Moving to New Zealand successfully

The decision to pack up your life and move to a new country is a huge one. There will inevitably be challenges, and it is important to remember why the decision to move was made in the first place and to give yourself and your family credit for what you have achieved in moving – you’ve turned your dream into a reality!

Be prepared

However you have come to the decision to move to New Zealand, be prepared for the period of adjustment that is bound to take place. Research has shown that adaptation is often most difficult for an accompanying spouse and older children.

It isn't just your job you have to consider once you have arrived in New Zealand – keeping your spouse and children happy and settled is of vital importance. If the rest of your family feels at home and happy, then your move is far more likely to be successful. For the expatriation to see long-term success, the entire family will need to acclimate to your new home.

Focus on your reasons for moving and do as much research as possible before you arrive. Be realistic and patient, and don’t lose the excitement that got you here!

Settling into life in New Zealand

Before you even arrive, plan to start life in New Zealand as settled as possible. Using the services of a relocation company can help with furnished accommodation on arrival, school enrolments and establishing finance accounts. Using a consultancy can cut down a lot of the trauma and stress involved with making the move.

It’s been said that it takes two years before a migrant will feel settled enough in his or her new country to call it ‘home’, but this is a broad estimate. You will need a few months, but many migrants to New Zealand find the adjustment comes quite naturally. In general, New Zealanders are very welcoming toward migrants, which makes meeting new people much easier.

Finding a home is one of the most important steps to feeling settled. Try to make your new home feel like your own, and keep important reminders of the home you left in plain sight.

Building a community

There are different approaches to establishing a community in a new country and you will have to take the one that feels most comfortable to you. In New Zealand, there are many expat community groups – join one and you’ll be connected straight away with people who have been in your shoes before and can relate to both the things you love about New Zealand and those things you miss from your home country.

Alternatively, some expats recommend steering clear of such groups and communities as they have the potential to create a barrier between your family and the ‘real’ New Zealand. A combination is probably most wise. Find other expats who can provide support and friendship, and at the same time, seek out born-and-bred kiwis, and expats from home countries other than your own. Every contact you make will be important in the beginning.

Ask neighbours, co-workers, friends, bartenders, wait staff, teachers, and the like to recommend things like their favourite fish and chip shop, local bars, sports clubs, children’s activities, stores, and more. Find places you, your spouse and your children can interact with others.

Immigration New Zealand offers links to community directories that may help you to find likeminded people soon after arrival.

Homesickness happens to everyone

Homesickness happens to everyone, true, but studies show that an accompanying spouse or older children are likely to suffer the most. Once you start work you are given the opportunity to meet other people straight away, people who, in all likelihood, have several things in common with you. But if your spouse is at home during the day, there is a much higher chance he or she will experience pangs of isolation and loneliness. Younger children often acclimate quickly and should be encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities whenever available.

Staying connected with family and friends from your home country has never been easier or more cost effective. Free online programs that allow video calling allow you to not just hear, but see, your far away relatives and friends. Often the most important link between distant grandparents and your newly relocated children, programs like Skype can alleviate many feelings of loneliness.

Four tips to make it easier

• Acknowledge there will be things you don't like about your new country. Allowing times to vent is good for everyone's spirits and not an indication of a lack of success on your part to move here. Just be sure to counter these moments by thinking of things you love and like about your new home – there are bound to be many positives on your list.
• Stay connected with family and friends from your home country. Phone calls, email and video calls range from very inexpensive to totally free.
• Make new friends. Having support in your new country is invaluable. It’s important to socialise so you don’t feel like you’re on your own.
• Be patient; it make take some time to fully adjust, but if you want to do so, you will. Making the move to New Zealand can be a happy decision with a successful outcome. Planning for the difficult moments will help the transition become a safe and easier one for everyone involved. Like thousands of migrants before you, you will come to see that the challenges you face are almost always outweighed by the benefits.