Best-Rated Removal Services

Compare Removal Services in New Zealand at Canstar Blue. Conroy Removals, Crown Relocations, New Zealand Movers and NZ Van Lines were compared on Overall Satisfaction, Care Taken By Staff, Customer Service, Price, Service Availability, Value for Money.

See our Ratings Methodology.

Most Satisfied Customers | Conroy Removals

Conroy Removals is moving on up, rated the No.1 removal service by Kiwi consumers.

How we rate removal services

Our review compares removal services on customer satisfaction, so you can discover what other Kiwis think about our compared companies before you employ one to help you move. Think of it like asking hundreds of your closest friends which removal service they think is best!


Canstar Blue surveyed 414 Kiwis who had used a removal service in the past three years and asked for their feedback on the company they used.

  • The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics.

Respondents rate their satisfaction with their removal services from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Brand satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:

  • Overall Satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a provider as an individual score NOT a combined total of all criteria.
  • Care Taken by Staff: the removal company’s staff take the utmost care to ensure the move goes smoothy, no property or possessions are damaged, and large items of furniture and appliances are moved to their new settings.
  • Customer Service: the customer service provided by the removal service is helpful, prompt and of a high standard.
  • Price: the prices quoted by the removal service compare favourably with those of its competitors.
  • Service Availability: the removal company was able to provide a range of services on the dates and between the locations requested.
  • Value for Money: the removal company offers great value for money when comparing services and extras with price.

The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall Satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall Satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.

  • Overall Satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
  • When we cannot determine a clear winner from the criteria for the Overall Satisfaction rating, we will then look at the other criteria measured in the rating.
    • The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and thus win the award. If a clear leader still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

  • Conroy Removals
  • Crown Relocations
  • New Zealand Movers
  • NZ Van Lines


Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.

Best removal services in New Zealand

  1. Conroy Removals
  2. Crown Relocations
  3. New Zealand Movers
  4. NZ Van Lines

Conroy Removals

Ratings Results

Home-grown removalists Conroy Removals earns a stellar set of ratings in this year’s Canstar Blue award ratings. Not only is it the only removalist to earn a top 5-Star score for Overall Satisfaction, it’s a rating it replicates across every category in our survey, from Value for Money to Customer Service and Care Taken by Staff.

Editor’s Notes

Founded in Napier in 1972, Conroy has recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary. The removal firm has six offices around the country, in Auckland, Christchurch, Napier, Nelson, Tauranga and Wellington.

Conroy’s services include:

  • Local & national moves
  • Local hourly rates
  • Trans-Tasman & global relocations
  • Business & office moves
  • Packing & storage services

  • Insurance
  • Vehicle shipping
  • Employee relocations
  • Video-assessment/self-assessment & quotes
  • Pet transport

For more details, check out the Conroy website.


Crown Relocations

Ratings Results

Apart from this year’s award winner, Crown Relocations is the only other removal company to earn a top rating: 5 Stars from its customers for Care Taken by Staff. Across all the other categories in our survey, Crown Relocations earns excellent 4-Star satisfaction ratings.

Editor’s Notes

Crown Relocations is a member of the Crown Worldwide Group, a company that spans a global network of over 50 countries. Crown has office and warehouse facilities located in Auckland, Christchurch, Cromwell, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Palmerston North, Queenstown, Tauranga, Wellington and Whangarei. From these locations it can service every part of the country.

Crown Relocations’ services include:

  • Local & national moves
  • Trans-Tasman & global relocations
  • Relocation services
  • Business & office moves
  • Packing & storage services

  • Insurance
  • Vehicle shipping
  • High-value items
  • Video-assessment/self-assessment & quotes
  • Pet transport

For more details, check out the Crown website.


New Zealand Movers

Ratings Results

A previous winner of our Most Satisfied Customers | Removal Services Award, this year New Zealand Movers places third on our awards ratings table. For all categories except one it earns excellent 4-Star ratings. It earns its lowest satisfaction rating for Value for Money.

Editor’s Notes

New Zealand Movers has regional offices in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, and works with over 500 international moving partners. In addition, the removalist also has 15 secure storage facilities, most of which are customs bonded and licensed transitional facilities.

New Zealand Movers’ services include:

  • Local & national moves
  • Trans-Tasman & global relocations
  • Local hourly rates
  • Full-service apartment relocations
  • Packing & storage services

  • Insurance
  • Vehicle shipping
  • House cleaning
  • 60-second fast quotes
  • Pet transport

For more details, check out the New Zealand Movers website.


