Intercity Moving Company Christchurch
Intercity Moving Company Based in Christchurch
City-to-city moves from EZMoving’s Central Christchurch base to Dunedin, Queenstown, Nelson and Wellington, in tail-lift trucks from 16 to 40 m³.
Leaving Christchurch for a new city means juggling a lease end, a start date and two sets of keys. As an intercity moving company working from one Christchurch base, EZMoving plans each trip around the road you’re travelling, the access at both addresses and the day you need your things. You get one upfront price for the whole route, usually on the same day you ask, so you can book travel and handovers with a firm plan.
- Trucks matched to your load: 16, 22, 30 or 40 m³, all with a tail lift, so you don’t pay for space you won’t fill
- Equipment on every job: trolleys, hand trucks, load straps and furniture protection covers
- GPS-tracked vehicles on long hauls, with updates from us in the lead-up to moving day
- A final walkthrough at delivery, so you can check everything and raise anything on the spot
Over 7 years moving Christchurch households · 250+ customers · 6,540+ boxes moved · 1% of every transaction donated to the Cancer Society
What is an intercity move, and how does it work from Christchurch?
An intercity move is a move between two cities or regions, such as Christchurch to Dunedin, or one that crosses Cook Strait to Wellington. Working from our Christchurch base, EZMoving loads at your old address, drives the route in a tail-lift truck and unloads at your new home on the day set out in your quote.
This page is for people leaving Christchurch for another city, and for people asking about a move the other way. If you’re moving within the city, our local house move team is the better fit.
Fill the form below and one of our team member will contact you shortly.
Which routes do we run from Christchurch?
| Route | Direction(s) | Typical drive time (excludes loading) | Ferry leg? | Load type that usually suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch – Dunedin | From Christchurch; reverse on request | About 4.5–5 hours, roughly 360 km on SH1 | No | Full truck for a household; shared or part load for a few rooms |
| Christchurch – Queenstown | From Christchurch; reverse on request | About 6 hours, roughly 480 km via SH79 and SH8 | No | Full truck; plan around pass weather in winter |
| Christchurch – Nelson | From Christchurch; reverse on request | About 6 hours, roughly 415 km via the Lewis Pass | No | Full truck or part load |
| Christchurch – Wellington | From Christchurch; reverse on request | About 4.5 hours to Picton, then about 3.5 hours on the ferry | Yes | Full truck; delivery normally a later day than pickup |
Christchurch to Dunedin. The most straightforward of our southern runs: State Highway 1 through Timaru and Oamaru with no mountain pass. Dunedin’s hill suburbs are the tricky part, with steep, narrow streets where a large truck may need to park further from the door, so tell us early if your new place is on a hill.
Christchurch to Queenstown. The route climbs through Burkes Pass and over the Lindis Pass, which can close or need chains after winter snow. Many Queenstown homes sit on steep sections with tight driveways, so we ask about truck access at the new address before quoting.
Christchurch to Nelson. The usual road crosses the Lewis Pass, with the Kaikōura coast and Blenheim as the longer alternative if the pass is closed. Nelson moves are often smaller loads, which is where a part load can make sense.
Christchurch to Wellington. The truck drives the Kaikōura coast to Picton, then crosses Cook Strait by ferry; how we plan that crossing is covered in our guide to how the ferry, insurance and storage work for bigger moves. Wellington apartments often need lift bookings, so we ask about building rules at your delivery address.
How are loads planned: full truck, shared or part load?
Every city-to-city move is planned around how much space your belongings need and how fixed your dates are. A full truck means the vehicle carries only your load, goes straight from your old address to your new one, and gives you the most control over the delivery day. Our trucks range from 16 m³ to 40 m³, and the 40 m³ truck holds anything from a single item to a four-bedroom house. A shared load puts your belongings on a truck alongside another customer’s going the same way, which can reduce the cost but ties your delivery to that run. A part load is a smaller share of truck space, suited to a flat, a student room or a few pieces of furniture. Shared and part loads depend on another job running your route on suitable dates, so your quote states plainly which type you are booked on and what that means for timing.
What every move includes
Verified from the EZMoving site:
- A truck with a tail lift, sized from 16 m³ to 40 m³
- Trolleys, hand trucks, load straps and furniture protection covers
- A trained crew who wrap and load your furniture
- GPS-tracked vehicles on long hauls
- Updates in the lead-up to moving day
- A final walkthrough at delivery so you can check everything and raise anything on the spot
- Packing and unpacking on request.
| Included on every move | What changes the price |
|---|---|
| Tail-lift truck and moving equipment | Distance between the two cities |
| Wrapping and loading of furniture | Volume, which sets the truck size |
| Crew at pickup and delivery | Access at both ends: stairs, lifts, long carries, parking |
| Final walkthrough at delivery | Full truck versus shared or part load |
| Updates before moving day | Extras such as packing, or a ferry leg |
How is an intercity price built?
