Soft Landing NZ

By Brett Corlett | Soft Landing Podcast

When my family and I moved to New Zealand, we were full of hope and energy, eager to start fresh and make this country our home. But, like so many new immigrants, we were also overwhelmed, adjusting to new systems, processes, and ways of doing things. It’s in that vulnerable state, still settling in, that I got scammed.
I’m sharing this story not to embarrass myself (although I definitely felt foolish at the time), but to hopefully save you from making the same mistake. Because unfortunately, scams in New Zealand do happen, and new immigrants are especially at risk.

💸 The $1,000 Lesson I Learned the Hard Way

It all happened not long after we applied for our residency. Part of the process meant posting our passports to Immigration NZ, something that made me nervous already. As a South African, handing over such critical documents to the postal system felt risky, even though I followed the official guidelines.
A few days after sending them, I got a text message claiming to be from New Zealand Post, asking me to pay a small fee to ensure delivery. The timing was perfect. My mind instantly jumped to our passports, what if they were stuck? What if this delay cost us our residency?
So I clicked the link. And I paid.
And I got scammed.
Within minutes, $1,000 was withdrawn from my BNZ account. My heart sank. I felt sick, embarrassed, and angry with myself. I’d let my guard down at the worst time, and I paid the price.

🏦 Thankfully, I Got the Money Back

To BNZ’s credit, their fraud team responded quickly. I called them immediately, and because the transaction was still pending, they were able to investigate. Within about a week, the funds were recovered. But I’ll be honest: that week felt like a month.
And $1,000 is a lot of money when you’ve just moved countries and are living off one income. I was furious with myself for not spotting the red flags. But that’s exactly what scammers count on, your stress, your vulnerability, and your inexperience with local systems.

🧠 Scammers Know When You’re Vulnerable

The passport scam wasn’t the only attempt. There were messages supposedly from NZTA after we paid tolls on a road trip, trying to get me to click on a fake link. And since I’ve started sharing immigration content online, I’ve received scam messages pretending to be from Meta or Instagram, threatening to delete my pages unless I verify them.
They’re clever. They time things perfectly. They prey on immigrants, the elderly, anyone going through a tough time. And that’s why I’m writing this, to help you be ready.

🔐 10 Tips to Avoid Scams in New Zealand

1. Verify the sender – Check the email or SMS sender’s domain. If it’s not official (e.g. ending in @nzpost.co.nz), it’s likely fake.
2. Don’t click on suspicious links – Always go directly to the official website instead.
3. Beware of urgency – Scammers use pressure tactics to make you act without thinking.
4. Check spelling and grammar – Many scam messages have typos or weird formatting.
5. Look at the phone number – Local NZ numbers start with +64. Anything else is a red flag.
6. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) – Especially for banking and email accounts.
7. Never share personal info via links – No bank or agency will ask for your ID, IRD number, or login details over text or email.
8. Use secure websites – Always check for “https://” before entering any sensitive info.
9. Keep your software and antivirus updated – This helps block malicious sites and malware.
10. Report suspicious activity – To your bank, CERT NZ, or the relevant agency. And block the sender.

🤝 It’s OK to Talk About It

Getting scammed felt embarrassing. I didn’t want to admit I’d been caught out. But the truth is, it can happen to anyone. And the best way to protect others is to talk about it.
So please: share this blog with any new immigrants you know. And if you’ve been targeted, speak up. You’re not alone.

🎧 Listen to the Full Story on My Podcast

This blog is based on Episode 12 of my Soft Landing podcast. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.
🔗 Soft Landing NZ | Podcast

📌 Final Thoughts

Moving to New Zealand is one of the best decisions we’ve made as a family. But immigration is hard, and it comes with unexpected challenges, including staying alert to scams.
I hope this story helps you stay safe, stay smart, and settle in with confidence.

📢 Stay Connected

I’d love your help.
The Inner Circle App is coming soon — a free space for migrants to connect, learn, and belong in New Zealand. We’d love your input! Help us shape it so it truly supports your needs.

https://forms.gle/FuTEd7cMwv7jzSK56

Follow my Soft Landing podcast and subscribe to my YouTube channel @softlandingnz for real stories, walkthroughs, and practical tips for newcomers to New Zealand. 
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