The move from Canada to New Zealand has a natural dependency chain. Some steps cannot begin until others are complete. Ignore the order and you will lose weeks - or worse, miss the move entirely because a pet's titre test didn't start on time.

Confirm your visa target. Book a consultation with an IAA-registered immigration adviser if you have any health disclosures, prior refusals, or an occupation not clearly on the Green List.

Order your RCMP Criminal Record Check immediately. If you lived outside Canada for 12+ months in the past 10 years, order police certificates from each country - the FBI check for US residency takes comparable time.

Check your NZQA recognition status. Apply for assessment if your visa or registration depends on it.

If you have a dog or cat, begin the pet import process now. The rabies titre test has a mandatory 90-day waiting period. This is the longest single lead time in the entire move - it cannot be shortened.

Build your NZ-format CV: no photo, no date of birth, two pages, achievement-led. Search at Seek.co.nz and 

. LinkedIn with a NZ location filter helps for professional roles.

Submit your EOI or apply for an AEWV through your NZ employer's accreditation. Open a pre-arrival NZ bank account - ANZ, ASB, and Westpac all accept pre-arrival applications and provide an account number for your IRD application.

Get three written shipping quotes: full 20-foot container, LCL (shared container), and air freight. Sea transit from Vancouver to Auckland: 4 to 5 weeks. From Toronto via Halifax: 7 to 10 weeks.

Research school zones if you have children. In Auckland, the school determines where you must live - not the reverse. Check school zones at the Ministry of Education's zone map.

Book short-term accommodation for arrival: 4 to 6 weeks in a furnished apartment. Budget NZD $5,000 to $9,000.

Sell, store, or ship. The decision rule: ship what costs more than NZD $200 to $300 to replace and that you actively use. IKEA and Trade Me fill the gaps cheaply.

Prepare your CRA departure return. Your final Canadian tax year ends on your departure date. Deemed disposition rules apply to most capital property on that date.

Plan your currency transfer. Use Wise or OFX for amounts under CAD $200,000. Splitting the transfer over 2 to 3 transactions averages out the exchange rate.

Carry all critical documents in your cabin bag - passports, visa letters, medical records, pet permits, children's school records. Pack a 90-day supply of all prescription medications. Confirm pet travel bookings: pets travel as cargo, not checked baggage, on approved airlines.