As a trusted leader in international removals to Wellington, John Mason provides efficient door-to-door services tailored for expats drawn to the windy city’s cultural vibrancy, government opportunities, and coastal charm. Our expert team handles biosecurity compliance, pet relocation, and transit logistics so you settle stress-free into this diverse NZ hub.
Are you planning to move to Wellington or considering international removals to anywhere else in New Zealand? We are intercontinental removal experts helping our customers to move and settle in some of the most exciting, appealing and unique cities around the world. Our top priorities are to take the greatest care of your possessions, your wellbeing and eliminate the associated stresses involved with moving, all whilst offering an efficient service. We care that your move fills you with excitement, not dread and that you have faith in us to meet and exceed your standards. We have specialised in international removals to New Zealand for over 50 years and trained our team using our host of experience to ensure your move runs as smoothly as possible.
Our team are exceptionally well trained, kind and very experienced movers that you can rely on to get the job done in a timely, polite and highly efficient manner. However, if you have a specific request or would just like to know more about our services please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We provide fully bespoke door-to-door shipping services from the UK to your new home in Wellington.
With our international removals services, our expert packers situated in both the UK and Wellington can take care of the packing, loading, shipping, and unpacking of your personal belongings, as well as:
As well as international removals, we can also assist with additional relocation services, including:
Contact us to discuss your requirements, and our international team will guide you through the relocation process.
As the UK’s most trusted international removals company, we have been helping customers with their international removals for over 140 years. Our team aims to make your relocation to Wellington as stress-free as possible.
Contact us today or get an instant quote to book a free pre-move home survey.
During your pre-move survey, an international removals expert will assess the volume of your shipment, discuss shipping timescales and plans with you and explain the export packing materials and methods that will be employed during your move.
Your dedicated account manager will be available to answer any questions you have about moving to Wellington, including our processes, time frames, and any special requirements you may have.
Our expert team of packing professionals will pack your belongings securely and with the utmost care, keeping to a time frame that ensures that they arrive in your new home in time for your arrival.
Our removal experts will deal with customs clearance when your goods arrive in Wellington and deliver them safely to your new home.
Our costs for international removals to New Zealand vary depending on several factors, including:
The volume of household goods you are shipping
The type of service and transportation you choose (sea or air)
Your collection and delivery access
The time of year and current shipping conditions
Because every move is different, the best way to understand your international removals to New Zealand costs is to request a tailored quotation for your specific requirements. For a clearer indication of costs for your move from the UK to New Zealand, get a no obligation personal quote today.
When shipping your belongings to Christchurch, there are two main options to consider: sea freight and air freight. Each shipping method has its own benefits, so it is important to choose the option that best suits your budget, timescales, and volume. Your dedicated account manager will talk you through each option and help you decide on the most suitable solution for your move.
We can ship your belongings to Wellington by sea freight or air freight.
Sea freight is one of the most cost-effective methods of getting your belongings safely transported to Wellington, and can be shipped in two ways:
A full container load gives you exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft container, offering greater flexibility over packing dates and transit times. A 20ft or 40ft container is generally suitable for the contents of an average family home, and your Move Manager will recommend the right size based on your survey.
Shared container shipping is a more economical option if you are not sending a full household. Your belongings are loaded into a shared container alongside other consignments bound for New Zealand, and you only pay for the space you use. Transit times can be a little longer than FCL, but this option is ideal for smaller moves to Wellington.
Transporting your items via air freight is significantly faster than sending everything by sea. Many customers choose to ship a small consignment of essentials by air – such as clothes, children’s items, work equipment, or key household items – so they have what they need soon after arriving in Wellington, while the remainder travels by sea. Your account manager can arrange either a full air freight move or a combined sea and air solution.
The documents required for shipping items to Wellington depend on your status and the goods being imported into New Zealand. For example:
New Zealand citizens or residents returning home need copies of passports, visas/residency documents, and entry stamps for customs clearance.
Foreign workers or expats require valid visas, work permits, and proof of residency for compliance.
Shipping new items may need a Certificate of Origin or commercial invoices; we advise against new electricals due to biosecurity risks.
For tailored advice on documents for your Wellington shipment, our experts are here to assist. Get in touch today.
We have outlined the custom requirements for commonly shipped items to Kuwait below, as well as items that cannot be shipped there.
Please note that customs requirements can change at any point, so please contact us for further details and for shipping advice.
