Intercity Movers for House and Office Moves Across the South Island
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Rated 4.9 on Google from 319+ reviews. Offices in Christchurch and Hamilton.
Rapid Movers are intercity movers based in Christchurch. We move homes and offices from Christchurch to Dunedin, Queenstown, Nelson, Blenheim, the West Coast and the rest of the South Island, and our second office in Hamilton covers the Waikato. We started in 2019 with one truck, and our customers have since rated us 4.9 on Google across 319+ reviews.
A move to another city is a bigger job than a move across town. The drive is longer, the timing is tighter, and you can’t just pop back for something you forgot. We plan the route, the loading order and the delivery day before the truck leaves, so you know when your furniture will arrive.
Tell us where you’re moving from and to, your date and the size of your home or office. We’ll give you a free quote. Call 0800 800 784.
Our Intercity Moving Services
Book the full job, or just the parts your team can’t do themselves. Some businesses hand us everything, from the first box to the last desk being rebuilt. Others pack themselves and just need a crew and a truck for the heavy lifting.
Flats, family homes and everything in the garage, moved door to door from one city to another.
Opening a new branch or moving the whole business? We plan office moves around your trading hours.
As intercity packers and movers, we can pack your whole home before the truck leaves and unpack at the other end.
Heavy, fragile or valuable pieces get extra wrapping and the right gear. See antique and piano moving.
Lease gap or fit-out running late? We store your furniture until the space is ready, and the first week is free. See our storage services.
Not taking the old chairs and filing cabinets? We take them away with our debris removal services.
Popular Intercity Routes from Christchurch
These are approximate driving distances and times by road. Your move takes longer than the drive because loading and unloading are part of the day. Drive times assume good weather and normal traffic. Alpine passes and roadworks can add time, especially in winter.
| Route from Christchurch | Approx. distance | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Ashburton | 85 km | 1 hour |
| Hanmer Springs | 135 km | 2 hours |
| Greymouth (via Arthur's Pass) | 245 km | 3.5 hours |
| Blenheim (via Kaikōura) | 310 km | 4 hours |
| Dunedin | 360 km | 4.5 hours |
| Nelson (via Lewis Pass) | 415 km | 5.5 hours |
| Wanaka | 430 km | 5.5 hours |
| Queenstown | 480 km | 6 hours |
| Invercargill | 570 km | 7 hours |
Moving to one of these areas? See our Queenstown movers, Wanaka movers, Cromwell movers, movers and packers in Nelson and furniture movers in Blenheim. For more on South Island routes, read our guide to intercity movers in the South Island.
Moving Between Christchurch and Hamilton
With offices in both cities, we’re well placed for moves between the South Island and the Waikato. A move between Christchurch and Hamilton includes the Cook Strait ferry crossing, so it takes longer than a South Island route and needs more planning around ferry sailings and delivery days.
Tell us both addresses and your dates as early as you can, and we’ll plan the trip so your furniture arrives when you do. See our Hamilton page for local moves around the Waikato.
Intercity Office Movers
Moving a business to another city is about more than furniture. Staff need to know when to finish at the old office and when to start at the new one, and the phones and internet need to be ready on arrival.
As intercity office movers, we plan the move around your trading days. Desks, chairs, files and IT gear are packed and labelled for the new floor plan, loaded in the right order and set up at the other end. Many businesses close on a Friday and open in the new city the following week. See our office relocation services for a full planning timeline.
Planning Intercity House Shifting
A long-distance move has more moving parts than a local one. Here’s what to sort out before the truck leaves.
| Task | What to do |
|---|---|
| Book early | Intercity moves take a full day or more, so dates fill up. Book as soon as you know your settlement or lease dates. |
| Agree the delivery day | Know when your furniture will arrive, and make sure someone with keys will be there. |
| Pack a survival bag | Clothes, toiletries, medication, chargers, documents and a few days of essentials travel with you, not on the truck. |
| Measure the new place | Check doorways, stairs and room sizes so you know what will fit before you pay to move it. |
| Set up utilities | Power, internet and water should be on at the new address before you arrive. |
| Update your address | Change it with Inland Revenue, your bank, Waka Kotahi (for your licence and vehicle registration), the electoral roll and your doctor. Set up NZ Post mail redirection. |
| Sort schools and pets | Enrol the kids early, and plan how pets will travel. They don't go on the truck. |
How an Intercity Move Works
- Ask for a quote. Use the quote form or call us. Tell us both addresses, your date, the size of your home or office, and anything heavy or awkward.
