Making the Move
Hopefully you have read the previous pages before getting here. It is too confusing to decide where you are going to live and if you can afford to emigrate before you see if you are eligible and if you will find a job.
However, this is where you will find all the detailed stuff that is easier to relate to
Cost of Living
So you are on one of the skills shortage lists, and have been offered a job. All done? No! Let’s be honest about New Zealand. It is an expensive place to live! You will not survive on $65K in Auckland. That’s the equivalent of R50000 a month in South Africa. Please DO THE NUMBERS.Financially its easier if both couples work . Do your homework regarding childcare cost,these are expensive .If you have more than 2 children it may be “cheaper” if one parent stays home.
Auckland is the 43rd most expensive city in the world! This is real – rent is 130% higher than Johannesburg. BUT local purchasing power is 15% higher in New Zealand. So, with a good job in a reasonable area, you will be better off in the long run. Have a good look at the numbers and compare specifically with where you live on the Numbeo website where you will find fantastic comparable information about costs, healthcare, property prices and other stuff.
You also need to look at the cost of things…That’s things like rental accommodation, cars, second hand goods and lots of other stuff. The best place to get a good idea of this is on the TradeMe website. You will not be able to register on the site because obviously you can’t buy, but it’s a great resource.
And you also need to remember that everything in New Zealand is subject to GST. That’s the same as your VAT, except here it is 15%. It is included in all prices you see.
Pet Relocation
You will have already seen on our Facebook group that this is the source of more anxiety than any other topic.
Some do’s and don’ts.
Dogs and cats are OK, but no horses from South Africa, birds or reptiles
Rentals are infinitely more difficult to secure with pets. It’s the landlord’s prerogative.
Most city councils have a maximum number of pets allowable on a property. Generally, 2 dogs maximum.
There are some prohibited breeds of dogs in New Zealand. Specifically, American Pit Bulls, Japanese Tosa, and a few others.
It is extremely expensive to bring animals. Factor this into your move, and don’t risk running out of funds because you can’t bring your fur baby. Also, think about older animals or those easily rehomed with relatives. It’s a very difficult decision to make.
So, you have decided to bring your dog. There is a very specific process and you need to use specialised pet relocation agencies. Do not use cheap alternatives or try to do this yourself. There is a process you need to undergo in South Africa to ensure your dog is rabies free and has been microchipped. They are shipped in special crates by the airlines and held for 10 days in a quarantine facility in New Zealand. If you are not near one of these facilities, remember to add the cost of transport within New Zealand.
Shipping your goods
There are a variety of opinions about shipping. Some people ship everything, including cars, while others sell up and come with suitcases. The rule of thumb is that is your goods are yours and in good condition, consider bringing some or most across. Add the value of your furniture to the cost of shipping and calculate if you can buy like for like here.
The easiest is to work with a reputable shipping company in South Africa. There are a lot of very good ones. Remember to include the cost of insurance in your shipping and get several quotes. Also, always specify door to door.
A handy hint – it is not too much more expensive to ship a 40 foot container than a 20 foot one. If you have a good car, fully paid for, or caravan or even a boat, consider adding them into the larger container. Remember however that there are special conditions to shipping vehicles
If you don’t want a full container, you can bring a “cube”. This is a purpose build box in a shared container. The container can only be shipped when it is full, so it may take a little longer. Also, remember a cube is often shipped to a depot in New Zealand so you may have to collect or add freight to your destination. You can contact a moving company in New Zealand to assist with this
You can also bring smaller items such as tools via airfreight. It’s worthwhile doing this if your tools are expensive, and spotlessly clean.
There are lots of products which are prohibited in New Zealand. You cannot bring raw foods, raw wood or products that are contaminated by soil such as garden implements. Our advice is just don’t do it. Fines are very high, and items will be confiscated. Please check the customs website.
There are also special rules for firearms. You can bring hunting rifles and firearms for competitive shooting, but don’t even think about pistols, revolvers etc. We don’t want that stuff here.
Some firearms regulations are being re-assessed and tightened now. The process is available on a specific NZ Police website
