Moving house in Christchurch checklist

Six weeks out

• Confirm your moving and settlement dates
• Get quotes from movers or book a truck
• Book storage if the dates don't line up
• Start decluttering, one room a week
• Tell your landlord or real estate agent your plans

Four weeks out

• Buy cartons, tape and markers
• Pack the rooms and things you use least
• Arrange power, internet and gas at the new place
• Book school or daycare changes if you're changing zones
• Book a rubbish pickup or a trip to the EcoDrop

Two weeks out

• Change your address with your bank, IRD, NZTA and the Electoral Commission
• Set up NZ Post mail redirection
• Use up the freezer
• Move the first load into storage
• Confirm times with the movers

Moving week

• Pack a first-night box: kettle, mugs, bedding, chargers, toilet paper, medicine
• Defrost and dry the fridge
• Take meter readings
• Clean the old place, or book the cleaners
• Hand back keys and garage remotes

Using storage between houses

If settlement days don't match, take everything to a unit on moving day and bring it to the new house when it's ready. Load the things you'll want first near the door. See moving and renovation storage.