Last updated: 22 October 2026
New Zealand is about as far from the UK as you can go, and that is exactly why so many Britons dream of moving there. Clean air, a relaxed pace of life, and mountains and beaches within a short drive make it an easy country to fall for. Getting there takes planning, from choosing the right visa to shipping your life halfway round the world.
| Visa | Who it suits | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | Ages 18–35 | UK citizens can stay up to 3 years |
| Skilled Migrant Category | Skilled workers | Points-based residence visa |
| Accredited Employer Work Visa | People with a job offer from an accredited employer | Temporary, with routes to residence |
| Green List Straight to Residence | Roles on the Green List | Fast route for in-demand occupations |
| Partner visas | Partners of New Zealand citizens or residents | Based on your relationship |
| Parent visas | Parents of NZ citizens or residents | Limited places and long waits |
Moving to New Zealand from the UK over 30 rules out the working holiday visa after 35, but the skilled and employer routes have no fixed upper age limit for most applicants. Check Immigration New Zealand’s website for current requirements, fees and the Green List.
UK containers usually sail from Felixstowe, Southampton or London Gateway to Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Lyttelton (Christchurch) or Port Chalmers (Dunedin). Some services go via Asia and others via the Panama Canal.
See our international removals guide for how to compare quotes.
Cats and dogs from the UK can enter New Zealand with an import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, blood tests and a minimum 10 days in an approved quarantine facility. They must travel by air. Allow at least 6 months for the paperwork.
There is no passenger liner from the UK to New Zealand. Your options are a world cruise segment or a cabin on a container ship. Freighters usually take six weeks or more, and some go via Australia. Read our cargo ship to New Zealand guide.
A family shipping a container should usually budget £12,000–£30,000 in total, including visas, shipping, travel and set-up costs.
Around 6–8 weeks at sea, and 10–14 weeks door to door.
Yes. Skilled migrant and employer routes are open to people over 30. Only the working holiday visa has an upper age limit of 35 for UK citizens.
Yes, with an import permit, health tests and at least 10 days in quarantine. Pets must fly.
Yes, on some container ships or world cruise segments. The voyage usually takes six weeks or more.
Tell us your dates and we’ll check cargo ships with passenger cabins to New Zealand.
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