[Klipa]

As an Australian citizen (living in Canada), do I need to apply for any type of "residence permit" before arriving? I know I can live there without applying for a work permit, etc....but not sure if there is any required paperwork before my arrival or if I can just show up?

thanks.

[movefromus]

You just show up. I lived there legally from when I was 2 until I was 19 with no permit at all. Had my IRD (tax) number, worked in jobs. I travelled the whole time on an Aussie passport and was never asked for any type of visa when entering New Zealand after being away on holiday. My current reading from the immigration website is that this has not changed.

"If you are entering New Zealand with
a valid Australian passport, or
a current Australian Permanent Residence Visa, or
a current Australian Resident Return Visa
you will normally be granted a New Zealand residence permit on arrival."

"The following people are exempt from having to hold a residence permit:
a. citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia; and"

Carly

[mish&al]

Hi Klipa,

Carly is correct. I am an aussie married to a kiwi, and we are travelling for another holiday to christchurch on the 4th july.

We are currently looking in to moving there, and if we do I only need my australian passport.

At the moment, they have been doing a big advertising campaign over here to recruit aussies to new zealand to work..

Good luck and have fun :cheers

Michelle

[srivett]

Hi Klipa,

I'm in exactly the same situation (Australian citizen living in Canada and emigrating to NZ). Thanks for asking my question first! I've done my research on all the gov't sites, and any other sites I could find, and the answers always seemed too good to be true. But we both have Aussie passports, and since that's what distinguishes an Australian, it doesn't really matter that we currently live elsewhere.

When do you arrive in NZ?