Internet connection timelines are one of the most commonly underestimated parts of a move — some connection types take one to two weeks, not one to two days.
How to do it
- Check what connection types are available at your new address before choosing a plan — fibre availability varies street to street, and an older or rural property may have fewer options than you'd expect.
- Book 2+ weeks ahead if you can, especially for a new fibre install, which sometimes needs a technician visit — booking during moving week itself is the most common reason people end up without internet for their first days in a new home.
- Compare providers — the same underlying network (e.g. fibre) is sold by many retailers at different prices and with different perks, so the connection type doesn't lock you into any one company.
- Ask about a mobile hotspot option as a stop-gap if your connection date will land after move-in — most providers or your own mobile plan can cover a short gap without leaving you offline entirely.
- Confirm what equipment you need to return, if anything — most NZ routers are yours to keep, but check with your outgoing provider if you're on an older plan or unsure.
Common mistakes
- Assuming your existing provider will "just work" at the new address without a new order.
- Leaving it until moving week, when installation slots are much harder to get.
- Not checking early termination fees on your current plan before switching.
Related tasks
Sort your power connection at the same time — some providers offer a discount for bundling both.
Useful links
- Check fibre availability at your address (Chorus) — see what's actually available before you compare providers, rather than assuming your old connection type carries over.
What goes wrong
Example scenario
A new install booked in moving week
- What can go wrong
- You order broadband in moving week, and the address needs a new fibre install with a technician visit.
- The impact
- Some connections take one to two weeks, so you may be without home internet for that long.
- How to avoid it
- Check what’s available at the address, then book two or more weeks ahead. If the connection will land after you move in, line up a mobile hotspot to cover the gap.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to connect broadband at a new address?
- If the connection type already exists at the address (fibre, VDSL or ADSL), typically 5-7 working days — or as little as 2 working days for fibre if an ONT is already installed. If fibre isn't installed at all yet, budget 4-8 weeks for a new install, genuinely longer than most people expect.
- How much notice should I give my provider before moving?
- At least two weeks, per most major providers' own guidance — enough buffer to confirm the new connection is actually live before you cancel the old one, rather than risking a gap with no internet at all.