Many Of Us Have Walked This Path
So, You’re Not Alone — Even If It Feels Like It.Every journey to New Zealand begins differently — but the challenges, questions, and excitement are something we all share.
Hi, I’m Melissa — and I know exactly what it’s like to land in New Zealand with just a suitcase, a head full of questions, and a stomach full of nerves.
My Story
In May 2018, at 23 years old, I made a decision for my future, I packed a suitcase and left behind my mom, gran, brother, friends, family, culture — everything I knew — to start a new life in New Zealand. My dad, my youngest brother and his partner had moved about a year earlier, so they were only slightly ahead of me in figuring things out. I stayed with them for three days before being sent off to live with other South Africans — kind of like a boarding house, but for fresh Saffas finding their feet.
After a week, my dad arranged for me to board with some Kiwi friends of theirs (he thought it will help me “settle” faster). Let’s just say… it was not the warm fuzzy “Welcome” I had in mind. I learned quickly that even if you know people in New Zealand, starting fresh in a new country can still feel very lonely.
I got a job within the first two weeks of arriving (yay me!) — but every other step was a mixture of trial, error, and a whole lot of “I wish someone had told me that earlier.” From figuring out the healthcare system and workplace rights, to finding a rental before my hubby joined me, to navigating IRD, MSD and WINZ, and even learning what a NZ-ready CV should look like — none of it came with a clear instruction manual.
When Hubby Arrived…
A year later, my (now) husband made the big move. By then, I’d already done the hard yards, so I could show him where to go, what forms to fill in, and what not to waste time on.
That’s when it clicked: Most people moving to NZ don’t have anyone to show them the ropes.
What You’ll Find Here
- Step-by-step guides for the essentials.
- Honest, tried-and-tested advice from people who’ve been where you are.
- The little tips no one tells you until it’s too late.
- A community that gets it — because we’ve lived it too.
Free Guides
Our free guides cover the essentials no one tells you — the stuff you actually need to settle faster and stress less:
- Converting your driver’s licence
- Opening a bank account
- Setting up power and internet
- Finding rentals and buying furniture
- Understanding IRD, WINZ, MSD
- Understanding the public healthcare system (GPs, ACC, after-hours, prescriptions)
- Visa basics and where to go for official guidance
- Schools and education — from enrolments to zoning rules
Members-Only Resources ($25/year)
For deeper support and step-by-step direction, our members area unlocks:
- Detailed how-to guides with links, forms, and timelines
- Downloadable templates (CVs, cover letters, budgets, checklists)
- Job application tips and CV tailoring
- Healthcare explained — GP enrolments, specialists, insurance, and hidden costs
- Visa pathways unpacked — clear outlines of options, timelines, and requirements (with links to official sites)
- Schools & childcare in depth — enrolments, curriculum, daycare, and what to expect
Why I Created This
When I first moved to New Zealand, I had to rely on Facebook groups to get answers to most questions.
And while those groups were helpful, I’d often end up with so many conflicting answers that I felt even more confused than when I started.
That’s why Fresh Start Abroad exists — to take the guesswork and overwhelm out of the process.
Everything you need is in one place, carefully put together from official sources and lived experience, so you can stop scrolling, stop second-guessing, and actually start living.
This site isn’t just about your first few weeks here — it’s a resource you can keep coming back to for years, from the moment you start thinking about immigrating right through to getting your citizenship (and even after that — because there’s always something new to learn).
We want you to feel like you’ve got a tjommie in your corner — someone who’s been there, can answer your questions, help you avoid rookie mistakes, and remind you that yes, you’ve totally got this!
Because we’ve walked this path ourselves (and so have thousands of other Saffas), you can spend less time stressing about the “what now?” and more time actually settling in — living lekker and flourishing in New Zealand.
Connect With Us on Facebook
Follow our Facebook page for practical updates, fresh resources, and insights — all designed to help you settle faster and live lekker in New Zealand.
Disclaimer
Fresh Start Abroad provides general information and community resources to help newcomers settle in New Zealand. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the content on this page should not be taken as professional, legal, or immigration advice. For official guidance, please contact Immigration New Zealand or a licensed immigration adviser.
We respect your privacy. Any personal information you share through this site is used only to respond to your enquiry or manage your membership, and it will never be shared or sold without your consent.