International recruiters tell us that fears about New Zealand’s cost of living are a big concern for candidates. People worry about relocating to New Zealand, only to find they can’t afford to live here. So we’ve put together 16 top tips to help expats and migrants make their dollars go further in New Zealand.

Back in 2019 we published our first blog to educate people relocating to New Zealand about Kiwi culture. The response was amazing! So, as New Zealand’s post-COVID immigration programme kicks off, here’s an update to help the international newcomers being recruited to jobs in our little piece of paradise in Aotearoa.

Most expats relocating to New Zealand have had the experience of telling someone about the move and getting the reply, ‘I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand.’ It’s also a common experience to have friends and acquaintances use your residence in Aotearoa as an opportunity to finally make that trip. Sometimes, the first guest arrives not long after you do!

After two years of minimal global movement, it can be a bit of a shock to the system to have guests, particularly if you moved to NZ during that time and hadn’t yet hosted people in your new home.

So what might your first guest experience bring to the surface?

It’s been a long 2+ years for expats and migrants who relocated to New Zealand and have not been able to visit home to catch up with family and friends during COVID, when it was actually needed most. With a sense of normalcy returning, and New Zealand opening its borders, expats and migrants can now go home and reconnect - or not?

How to get loans, credit ratings, and mortgages are common questions for expats relocating to New Zealand. Then there’s the added complication that most newcomers aren’t eligible to buy their own homes until they receive residency. So we’ve asked Financial Advisor Neville Modlin, who moved to NZ himself from South Africa 17 years ago, to share his personal learnings and advice on financial planning for expats.

As the freight industry has been significantly impacted by the pandemic, for many expats moving to New Zealand the cost of shipping and the lasting delays are a continuous headache as they are trying to bring along their personal effects.

To help us understand the ongoing situation, we have asked the experts from NZ Vanlines to bring us up to date. Import Sales Manager Matthew Woodley explains what is happening, the reasons for increased costs and timeframes, as well as an outlook over the next 12 months.

Relocating to New Zealand is a great chance to clear out your possessions and discard or rehome what is no longer needed. Many of our clients are also finding that bringing everything they own is simply not an option due to the escalating shipping costs and significant delays caused by COVID-related supply chain disruption. Deciding where to start can be daunting, so, we have asked Tracy Kelly, Mobile Relocation’ Advisor in Queenstown and also Co-Founder at Good Edit, for some hands-on tips and tricks on how to prioritise and stay organised to bring just what you need and nothing more.

Expats moving to New Zealand face significant adjustment not just on a practical level, but also emotionally. It’s rarely a linear journey but will undoubtedly lead to a period of growth and development for those who embrace their new life wholeheartedly.

The Government has confirmed drastic changes in immigration’s work visa policies affecting expats moving to New Zealand as much as employers across the country, as the new Accredited Employer Work Visa programme (AEWV) will be replacing most other work visas.

Mobile creates successful relocations for returning Kiwis and expats coming to New Zealand. In this article our expert Resettlement Advisors, Helen, Lesley and Raewyn share their must-know tips for people moving to Auckland for the Americas Cup campaign.

Starting school in NZ is a worry for many expat parents, and their children. Mastering a new education system has its own unique challenges - who better to offer expert advice than a teacher, who has been an expat herself and now supports families moving to New Zealand? Our Queenstown Advisor, Amy Snow, has this advice for international families relocating to New Zealand.

If you’re an expat or returning Kiwi preparing to start a job in New Zealand, this blog is for you. Marcus Behrends relocated from Germany to NZ three years ago, swapping from KPMG in Berlin to PwC New Zealand’s Strategy and Architecture team.

After much learning along the way, Marcus shares his insights for success in the Kiwi work culture.

If you’re an expat or returning Kiwi preparing to start a job in New Zealand, this blog is for you. Marcus Behrends, originally from Germany, tells us what he had learned about Kiwi work culture while working for PwC in Auckland and how it compares to his Big4 experience in Europe.

For expats and Kiwis relocating to New Zealand , searching for a job can serve as a reminder that things are done a little differently in Aotearoa. But savvy job seekers can be on their way to a bright career in New Zealand with a few key adaptations.

Moving countries not only means a change of scenery, different time zone and a new job. For expats relocating to New Zealand, or Kiwis returning after many years away living in a new country comes with a raft of cultural differences far beyond traditions and food.

New Zealand’s work life-balance is a big attraction for many expats and returning Kiwis relocating to Aotearoa. Public holidays occur throughout the year so there are lots of long weekends to play with.

In this blog we outline the stories behind our public holidays, and tips on how canny Kiwis strategically combine public holidays and a few days leave to gain extra weeks holiday time each year.

If you’re a Kiwi or expat relocating to New Zealand, our unique COVID Managed Isolation System (MIQ) is something you’ll need to understand.

Lonely beaches, lush rolling hills, geothermal wonderland, sand dunes, glaciers, fiordlands or majestic mountain ranges - Aotearoa is an exciting place to travel, no matter if you are a returning Kiwi or calling New Zealand home after relocating here.

Everybody is getting excited about the upcoming summer holidays, preparing to explore beyond their own backyard.

The Mobile team across the country has gathered their personal highlights and insider tips to inspire you wherever your summer journey might take you.

The festive season has arrived and with borders being closed for 20 months now, expats in New Zealand and Kiwis living offshore will be facing another summer far away from loved ones.

On top of not being able to physically spend the holidays with family, New Zealand’s unique time zone further disrupts attempts to synchronise celebrations.

To help address these issues, Mobile Relocation recently collaborated with author and Distance Family Expert Helen Ellis.

Reading up before you move to a new country is a must for any planner.

Novels written by local authors help you get under the skin of your new home, opening your eyes to the culture and customs. Non-fiction drawing on research and the experience of others helps guide you through the process of relocation, resettlement and re-establishment in your new home.