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Long Distance Moving Company, Door to Door from Christchurch
Mainmovers is a long distance moving company that picks up from your door in Christchurch and delivers to your door in your new city. Whether you’re heading south to Dunedin, north to Wellington or all the way to Auckland, we pack, load, drive and unload, so you only have to get yourself there. Tell us both addresses and your dates, and we’ll send you a free quote.
Based at 12B Kiltie Street, Upper Riccarton. Free quotes, with bookings confirmed within 24 hours.
Where we move
Our long distance moving services run from Christchurch to towns and cities around New Zealand, and back again.
- South Island moves. Christchurch to Dunedin is around 360 km of driving, and Christchurch to Nelson or Queenstown is a similar long day on the road. These moves can often be done door to door with a single trip.
- North Island moves. Moving to Wellington, Auckland or anywhere else in the North Island means crossing Cook Strait on the ferry between Picton and Wellington. Christchurch to Auckland is more than 1,000 km once the ferry crossing is included, so these moves take longer to plan and deliver.
- Moving to Christchurch. Coming the other way? We’ll pick up from your current home and bring everything down to your new place in Christchurch.
For a wider look at moving within New Zealand, including a step-by-step checklist, see our Moving Company NZ page.
What our long distance movers do
- Pack, if you want us to. We bring boxes, tape, bubble wrap and packing paper, and can pack your whole house or just the hard rooms. Our packers and movers Christchurch team covers this in detail.
- Wrap and protect. Every piece of furniture is wrapped in padded blankets before it goes on the truck. On a long trip, good wrapping makes the biggest difference.
- Take apart and reassemble. Large pieces like beds and tables are taken apart where needed, so they load safely, and put back together at your new home.
- Load for the road. Heavy items go on the floor against the front of the truck. Lighter pieces and boxes go on top and alongside. Everything is strapped so it can’t shift over hundreds of kilometres of corners and hills.
- Deliver door to door. We carry everything into your new home and place it in the rooms you choose.
- Move the hard stuff too. We move all types of pianos, including grands, plus whiteware, outdoor furniture and garage gear.
Packing for a long trip
Boxes on a long move spend hours on the road, so they need to be packed a little differently from a move across town.
- Fill boxes properly. Half-empty boxes crush when other boxes sit on top. Fill gaps with towels, linen or scrunched packing paper.
- Keep boxes to a sensible weight. Books and kitchenware go in small boxes. Pillows and bedding go in big ones.
- Wrap breakables one by one. Plates are packed on their edge, not flat. Glasses get wrapped individually. Mark these boxes clearly as fragile.
- Label both the room and the contents. On a long move, you may not unpack everything straight away. A label like “Kitchen – pots and pans” tells you what to open first.
- Pack an essentials box that comes with you. Chargers, medication, toiletries, a change of clothes, the jug and some tea or coffee. Keep it in your car, not on the truck.
What not to send on the truck
Some things are better kept with you, and some shouldn’t be moved at all.
- Keep with you: passports, birth certificates, property documents, jewellery, cash, laptops, hard drives and anything you’d hate to lose.
- Don’t send: petrol, gas bottles, paint thinners, aerosols, fireworks and other flammable or hazardous goods.
- Use up or give away: frozen food, perishables and open liquids. On a long trip, they can spoil or leak.
- Think twice about plants. Moving plants a long way is hard on them, and they can damage other items if they tip over. Many people give them away and start fresh.
Timing your long distance move
Long moves take more planning than local ones, so here’s what to think about.
- Book early. Long-distance trips tie up a truck and crew for longer, so dates fill up faster. Book as soon as you know your moving date, especially for end-of-month or summer moves.
- Plan for the gap. Your furniture may arrive a day or more after you do, depending on the distance and the ferry. Plan where you’ll sleep the first night, or ask us about timing when you get your quote.
- Use storage if dates don’t match. If your new home isn’t ready when you leave the old one, we offer temporary storage so your belongings have somewhere to wait.
- Allow for the ferry. Cook Strait crossings can be delayed by weather. North Island moves need a little flexibility built in.
Why choose Mainmovers
We pick up and deliver ourselves. With a door-to-door move, the people who load your furniture in Christchurch are the people who look after it on the road.
You’ll know where you stand on price. Long moves cost more than local ones, so a clear quote matters. Ours comes with a breakdown of charges, so you can compare it properly and plan your budget.
You’ll know your date is locked in. Once you accept your quote, we confirm your booking within 24 hours, which makes the rest of your move much easier to plan.
We look after your belongings. Furniture is wrapped in padded blankets, large items are taken apart and reassembled where needed, and every load is strapped down for the trip.
And it’s one company for the whole move. Packing, moving, storage and a move-out clean of your old home can all go on one quote.
Moving a business long distance
Relocating your company to another city brings its own problems: staff start dates, IT, stock and lease dates at both ends. If you’re moving a business rather than a home, see our relocation of company page for how we plan bigger moves.
Common long distance moving problems and how we solve them
“My new place isn’t ready when I leave.”
We offer temporary storage, so your furniture can wait until you can move in.
“I’m worried about damage on a long trip.”
We wrap every piece, load heavy items at the bottom and strap the whole load down, so nothing can shift on the road.
“I don’t want to move everything that far.”
Good idea. Sell, donate or dump what you don’t need before moving day. For a smaller load within Christchurch, our furniture removals Christchurch service may suit you better.
“I’ve got a piano.”
We move all types of pianos long distance, using piano dollies, padded blankets and straps.
“I need help paying for the move.”
We provide written WINZ quotes for Work and Income.
How a long distance move works
- Ask for a free quote. Tell us both addresses, your moving 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.
- 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.
- Transport. We drive your belongings to your new city, including the ferry crossing for North Island moves.
- Deliver and unload. We carry everything into your new home, reassemble large pieces and place them where you want them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We work evenings and weekends so your business can keep trading during the week.
Either works. Packing yourself can save money. Our packing service saves time and means everything is packed for a long trip.
Yes. We move all types of pianos, using piano dollies, padded blankets and straps, and secure them properly for the trip.
Yes. We offer temporary storage if your dates don’t match.
Ready to plan your long distance 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.