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Getting help with living in New Zealand

Help from the New Zealand government

For any questions about moving to or living in New Zealand, you may be able to get help from:

• the

You can also get a to help you prepare for moving to New Zealand.

The UK government, including the British High Commission in Wellington and the British Consulate in Auckland, cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in New Zealand.

Professional help in New Zealand

You can also get help from professionals in New Zealand, including:

• lawyers
• notaries
• funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for New Zealand to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit New Zealand. This includes the latest information on:

• visas and entry requirements
• laws and cultural differences
• safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for New Zealand before you travel.

Visas

Check which you need to live in New Zealand.

You can get a visa to:

• work 鈥� including on a working holiday
• study
• do business or invest in New Zealand
• live with family in New Zealand
• get medical treatment
• carry out religious activities

Immigration New Zealand explains .

If you want to stay longer than your visa allows, you must apply for a new visa. Read the New Zealand government鈥檚 guidance on .

For more information:

• read guidance from
• use the
• contact the

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency of New Zealand if you have lived there on a resident visa for at least 2 years. 聽聽聽

To find out if you鈥檙e eligible and how to apply, read the New Zealand government鈥檚 guidance on .

Citizenship

New Zealand recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a New Zealand citizen.

To find out if you鈥檙e eligible for New Zealand citizenship, read guidance on:

You can also .聽 聽

Help with visa and residency applications

The British High Commission in Wellington and the British Consulate in Auckland cannot help with New Zealand visa and residency applications.

For any questions or issues contact:

• the
• a

Passports

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• apply for a British passport from abroad
• travel urgently without your British passport

ID cards in New Zealand

You may need another form of identification other than your UK passport to:

• open a bank account
• get an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number
• buy alcohol

If you鈥檙e 18 or over, you can apply for a . This is a government recognised photo ID and evidence of age card. You can use it as an alternative to a driving licence or passport.

Dual citizens travelling to the UK聽

When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry聽a valid聽British passport听辞谤听certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on聽dual citizenship.

Healthcare in New Zealand

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• plan your healthcare
• take medicine abroad

New Zealand has a . This agreement provides some healthcare cover for UK citizens visiting New Zealand for up to 2 years.聽

You can also If you鈥檙e eligible, you have the same right to healthcare as New Zealand citizens. This allows you to access free or reduced cost services under the standard New Zealand healthcare system.

If you鈥檙e not eligible, or you want to access private healthcare, make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any costs. You can get insurance from New Zealand or international providers. 聽

To find out how to get medical treatment:

• read guidance on health in New Zealand and medical facilities in New Zealand
• contact your insurance provider
• read Immigration New Zealand鈥檚 guidance on
• visit the

Working in New Zealand

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in New Zealand, you need to .

Immigration New Zealand explains the different available to you.

To apply for a job, you need to

You may also need to:

• provide a UK criminal records check (known as a DBS check)

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in New Zealand, you may need to .

Driving in New Zealand

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• drive abroad legally
• take your UK vehicle abroad
• get driving licence letters

You can using your UK driving licence for:

• up to 18 months 鈥� for cars
• up to 12 months 鈥� for motorbikes or trucks

After this time, you must .

The provides information on driving in New Zealand, including:

For more information, see our guidance on road travel, in safety and security in the travel advice for New Zealand.

Disabled drivers

You may be able to . For more information, read .

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in New Zealand, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance. 聽

The UK has a double taxation agreement with New Zealand so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on . To do this, find a . 聽

For more information, read the .

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• how to claim your UK State Pension
• where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Claiming a New Zealand pension

The state pension in New Zealand is called the (or 鈥楴Z Super鈥�). 聽

You can .

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit. 聽

Claiming New Zealand benefits

You may be entitled to some New Zealand benefits.

To find out if you鈥檙e eligible and how to claim:

• read New Zealand Work and Income鈥檚 guidance on and

Buying and renting property in New Zealand

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.

You can also read New Zealand Immigration鈥檚 guidance on .

Contact a if you鈥檙e considering buying property or land.

Voting in New Zealand

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• vote in UK elections from abroad
• register as an overseas voter

New Zealand elections

You may be eligible to vote in New Zealand elections.

Read the New Zealand Electoral Commission鈥檚 guidance on:

Studying in New Zealand

If you plan to study in New Zealand, you must meet all before you travel.

For more information:

• visit the
• read guidance on
• read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
• contact your higher education provider in the UK or New Zealand

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

• getting permission to take your child abroad
• claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
• child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The New Zealand Ministry of Education provides information about the . 聽

All children aged 6 to 16 must attend school or home school in New Zealand.

Read the New Zealand government鈥檚 guidance on for more information. This includes how to enrol your child in school.

Childcare

The New Zealand Ministry of Education is responsible for in New Zealand.

Read the New Zealand government鈥檚 guidance on for more information. This includes how to:

• get help to pay for early childhood education
• choose a preschool for your child

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in New Zealand, . 聽

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
• apply for your child鈥檚 first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in New Zealand, read:

• our guidance on what to do when someone dies in New Zealand
• the New Zealand government鈥檚 guidance on

You can also .

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad. 聽

You can also read the New Zealand government鈥檚 guidance on:

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership. 聽

The New Zealand government offers guidance on . 聽

Consider taking legal advice from a .

Documents for British people in New Zealand

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:聽

• legalising and certifying UK documents
• marriage and civil partnership documents
• affirmations and affidavits
• witnessing signatures

Lawyers and notaries

To find a lawyer or notary in New Zealand, read guidance on professional services if you鈥檙e abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to New Zealand, read guidance on:

• taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only.聽For definitive information, contact the New Zealand聽authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.