NZ Van Lines

Ratings Results

NZ Van Lines rounds out our awards table, earning a solid set of 3-Star ratings in all but one category: Value for Money, for which it earns 4 Stars. While a 3-Star rating is obviously not a top 4- or 5-Star score, it is not a measure of consumer dissatisfaction with the level of service delivered by NZ Van Lines.

Editor’s Notes

For 35 years, New Zealand Van Lines has been the the official transport company to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. It is also the preferred removal company of many government departments. 100% Kiwi owned and operated, it has 15 offices across both islands.

New Zealand Van Lines’ services include:

  • Local & national moves
  • Trans-Tasman & global relocations
  • Door-to-door relocation services
  • Business & office moves
  • Packing & storage services

  • Insurance
  • Vehicle shipping
  • Specialist packing
  • Instant quotes
  • Pet transport

For more details, check out the NZ Van Lines website.


 

Choosing the Right Removal Service

Moving home is never easy. Indeed, over half the people in our awards survey (52%) say they find the whole process very stressful.

And that’s why using a great removalist can help. A full door-to-door service – one that includes packing and unpacking, as well as looking after pets, insurance and even cleaning – can take all the worry out of a relocation.

Therefore, it’s not surprising that Care and Service trump Value and Price when it comes to how Kiwi consumers rate their removalist experiences.

Overall, 38% of those in our survey cite Care Taken By Staff as their No.1 concern when rating their removalist, and 29% rank Customer Service as their top concern.

When it comes to moving our cherished possessions, it’s clear Kiwis are happy to pay extra for service excellence.

Overall, here’s what the consumers in our survey say are their most important considerations when rating their choice of removal service:

  • Care Taken By Staff: 38%
  • Customer Service: 29%
  • Value for Money: 22%
  • Price: 11%
  • Service Availability: 2%

Moving House Checklist

If you’re relocating, our handy checklist can help you plan your big move:

1. Do you need a removalist service?

When moving, you have two choices: moving your belongings yourself (perhaps with the help of friends or family), or finding a professional removalist.

If you need to hire a removal firm, Canstar Blue’s 2023 Most Satisfied Customers | Removal Services Award is a great place to start your search for a removal company with great consumer reviews.

2. Collect packing boxes

Are you packing your household items yourself? If so, you’ll need a supply of good-quality moving boxes and strong packing tape. Many removalists and storage facilities sell boxes and packaging materials, or you could ask for old cardboard boxes at your local supermarket.

3. Consolidate and pack

When you begin to pack, you may rediscover belongings you have long forgotten about. Think about whether you need to organise a skip bin to dispose of rubbish, arrange a garage sale for any sellable (but unwanted) items, or donate any unwanted items to charity.

When packing, make sure you use adequate padding for your fragile items. And double-check the weight limits of the boxes you are using. For example, don’t pack a large box full of books, as it will become too heavy to lift.

Also, clearly marking which room a box is intended for can speed up the unpacking process at the other end.

Alternatively, many quality removal companies, such as those in our awards ratings, offer packing/unpacking services.

4. Take care of outstanding bills

Double-check if you have any outstanding rates or utility bills. If you can, it’s a good idea to pay them off before you move, and let your provider know you are moving. This will reduce the risk of losing paperwork or accidentally accruing late fees.

5. Disconnect and connect utilities

When you know your move-out date, you can arrange for your utilities to be disconnected at the house you are moving out of, and connected ready for your arrival at your new house. These include:

  • Landline/broadband
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Water

Sometimes, utility providers will require access to your new house, which may mean a delay in getting connected, so it could be worth ensuring you have a contingency plan in place. There’s plenty of advice on Canstar Blue on choosing the best electricity and broadband providers.

Compare Electricity Providers

6. Arrange cleaning

When it comes to cleaning a rental property, you have two choices:

  • Doing it yourself
  • Hiring professional cleaners.

Many cleaners specialise in helping people who are moving house. And for renters, they often guarantee their work to a standard that warrants full bond repayment. Of course, hiring a pro-cleaner is more expensive than the DIY option. Again, many removal companies also offer cleaning services to help smooth your move.

7. Consider insurance

Whether you are home owner or renting, it’s always a good idea to organise insurance to protect your belongings in your new home.

Check with your current insurance provider to see whether your possessions are already covered when in transit.

If not, it’s advisable to organise cover. Your current insurer will be able to help with that one. Alternatively, many removal companies offer their own insurance cover packages.

