New Zealand Movers

We would like to give feedback on our recent experience with using NZ movers from Auckland to Christchurch, so that hopefully you don’t use them and have the same bad experience we had. We had a big lifestyle block that needed packing up and relocating. Their quote was reasonable, but not hugely different to other companies, their insurance though was very costly, and as our current insurance would cover our move - we didn’t take theirs, which turns out is not helpful at all, as when we brought up all of our concerns with them - we were basically told bad luck, you didn’t insure with us so we can't help you! They have not taken any responsibility for the damages and their communication after the move was terrible.

Firstly, all the guys that worked at both locations were very friendly and helpful enough, but that is where the good experience ended.

On the packing side, we did have some well packaged and labelled boxes, but unfortunately there were too many boxes, that were very badly packed and poorly labelled; for eg - a box labelled linen, when I pulled out a duvet, a glass vase and base came flying out - not wrapped/labelled - just shoved in and amongst the linen, and it was very lucky they didn’t break. Multiple boxes had dirty tools "thrown" in with clean gear, items that were clean, carefully laid out and folded were squashed into boxes with unsuitable items dirtying and lightly damaging them; rat traps were put in with animal feed containers, nicely folded linen and clothes just chucked into boxes. Lots of items were poorly wrapped, including items we had asked for extra care to be taken with as they had value, both sentimental and cost wise. Lots of our bigger items were not wrapped, nor care given - so have some surface damage, for eg our outdoor table and chairs that had just been sanded down and varnished, now have unsightly gauges and scratches on them. Our beds mattresses have come apart (yes they were older, but due to poor handling are now quite damaged). Our (also older) but recently refurbished pool table also has multiple scratches and marks, along with the majority of our furniture actually. Our fridges arrived covered in mould - no instructions were given on them, they were just packed as is. Also the 1 fairly new fridge does not work now after the move, our chest freezer vent was buckled in, handles were broken off cupboards, plastic storage boxes cracked; the list can go on. There were random bundles of little screws/nails etc with no labelling in different boxes. We are still missing the key to our sideboard - which greatly hampered our unpacking, and made life very frustrating. Despite multiple attempts to contact the movers in this regard - no care was given, and after 2 weeks we had to get a locksmith as the key has not surfaced, nor have they replied about this matter.

We then asked if certain things could go to our house and the rest to a storage unit - which they said was fine, but at an extra cost. When you pay extra for that service you would expect that it would be a decent service - but no! There was so much confusion of lots of incorrect things coming to our house instead of storage and vice versa, and again due to poor labelling or things not even labelled or not even on the list (makes me wonder what we are still missing that we haven't realised?!) that made the experience even worse. We even had some things delivered that weren't even ours!!

We look after our contents, and a lot of our stuff is older but well cared for, and most of the damages have not rendered them unusable (despite the fridge etc) but now are very unsightly and hard to claim insurance on or replace (and will take us countless hours to try and patch). This is very disappointing as this was not a cheap move, and to have so much damage done to one's property without a care given or even an apology is very disheartening. I do know for sure though who I will not recommend or use again.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $30000

Moved from Christchurch to Perth. Items were packed with insufficient materials. Lots of breakage and damage in the move. One fragile item was packed at the bottom of a large box with no wrapping under crockery, it was of course broken. Items that clearly said do not bend were folded in half. Thankfully I didn’t ship any furniture as I’m sure that would have made it worse. I’m not sure if it is carelessness or lack of training and experience but you don’t want this company handling things you care about.

Move size: Partial Move Service cost: $3400

Of the six companies I approached to quote us for a move from Christchurch to Invercargill, five put their prices within +/- $300 of a $3,000 mark and it gave me a fairly good idea of what a move like that costs, generally speaking. (The sixth was about twice as much and we didn't even consider them.)

New Zealand Movers was the cheapest. It made me wonder if it meant they were also the worst - if it was somehow risky to take the cheapest offer. However, I asked them lots of questions and they sounded like they knew what they were doing, so we decided to use them and, man!, I am happy that we did, because:

Apart from one kitchen box where an open packet of cornflour was placed on top and ended up spilling all throughout the contents of the box, everything else arrived well-wrapped, on time, undamaged and the crew were helpful, polite and informative. A three-bedroom house was packed up and gone within 5 hours (there were 7 people packing up); at the other end it took about 2 hours to get everything from the truck into our new home. Beds and tabled were re-assembled, boxes were placed in a way that made it possible for me to assess what was inside so I could start unpacking.

I am glad we did our move with New Zealand Movers, and I would approach them again if need be. Thumbs up. Recommended.

Service cost: $2500

We usedNZ Movers to move our household from Christchurch to Auckland in December 2016. Yes it was hassle free during the pack-up, the staff in the house were lovely - the problem came when we unpacked our goods in Auckland (let me clarify here, we have moved extensively including 5 international moves) this move was the worst ever for damages - in fact the damages in this move would equalled all the other moves combined. Things were packed into boxes inappropriately (and broken) things were packed into the truck inappropriately (and broken). We would never use this company again. I wrote to the company and was contacted back by them but all they wanted was for me to name the people working on our shift - why they didn't know that themselves I am not too sure,no offer of compensation so didn't even bother replying and that was the last I heard from them. I believe that if you hire a reputable company you shouldn't need to stand over them to make sure they are doing their job properly. Be wary if deciding to use this company for moving your possessions.

Move size: 4+ Bedroom Home Service cost: $3800

To be fair I chose these guys because they were the only ones who replied to my request to move us before the new year! I had quotes from 5 other companies none of which could organise to move us sooner! Two of these were also double the price of what we paid for with NZ Movers which was already an exorbitant amount! The move was from Whangarei to Timaru and it took three affiliated companies to bring us down. Vanlines picked up our stuff and did not inventory anything, then NZ Movers unloaded in Auckland spreading our stuff into several containers still not inventorying anything even though they complained about Vanlines guys not doing so. They stacked fragile stuff at the bottom of heavy weighing stuff and broke heaps that way, furniture etc. They were late delivering it by two weeks and then delivered a second lot but not after forcing us to pay more than the quoted amount to get the second shipment which they had divided up to begin with! The stuff finally ended up in Christchurch with The Moving Company delivering it to us in Timaru, these guys were the only competent ones in the long line of balls ups but alas it was too late, all the damage was already done and they were profusely apologising for something they did not do! NZ Movers denied any responsibility and sent an abusive email instead! This is by far the worst moving company ever! And I have used many before moving all over the world and within NZ. Take my advice, NEVER use them!

Move size: 3 Bedroom Home Service cost: $9900

I hired NZ movers last year to move my stuff from Christchurch to Auckland. All was going well until the moving day came. The moving truck was supposed to arrive in the morning but after several phone calls & emails the truck arrived by 1 p.m. No wonder the staff were professionals & did the job well. However my excitement of recieving my goods in Auckland soon turned into a dissappointment when several of my boxes were missing from the lot, fragile items broken(despite my note on the box), furniture damaged. Upon reporting i was told they will chase up my boxes but never heard from them. Infact later on i was shown the door to the insurance company. Seven months on, i am still waiting. This company has not shown any empathy or concern for my missing items. I believe huge lack of customer care & professionalism. I would recommend please do take precaution before hiring this company to move your stuff. They make big promises but you'll know only after you have dealt with them. Please do not trust blindly just because the website looks good & they blow their own trumpet.

Move size: 2 Bedroom Home Service cost: $6000