[MB]

When I arrived in the USA from Britain, my wife and her family really helped me out by driving me around for a day or two and having me register for all the 'sundry' basics that you need to register for in a new country: driver's licence; doctor's office; social security; library, etc.

What are your tips re. an equivalent 'road trip' ( :laugh) for someone arriving in NZ, esp. Wellington?

Not necessarily specific addresses, but the half-dozen or so 'basics' that new NZ residents need to hit early on... especially, perhaps, the things that are peculiar to NZ/Wellington or are in some other way not obvious.

Cheers,
Matt and family.

[sarahw]

Things we had to organise:

1) NZ Phone number - Vodafone was the only company that does sim-cards to fit UK phones...plenty of choice there then!!

2) PO Box at the post office - $125- to set up for a year. You can open things like bank accounts when you have this.

3) Bank account - I'm sure loads of people will recommend their own favourite bank - we used ASB and have been impressed so far. Where else can you call up the bank and give your name (first name) and them know you & ask how the other half's job is going and how we're settling in???

4) House to rent - quite a biggy!!! If you're coming to Welly then Dominion Post on a Saturday is excellent for rentals & you don't pay quite as much as you do through an agent. We used an agent as it was Xmas time & we were desperate for a house. Try Remax or the Professionals in your chosen area. Rental properties are just listings - you won't see photos of them so you have to do 'drive by's' to check out whether you want to look inside or not!

5) Sign up for a fly-buys card - you get points which can earn you flights & there's many places you can earn points - you want to get a card as early as possible if you're buying bits & pieces for the house!!!

6) IRD number - go to the tax office with either a photocopy of your birth certificate or passport & fill in a form for an IRD number (both of you).

7) If you're coming over on a UK driving license you have a year to convert it to NZ one - you have to take a written test - if you wait over a year (you won't be legally allowed to drive, but also you'll have to do the whole test!)

8) Don't forget to relax & do some fun things in the first few days - they can be stressful but a few glasses of wine in front of a good view should do the trick!!!

Hope that helps!

[MB]

That's so very helpful, Sarah. Very many thanks indeed for taking the time.
:nice1 Matt.