Movers in NZ typically charge about $160 an hour for a truck and two movers, according to Wise Move, 2026. A local 3 bedroom move is estimated at $960 to $2,560 in labour. Long-distance moves are priced by volume and distance and can run to several thousand dollars.
Wise Move is a moving marketplace, so its figures are estimates and vary by company. Treat everything below as a guide for checking a quote.
The quick answer
| Job | Typical NZ price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Truck and two movers, per hour | About $160 an hour (GST not stated) | Wise Move, 2026 |
| Truck and three movers, per hour | About $200 an hour (GST not stated) | Wise Move, 2026 |
| Moving within Auckland, per hour | $100 to $280 an hour (GST not stated) | Airtasker NZ, 2026 |
| 3 bedroom local move, labour total | $960 to $2,560 (GST not stated) | Wise Move, 2026 |
| 3 bedroom local move, already packed | $500 to $1,600 (GST not stated) | OneRoof, October 2026 |
| About 100 km, two movers | $450 to $640 (GST not stated) | Wise Move, 2026 |
| About 500 km, two movers | $1,100 to $1,900 (GST not stated) | Wise Move, 2026 |
| Auckland to Christchurch, 3 bedroom | $4,000 to $7,000 (GST not stated) | OneRoof, October 2026 |
The two local 3 bedroom figures differ. Wise Move’s labour estimate assumes three or four movers working six to eight hours, while OneRoof’s article quotes lower totals for already-packed items. The OneRoof piece is dated 5 October 2026 and is sponsored by Wise Move.
What changes the price
Crew size and hours. Wise Move prices a truck and two movers at about $160 an hour, rising to about $200 with three movers and about $320 with four. The Airtasker range of $100 to $280 an hour shows how much companies differ.
Distance. Wise Move’s long-distance table for a 3 bedroom household:
| Distance | 2 movers | 3 movers | 4 movers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 km | $450 to $640 | $570 to $790 | $750 to $940 |
| 500 km | $1,100 to $1,900 | $1,400 to $2,300 | $1,800 to $2,400 |
| 1,000 km | $4,000 to $6,000 | $4,500 to $6,500 | $5,000 to $7,000 |
Extras. Wise Move says extra charges can apply for shuttle services, connecting or disconnecting appliances, storage before drop-off, and long or stair carries.
Packing. Wise Move says packing supply bundles for a 3 bedroom house can reach $400 or more including paper, tape and boxes. OneRoof puts DIY boxes, tape and packing paper at roughly $75 to $200. We did not find a sourced NZ price for having movers do the packing, so ask for it as a separate line in the quote.
Doing part of it yourself. Wise Move describes a middle option where a company drives your belongings while you pack and load. A large truck of 25 square metres or more is listed at a flat $250 plus a kilometre charge for a DIY move.
A worked example
Using the figures above, take a local 3 bedroom move with a truck and two movers.
- Six hours at $160 an hour: 6 x $160 = $960.
- Eight hours at $160 an hour: 8 x $160 = $1,280.
- With a third mover at $200 an hour for eight hours: 8 x $200 = $1,600.
- Add DIY packing supplies of $75 to $200 (OneRoof) or $400 and above (Wise Move).
That puts a smaller, well-packed move at roughly $960 plus supplies, and a bigger one near $1,600 plus supplies. Stairs, long carries and a minimum charge can push it higher.
Insurance, liability and your rights
Wise Move (updated June 2026) says moving companies are not legally required to insure your belongings, though most reputable movers carry some cover. It gives no cover amounts, so ask what the policy covers and what the excess is.
Consumer NZ (January 2025) says:
- Tell your home and contents insurer when you know your moving dates.
- Transit insurance covers loss or damage to your goods and incidental storage costs. Not all contents plans cover transit, and some do not cover loading and unloading.
- Check whether the mover’s insurance covers items your contents policy already covers.
- Keep a detailed inventory with item values.
- You have rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act if a move goes wrong. There is no regulatory body for domestic moves in NZ.
Canstar NZ (April 2024) says standalone transit insurance may restrict cover and may exclude or require you to declare items such as antiques, artworks and jewellery. Market value cover is usually cheaper than replacement value, and a higher excess lowers the premium. Read the mover’s terms before you sign, because liability limits are set in the contract.
Questions to ask before you say yes
- Is it an hourly rate or a fixed price, and what is the minimum number of hours?
- When does the clock start and stop: at the depot or at my house?
- Is there a booking fee, fuel charge or charge for stairs and long carries?
- How many movers will turn up, and are they your own staff?
- What does your insurance cover for my furniture, and what is the excess?
- What is the most you will pay out if something is damaged, and where is that written?
- For a long-distance move, does the price include the ferry, storage and delivery date?
- Does the price include GST?
Getting an accurate quote
Give the mover the real picture: number of rooms, bulky items like pianos or safes, stairs, lifts and how far the truck can park from each door. Ask for the quote in writing, showing how time is charged. Consumer NZ suggests getting a few quotes and checking reviews and the business on Google Maps. GoodTradie sends you one checked mover rather than several, so use the price table above to sense-check whatever you are offered.
How GoodTradie helps
GoodTradie is a free service for homeowners. You type the job in, we call you, find one local mover, check they hold insurance, and book them in. We also check the quote against published NZ cost figures like the ones on this page. The price check is a guide, not a guarantee. Type your move in the box at the top of the page to get started.
Sources
- Wise Move, how much would moving a three bedroom house cost, 2026
- Airtasker NZ, removals, 2026
- OneRoof, moving house: here’s what it’ll really cost you, October 2026
- Wise Move, should I purchase moving insurance, June 2026
- Consumer NZ, moving house checklist, January 2025
- Canstar NZ, do you need transit insurance, April 2024
Need a mover? See how we find and check one, or type the job in the box at the top.