Long distance moving service
Long Distance Moving Service from Christchurch
How does a move out of Christchurch work, and what does it cost? EZMoving’s long distance moving service starts with an inventory of your home, a dedicated or shared truck and, for North Island moves, a Cook Strait freight ferry booking in your quote. The price depends on volume, distance, access, ferry fees and any storage.
At EZMoving, every move runs in a clear order. We agree the quote and your dates, then wrap and load everything at your Christchurch address and drive it south or north to your new home. North Island loads cross on a freight ferry, so we allow time for weather. A move to Auckland usually takes 2 to 4 days door to door, and every quote is itemised so you can see each cost before you book.
EZ Moving team, 2/312 Armagh Street, Central Christchurch. Last reviewed 24 October 2026.
How does a move out of Christchurch work?
Every move starts with a walkthrough of what’s going: we confirm the inventory, access at both addresses and anything that needs special handling. You then choose how your goods travel. A dedicated load means the truck carries only your belongings, straight to your new address on your dates. A shared load travels with other customers’ goods, which usually costs less but widens the delivery window. Our trucks run from 16 to 40 cubic metres and have tail lifts, so heavy pieces go up without being dragged. On loading day, furniture is wrapped and strapped in place so it can’t shift over hundreds of kilometres, and standard dismantling and reassembly is part of the job, and our packing and unpacking crew can pack for the longer transit. While your load is on the road, we send you progress updates. At the other end, items go into the rooms you choose, packaging is taken away, and we do a final walkthrough with you before the crew leaves.
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Where can we move you from Christchurch?
If you’ve been comparing long distance movers NZ-wide, you’ll have seen that most quote a delivery window rather than a fixed day. We do the same: each route gets an estimated window with your quote, since timing depends on the load and, heading north, the ferry.
| Destination | Typical door-to-door time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellington | Window given with your quote | The ferry lands in Wellington, so the road leg is short. |
| Hamilton | Window given with your quote | Ferry leg, then north through the central North Island. |
| Tauranga | Window given with your quote | Ferry leg, then north to the Bay of Plenty. |
| Dunedin | Window given with your quote | Road only, about 360 km south on SH1. |
| Queenstown | Window given with your quote | Road only, about 480 km. Alpine passes can close in snow. |
How does the Cook Strait ferry leg work?
Every move from Christchurch to the North Island crosses Cook Strait. Here’s how that part of the move works:
- The route: your load travels north to Picton on SH1 along the Kaikōura coast (about 335 km), then crosses to Wellington on a freight ferry.
- The booking: we coordinate the Interislander or Bluebridge freight booking for your load.
- The cost: the ferry fee is included in your quote and timeline, so it never turns up as a surprise later. Not all moving companies for long distance jobs show it upfront, so it’s worth checking when you compare quotes.
- The crossing: it takes around three and a half hours, but wind and swell in the Strait can delay or cancel sailings.
- Your buffer day: we don’t promise a same-day handover after a crossing, so leave a spare day before delivery, especially in winter or if you have a fixed key-collection time.
- If a sailing is cancelled: your load waits for the next available crossing, and we tell you the revised delivery window as soon as it’s set.
How do we price a move out of Christchurch?
Every quote is itemised: transport, fuel, labour, the ferry fee where it applies, and any packing or storage. Volume, load type, access and specialist items affect the price most. We don’t publish fixed route prices, because two similar homes can fill very different amounts of truck space. A full item list, with photos or a short video of each room, gets you the most accurate figure.
The hourly rates in our moving cost guide apply to moves around Christchurch only. Moves out of the region are quoted individually.
| What affects the price | How to keep it down |
|---|---|
| Volume of your load | Sell or donate what you won't use before we quote |
| Dedicated or shared load | Choose shared if your dates are flexible |
| Destination and ferry fee | Be flexible on the travel day |
| Access at both addresses | Book lifts and parking early and tell us upfront |
| Packing | Pack books, linen and clothes yourself |
| Storage | Line up move-out and move-in dates where possible |
| Specialist items | List pianos and safes at enquiry |
| Season and date | Avoid November to February and month-end if you can |
What does transit insurance cover?
A move that spends days on the road and crosses Cook Strait carries more risk than a shift across town. Here’s how cover works:
- Our cover: we offer insurance options for damage or loss during transit.
- The right level: for an inter-island move, ask about full replacement value cover rather than a lower level.
- Your own policy: check your home contents policy too, as some cover goods with a professional mover and others exclude transit or cap the payout.
- Before packing day: photograph valuables and anything already marked or scratched, and keep a list of high-value pieces.
- On delivery: check your furniture during the final walkthrough and point out any damage there and then, with photos, before the crew leaves.
- On your quote: ask us to explain what each cover option pays out and what it excludes.
What if your new home isn't ready on Moving Day?
Settlement dates slip, and sometimes you leave Christchurch before you have keys at the other end. If you’re comparing long distance moving and storage companies, ask where your belongings will actually be kept. Here’s how ours works:
- Where: secure storage in Christchurch for short or long periods, with select partner facilities elsewhere in New Zealand.
