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Who is leaving Britain and what it costs to stay

Moving to New Zealand from the UK

Guide · All country guides

Moving to New Zealand from the UK requires permission suited to your work or stay. The UK State Pension is frozen there, so it does not receive annual increases.

By Flight Risk Capital. Last updated: .

How does take-home pay compare with the UK?

No take-home table is shown because a complete, confirmed set of tax and employee deductions for the comparison year is not available.

How is employee pay taxed?

For income tax bands, Inland Revenue (IRD) shows a schedule headed “From 1 April 2025”. Use IRD’s individual tax rate table for rates and thresholds; this guide does not use them to calculate pay for 2026-27.

The ACC earners’ levy, an employee charge for accident cover, is 1.75% for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Source: IRD, ACC earners’ levy rates, updated 6 March 2025. A complete pay calculation also needs the earnings limit to which that levy applies.

KiwiSaver is a retirement savings scheme. IRD gives a default employee contribution of 3.5% of before-tax pay, with options of 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% and a route to apply for a temporary reduction. Source: IRD, Employee contributions to KiwiSaver accounts, 1 April 2026.

What permission do I need to live and work in New Zealand?

The Skilled Migrant Category is a residence route based on skilled work. The Accredited Employer Work Visa is a work route linked to a job offer from an accredited employer. Match the route to the job and the stay you plan.

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa is a family visit route for parents of New Zealand citizens or residents. Check its conditions separately from work and residence routes.

Use Immigration New Zealand’s pages for the Skilled Migrant Category, Accredited Employer Work Visa and Parent Boost Visitor Visa for eligibility, fees and permission to work.

Will my UK State Pension rise in New Zealand?

No. DWP says New Zealand’s social security agreement with the UK does not provide yearly UK State Pension increases. Read the frozen State Pension guide before planning retirement income.

The full new State Pension in the UK is £241.30 a week for 2026-27, from DWP’s rates dated 16 February 2026. Living in New Zealand does not bring a frozen pension up to that rate.

See the Budget tracker for announcements and effective dates.

See the sourced leavers tracker for reported moves and the evidence behind each entry.

Getting residence

Immigration New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa requires a job offer from an accredited employer, who sends the application link. Check skilled residence and family routes separately; a work visa and permanent residence are different permissions.

Immigration New Zealand, Accredited Employer Work Visa. Source undated. Checked .

Healthcare

Check eligibility for publicly funded health services before relying on them. Eligible residents receive services free or at a reduced cost. If you are not eligible, arrange health insurance; the UK visitor agreement is not a substitute for checking resident entitlement.

FCDO, Living in New Zealand. Source date: . Checked .

Schools

Children with residence-class visas qualify as domestic students. Some dependent children of work-visa holders also qualify, with the right student visa. Others pay international student fees. Check status before enrolling in a state school.

New Zealand Ministry of Education, school enrolment eligibility. Source undated. Checked .

Banking and money

Some banks let migrants open an account before arrival and receive transfers into it. Activation normally needs identity and address checks after arrival. Ask whether the bank accepts a temporary address and whether it needs an Inland Revenue number.

Immigration New Zealand, banking in New Zealand. Source undated. Checked .

Complete a Border Cash Report when carrying NZD 10,000 or more, including the foreign-currency equivalent, into or out of New Zealand. Speak to a customs officer on arrival even if you filed the report online.

New Zealand Customs Service, Border Cash Report. Source undated. Checked .

The currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD).

European Central Bank, currency reference table. Source date: . Checked .

Cost of living

Consumer prices rose 3.7% in the year to September 2026. This is national inflation, rather than a comparison with British price levels. Budget separately for housing in the area where you plan to live.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Stats NZ consumer price index. Source date: . Checked .

Driving

A UK car licence can be used for up to 18 months after arrival, then it must be converted to a New Zealand licence to keep driving. Motorbike and truck licences have a shorter recognition period. Ask Waka Kotahi about the documents and any tests for your licence.

FCDO, Living in New Zealand. Source date: . Checked .

UK pensions

The UK State Pension is frozen in New Zealand.Frozen State Pension guide.

DWP, State Pension annual increases country list. Source date: . Checked .

See the Moving abroad checklist for UK reporting and residence checks, school questions and bank account checks.

What else do readers ask?

Can a British citizen live in New Zealand?

Immigration New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa requires a job offer from an accredited employer, who sends the application link. Check skilled residence and family routes separately; a work visa and permanent residence are different permissions.

How do residents get healthcare in New Zealand?

Check eligibility for publicly funded health services before relying on them. Eligible residents receive services free or at a reduced cost. If you are not eligible, arrange health insurance; the UK visitor agreement is not a substitute for checking resident entitlement.

Can I exchange a UK driving licence in New Zealand?

A UK car licence can be used for up to 18 months after arrival, then it must be converted to a New Zealand licence to keep driving. Motorbike and truck licences have a shorter recognition period. Ask Waka Kotahi about the documents and any tests for your licence.

Is the UK State Pension frozen in New Zealand?

The UK State Pension is frozen in New Zealand.

Sources