5 Important Facts to Remember When Relocating to New Zealand

Regardless of where you move, it can be stressful. Rules vary from country to country and New Zealand is so exception. If you wish to live permanently in New Zealand, you will need to apply for a Permanent Residence Visa or Permit. There are different ways of applying for a Permanent Residence Visa or Permit: Skilled, Business, Investor and Family Migration as well as Work to Residence. You will have to make plans for car shipping overseas and also moving your other belongings. Regardless of how you apply or what your exact plans are in New Zealand, do your best to be prepared for the move that lies ahead.

1. Be prepared. Regardless of why you are shipping to NZ, know that there will be a period of adjustment for everyone in your family. Studies have proven that adapting to new surroundings is often hardest on the spouse and children. This is likely because the move is made due to an employment opportunity that involves one person. Everyone else is supportive, of course, but does not have that new job to look forward to in the new country. Therefore each family member needs to be given time and space to adjust.

2. Get settled in. Think positively about your move and encourage your family members to do likewise. An international shipping company can help cut down on the stress and trauma of moving because of their expertise in moving things overseas. Research has shown that it takes nearly two years to really get settled in a new place and consider it your home. New Zealand natives are generally very welcoming to newcomers which makes things easier. It’s generally quite easy to adjust to live in New Zealand.

3. Establish your own community. Different people have different ideas about how to build a network of friends in a new country. Many people believe you should join a group of other newcomers so you can have people to relate to and not feel so lonely. You can freely talk to these people about problems you are having and you will find a lot of empathy. On the other side, some suggest that the expat groups do not give you a picture of the “true” New Zealand and its natives. A combination of theories is probably the wisest choice. In other words, get to know people who are expatriates like you and also spend time getting to know the local people. You just can’t go wrong by meeting lots of new people who have varied lifestyles.

4. Plan on being homesick. While everyone in the family will probably experience some homesickness, it has been proven that an accompanying spouse and older children will likely be the most homesick. You will be busy and less likely to have time to focus on being homesick because you will be working, meeting new people and having new experiences. Your spouse may be at home during the day, however, making it easier for him or her to feel isolated and lonely. Thankfully, it’s never been easier to stay connected with friends and family. There are so many ways to stay in touch with your loved ones: cell phones, video conferencing, internet chat and email.

5. Allow yourself to dislike things, especially at first. Every new place is going to have things you won’t like. It could be the weather, the people, or the food. Little things may seem to bother you, as you try to acclimate yourself to a new culture away from everything you have known and loved. You may be surprised to find attitudes a little disjointed on some days, but that is to be expected. It’s very important to get plenty of rest during this time and talk things out. Rather than keeping your feelings bottled up inside, you need to talk and vent sometimes. However, things should always come back to the fact that you have made a good choice by moving and things will get better.

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