- How it works: we load your home on your move-out date, hold your belongings, and deliver once you confirm the new address is ready.
- The cost: storage handling and storage time show as their own line on your quote, so you can see what the gap costs.
- Your dates: tell us both dates when you first get in touch, even if one is still provisional.
- If dates change: call us early so we can adjust the delivery plan before your load is on the road.
What usually goes wrong on a long move, and how to avoid it
| Problem | Why it happens | What you can do | What we do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsure delivery date | Shared loads and ferry sailings | Pick a dedicated load if your date is fixed | Explain both load types and give a delivery window |
| Ferry delay or cancellation | Wind and swell in Cook Strait | Allow a buffer day after the crossing | Book the freight ferry and update you on changes |
| Higher price than expected | Volume or access underestimated | List everything and mention stairs | Itemise transport, fuel, labour and ferry fee |
| Damage in transit | Road vibration and a sea crossing | Check your policy; photograph valuables | Wrap and strap furniture; offer insurance options |
| Gap between moving dates | Settlement delays | Give us both dates early | Hold goods in secure Christchurch storage |
| Access at the new address | Narrow street, no truck parking, lift bookings | Book the lift and check parking rules | Plan time and crew around access at both ends |
| Items we can't carry | Some hazardous goods are banned by law | Drain fuel, dispose of gas canisters, use up food | Give you the restricted-items list at booking |
| Pianos, safes, spa pools | Weight and awkward shape | Mention them, with sizes, in your enquiry | Plan them into the load; pianos go to our piano movers |
| Crushed boxes | Days stacked in a moving truck | Use strong boxes, fill gaps, label by room | Supply double-walled boxes or pack for you |
| Date booked out | Summer and month-end peaks | Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead, about 8 in peak | Tell you early which dates are tight |
| Road closures | Coastal slips, alpine snow | Keep winter dates flexible | Update you if a closure moves your delivery |
| Messy handover | No one home who knows the layout | Label rooms and have someone there | Place items by room and walk through with you |
Which kind of move is yours?
The barrier is a fixed start date with a family to settle. As long distance movers Christchurch families use for moves north, we suggest a dedicated load and a buffer day, planned back from the day the beds need to be up.
A whole truck for a bed and a few boxes rarely makes sense. A shared load is cheaper if a wider delivery window suits you. If it’s just one piece, see our page on moving a single item.
Your lease ends before the new place settles. We load on your move-out date, store everything in Christchurch and deliver when you’re ready.
As long distance furniture movers, we price by what’s actually going, so a furniture-only load isn’t charged like a full house. For moving furniture within the city, use our local service.
What to tell us for an accurate price
- Destination: the city or town you’re moving to
- Home size or item list: bedrooms, or a list if it’s furniture only
- Access at both addresses: stairs, lifts and truck parking
- Specialist items: pianos, safes, spa pools or anything very heavy
- Dates: preferred dates and how flexible they are
- Storage: whether you’ll need it, and roughly how long
Why choose a Christchurch-based mover?
We’re a Christchurch business, not a national chain, so one team handles your move from door to door. EZ Moving has served Christchurch for over 7 years, moved 250+ customers and donates 1% of every job to the Cancer Society.
For office relocations and for pallets or business stock through our freight service for commercial goods, see those pages. Comparing any long distance moving company? Ask if the ferry fee is included and whether the load is dedicated or shared.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a move out of Christchurch take?
It depends on the route, the load size and, for North Island moves, the ferry schedule. You get an estimated delivery window with your quote.
How much does a move out of Christchurch cost?
Each move is quoted individually, because long distance moving services are priced on volume and route rather than a flat hourly rate. The quote is itemised: transport, fuel, labour, any ferry fee, packing and storage.
Do you handle the Cook Strait ferry?
Yes. We coordinate the Interislander or Bluebridge freight booking, and the fee is in your quote. Allow a buffer day for weather.
Are my belongings insured during the move?
We offer insurance options for damage or loss in transit. Ask about full replacement value cover, and check your contents policy too.
Can you store my things if my new home isn’t ready?
Yes, in secure Christchurch storage for short or long periods. It shows as its own line on your quote.
What can’t you carry?
Hazardous goods banned by law, including flammable liquids, gas canisters and certain chemicals. You get the full list when you book.
How far ahead should I book?
Four to six weeks before your move, or around eight weeks from November to February and at month-end.
Fill the form below and one of our team member will contact you shortly.
Ready to plan your move out of Christchurch?
Tell us where you’re moving to, roughly what’s going and when you’d like to move. We’ll come back with an itemised quote for our long distance moving service, with the ferry fee included if you’re heading north and storage added if you need it. You’ll deal with the same EZMoving team in Christchurch from the first call to the final walkthrough at your new home.
Phone: +64274272161
Email: info@ezmoving.co.nz
Address: 2/312 Armagh Street, Central Christchurch