New Zealand Paying People To Move There: 2024 Guide

Is New Zealand actually paying people to move there? 

I was so intrigued when I saw headlines about New Zealand paying people to move there, so I did a deep dive to find out if this is actually true. 

I’ve lived in New Zealand before and would happily go back for a lump sum of money! 

Moving abroad can be a dream, but there’s no denying that it can also be super expensive. As someone who has lived in a dozen countries, I’ve never been paid to move – in fact, I’ve always had to pay out of pocket for expenses like visas and healthcare.

News outlets have reported that you can get paid $160,000 to move to a town called Kaitangata.

Well, I’m sorry to break it to you. That simply isn’t true! 

New Zealand will not pay you to move there, although many sources across the internet are still perpetuating this myth!

Although New Zealand won’t pay you to move there, there are some ways to make the move a little easier on your bank account. From visa costs to monthly rent, let’s look at a realistic breakdown of what it costs to move to New Zealand.

Is New Zealand Paying People To Move There? 

Unfortunately, New Zealand is not paying people to move there – but don’t write it off! 

You may not get a huge lump sum just for moving, but there are some great financial incentives to moving to NZ, such as tax benefits, free healthcare, and a $5k To Work benefit if you are relocating for a job.

If you’re dreaming of moving abroad, New Zealand is somewhere I highly recommend. There is a high quality of life, interesting things to see and do, and the people are some of the friendliest in the world!

I lived in New Zealand for a year and loved it – to this day, NZ is arguably the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived!

How to Get Paid To Move To New Zealand – Step By Step Guide

So, if you’re still hopeful and asking, “How can you get paid to move to New Zealand?” I’ve got you covered! 

Step 1 – Secure A Job Offer 

If you have skills in high demand, such as nursing, engineering, programming, or teaching, it won’t be too challenging to find a job offer beforehand, as there are almost always shortages in these professions.

But if you don’t work in a high-skill profession (i.e., need a specific degree), securing a job offer in New Zealand can be difficult before actually moving there. 

You can also apply for jobs through a working holiday visa once you’ve arrived in New Zealand. I will warn you, though, it took me over a month to find work. The job market in New Zealand is quite competitive, so be patient and don’t move until you have enough savings to get you by for at least one month.  

Step 2 – Apply For A Visa 

To move to New Zealand, you will need a valid visa. There are various types of visas available, such as residency visas, student visas, and working holiday visas. 

If you want to permanently settle in New Zealand, you can apply for a residency visa through different categories, such as skilled workers or family sponsorship. These visas usually require submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) and being invited to apply.

New Zealand is currently undergoing a skilled labor shortage, so if you work in one of the professional sectors that have been affected, you may be eligible for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). This visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to three years and can lead to permanent residency. However, you do need to pay a fee of $750 NZD ($475 USD) to apply.

If you’re under 30 and from an eligible country, a working holiday visa may be the easiest way to move to New Zealand. These visas are for one year, allowing backpackers to do casual work to fund their travels. This is the visa that I obtained when I moved to NZ.

If you are a digital nomad or remote worker, you should opt for a long-term visitor visa, which allows digital nomads and remote workers to stay in the country for 3 to 9 months. 

Step 3 – Apply For A $5K To Work Incentive Payment

Once you’re in the country, you should start the process for New Zealand’s $5k to work incentive payment for new residents moving from abroad. 

This lump sum of $5k NZD ($3166 USD) is not taxed and is intended to help with the costs of relocating and starting a new job in the country. 

The catch is that to be eligible, you must have received a confirmed job offer.

This technically means you are not ‘getting paid to move,’ but the government is helping you with your moving costs as an incentive to work in New Zealand. 

The sad part is that 5k doesn’t go far in New Zealand. In my experience, living costs about 5k per month (including rent), so if you don’t find a job right away, it’s basically just preventing you from going in the hole financially while waiting for your first paycheck.

Bonus – Look For Housing

With the high cost of living in New Zealand, finding affordable housing can be a challenge. 

But I’ve found some options that may help save you money! Shared housing or house-sitting can be more budget-friendly alternatives to renting your own place. Or if you’re eligible for a working holiday visa, you may be able to find accommodation by working at backpacker hostels or farm stays.

If your final goal is to move to New Zealand permanently and you’ve secured a residency visa, you can also consider purchasing a home.

