing and the Links team were super efficient, professional and very friendly.

“Because of my need to move quickly for the job, it was all very last minute. Patrick (the CEO) and his team were so supportive, reassuring and accommodating, despite it being such a busy time for them. Their correspondence was so quick and no question was too much trouble.”

A more relaxed lifestyle

Claire’s now settled into her new teaching job in Auckland, the country’s largest city. It’s a big adjustment from Hong Kong in many ways – including the paycheck – but there’s such a lift in her quality of life. She wouldn’t change it.

“I am in a decile 8 school, working with wonderful people and students. It’s so friendly and supportive. In my current school, there is a lot more laughter, genuine warmth, and care – despite the incredible increase in paperwork. The major difference for me is space and nature. Watching children play outside in the grass and the gardens, climbing in the trees, is such a blessing.”

She’s enjoying nature herself, spending plenty of her time doing outdoor activities and enjoying the scenery. Claire also says the friendliness of people gives it a “homey” feel that reminds her of her original home in Johannesburg.

“I should have moved here years ago. I absolutely love it, it felt like home from the minute I arrived. My only regret is not moving here sooner.”

Claire’s top tips for moving to New Zealand

Thinking about making the move yourself? Claire’s pro moving tips come from experience and they’ll be a huge help!

• Bring as much of your household contents with you as you can, especially if you have good quality stuff. It can work out expensive to replace everything in NZ.
• Be prepared for the amount of time it can take to find accommodation, receive your container, and set up accounts (bank, wifi, electricity).
• You will have to do housework and look after your own children in NZ. Make sure you are prepared, emotionally and physically!
• When you arrange a delivery or appointment at your home, be aware that often things do not arrive on time. You may need to wait several hours outside of the arranged time. This can be a problem if you have taken time off from work.
• Make sure you have written references from previous landlords, as well as their current email address and contact numbers. They will be required for renting in NZ.
• Viewings for rentals are en masse and the application process is online. Ensure you write about yourself to give the landlord a good idea about who you are and your values. This will give you a better chance of securing the property you want. Rentals here do not operate on a ‘first come first served’ basis.
• Make friends with your neighbors and other locals. They are very helpful when you are trying to find your feet. It is best to have a car if you live in NZ. Even though there is a good public transport network, you will need a car to explore the amazing places NZ has to offer.

Thinking about moving to New Zealand? Check out our guide here or get in touch.