- Get your price. We send a clear quote and go through insurance options with you.
- Plan the route and delivery day. We agree when we load and when we deliver, before the truck leaves.
- Moving day. We wrap, load in the right order and drive. Beds and the things you need first come off first.
- Delivery. Furniture goes into the rooms you choose, beds go back together, and if you booked unpacking, we unpack and take the boxes away.
Why Choose Rapid Movers as Your Intercity Movers
You’re trusting a company with everything you own for a long drive. Here’s what you can check about us first.
- 4.9 stars from 319+ Google reviews. Read them before you book.
- Local since 2019. We started with one truck in Christchurch and now run offices in Christchurch and Hamilton.
- Seven days a week. 7 am to 6:30 pm, every day.
- Clear pricing. Your quote shows what you’re paying for, with no hidden fees.
- Insurance through Gallagher. All-risks moving cover is available on every move.
- 100% New Zealand-owned. A local company that answers its own phone.
Common Office Moving Problems and How We Solve Them
Problem: You arrive and your furniture doesn’t.
A night on the floor in a new city is nobody’s idea of fun. Our fix: we agree the delivery day before the truck leaves, and load beds last so they come off first.
Problem: Weather on the alpine passes.
Arthur’s Pass, Lewis Pass and the roads into Central Otago can close in snow or slips. Our fix: we watch the road conditions and plan the route and timing around them. If a road closes, we tell you straight away.
Problem: The keys aren’t ready at the other end.
Our fix: your furniture can wait in storage, and the first week is free.
Problem: The car needs to come too.
Our fix: book car and bike transport along with your move, and fly or drive down without towing anything.
Problem: You forgot something important.
Our fix: keep a survival bag with you, and walk through every room, cupboard and the garage before the truck leaves.
Problem: Fragile things suffer on a long drive.
Hours of road vibration can loosen poorly packed boxes. Our fix: furniture is wrapped in padded blankets and loads are strapped tight. Book our packing service for glassware and breakables.
What Affects the Cost of an Intercity Move
Every intercity move is quoted on its own terms. For more, see our moving cost page.
| What affects the price | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Distance | Longer routes mean more driving time and fuel |
| Size of your home or office | Decides the truck size and loading time |
| Access at both ends | Stairs, steep drives and parking add time |
| Packing and unpacking | Optional, priced on top of the move |
| Heavy items | Pianos and antiques need extra crew and gear |
| Car and bike transport | Optional, priced on top of the move |
| Moving date | Month-end and summer book up first |
Insurance and Storage
Insurance. We offer comprehensive all-risks moving insurance through Gallagher Insurance, with Lump Sum or Valued Inventory cover. On a long move, it’s worth having. Return your paperwork at least five working days before your pack date.
Storage. One week of storage is free with every move. It’s handy on long moves, where settlement dates in two cities rarely line up perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an intercity move cost?
It depends on the distance, the size of your home, access and extras like packing. Call 0800 800 784 for a free quote.
Which cities do you move to?
We move from Christchurch across the South Island, and our Hamilton office covers the Waikato.
Do you pack for intercity moves?
Yes. We can pack your whole home before the move and unpack at the other end.
Can you move my car too?
Yes. We offer car and bike transport alongside your move.
What happens if my new home isn’t ready?
Your furniture goes into storage, and the first week is free.
Do you move between the North and South Island?
Yes. With offices in Christchurch and Hamilton, we move homes and offices between the two cities.
How long does an intercity move take?
Shorter South Island routes can be done in a day. Longer moves take more time, and we confirm your delivery day when you book.
Get a Quick Moving Estimate
Book Your Intercity Movers – Free Quote
Tell us both addresses, your moving date and the size of your home or office, and we’ll come back with a quote. Phone 0800 800 784, 7 am to 6:30 pm every day, or email Info@rapidmovers.co.nz. Visit the homepage of the best moving company in Christchurch for all our services.