Crown Relocations is NZ’s leading moving company.
Looking at moving to New Delhi? The capital city of India, New Delhi was designed during the British colonial era. It is contained within the National Capital Territory (NTC) of Delhi, a sprawling metropolitan area with historic sites that date back thousands of years. New Delhi is India’s political and cultural heart, transforming over the past two decades into a world-class metropolitan area.
For New Zealanders, New Delhi offers opportunities as India’s business and diplomatic capital in government relations, international business, and the thriving startup ecosystem. English is widely spoken, international schools abound, and expat communities thrive in areas like South Delhi and Gurgaon. New Delhi’s strategic location provides easy access to the Himalayas, historic sites like Agra, and serves as a gateway to explore India’s diverse regions.
However, New Delhi presents unique challenges requiring serious preparation. Air pollution remains a significant concern with AQI levels often 10-20 times higher than New Zealand cities, particularly during winter months. The extreme climate ranges from 45°C summers to near-freezing winters, dramatically different from New Zealand’s mild temperatures. Traffic congestion is legendary, and bureaucratic complexity can be overwhelming for those accustomed to New Zealand’s streamlined systems.
For returning Indians, New Delhi often triggers intense reverse culture shock. The city’s pace, pollution, and social hierarchies contrast sharply with New Zealand’s laid-back, egalitarian culture. Success in New Delhi demands patience, air purification systems, learning basic Hindi, connecting with expat communities, and allowing 6-12 months for complete cultural adaptation.
Yes, New Zealand citizens have excellent visa options for relocating to New Delhi. Employment visas are straightforward if you have a job offer, while the Business visa supports entrepreneurial ventures. For people of Indian origin, the pathway is even easier. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards provide lifelong visa-free travel, economic parity with NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), and exemption from police registration requirements. The process takes about 6-8 weeks, and offers great flexibility for long-term residents. New Delhi’s position as India’s diplomatic capital means visa processes are generally efficient, with consular services readily available.
Crown has licensed Immigration Advisors that can help you with India’s immigration requirements. Call us today on 0508 227 696 to find out how we can simplifiy your move to New Delhi.
Moving from New Zealand to New Delhi can be expensive. When relocating, it’s important to plan for shipping costs, visa applications, airfares and securing accommodation, among other expenses.
Our team at Crown are here to help you have a smooth stress-free move at a reasonable cost. In addition to our packing and relocation services, we provide extra services such as moving insurance, international vehicle and pet relocation, and settling in services.
Call our friendly team now on 0508 227 696 or request a free quote so you can find out how much it canl cost moving from NZ to New Delhi.
New Delhi offers a smooth transition for New Zealanders, particularly compared to other major Asian cities. The cost advantage is substantial – living expenses are significantly lower than Auckland or Wellington, with luxury apartments in premium Gurgaon areas costing dramatically less than similar Auckland locations.
The city’s international character helps enormously. English dominates business districts, diplomatic areas, and expat-friendly neighbourhoods. New Delhi’s extensive expat infrastructure includes international schools, hospitals with English-speaking staff, and well-established community networks through embassies and international organizations.
Major challenges require serious preparation. Air pollution averages AQI 150-300+ compared to New Zealand’s 20-50. However, over the past 5 years, Delhi has introduced air quality initiatives such as e-buses and EV charging stations. However, having air purifiers and wearing masks is still highly recommended. The extreme climate swing from 45°C summers to near-freezing winters demands wardrobe and lifestyle adaptations. Traffic congestion can turn 10km journeys into 90-minute ordeals.
For returning Indians, New Delhi often proves more challenging than expected. After New Zealand’s informal culture, adjusting to India’s hierarchical business environment, extended family obligations, and complex social protocols requires patience. However, New Delhi’s cosmopolitan nature and strong NRI communities provide excellent support systems for smooth reintegration.
Crown provides comprehensive services, assisting with both moving to and settling into New Delhi, India. Call our friendly team on 0508 227 696 or fill in our online form and discover how we can streamline your international move.
Crown Relocations has a range of international shipping options that can be modified to fit your budget and relocation needs. Whether you’re shipping a few items, or a full household, we provide options to suit your needs. With 60 years of international moving experience, you can trust us to make your move easy and stress-free.
Talk with our friendly team on 0508 227 696 or request an online quote.
There are several areas which cater to different budgets and preferences. South Delhi represents the premium choice for New Zealanders, with areas like Defence Colony offering elite living with excellent metro connectivity and international school access. Greater Kailash provides upscale family-friendly environments with good amenities at more moderate property prices.
Vasant Vihar serves as the diplomatic quarter with embassy proximity and international community presence. Gurgaon dominates the corporate landscape, particularly Golf Course Road with luxury developments and international schools. Cyber City vicinity provides modern infrastructure close to major multinational companies, ideal for IT professionals.
Noida presents the most planned environment with Sector 18 serving as the central hub with excellent New Delhi connectivity. Each area offers distinct advantages – South Delhi for cultural richness and diplomatic connections, Gurgaon for corporate convenience and modern amenities, and Noida for planned infrastructure and affordability.
Housing differs significantly from New Zealand’s standalone house culture. Apartment living dominates, with maintenance charges and security deposits being standard and reasonable. Society amenities like pools, gyms, and parks are common in new developments. Furnished options are readily available, particularly beneficial for international relocations.
