Migrating to New Zealand: One Member’s Experience
This blog post is based on the personal journey of an IT Professionals NZ member who recently migrated from the United States to Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s shared with permission and intended as a helpful overview for others in similar situations—but it is not immigration advice. For accurate guidance, always consult a licensed immigration adviser.
Thinking of making the leap to New Zealand? Whether you’re chasing better work-life balance, greener pastures, or a different pace of life, the migration process is famously rigorous—but absolutely achievable. One of our members recently shared their journey in the ITP member Slack, and with their permission, we've turned it into a story for others walking a similar path.
Their route to Aotearoa included study for one partner, full-time work rights for the other, and a long list of paperwork and planning. But what stood out most in their story was the care, pragmatism, and strategy they applied throughout. Here's a look at what they did—and what others might consider too.
A Personal Checklist from a Fellow IT Professional
Our member and their partner successfully relocated to New Zealand via the student visa route, ultimately seeking permanent residency. Here’s their practical advice, shaped by lived experience:
Hire an Immigration Lawyer: Absolutely worth it. They spent around $1,000–$3,000 USD for expert guidance. Why is it absolutely worth it? For the professional, it was worth it because the lawyer guided them in language the Officers like to see and helped in making the paperwork simple and easy to understand.
University Acceptance: One partner applied to a postgraduate program, costing about $24,000 USD. Apply early.
Pay Tuition & Provide Receipts: Vital for visa evidence.
Visa Application: Gather bank statements, pay slips, and income verification going back 3–6 months.
Document Your Finances: If you’re accessing retirement savings (like a 401k), document every transaction.
Sell or Rent Your Home: Include sale or lease agreements. Budget for 6–8% in fees.
Write a Letter of Intent: Articulate why you’re choosing New Zealand, your future plans, and how your study fits into them.
Updated CVs: Both partners submitted professionally written resumes.
Medical Exams: Required for all adults—expect to pay $400–$600 USD each. Medical exams are required for children, as well.
Secure Housing: Begin your search online. You’ll need $2,500–$3,500 USD for bond and first month’s rent.
Understand Visa Structure: The student visa allowed the partner to work full-time while kids attended school. Understand the visa structure: there are different types of visas that work for different types of needs.
Networking & Job Market Research: Use sites like seek.co.nz. Join professional groups early.
Health Insurance: Private Health Insurance is needed for non-residents. The cost structure differs from the USA where they were paying $1500 per month (plus deductibles etc) whereas in NZ are paying $300 per month.
Banking: You’ll need to be physically present to open an account.
Transportation: They purchased a reliable used car for $5,000–$8,000 USD.
Taxes: In the USA the individual rate was 24%, in NZ it’s 33% however other costs, like healthcare is more affordable in NZ, plus there are government subsidies on childcare which help balance this out.
Two milestones to keep in mind:
✔️ After 2 years, you can apply for permanent residency
✔️ After 5 years, you may apply for citizenship (NZ allows dual citizenship with the US)
Other Suggestions to Make the move Smoother
Beyond the checklist, our member offered a few extra pieces of advice:
Get involved in community or industry networks early. Whether that’s through volunteering, events, or professional groups—it helps you build connections faster.
Prepare for cultural differences. Even small things (like driving on the left or how banking works) can be surprisingly different.
Schools and childcare can be tricky to navigate from overseas—start early if this applies to your family.
Budget extra for hidden costs like car insurance, driver’s license conversion, or shipping household goods.
Stay open-minded and adaptable. Migration is a big shift, but embracing the adventure makes all the difference.
While every story is different, theirs highlights one viable option for families wanting to build a future here.
What About Your Professional Standing?
If you’re an experienced IT professional looking to establish yourself in the New Zealand tech workforce, one valuable credential to know about is CITP – Chartered IT Professional NZ.
This is a globally recognised certification offered by ITP NZ. It’s designed for senior professionals who can demonstrate competence, ethical practice, and ongoing professional development. It shows local employers you’re serious about your profession and brings credibility when building a career here—especially if you're new to the country.
You don’t need to get CITP before you arrive, but many migrants have found it useful once they’re settled and looking to take the next step in their NZ careers.
You can find more about it at itp.nz/citp.
Final Thoughts
Migrating to a new country is a big deal — emotionally, financially, and logistically. While this blog is based on a member’s personal journey, your experience may differ. This is not immigration advice, and we strongly recommend you seek guidance from a licensed immigration adviser or lawyer before making any big decisions.
If you’re an IT professional looking to settle in New Zealand, ITP offers a qualification assessment service to help validate your credentials. This can be especially useful if you’re applying for jobs, further study, or professional certifications in Aotearoa. Learn more at itp.nz/immigration-assessments.
Good luck — and if you’re already on this journey, nau mai, haere mai. We’re glad you’re here.