Transit insurance (see below) can help provide a level of financial cover for your possessions if they are damaged and/or lost while they are in transit to your new home. 

8. Update your address details

Ensure you advise all your service providers of your new address, so your contact details are up to date. These include:

  • Banks and any other financial institutions
  • Tax and legal advisors
  • Medical & dental practitioners
  • Electoral Commission
  • Clubs, associations and other groups

  • Schools
  • Any subscription services (e.g. magazines)
  • Road authority
  • Any online shopping websites you use, for example Amazon, Trade Me, Book Depository

9. Redirect your mail

Even if you are sure you have proactively updated your address with all your providers, it’s surprising how much mail could still be sent to you at your previous home. By redirecting your mail for three months, you can see if there are any companies or friends and family who missed the memo. You can apply to redirect your mail on the New Zealand Post website.

10. Cancel any other regular deliveries

Do you have a newspaper delivered? How about groceries? Ensure you cancel any regular deliveries. Also remember to cancel any other household services you may use, such as a gardener or widow cleaner.

Transit Insurance

Arriving at your new house or apartment after a move only to discover your furniture has been broken, your glassware has been chipped, or some of your clothes have gone missing can be a disappointing and costly experience.

If you have an existing contents insurance policy, it may include cover to protect your belongings while in transit. But, if not, there are other insurance options you can consider.

What is transit insurance?

Transit insurance can help provide a level of financial cover for your possessions if they are damaged and/or lost while they are in transit to your new home.

Transit insurance can be purchased as a standalone product from a specialist insurance provider, removalist or freight/shipping company. Some transit insurance policies may include similar coverage to a contents insurance or removalist insurance policy. However these are different types of insurance and should not be confused with each other.

What does transit insurance cover?

The cover provided by transit insurance differs depending on the policy. It may cover:

  • Loss or damage to your goods during packing and unpacking
  • Damage or loss to your goods while being loaded or unloaded
  • Loss or damage to your goods while in transit (e.g. caused by road accidents, fires, derailment, theft, impact or malicious damage. Also the grounding of vessels, crashes and forced landings for aircraft)
  • Damage or loss to your goods caused by removalist mishandling
  • Incidental storage costs
  • Alternative accommodation expenses, if required

The policy may be for international or domestic moves, based on your requirements.

How can you get transit insurance for moving house in NZ?

There are several options available for insuring your belongings during a move, including:

1 Contents insurance

Canstar Research found contents insurance policies differ when it comes to cover for your belongings in transit. Some insurers do provide a level of cover for your contents if damage or loss is caused by events such as fire, flood, theft or a road accident while a vehicle is carrying your items to your new home.

However, exclusions and conditions can apply to this type of cover. Some policies cover the items in transit, but not when they are being loaded and unloaded from the vehicle.

Other policies may not provide cover if you fail to let your provider know about your moving plans. Or if you use a removalist company that is not deemed professional.

There may also be an exemption if your belongings are stored in a facility. Some insurers may restrict transit coverage within its contents insurance policy altogether. Or will only provide this additional cover if you pay an extra premium.

As policies differ, it’s recommended to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your policy, or to contact your insurer directly to ask about your cover.

View Outstanding Value Home & Contents Insurance Awards

2 Removalist insurance

If your current contents policy does not provide cover for your belongings while they are being moved, check to see if insurance is available from your removalist. Removal companies are not legally required to have insurance to cover your belongings. If you decide to hire a removalist, research your options carefully and ask family and friends for recommendations.

3 Standalone transit or moving insurance

If you’re not satisfied with the insurance cover on offer from your contents insurance provider. Or that offered by your removalist. There are some specialised moving and storage providers that offer transit/moving insurance.

The price of these policies will depend on a range of factors, including the value you place on your belongings and what circumstances you want covered. Before buying one of these policies, it’s important to read the fine print. Ideally contact the provider directly to get a full understanding of the cover’s inclusions and exclusions.

Which items are excluded from cover while being moved?

Some items are excluded from insurance cover while they are in transit. However the specific item exclusions will vary depending on your chosen insurance policy and policy provider.

Some contents insurance providers specify they will not cover for loss or damage in transit: cash, smart cards, phone cards, or documents able to be cashed or traded.

They will also not cover items that are excluded from cover under a contents policy. These items may include electricals (phones, laptops), building materials, business or trade stock, pets or animals, plants, trees and shrubs, chemicals, pesticides and firearms.

