Moving to Christchurch

International Relocation

The city of Christchurch is situated on the south island’s east coast, just north of the Banks Peninsula. It’s 300 kilometres south of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, and less than four hours from the breathtaking Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. It is bordered on the south by Pegasus Bay.

It is also the oldest city, having been created in 1850 and serving as the regional capital of Canterbury. It is located near the New Zealand Alps and the Banks Peninsula, and is a popular tourist destination due to its cultural diversity and beautiful surroundings.

If you are thinking of relocating to New Zealand, Christchurch is among the best options.

Working in Christchurch

If you want to work in Christchurch, you’ll need a visa that permits you to do so legally. Depending on your nationality, you can apply for a student or Working Holiday visa, which are the most popular alternatives.

Aside from possessing the required level of English and adjusting your CV and cover letter, creating a New Zealand bank account, obtaining an IRD number, having a local mobile phone number to receive offers, and reading our Work in New Zealand section are all significant prerequisites. 

Jobs in the construction industry, hospitality, hotels, agriculture, engineering, and transportation are among the most in demand. Chef, waiter, kitchen worker, bartender, barista, fruit picking or fruit picker, gardener, store, house and office cleaning, and other positions are available, and they are all extremely well-paid.

We recommend visiting the most popular job search sites in New Zealand, such as Seek.co.nz, Jooble.com, Indeed, Trademe.co.nz, and LinkedIn, for temporary or specialised jobs in areas related to your professional field.

Remember that networking, having a solid command of the English language, and adjusting your CV and cover letter to the New Zealand style are the keys to getting a job.

Weather in Christchurch

Christchurch has a temperate climate, with temperatures ranging from 22.5°C in January to 10.7°C in July throughout the year.

Summers are scorching hot, while winters are bitterly frigid. Frost is common, and snowfall happens once or twice a year.

Transportation

Cycling is a reality in Christchurch if you are an active person. A healthy, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to get to know the city.

If you prefer public transportation, the Metro business operates a bus network.

The best option is to get a MetroCard, which will save you up to 30% on your rides. The card costs $10 NZ, and you must top it up with a minimum of another $10 NZ to activate it. It is available at a variety of specialised locations, including libraries and shopping centres.