For many UK healthcare professionals, relocating to New Zealand offers a rewarding mix of lifestyle, career growth, and new experiences. But an international move also comes with plenty of decisions, from visas and job offers to shipping, housing, and finances.

Accent Health Recruitment and Pension Transfers work together to make that transition smoother. Accent helps healthcare professionals find the right job and navigate the relocation process, while Pension Transfers provides specialist guidance for anyone who has a UK pension and wants to understand their options before, during, or after the move.

Support every step of the way

Accent Health Recruitment has long been known for helping healthcare professionals secure roles across New Zealand's hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers, assisting with everything from identifying suitable positions and arranging interviews to guiding candidates through immigration, registration, and settlement. For most candidates, relocating means setting up a whole new life, which is why Accent partners with a small group of experienced organisations to cover the full spectrum of relocation needs. Among these trusted partners is Pension Transfers, New Zealand's leading specialist in helping UK residents understand and manage their pension funds when moving overseas.

Why pension advice matters when you relocate

Many people moving from the UK have one or more pensions accumulated over their working lives. UK pension rules differ from New Zealand's, and moving abroad can affect tax obligations, transfer eligibility, and currency exposure. In some cases, transferring a UK pension into a New Zealand-based Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) may offer benefits such as managing retirement funds under one regulatory system, reducing exposure to exchange-rate fluctuations, simplifying future access to funds, and aligning pension savings with long-term residency plans.

However, transferring isn't always suitable for everyone. Some pension types can't be moved, and in others, tax or timing issues can make it more beneficial to leave funds in the UK. That's why professional, independent advice is so important before making any decisions.

Pension Transfers: specialists in UK-to-NZ pension advice

Established in 2000 and led by Principal Business Owner Tom Gilbert, Pension Transfers has built its reputation as one of New Zealand's most experienced teams in UK pension transfers. Over more than 20 years, they've completed more than 8,500 successful transfers and advised thousands of expats and returning New Zealanders. Their expertise lies in helping clients understand what happens to their UK pension when they move abroad, assess eligibility for transfer, evaluate the benefits and risks of transferring versus keeping funds in the UK, complete compliant transfers where appropriate, and maintain oversight of their retirement funds once settled.

A collaborative approach to relocation

Accent's relocation resources include practical information about immigration, banking, shipping, and taxation, as well as introductions to specialists. Through its collaboration with Pension Transfers, Accent helps ensure the financial side of relocation isn't overlooked, so new arrivals can get clarity about their UK pension entitlements, avoid unnecessary tax or compliance issues, consolidate their arrangements, and focus on settling into their new role with confidence.

A trusted network of partners

Accent Health Recruitment connects candidates with experienced partners across the whole journey:

• New Zealand Shores, for visa and immigration advice
• PSS International Removals, for international shipping
• BNZ, for migrant banking
• FC Global Payments, for foreign currency transfer
• Pension Transfers, for UK pension and retirement planning
• MAS, for insurance, investment and retirement advice

Together, these organisations form a network designed to make relocation to New Zealand as smooth and informed as possible.

Starting your new chapter

Moving across the world to pursue new opportunities is a major step, and having trusted professionals to help along the way makes it easier and more rewarding. Accent Health Recruitment and Pension Transfers are proud to work together to support healthcare professionals making New Zealand their new home. Explore medical jobs in New Zealand to get started, or visit pensiontransfers.co.nz to learn more about transferring your UK pension. This article is general information only and is not financial advice.