Our team at Crown can help you find accommodation before moving to New Delhi, simplifying your move.
New Delhi boasts India’s premier educational infrastructure with exceptional international and local options. Deciding on a school can depend on your budget, curriculum offered, the school’s location to work or home, and extracurricular activities offered, among other things. Schools such as The British School, American Embassy School and Delhi Public School (DPS) Mathaura Road offer rigorous academics with strong university preparation, making them popular with both expat and local families.
Higher education opportunities are world-class. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is consistently ranked as the top university in Delhi while Delhi University offers premier undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across multiple colleges. The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) is known for its innovative programmes in engineering and technology.
The competitive nature of Indian education can be intense compared to New Zealand’s more balanced approach. However, the academic rigor often produces exceptional results, with many students gaining admission to top global universities.
Our team at Crown can help you to find the best school for your child with our school search programme.
New Delhi offers world-class healthcare at dramatically lower costs than New Zealand. Private hospitals like Medanta Gurgaon and Fortis Healthcare offer international standards with modern facilities. Private health insurance is essential and reasonably priced for family coverage.
Air pollution poses the primary health challenge, with AQI levels often 10-20 times WHO recommendations. Respiratory conditions require monitoring, and air purifiers are essential home investments. Many doctors are internationally trained, and New Delhi experiences medical tourism from Western countries. Procedures that would be expensive in New Zealand are available at a fraction of the cost in New Delhi with equivalent quality.
New Delhi offers substantial cost advantages over New Zealand cities, with overall expenses lower than Auckland or Wellington. Housing represents the biggest saving – luxury apartments that would be extremely expensive in Auckland are much more affordable in premium New Delhi areas.
Food costs vary dramatically. Local cuisine is very affordable with quality meals costing much less than dining in New Zealand. Domestic help is inexpensive and often used by many expats. Transportation costs are low with Delhi Metro rides and app-based cabs being more affordable compared to Uber or taxis in NZ.
Major expenses include international schooling (on a par with NZ), private healthcare insurance, and air purification systems. However, general living expenses remain significantly below New Zealand levels.
Delhi Metro is clean, air-conditioned and very affordable, operating from 5:00am to 11:30pm. Women only coaches and excellent connectivity make it the preferred transport mode for most expats. App-based transport (Uber, Ola) provides convenient alternatives at reasonable rates. While more expensive than public transport, it’s still more affordable than New Zealand’s taxi services.
Driving in New Delhi requires significant adaptation, despite traffic driving on the left-hand side as New Zealand. Traffic congestion is legendary – 10km journeys can take 90 minutes or more during peak hours. International driving licenses work for one year, after which Indian licenses are required.
Air pollution adds complexity to transportation choices. Metro and air-conditioned cabs provide protection from outdoor air quality, while two-wheelers and open vehicles expose riders to pollution. Many expats avoid driving entirely, relying on Metro and app-based transport.
Hindi fluency dramatically improves New Delhi living quality, though English works well in business districts, malls, and expat areas. As New Delhi’s primary communication for local markets, domestic help interactions, auto-rickshaw negotiations, and government services, it is useful to have some basic Hindi phrases at least.
Learning opportunities abound in New Delhi with different language schools offering flexible schedules and expat-friendly programmes. Private tutors are affordably priced and often provide the most effective personalized learning. For New Zealand Indians, Hindi requirements vary significantly. Those from Hindi-speaking families may need refresher courses, while others will start from scratch.
Basic Hindi phrases like “Namaste” (hello), “Dhanyawad” (thank you), and market vocabulary dramatically improve daily interactions. Local residents will appreciate your Hindi efforts, though the city’s cosmopolitan nature means English competency is more widespread compared to other Indian cities.
With Crown, we can offer you Hindi language learning so you can be more confident when living in Punjab.
New Delhi’s expat community is exceptionally well-developed, benefiting from the city’s diplomatic and business status. Seven Cities Delhi offers historic tours and networking, while the Commonwealth Women’s Association has a charitable focus. Embassy clubs and cultural centres provide natural networking hubs, with regular events, festivals, and professional gatherings. InterNations is another place to find NZ expat communities to connect with before you move.
Professional networking thrives through business chambers and industry associations. The diplomatic community creates unique opportunities for international relations professionals, while New Delhi’s startup ecosystem provides entrepreneurial networks. For returning Indians, professional network rebuilding takes time. However, New Delhi’s business-friendly environment and strong NRI community facilitate connections.
Moving to New Delhi? Go knowing
New Delhi offers New Zealanders an extraordinary relocation opportunity, combining India’s political and cultural significance with affordable living. The city’s cosmopolitan character, widespread English proficiency, and established expat communities make it surprisingly accessible for international residents. While challenges like air pollution and extreme climate require preparation, New Delhi’s rewards are substantial. Success requires investing in air purifiers, budgeting for quality healthcare and education, learning basic Hindi, and connecting with expat communities early. With proper planning, New Delhi offers an opportunity to build a fulfilling life in one of India’s most dynamic cities.
We know how important it is to feel confident during such a significant transition. From providing packing and shipping expertise to learning Hinki or find accommodation, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Go knowing you can trust Crown to make your journey to New Delhi simple and stress-free. Call us on 0508 227 696, fill in our online quote request, or visit Crown Relocations NZ for more information.
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