A city-to-city price starts with the same building blocks we use for local work and then adds the trip itself. Locally, we charge per hour by truck size and crew, with a 1.5-hour minimum, 15-minute increments after that, and a half-hour callout within 30 km of our Christchurch base. A move to another city takes the truck and crew away for much longer, so we quote it as an upfront price for your route rather than leaving you to watch the clock. That price reflects the distance, the volume of your belongings and therefore the truck size, the access at both addresses, whether you need a full truck or can share space, and any extras such as packing or the Cook Strait ferry. We usually send quotes on the same day you ask. For a broader look at how local and longer moves are priced, read our moving cost guide.
Who usually moves with us between cities?
The barrier is timing: a start date in another city that doesn’t wait for the truck. Give us your start date and your lease or settlement dates; as intercity movers working from one Christchurch base, we plan pickup and delivery around them.
The barrier is arranging a pickup somewhere you no longer live. Enter that city as “Moving from” in the form, and the quote will set out whether we can collect there and how the trip would run.
The barrier is paying for a whole truck for a room’s worth of things. Tell us your item list and how flexible your dates are, and we’ll say whether sharing space is realistic.
The barrier is that a few big pieces don’t justify a full household move. We run furniture-only city-to-city moves as intercity furniture movers, with the same wrapping and tail-lift loading. For furniture moves within the city, see our furniture moves within Christchurch page; for one piece, see moving one item; for pianos, use our piano movers.
Common problems on a city-to-city move and how to solve them
| Problem | Why it happens | What you can do before moving day | What we do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access rules at two addresses | Each building and council sets its own lift, parking and key rules | Book lifts and parking at both ends; arrange key handover times | Ask about access at both addresses before quoting |
| Unclear delivery window | Full trucks travel direct; shared and part loads follow another job’s run | Decide how much date flexibility you have | State on the quote which load type you are booked on |
| Paying for space you don’t need | A small load on a large truck | Send an item list, not just a bedroom count | Size the truck from 16 m³ to 40 m³ to the load |
| Pickup in another city | You may have already left that city | Nominate someone at the pickup address | Set out on the quote whether we can collect there |
| Lease end and move-in dates don’t line up | Tenancies and settlements rarely match | Share both dates when you enquire | Plan pickup and delivery days around them |
| Waiting for a return trip | Shared runs depend on another booking | Give a date range rather than one day | Say on the quote whether your move is a dedicated or shared run |
| Pass or highway closures | Snow on the Lindis and Lewis Passes; slips on the Kaikōura coast | Check NZ Transport Agency road updates before the day | Keep you updated in the lead-up |
| Overnight versus same-day | Longer routes and the ferry run past one working day | Plan where you’ll sleep between homes | State the delivery day on your quote |
| Not being at both ends | You can’t be in two cities at once | Nominate a trusted person with their phone number | Contact your nominee at that end |
| Recording item condition | Disputes are hard without a record | Photograph valuable items before pickup | Do a final walkthrough with you at delivery |
| A mover isn’t the right service | A pallet or a few boxes doesn’t need a crew | Weigh the load against a freight option | Point you to our pallet and freight service when it suits better |
Four worries we hear most
“Will it arrive when you say?” Your quote states the delivery day and whether you are on a full truck or a shared run, so you know what the date depends on.
“What if something gets damaged?” Furniture is wrapped and strapped, and we walk through the delivery with you so you can raise anything on the spot. Ask what cover applies to your move before you book.
“Am I paying for space I won’t use?” Our trucks run from 16 m³ to 40 m³, and an item list lets us match the truck to the load.
“How can I be in two places on moving day?” Nominate someone at either end, and we’ll deal directly with them.
Moving within Canterbury or relocating an office?
Our intercity moving services are built for trips between cities. Moves within the region are handled on our page about moves within Canterbury. Businesses changing premises should see our office relocations page. To learn more about the team, visit EZMoving.
Frequently asked questions
What does an intercity move mean?
A move where pickup and delivery are in different cities, such as Christchurch to Nelson. Moves to Wellington also cross Cook Strait.
Can you move me into Christchurch from another city?
Enter that city as “Moving from” in the form. Your quote will say whether we can collect there.
Should I book a part load or a full truck?
A full truck gives you the most control over dates. A part load costs less but depends on another job running your route.
How is the price set?
By distance, volume, access at both ends, load type and extras. Quotes are usually sent the same day.
How far ahead should I book?
Book your date at least 2–3 weeks in advance during peak periods (summer and end-of-month) to secure your preferred time slot.
Is there anything you won’t carry?
Hazardous goods such as gas bottles, fuel or chemicals. Mention anything unusual when you ask for a price.
Fill the form below and one of our team member will contact you shortly.
Ready to plan your move?
Are you ready to move? Let EZMoving take care of everything for you. Call us at +64 274272161, email us at info@ezmoving.co.nz, or fill out our quick quote form to get started with your intercity moving company Christchurch. We’ll make your next move easy and stress-free!