Enjoy the process!

My name is Larisa and I moved to New Zealand with my partner, Lucinda and two Miniature Schnauzers, Titan and Tanner.

Challenges

The most challenging part of the process is getting document ready. Some documents take weeks, and others take months, so get started on this as soon as possible. Make sure your police clearances are up to date at all times.

NZ Shores advisers

Our Adviser was Julia. We have been liaising with Julia since 2019 and cannot recommend her highly enough! From the initial eligibility test, list of requirements sent, million questions, work visas and ultimately our residency, Julia was there every step of the way.

First impressions

Our first impression of New Zealand is how multicultural and diverse it is. New Zealand is unmatched, absolutely breathtaking! You are always in driving distance of mountains, beaches and forests. The people here are very friendly and helpful too!

What we miss

What we miss from home is mom's home-cooked meals. We have a lot of South African shops and online shops here, so easy to get hold of those South African products we all love so much. Our advice to other migrants is to follow the steps as set out by your agent (they know what they're doing).

Be organised, know what needs to be done and when it needs to be done, be resilient, be patient and keep pushing forward, it's tough but so rewarding!

What I wished I knew beforehand

One thing we wish we knew before moving to New Zealand is how happy we would be here, and we get to call this our new home. We should have done this sooner!

Our advice to new migrants

Research companies should you decide to bring over furniture as well as your pets. Request quotes, weigh up your options and don't be scared to ask a lot of questions.

Don't pack household items you will most likely purchase here before your furniture arrives (cutlery, plates, cups etc.).

To better your chances of securing a rental we would suggest creating a Family CV and even a Pet CV if you have pets coming over. Try and reach out to property agencies beforehand.

Enjoy the process, take it all and remember to breathe!