When we moved to New Zealand from Australia with our two young kids (aged 4 and 1) two weeks ago, we arrived with just 79kg of luggage and a rough plan to buy a motorhome once we landed.

We had a second hand motorhome lined up 2.5 hours north of where we landed in Wellington on the North Island. This motorhome already came with some essentials: plates, bowls, cutlery, cooking utensils and a kettle. That helped because its more money in our pocket at the end of the day, but we still had to buy a heap of things to properly fit it out and make it feel like our home for the next 6 months.

In NZ the shops such as Kmart, Bunnings and Super Cheap Auto are all the same as in Australia and if you didn’t know any better, you would think you teleported back to Australia when you step foot inside one of these shops over here.

If you’re planning to do something similar, this blog gives you the full breakdown of what we spent and what we actually needed. No fluff, just the real costs of getting road ready in NZ. Keep reading for the grand total!

All costs are in AUD.

🚌 The Motorhome

Motorhome purchase: $50,120
Roadside assist + insurance + rego (free): $792
Engine issues & repairs (week one 😅): $922

🧰 Setting It Up: What We Bought

Bunnings – $427

We went here for tools, safety gear and setup essentials like:

• Power drill
• Screwdriver set
• Zip ties
• 2x smoke alarms
• Fire extinguisher
• Rope
• 2x Heavy-duty plastic tub (for dirty washing, kids bath and dirty outdoor gear)
• 2x Thermal mugs
• 25l water jug
• Screws
• 2x battery switch lights
• Shifter
• Saw/ timber to fix the bed
• Long nose pliers
• Hooks

I can safely say that Shaun has used every single one of these tools so far!

If you haven’t seen it already, I’ve written a full blog on the essential tools Shaun can’t live without on the road — you can check that out here.

Kmart – $748

Our go to for affordable homey bits:

• Double doona + quilt cover
• Queen doona + quilt cover
• 4x pillows
• Storage containers (for kids’ toys, nappies, and next to the bed for bits and bobs)
• Wine glasses
• Pan
• Pots
• Tea towels
• Scissors
• Tongs
• Spatula
• Batteries
• Fairy lights
• Toaster
• Fruit basket
• Double sided tape
• Velcro
• Basket for shower items
• Towels
• Thermas
• Broom

Farmers – $110

(Because Kmart pillows were like sleeping on a rock). This shop is kind of like Myer or David Jones in Aus but cheaper. We got:

• 2x better pillows
• 4x blankets (for our back couch)
• 2x decent coffee mugs

Supercheap Auto – $85

Random but necessary:

• Hose
• Cab light (we replaced one that was out)

Extras:

2 nights at a caravan park while sorting things: $92

Rental car from airport to motorhome and as a run around car: $284
NZ eSIM & data (One NZ): $65 x 2 = $130

Groceries at Pak’n Save: $486

FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF: $54,196

A couple of quick fire tips that we learnt when moving here:

1. My top tip is to hire a car in the first couple of days of getting your motorhome because I can guarantee you that you’ll forget something at the shops and need to do a million trips back and forth. It just makes it easier as you don’t have to worry about parking the massive motorhome you are only just getting used to driving and the kids can have uninterrupted naps whilst you finish shopping and getting the last things organised for your NZ adventure to begin!

2. Get a NZ eSIM at the airport so you can use the internet and google maps straight away. It makes for a seamless transition to a new country

3. Pick up your motorhome the day after you arrive. If you are travelling with kids, it’s easier to get a full nights rest and look over your motorhome with fresh eyes (in the day time) the following day instead of trying to rush around.

4. Shop for your groceries at Pak’N Save where possible. Groceries are expensive from Woolies (Woolworths).

5. Book the first couple of nights in your motorhome at a local caravan park so you know where you’re staying, have access to power and water and can get completely organised before heading into the NZ mountains.

Final Thoughts

Some of these things were absolutely essential while others (like nicer pillows or thermal mugs) just made van life way more comfortable.

We didn’t try to buy everything right away. We focused on the basics, then added extras as we figured out what we needed (there are shops in all the large towns). If you’re flying in and starting from scratch like we did, I hope this breakdown helps you feel a little more prepared and a lot less overwhelmed!

Let me know if there is anything else specific you want to know about moving to NZ with kids ad buying a motorhome, I’m happy to answer any questions to help your crazy adventure to NZ as smooth as possible!

If you want to know how we bought a Motorhome in NZ as an Aussie family you can read the full blog here.

❤ Britt
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