You can relocate with your pets to Wellington with proper documentation. Dogs, cats, and other animals need microchips, rabies vaccinations (tested after), health certificates, and MPI import permits. Quarantine may apply at the border.
Vehicles must comply with New Zealand import, safety, and biosecurity regulations, which may include standards for emissions, cleanliness, and left‑hand/right‑hand drive requirements. You will usually need documentation such as:
Vehicle registration documents
Export or deregistration certificate (where applicable)
Proof of ownership
Copies of passports and relevant New Zealand entry or residency documents
Additional inspections, modifications, or duties and taxes may apply to vehicle imports, and your move manager will guide you through the process and advise if shipping your vehicle to Christchurch is the right option for you.
Items you cannot ship to Wellington include:
Illegal drugs and undocumented narcotics
Firearms, weapons, ammunition without permits
Plants, seeds, soil, untreated wood/pallets
High-risk foods (dairy, meat, honey), animal products
Hazardous chemicals, flammables, corrosives
Some biosecurity risks like used outdoor gear with soil
Certain household items like used clothing, camping equipment, and golf shoes are subject to strict cleaning/treatment to avoid biosecurity issues.
Certain items are strictly prohibited from being shipped to Wellington under New Zealand’s customs and biosecurity laws. Your dedicated account manager will outline these during the removals process, coordinating your shipment to avoid delays or extra inspections. Presence at customs is typically not required, though contact may be needed if restricted items are flagged.
New Zealand enforces rigorous biosecurity to protect its environment, prohibiting or restricting items like illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition, high-risk foods, chemicals, plants, soil, untreated timber, and certain animal products without permits. Your move manager will recommend avoiding these shipments altogether or sourcing replacements locally after settling in Wellington.
To find out more, check out our Customs guide to New Zealand
A country’s customs requirements can change on a regular basis. Please contact us to clarify the customs requirements applicable to your shipment.
Illegal drugs and certain prescription medicines without appropriate documentation
Firearms, weapons, ammunition, and explosives without New Zealand permits
Plants, seeds, soil, and untreated or rough‑sawn wooden items
Certain foodstuffs, animal products, and organic materials that may carry pests or diseases
Hazardous chemicals, flammable liquids, and other dangerous goods
Counterfeit goods and pirated media
Household goods imported into Wellington are subject to New Zealand Customs and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity checks, and some shipments may incur duties, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and inspection or treatment fees depending on the nature and value of the goods. Personal effects may be eligible for concessions if they have been owned and used for a specified period before your move, but this is subject to New Zealand’s current regulations and evidence being provided.
To complete customs clearance, you should be prepared with all required import documentation for your household goods and any vehicle, which typically includes detailed inventory lists, passports, visas or residency documents, and any relevant import permits or declarations. Customs and MPI officials use detailed tariff schedules and biosecurity risk assessments to determine what duties, taxes, or treatments apply to individual items, and your dedicated move manager will guide you through the paperwork and process to help ensure your consignment clears into Wellington as smoothly as possible.
At John Mason International, trust us to deliver transparent, hassle-free services that make your move seamless. With over 100 years of proven expertise in international removals, we help more than 10,000 people relocate overseas every year, and we’re ready to make yours effortless too.
Our dedicated experts handle your belongings with the utmost care, tackling all shipping details and customs clearance so you don’t have to. Expect regular updates and straightforward answers to keep you confident every step of the way.
In 2024, we were awarded The King’s Awards for Enterprise’s award, recognising our contributions to international trade, customer service, and operational excellence.
Read our independent reviews on Trustpilot.
Read more about our Kings Award for Enterprise award.
While most still chose to travel by car, Wellington has several first-rate public transport options. There are regular, reliable bus and train services around the city and out to Porirua and Upper and Lower Hutt. Further afield, the Northern Explorer rail line links Wellington with Auckland with spectacular views along the way. Wellington is home to the only guided electric bus network in Oceania, known as Trolleybuses. There are also ferries linking the city with the suburbs of Eastbourne, Petone and Seatoun and even Picton on the South Island.
