KiwiWelcome
The free moving to New Zealand checklist that takes you from touchdown to settled in 7 days.
Based on official Immigration New Zealand guidance. No fluff β just the steps, the docs, and the time you'll need.
Your 7-Day New Zealand Arrival Checklist
What This Moving to New Zealand Checklist Covers
Arrival & Setup
NZ SIM card, essential apps, airport transport, and applying for your IRD number β all on day one.
Banking & Money
Opening a NZ bank account as a foreigner, the proof-of-address hack, Wise transfers, and KiwiSaver.
Job Hunting
NZ CV format for immigrants, registering on Seek, checking visa work conditions, and finding short-term work.
Healthcare
GP enrolment, health insurance for working holiday visas, emergency numbers, and understanding your eligibility.
Getting Around
AT HOP Card for Auckland, Snapper for Wellington, left-side driving rules, and the car-buying checklist.
Settling In
Utilities setup, tenant rights, learning about MΔori culture, and making New Zealand feel like home.
Who Is This New Zealand Arrival Checklist For?
Whether you're arriving on a working holiday visa, a skilled migrant visa, a student visa, or joining family β the first week in New Zealand looks remarkably similar. You need an IRD number, a bank account, a phone plan, and a place to live.
This moving to New Zealand checklist is based on the official guidance from Immigration New Zealand, simplified into actionable daily steps. No Government-speak. No guesswork.
If you're on a New Zealand working holiday, pay special attention to the healthcare and insurance steps (Day 5) β most working holiday visas don't include public health coverage, and you'll need your own insurance from day one.
Things to Do When You Arrive in New Zealand
Moving to a new country is a big change. Immigration New Zealand recommends tackling these essentials in your first week: find accommodation, set up banking, get an IRD number, enrol with a doctor, and understand how to get around. Our checklist breaks each of these into simple, timed steps.
- 1
Get your IRD number
Your IRD number is the key that unlocks everything: proper tax rates, KiwiSaver, and employment. Apply online at ird.govt.nz on day one β it takes 1β3 business days.
- 2
Open a New Zealand bank account
ANZ, Kiwibank, BNZ, or ASB. Some let you open an account before arriving. Use our proof-of-address hack if you don't have a NZ address yet.
- 3
Set up KiwiSaver
New Zealand's retirement savings scheme. Your employer contributes at least 3% β it's free money. Enrol once you have your IRD number.
- 4
Find a job
Write a NZ-style CV (no photo, 2 pages max), register on Seek.co.nz, and check your visa's work conditions before applying.
- 5
Enrol with a GP
Don't wait until you're sick. Find a doctor on Healthpoint.co.nz, enrol, and save Healthline (0800 611 116) for free 24/7 nurse advice.
- 6
Get around
Grab an AT HOP Card in Auckland (Snapper in Wellington, Metrocard in Christchurch). Learn left-side driving rules before getting behind the wheel.
- 7
Settle in
Set up power and internet, understand your tenancy rights, learn some MΔori phrases. You've done the hard part β now make Aotearoa home.
Ready to Start Your New Zealand Working Holiday Checklist?
Whether you're on a working holiday, skilled migrant visa, or just landed β pick a day and start ticking things off. In 7 days, you'll go from jetlagged to settled.
Start Day 1