Moving to New Zealand with family: budget, housing and first months

Adult and child visas

Work, study and family routes have separate INZ conditions. AEWV does not include partners and children in the same application; support for their separate visas depends on the relevant requirements.

Temporary permission is different from residence. Assess later residence eligibility separately; savings are not a visa category.

Source: Accredited Employer Work Visa » Immigration New Zealand (checked 2026-10-15).

School and housing

Check Dependent Child Student Visa eligibility and the child’s domestic-student status. Not every child of every work or student visa holder has free state schooling.

Check actual home zones, available places, enrolment dates and integrated-school attendance dues. Use real housing listings and the school journey rather than a universal rent premium.

Source: Dependent Child Student Visa » Immigration New Zealand (checked 2026-10-15); Enrolment schemes - Ministry of Education (checked 2026-10-15).

Study and household funding

Funding requirements relate to the particular application: applicable tertiary or English study uses NZ$20,000 per year or NZ$1,667 per month; school study lists NZ$17,000 or NZ$1,417. Do not automatically apply those figures to every dependent-child case.

Tuition, whole-household expenses, outward travel and insurance are separate. INZ identifies a PhD insurance exception on Fee Paying Student Visa. Future work does not replace funding evidence.

Source: Fee Paying Student Visa » Immigration New Zealand (checked 2026-10-15); Student fund requirements :: Immigration New Zealand (checked 2026-10-15).

Arrival budget

Separate recurring costs, temporary housing, moving expenses and refundable bonds. Ordinary tenancies cap general bonds at four weeks, advance rent at two and applicable separate pet bonds at two.

Choose the reserve period for your household. Allow more cover if work or housing is unsettled. Prepare family and school records and arrange the first weeks.

Source: Tenancy Services: general bond cap (checked 2026-10-15); Charging a pet bond » Tenancy Services (checked 2026-10-15).

Related reading

• How to move to New Zealand: a step-by-step plan
• Schools in New Zealand for children: status, enrolment and costs
• Renting housing in New Zealand: how to find a flat or house after moving

FAQ

Does one adult’s visa give the whole family the same rights?

For a family move, check each person’s visa route, partner and child support eligibility, schooling status and the household budget. Neither savings nor one adult’s visa automatically gives everyone work rights or free education.