Your Complete Guide to Leaving South Africa for New Zealand: The Ultimate Before-You-Fly Checklist
Leaving South Africa for New Zealand is one of the biggest transitions a family can make. It’s a chapter filled with hope, fear, excitement, grief, courage, and countless decisions, often all at once.
You stand between two worlds: the home that shaped you, and the promise of a safer, more stable future. Between these two points lies paperwork, planning, logistics, and the emotional roller-coaster every migrant knows too well.
This guide brings everything together in one place, so you can prepare with clarity, confidence and calm before boarding that life-changing flight.
Start With the Timeline That Holds Everything Together
Every migration journey is held together by a timeline.
Think of your move like a long-distance relay. One step leads into the next and each has its own waiting period.
Set your intended move date, then work backwards.
Why this matters:
Some official documents take months to process
Employers need estimated arrival dates
Schools request timelines early
Shipping companies book out far in advance
Medical paperwork expires after a set window
A clear timeline protects you from last-minute panic and gives your whole family structure.
Gather Your South African Documents Early
These documents take the longest and often cause the most stress. Start them before you pack your first suitcase.
Critical identity documents
Unabridged birth certificates
Unabridged marriage certificates
Divorce decrees / custody court orders (if applicable)
Death certificates (if required)
Affidavits + official translations
Legal + police clearances
SAPS police clearance (valid for 6 months only)
International police clearances (if you lived abroad)
Valid passports for the whole family
Affidavits for minors traveling with one parent
Qualifications + employment documents
NZQA assessments
Certified copies of degrees & transcripts
Professional registrations
Reference letters + letters of service
Having these ready early strengthens job applications, school enrolments, and visa submissions.
Prepare for the Job Search in New Zealand
New Zealand’s job market is built on trust, relationships, and human connection far more than just CVs.
Optimise your LinkedIn
Updated photo + headline
Use NZ job title equivalents
Tailor your “About” section for the NZ market
Request recommendations
Connect daily with recruiters + hiring managers
Where to apply:
TradeMe Jobs
Indeed NZ
LinkedIn Jobs
Customise every CV and cover letter, cultural fit matters hugely in NZ hiring.
Handle Cancellations + Notifications the Right Way
Give yourself more time than you think. Cancelling contracts correctly prevents stress and surprise penalties.
Cancel before you fly:
Cellphone contracts
Internet + fibre
Streaming subscriptions
Gym memberships
Security services
Medical aid
School enrolments (usually 3 months’ notice)
TV licence
Insurance policies
⚠️ Very important:
Do NOT cancel life insurance until you have new cover in NZ.
Prepare Your Home, Vehicle and Finances
Migration feels like a chessboard every piece influences the next.
If you own property
Decide whether to rent or sell
Get valuations
Appoint a power-of-attorney if someone manages it for you
Settle municipal accounts
Complete bond requirements
If selling your car
Time the sale correctly
Arrange roadworthy certificates
Transfer ownership
Cancel insurance at the right time
Financial planning
Consider support from professionals for:
Opening an NZ bank account
Moving investments
Life, home + income protection insurance
Retirement planning
Forex transfers
A stable financial foundation reduces landing stress significantly.
Decide What to Ship (And What Not To)
This choice shapes your first few months.
If shipping furniture
NZ homes are smaller
Shipping takes months
Insurance is essential
Weigh cost vs sentimental value
If NOT shipping
NZ offers budget-friendly ways to set up:
Facebook Marketplace
TradeMe
Op shops
Warehouse, Kmart, Briscoes
“Pay it forward” FB groups = FREE items
If You're Bringing Pets
Start early, ideally 6 months before departure.
You’ll need:
Microchipping
Updated vaccinations
Import permits
Rabies tests
Quarantine bookings
Professional transporters (Petport, Global Paws, Keringa, etc.)
It’s costly but seeing your fur-baby arrive safely is priceless.
General To-Do’s Before You Leave
These small tasks make the biggest difference during your first week in NZ.
Medical check-ups (valid for 3 months only)
Dentist visits
Repeat prescriptions
Optometrist appointments
Updated school reports
Copies of children's documents
Travel insurance
Entertainment for flights
Notify family and friends
Confirm transport + accommodation
What To Do When You Arrive in New Zealand
Your first two weeks will feel like excitement mixed with gentle chaos.
Your landing checklist:
Meet with your migration advisor
Book your New Zealand Will
Apply for IRD numbers
Open an NZ bank account
Enrol your children in school (check zones)
Start your rental home search
Register with a local GP
Buy an NZ SIM card
Convert your SA driver’s licence
Explore the neighbourhood
Migrants who settle well build routine, stability, and community early on.
The Emotional Side of Migration
The emotional waves are real and normal.
You may feel grief, guilt, hope, excitement, fear, homesickness and courage all in the same week. Every migrant has walked this path.
You’re not alone in this journey.
With planning, guidance, and community, your transition can be a meaningful transformation instead of a chaotic leap.
Call to Action (COAR Style)
Watch our “Stress of Immigration” video:
(2) COAR CONSULTANTS – YouTube
Book a FREE 20-minute chat:
Select a Date & Time: https://schedule.coar.co.nz/
We specialise in:
CV writing
LinkedIn networking
Interview preparation
Immigration job search support
Contact us:
📧 peter@coar.co.nz
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