Some standalone transit or moving insurance providers also exclude particular items from cover or restrict the amount of cover on offer. For example, the PDS of one provider researched by Canstar specified it would not cover living plants, pets, cash, banknotes or jewellery. Another said it would not cover antiques, works of art, money, medals or jewellery unless they were specifically declared.

If you’re looking to transport your pet to your new home, and you have a pet insurance policy, check whether that policy covers your pet for injury while travelling to your new address.

How much does transit insurance cost?

If you choose to purchase transit insurance through your removalist or as a standalone product, the costs for cover will differ depending on a number of factors. These include:

The level of cover chosen

Full transit insurance may cover for loss or damage to insured goods under all circumstances. Restricted cover may only insure items for loss or damage resulting from nominated events such as fire, flood or an accident on the road. Typically, full insurance cover costs more than restricted cover.

Full replacement or market value

You may be able to choose between covering items for their full replacement cost, or current market value. The market value option typically covers the replacement cost of items less a reasonable allowance for age, condition, and depreciation. Market value often carries a cheaper premium.

Types of belongings you are transporting

If you are moving fragile, breakable or high-value items (e.g. a piano or artwork), you may have to pay a higher premium.

Distance moved

Typically, those moving a greater distance can expect to pay higher premiums compared to those moving within the same city.

Method of transport

Some types of transport (such as via road) may carry higher risks than others (such as via sea or air), and may carry a higher premium as a result.

Excess applicable to the policy

The excess is the amount you need to pay the insurer when making a claim on your insurance. You may be able to adjust the excess amount when taking out your policy. Typically, the higher the excess chosen the lower your premiums. However, you will then need to pay more if you have to claim on your policy.

What if I’m moving overseas or back to NZ?

If you are relocating abroad or moving back to NZ from overseas, there may be transit insurance options available through your chosen shipping, freight or cargo company. Or from an insurance company that specialises in international transit cover. You can research your transit insurance options online, or talk to an insurance broker about the best policy to meet your needs and budget.

What about insurance once you are in your new home?

If you have an existing home and contents insurance policy, you’ll need to contact your insurer to notify them you are moving. Discuss changes that need to be made to your insurance policy for your new home. For example, do you need to adjust the amount your property is insured for, and have purchased new furniture?
If you don’t have home and contents insurance or are looking to review your cover, consider comparing your options and requesting quotes from a couple of providers.
Keep in mind that the cheapest policy may not always provide the cover you require. It’s a good idea to read the PDS of any product before making a decision.

View Outstanding Value Home & Contents Insurance Awards

About the editor of this page

This report was written by Canstar’s Editor, Bruce Pitchers. Bruce has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in the UK and Australasia, including ACP, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. Prior to Canstar, he worked as a freelancer, including for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority, and for real estate companies on both sides of the Tasman.

Key statistics

Find moving homes very stressful: 52%

Have learned the value of paying for removalists: 40%

Try DIY removals, or with help of friends and family: 34%

Have used and recommend a packing service: 28%

Prefer the services of a low-cost man with a van: 25%

Have had possessions lost or broken during a move: 23%

Have had bad experiences moving home: 23%

Have purchased insurance to cover a home move: 18%

Canstar Blue surveyed 414 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers who had used the services of a removalist over the past three years. In this case, 525 New Zealanders. Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criterion.

The past winners from Canstar Blue’s removal service ratings:

  • 2021: New Zealand Movers

Latest Home & Garden articles

How to Clean a Vacuum Cleaner

If you vacuum sucks at sucking, it could just need a deep clean. Keeping your vacuum cleaner in top shape ensures it provides optimal performance, lasts longer, and remains hygienic. This comprehensive guide caters to …

– Read more

Best Way to Clean a BBQ: 10 Top Tips

Cleaning steps
Before you start cleaning, ensure that the BBQ is turned off and has cooled down completely. Also, make sure you disconnect the propane tank or natural gas line if you have a gas grill.
1. …

– Read more
which water blaster is best

Which Water Blaster is Best? A Buyer’s Guide

Water blaster can be a great tool to have around the house. They make light work of dirty driveways and can get your weatherboards looking as fresh as they did when the house was built. …

– Read more

Cheapest Electric Blankets For Winter

Author: Megan Birot

If you’re looking to keep it hot in the bedroom this winter, an electric blanket may just be the sleeping companion you didn’t know you needed. An electric blanket is perfect for warming …

– Read more

Best Night/Off-Peak Power Plans

If you have lots of appliances running during the night, it could pay to switch to a night time electricity tariff.

– Read more