New Zealand is amid a “housing crisis,” so real estate prices often make the headlines. The average house price in New Zealand is now around $900,000!  However, you get a lot for your money! The average house size is 156 square metres, which is much larger than in most European countries.

Should I Hire A Relocation Service?

If you have the budget, hiring a relocation service can make your move to New Zealand much less stressful. 

These services can help with everything from visa applications to finding housing, setting up bank accounts, packing up your old home, and getting you settled in your New Zealand city. 

While it may be an additional expense, it can save you time and effort in the long run.

Crown Relocations and NZ Van Lines are both top-notch relocation services. I haven’t personally used them, but I’ve heard great things about both.

If you want to relocate with your pets, there are some extra steps you will need to take. New Zealand has strict Biosecurity laws. It’s not impossible to bring your pets with you, but it will require extra time and expense.

Are There Tax Benefits to Moving to New Zealand?

As an American expat in New Zealand, you may be eligible for various tax benefits that can help reduce your overall tax liability. These include the foreign tax credit, foreign-earned income exclusion, and foreign housing exclusion.

The foreign tax credit allows expats to offset taxes paid to New Zealand against their US tax liability. If you have already paid taxes on your income in New Zealand, you may have to pay less tax to the US on that same income.

You can also claim the foreign-earned income exclusion, which allows you to exclude a portion of your foreign-earned income from US taxes.

The foreign housing exclusion can help cover the cost of housing while living abroad. You can essentially write off rent, utilities, and other costs associated with maintaining a home in New Zealand.

Another tax benefit is that any income from overseas investments or pensions can be exempt from New Zealand tax for your first 4 years living here.

Just a heads up, these tax benefits only apply if you meet specific requirements. It’s always a good idea to chat with a tax professional to make sure you’re taking full advantage of all the benefits that are available to you.

What Jobs Are Hiring In New Zealand? 

Various industries in New Zealand are currently facing a skill and labor shortage, making them more likely to hire foreign workers and Americans moving to New Zealand. 

Some of the most in-demand jobs include IT professionals, healthcare workers, engineers, construction workers, and tradespeople.

The New Zealand government has developed a ‘Green List‘ to help expats understand which occupations are in high demand. If you’re hired for one of these roles, you may be eligible to apply for residency in New Zealand immediately or after two years, depending on the Tier level.

Tier 1 means you get a Residence Visa immediately

Tier 2 means you get a Work to Residence Visa.

If you’re looking to move to New Zealand and have skills in any of these industries, you’ll be able to find a job and get a permanent resident visa rather quickly.

What Is It Like To Move To New Zealand? 

I can’t speak highly enough about my experiences in New Zealand, which is probably the reason I have so many blog posts about the incredible things to do there.

When I moved to New Zealand in 2018 with a working holiday visa, I spent $200 on my flight (found a great deal!) and used the rest of my savings for travel before getting a job to support myself. 

My monthly rent ranged from $1.5k to $4k ($953 – $2542 USD), depending on whether I opted for a furnished place or a student flatshare. It was definitely challenging at times but also a rewarding experience.

However, there are some downsides to living in New Zealand, so it’s a good idea to weigh all the pros and cons!

Quality Of Life In New Zealand 

New Zealand always gets high rankings in quality of life indexes, which is unsurprising with its breathtaking natural beauty, strong social welfare system, small-town vibes, and excellent work-life balance. 

I also found the people in New Zealand exceptionally friendly, and residents get free healthcare! 

Additionally, there are tax benefits for US citizens who live in New Zealand, which can help make living expenses more affordable!

It’s important to recognize the high cost of living and limited job opportunities in certain fields, but overall, New Zealand offers a high standard of living for those who can make the move.

Summary

While some countries around the world will pay you to move there (like Italy, Greece, and Northern Spain), unfortunately, New Zealand isn’t one of them. 

All of the headlines I saw about New Zealand paying people to move there from the USA were just rumors in the end, but it led me to discover the 5k to work incentive, so not all is lost! 

Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming and isn’t a decision you should take lightly, but trust me, it’s also an exciting adventure! Here are some tips for how to overcome the challenges of moving abroad!

Also, if you’ve settled on New Zealand as your next home, check out my list of the best places to live in New Zealand for more inspiration. I also have a moving abroad checklist to help you start planning your move today!

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