I am travelling to NZ to take up a health service post for approx 12 months.

Whilst I will have medical cover etc from my job - I need to have cover for the flights, and would like to be covered for any travel/ wintersports etc whilst there.

My travel insurers will not cover me on an extended break because I will be working for more than 3 months.

Any suggestions?

There is a reciprocal health agreement between the UK and NZ, this will provide some medical cover for you in NZ, here is a link to info on it (Copy and paste it into your browser).

http://www.nzembassy.com/info.cfm?c=14&l=56&CFID=402&CFTOKEN=86934083&s=go&p=61688

You could take out a twelve month travel policy but it will be hundreds of pounds which I assume is to much.

If you want things like personal accident cover, this can often be taken out on the slopes, if you want cover for your contents and sports equipment you could probably take out a contents policy over there which I would assume would be cheap in NZ.

If you want cancellation cover for your out bound flight you cannot just take out a normal short period travel policy as they are subject to you leaving the uk and returning to the uk within the period of the insurance. What you will need to take out is a "One Way Travel Policy" Here is a google search for "One Way + Travel Insurance" (Copy and paste it into your browser)

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&hs=EJj&q=%22one+way+%2B+travel+insurance%22&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK|countryGB

Thanks for all that info - I will look into it all - it seems the best way forward as I will not require health/dental as that will be covered by my NZ employers.