Hi Deb,

if you are arriving in New Zealand I believe you have a 6mths work visa to PR, there is a gray area whether you need to pay the GST on your household effects.

I am in somewhat similar position but I have a WTR on the old policy so my visa validity is 24 months. For visas more than 12 months, I am very sure you do not need to pay GST but for lesser than that, this is what NZ Customs have to say (from the email reply I sent them)

'Thank you for your enquiry. If your work visa is for a period of less than twelve months then I suggest that you contact the Client Service section of NZ Customs. Phone numbers can be found on our website www.customs.govt.nz under Contact Us. The Client Service section is where you will go to clear your household effects. They will be able to advise you with your particular situation. They will want to know what correspondence you have received from the NZIS.'

NZ Customs website : http://www.customs.govt.nz/contactUs.htm

However that said, my gut feeling is that since you are arriving with the intention of getting the PR after 3 months on a skilled job, I think NZ Customs may not impose GST on your effects. Call them and ask them about this and get a formal statement if that is the case. You can then show the customs officer on arrival.

Pulsarblu