Your September Mobile Newsletter

This month, we’re talking about other household goods.

First, anything that’s a “standard size” should be considered with skepticism.

Take beds as an example: believe it or not, a king size bed is smaller in NZ than in the US. You’ll find a subtle but important difference in sizes of beds (even within the same category) in places like the US, UK, and New Zealand. You’d be wise to either bring everything (frame, mattress, sheets, blankets) or plan to source everything here. Mixing and matching often results in a far from perfect fit.

Second, prepare to be flexible and adapt the way you live.

Whether your home in NZ is larger, smaller, or about the same size as where you live today depends on your particular circumstances as our housing stock offers a lot of variety. It’s likely, though, that your living and storage space will be a bit different.

These are a few examples:
NZ homes typically do not have a coat cupboard or fly screens.
Heating and cooling are rarely controlled through built-in systems but rather through electric heaters and open windows or room-by-room heat pumps.
Traditionally, NZ homes were built with a hot water cupboard: a wardrobe for storing the hot water cylinder with shelving for linens.
Newer family homes often feature a kitchen with a scullery with heaps of hidden appliance and pantry storage.
Laundry space does not always allow for a dryer but usually does have easy access to an outdoor washing line.
It’s common for families to have an extra refrigerator in the garage due to the size of refrigerators in most kitchens.

Finally, plan to source whiteware (large domestic appliances) once you arrive. Rental homes typically include fixtures like hob (stovetop) and oven but frequently do not include refrigerator, washer and dryer, or microwave. We can help you sort out the best arrangement for you, whether it is purchasing new appliances, finding pre-owned ones, or long term rental.

Do you have a question about a particular item or situation?

Re-opening to the World: New Zealand's Next Steps

Recently, the PM and a panel of experts released NZ's strategy for opening the border. You can watch the full presentation here.

For those of you in the process of relocating to NZ, these are the key points:
NZ will be moving towards a more differentiated isolation programme for arriving travellers, including home isolation or shorter MIQ stays. The requirements will depend on whether travellers are vaccinated, and the level of risk in their countries of origin.
These changes will be implemented in the first quarter of 2022. For travel this year, the current system will stay in place.
A limited trial of reduced MIQ or home isolation will take place late this year for NZ-vaccinated business travellers travelling to and from medium-risk destinations. While this won't benefit our clients offshore, it may mean that more MIQ slots open up if these business travellers are able to release their vouchers.
The ultimate goal is quarantine-free travel for all vaccinated travellers, but here is no timeframe on this yet.

If you'd like to read a more complete commentary, take a look at this article.

Your next steps

Ensuring you are vaccinated is the action over which you have most control. During the coming months, the government will release further information on vaccine recognition requirements, and the risk profile criteria for countries of origin.

The announcement did not include any detail on changes to immigration policy. For some of you, that is the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle, and we will continue to update you as we are able.

Keep in mind that this announcement was made prior to our current Delta outbreak. The government has made it clear that it is constantly adapting its policies to expert health advice and changing global circumstances.

We will continue to monitor government announcements and share what we learn.

IMMIGRATION & BORDER UPDATES

Status Quo: The border remains closed with limited exceptions. Those able to enter must book a spot in MIQ* (managed isolation/quarantine) before departing and must provide a pre-departure COVID test result with the exception of quarantine-free travel (QFT) with the Cook Islands. QFT with Australia is currently paused.

*MIQ booking is currently paused. BREAKING UPDATE: the pause will continue 'for a few weeks' and a virtual lobby system will be piloted when booking reopens.

Songs from NZ

Whether you’re in some form of lockdown somewhere in the world, getting ready to send kids back to school, or getting ready to resume at-home learning, a morning check in may be part of your routine.

In New Zealand preschools and primary schools, this is often called the karakia, referencing Māori blessings, and frequently includes a few waiata (songs). Here are two that may help your whole family get more familiar with basic te reo Māori in catchy jingle form: Hello Song and Greetings.