Immigration New Zealand (INZ), the government agency that decides visas, does not issue a visa for one city. Moving to a city means qualifying for a New Zealand visa, then finding work or study there. Some work visas do fix where you work: on the Accredited Employer Work Visa, INZ says you may work only in the job, for the employer and in the location stated on your visa, so the city matters once you accept a job offer.

Choosing a city is therefore about work, study, housing and the kind of place you want to live in. Each city page covers what its council and other official sources say about those, and where to find free help after you arrive. For first steps that apply anywhere in New Zealand, such as finding somewhere to live and a doctor, see INZ's page on setting up your life in New Zealand.