Is it harder to insure an older Wellington property?

It genuinely can be. Insurers have tightened requirements for low-%NBS buildings since the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, and some will charge much higher premiums or decline cover outright below a certain rating. Get an actual insurance quote before committing to a purchase, not after.

Is Christchurch genuinely good for cycling instead of driving?

More than most NZ cities, yes — it's flat, and the council has built a purpose-designed network of 13 Major Cycle Routes connecting outer suburbs into the CBD, separated from general traffic for a lot of their length. Worth factoring in when picking a suburb if you'd rather not be car-dependent.

← All routes

Moving from Wellington to Christchurch

Wellington and Christchurch are on different islands, so you'll need to factor in the Cook Strait ferry or vehicle transport alongside everything else — not just a regional move, but an inter-island one.

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Leaving Wellington

New Zealand's capital, built on steep hills around a harbour, with an economy centred on government and the public service.

Bond disputes over pre-existing damage on older character properties can be more contentious here than elsewhere — document condition thoroughly with dated photos before you hand back the keys.

                  Moving day logistics are genuinely harder given the hills, stairs, and narrow streets many Wellington properties sit on — a mover used to hillside properties makes a real difference, and it's worth budgeting more time than a flat-city move would need. Wind can disrupt loading an exposed truck too, so build in some flexibility if you can.

                  If you're selling, expect buyers to ask pointed questions about seismic rating and building compliance — have that paperwork ready so it doesn't hold up settlement.

Useful resources

Wellington City Council — rates, rubbish collection, building consents, local services
Metlink — Wellington region public transport (bus, train, harbour ferry)

Moving to Christchurch

New Zealand's largest South Island city, largely rebuilt since the 2011 earthquakes.

Much of the housing stock is genuinely newer than in most NZ cities — around 10,000 homes were demolished after the 2011 earthquakes, and rebuilds since have gone up to a raised seismic hazard standard, many on flexible "waffle-slab" foundations designed to move rather than crack. A property built post-2012 is built to that higher code as standard, not as a selling point you need to hunt for — worth asking the build date directly either way.

      Vacancy in good suburbs sits around 2-3%, and two-bedroom, single-level homes are in particularly short supply — expect a longer search for one of those than for a standard three-bedroom family home.

      If the city itself doesn't have what you want, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts on the fringes are growing fast with modern housing and good transport links in — but they're separate councils from Christchurch City, so rates, consents, and rubbish collection there are handled by Selwyn District Council or Waimakariri District Council, not CCC. Check which one actually covers an address before assuming.

Useful resources

Christchurch City Council — rates, rubbish collection, building consents, local services - Environment Canterbury (ECan) — regional transport and environmental services

Tasks for this move

Book a moving company or truck for your long-distance moveNow is the time to book removalists for your long-distance move — leave it too late and they often book out.Read the full guide →
Connect power and gas at your new addressNow is the time to get power (and gas) connected — don't leave it until moving day.Read the full guide →
Connect internet and broadbandBook your internet connection now — some plans take a couple of weeks to activate.Read the full guide →
Notify your insurance providersUpdate your insurance providers with your new address before you move.Read the full guide →
Confirm your new home is insured from settlement dayConfirm your new home is insured from settlement day — don't leave a gap in cover.Read the full guide →
Sort temporary accommodation if there's a gap before your new place is readyIf there's any chance your settlement or delivery dates won't line up, sort a backup place to stay now — don't leave it to moving week.Read the full guide →
Set up mail redirection with NZ PostRedirect your mail so nothing gets lost in the handover to your new address.
Update your address with Inland Revenue (IRD)Update your IRD address once you've settled in — tax correspondence and Working for Families payments depend on it.
Update your address on your driver licenceUpdate your driver licence address — it's a legal requirement within a reasonable time of moving.
Update the electoral roll with your new addressRe-enrol on the electoral roll at your new address so you're in the right electorate.
Notify your bank and other financial institutionsLet your bank and other financial institutions know your new address.
Give written notice to your landlord or property managerCheck your tenancy agreement's notice period and give written notice to your landlord now.
Book your final bond inspectionBook your final bond inspection with your property manager or landlord.
Take dated photos of the property conditionPhotograph the empty property on move-out day in case of a bond dispute.
Return all keys, fobs, and garage remotesReturn all keys, fobs, and garage remotes on move-out day.
Notify your local council of the change of ownershipNotify your local council of the change of ownership so rates go to the right person.
Arrange final meter readings with your lawyer or conveyancerArrange final water/power/gas meter readings as part of settlement.
Research and enrol with a new GP or medical centreFind and enrol with a new GP or medical centre in your new region.
Update your pet's microchip detailsUpdate your pet's microchip registry with your new address.
Find a new vet and transfer your pet's recordsFind a new vet in your area and arrange for your pet's records to be transferred.
Check your new council's dog registration requirementsCheck your new council's dog registration requirements.
Enrol your children at a new schoolConfirm your new school zone and enrol your children, or notify your current school of the move.
Research childcare or kindy options in your new areaLook into childcare or kindy options in your new area — good ones fill up early.
Update your children's medical and dental providersUpdate your children's GP, dentist, and other care provider details.
Get written permission from your landlord for petsGet written permission from your landlord for pets at the new rental, in writing.

Frequently asked questions

About Wellington

Is it harder to insure an older Wellington property?: It genuinely can be. Insurers have tightened requirements for low-%NBS buildings since the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, and some will charge much higher premiums or decline cover outright below a certain rating. Get an actual insurance quote before committing to a purchase, not after.

About Christchurch

Is Christchurch genuinely good for cycling instead of driving?: More than most NZ cities, yes — it's flat, and the council has built a purpose-designed network of 13 Major Cycle Routes connecting outer suburbs into the CBD, separated from general traffic for a lot of their length. Worth factoring in when picking a suburb if you'd rather not be car-dependent.

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