Move Managers Limited was founded in 2011 by Anna Carter — the first service of its kind in New Zealand, and still the longest-established.

Anna saw how overwhelming moving house could be, especially for older people leaving homes they'd loved for decades, and set out to build something gentler: a team that didn't just shift boxes, but carried people through the whole transition with care.

That vision struck a chord. Over the years Move Managers grew almost entirely on trust — today, around 90% of our work comes from word-of-mouth referrals and clients who come back to us again and again.

In early 2023, Anna handed over the reins to Cassandra and Edward, who took the business into the family's hands. It was a natural next chapter rather than a change of direction — the same values, the same hands-on approach, and the same belief Anna started with: that everyone deserves to feel looked after during one of life's biggest moves.

Cassandra runs the business day to day, leading the team and making sure every move goes smoothly from first call to final handover — she's the one keeping all the pieces moving behind the scenes. Edward supports the business alongside running the family's sister company, Mr Shift It, which means the moving side stays close to home: one connected, trusted operation rather than a chain of strangers.

We're proud to carry Anna's legacy forward, and just as proud that the standards she set are exactly the ones our clients still count on today.

For most of our clients, a move isn't really about boxes. Many have lived in the same home for 30 years or more. It's where they raised their families, planted the trees, built the gardens, and made their most significant memories. Downsizing to a smaller home or retirement village can be genuinely hard — and for those who have lost a partner, it often comes wrapped in grief.

We never lose sight of that. Our clients often come to us exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure where to even begin — and leave knowing someone capable and kind has taken care of it all.

Over the years we've built a reputation for finding a way through the trickiest problems. We've had a grand piano craned out of a third-floor apartment, then reinstated and re-tuned in its new home.

We've shipped containers of antique furniture overseas, managed the sale of valuable art collections, cleared hoarder homes against tight deadlines, and run Zoom meetings with families scattered across the world to guide them through a loved one's estate.

Whatever the situation, our answer is almost always the same: yes, that's doable.

We're a close, hands-on team, and every job is led on site by Cassandra or one of our experienced team members — so there's always a capable, familiar face guiding the day from start to finish. Every team member is police-checked and fully insured, and we treat a packing carton with the same care as a family heirloom.

The small things matter to us. We bring our own tea, coffee and lunch, so we're never a burden in your home. We ask you to keep your jewellery and medications with you. And when the work is done, we don't just leave you with a pile of boxes — we unpack, make the beds, set up the kitchen, and walk you through your new home so it feels like yours from the very first night.

Our relationship doesn't end at the door, either. We send Christmas cards to the clients we've worked with that year, and flowers or a condolence card to families who have experienced a bereavement.

Cassandra as the owner of Move Managers Ltd aims to take the practical and emotional weight of moving off her clients' shoulders. With years in operations and supply-chain management across companies like Fonterra and DeLaval, she pairs real logistical rigour with genuine warmth — planning every detail so families can focus on the exciting part: settling into what's next.

Grace brings a creative eye and a calming presence to every move. Alongside her work with the team she runs her own photography business, and that same care for detail — and for putting people at ease — carries straight into how she looks after clients. Whether she's behind the camera or beside a family mid-move, Grace notices the things that make all the difference.

Marion joined us over 18 months ago, bringing a thoughtful, worldly touch to everything she does. Originally from Paris and settled in New Zealand for almost two decades, she's passionate about caring for the planet and always finds the greener way to do things. With a background in creative design and years as a Waldorf school teacher aide, she brings warmth, patience and a keen eye to every move.

Lois has been with us for over four years and is someone we simply couldn't do without. Her nursing background gives her a natural instinct for looking after people — calm, capable and tuned in to what someone really needs. Now semi-retired and loving it, she brings all that care alongside a wicked sense of humour that keeps the rest of us on our toes.

Annette is our newest team member, and she's already bringing a wonderful sense of calm to the work. Away from the job she teaches yoga, tends a garden that can only be called amazing, and runs her own Airbnb — so she knows exactly how much a welcoming, well-cared-for space means to people. Grounded, warm and endlessly practical, she helps everyone feel settled.