There are dozens of great days out around Wellington to keep even the most restless family busy. Take the cable car up into the hills and visit the Botanic Gardens for a picnic and a stroll in beautiful surroundings. There are plenty of fantastic walks, the Makara Peak Track and City to Sea Walkway out to Island Bay are both well worth getting your hiking boots out for. This cultural city also has an abundance of galleries and museums including the fascinating Museum of Wellington City and Sea and the national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa which is packed with fantastic interactive exhibits to keep the kids occupied. If you fancy a wilder day out, visit the exotic creatures at Wellington Zoo or head to Zealandia Karori Wildlife Sanctuary to see some adorable wildlife and admirable conservation work. For nightlife, Wellington punches well above its weight with a host of excellent restaurants, bars and music venues concentrated around the bustling Cuba Street and Courtenay Place.
We have an extensive range of resources, containing helpful information about moving overseas and what it’s like to live in Christchurch.
For more information or to ask our expert team any questions about international removals to New Zealand and the various benefits of moving to this breath-taking and vibrant country then please visit the Moving to New Zealand page, or check out our guide to moving to New Zealand. For specific regional information, you can look at the Moving to Auckland and Moving to Christchurch international removals pages below:
Yes, UK citizens can indeed move to New Zealand. The process involves selecting the appropriate visa, making sure you meet eligibility criteria and completing the application with the required documents. It is important to be prepared for health checks and character references, and we always recommend allowing for varying visa processing times. Once approved, follow entry requirements, make arrangements for accommodation and employment, and consult official sources for guidance. This is where we come in, John Mason’s international removals service offers comprehensive support, including packing, shipping, customs clearance, delivery, and even pet relocation. Our experienced team of professionals are on hand to provide personalised assistance for a smooth transition.
When bringing pets to New Zealand, remember that strict regulations exist to protect the environment. Requirements vary on the pet type, including vaccinations, health checks, and quarantine, for example microchipping and rabies vaccinations are a must for cats and dogs, costs for these treatments should be expected. Most pets are allowed in New Zealand, such as cats, dogs, and chinchillas from the UK. However, birds, ferrets, mice, rats, reptiles, and snakes are prohibited. Certain dog breeds also have restrictions unless meeting specific criteria, like being a registered service animal. Our dedicated pet relocation team ensures excellent care for your animals, during all aspects of your move to New Zealand.
Yes, it is possible to move to New Zealand when you’re retired. But there are specific visa options and rules you need to meet. One of your options is the Parent Retirement Resident Visa, which is for parents who rely on financial support from their adult child in New Zealand. Alternatively, the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa is designed for individuals aged 66 or older, allowing a stay of up to two years with requirements including adequate funds and insurance. Keep in mind that visa rules can change, and that there are financial and sponsorship criteria for these visas. You may also need to consider things like healthcare and the cost of living before you decide to make the big move to New Zealand.
There are several items that are prohibited from being imported into New Zealand due to the country’s strict biosecurity regulations. These items include:
It’s important to note that prohibited items will be disposed of upon arrival in New Zealand, so it’s best to leave these items behind when packing for your move.
Moving to New Zealand without a job can be challenging, as most immigration pathways require a job offer or proof of relevant skills to obtain a job once in the country. The visa options without a job include, Partner of a New Zealander Visa, Dependent Child Resident Visa, Parent Resident Visa and more. As always, we recommend you check the latest immigration policies, and consider the financial aspects of relocating to New Zealand without a job.
The cost of relocating to New Zealand varies based on factors like visa type, location, and personal situation. Core expenses include visa fees, airfare, lodging, daily living, healthcare insurance, shipping, settling costs, education charges, and transport. Shipping belongings to New Zealand typically ranges from £1,500 to £10,500 for containers, the final price depends on where you’re moving from, what and how much you’re moving, how you’re shipping it, and the container size you need. We can also ship extra baggage starting at £150. For a quick cost estimate of your removal to New Zealand, try our Instant Online Quote generator. For additional information on any of the above this can be found in our expert online moving guides.
The visa requirements for moving to New Zealand can vary depending on your situation. Generally, if you are planning to move to New Zealand for work, you will need a work visa. If you are planning to move to New Zealand permanently, you will need a resident visa. There are also temporary visas available for those who want to live and work in New Zealand for a set period of time. The application process for visas can be complex, so it’s important to work with a trusted and experienced immigration advisor to ensure that you comply with all relevant regulations.
Household goods face New Zealand Customs and MPI biosecurity checks, with possible duties, 15% GST, and inspection/treatment fees based on value and risk. Used personal effects qualify for concessions if owned/used over 12 months with proof.
Prepare detailed inventories, passports, visas/residency docs, and declarations. Your move manager handles paperwork, tariff assessments, and clearance for smooth arrival.
