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Intercity Moving Service from Christchurch
Mainmovers runs an intercity moving service for people moving between Christchurch and the towns and cities around it. Whether you’re heading out to Rolleston for more space, moving to Ashburton for work or shifting down to Timaru, we load at your old place and unload at your new one, usually on the same day. Tell us both addresses and your date, and we’ll send you a free quote.
Based at 12B Kiltie Street, Upper Riccarton. Free quotes, with bookings confirmed within 24 hours.
Where people move with us
Most of our intercity moves are between Christchurch and the towns and cities within a day’s drive.
- Selwyn and Waimakariri. Rolleston, Lincoln, Rangiora and Kaiapoi have grown fast, and plenty of Christchurch families move out for bigger sections and newer homes. Rolleston and Rangiora are each only around half an hour from the city, so these moves are usually done in a single day.
- Mid and South Canterbury. Ashburton is about 85 km south of Christchurch, and Timaru about 160 km. These are still one-day moves in most cases, with the truck loaded in the morning and unloaded the same afternoon.
- Further afield. For bigger trips, such as Dunedin, Nelson or the North Island, see our long distance movers page, which explains how longer moves are planned.
- Moving into Christchurch. Plenty of people come the other way, moving into the city for work, study or to be closer to family. We’ll pick up from your current home and bring everything to your new address.
Why are intercity moves different from local ones
An intercity move sits between a move across town and a long-haul trip. It isn’t hard, but it does need a bit more planning.
- Travel time adds up. A move from Riccarton to Halswell might involve 20 minutes on the road. A move to Timaru involves a few hours there and back. That travel time is part of the job, so it’s part of the quote.
- You can’t nip back for things. Once the truck leaves town, it’s a long round trip for one forgotten box. Do a proper walk-through before the truck goes.
- Two sets of access to plan. You may know your current home well, but not the new one. Check driveways, parking and stairs at your new address before moving day, and tell us about them.
- Keys and timing. On a property sale, settlement often happens around midday. Make sure you’ll have the keys to your new place when the truck arrives. If not, we offer temporary storage so your belongings have somewhere to wait.
What our intercity moving service includes
- Packing, if you want it. We bring boxes, tape, bubble wrap and packing paper and pack the whole house or just the hard rooms. Our Christchurch unpacking service can also get you sorted at the other end.
- Wrapping and protection. Furniture is wrapped in padded blankets before loading. Large items like beds and tables are taken apart where needed and put back together at your new home.
- Secure loading. Heavy items go on the floor at the front of the truck, lighter items on top, and the whole load is strapped down for the highway.
- Door-to-door delivery. We carry everything into your new home and place it in the rooms you choose.
- Heavy and awkward items. We move all types of pianos, including grands, plus whiteware, outdoor furniture and garage gear.
- Move-out cleaning. Once the truck is loaded, we can clean the place you’re leaving, so you don’t have to drive back to do it.
Planning an intercity move: a simple guide
- Three to four weeks out. Book your movers and confirm your date. If you’re selling or buying, check your settlement times against the moving date.
- Two weeks out. Start packing the things you don’t use every day. Sell, donate or dump what you don’t need. Every item left behind is one less to pay to move.
- One week out. Confirm parking and access at both addresses. Arrange power and internet at the new place. Set up a mail redirect with NZ Post.
- The day before. Defrost the freezer. Pack a bag of essentials for the first night and keep it in your car.
- Moving day. Keep keys, documents and valuables with you. Walk through every room, cupboard, garage and shed before the truck leaves, because a forgotten box is a long drive back.
Why choose Mainmovers
We know the routes. Mainmovers is based in Upper Riccarton, and we drive the roads between Christchurch and the surrounding towns every week. We know how long a Rolleston run really takes at rush hour and what the new subdivisions’ streets are like for a big truck.
You’ll know where you stand on price. Your quote includes a breakdown of charges, including travel, so there are no surprises when the job’s done.
You’ll know your date is locked in. Once you accept your quote, we confirm your booking within 24 hours.
We look after your belongings. Every piece is wrapped and strapped for the road, and large items are reassembled at your new home.
And it’s one company for the whole job. Packing, moving, storage and the move-out clean can all go on one quote, so you’re not organising suppliers in two different towns.
Common intercity moving problems and how we solve them
“I won’t have the keys until the afternoon.”
That’s common with settlement. Tell us your timing and we’ll plan the day around it. If there’s a longer gap, we can store your belongings until you’re ready.
“I don’t want to drive back to clean the old place.”
Add a move-out clean to your booking and we’ll do it once the truck is loaded.
“My new house is on a brand-new subdivision.”
New streets can have tight turning, construction traffic or no street numbers yet. Send us a map pin or directions when you book.
“I’m moving a parent closer to family.”
We help older Kiwis move at a pace that suits them, and family members are welcome to organise the move on their behalf.
“I need help paying for the move.”
We provide written WINZ quotes for Work and Income.
How an intercity move works
- Ask for a free quote. Tell us both addresses, your date, the number of bedrooms and any large items. Or call 0800 800 812.
- Get your quote. We send you a price with a breakdown of charges, including travel.
- Confirm your booking. Once you accept, we confirm your booking within 24 hours.
- Pack and load. We pack for you or you pack yourself. On moving day we wrap, load and secure everything.
- Drive and deliver. We drive to your new town, unload, reassemble large pieces and place everything where you want it.
Other ways we can help
Moving within the city rather than between towns? Our house movers Christchurch page covers local home moves. Moving further around the country? Our Moving Services nz page explains how we move people across New Zealand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most moves between Christchurch and nearby towns, such as Rolleston, Rangiora, Ashburton and Timaru, can be done in one day. It depends on how much you’re moving and the access at both ends.
Either works. Packing yourself can save money. Our packing service saves time and means everything is packed for a long trip.
Yes. Add a move-out clean to your booking and we’ll do it once the truck is loaded.
Yes. We move all types of pianos, including grands, using piano dollies, padded blankets and straps.
Ready to plan your intercity move?
Call 0800 800 812 or email info@mainmovers.co.nz. We’re open Monday to Saturday, 8 am–9 pm and Sunday 9 am–7 pm.