Can I take a power drill on the plane.
Got my work visa, and flying to Christchurch end of this month

I'm not sure, but you can tweet the airline you're flying with to ask them. I recently tweeted easyjet and they immediately told me I couldn't bring a fork onto the plane when I asked them. Maybe you could put it in the hold.

as said that would be down to the air company you are flying with. check their website or as suggested see if they have a twitter account or call their cs line

Lithium batteries can be a bit of a stumbling block so i've been told, check and double check with the airline. Whats your trade mate?

Hi I'm coming as a glazier

Might just send my drill with the furniture in the container.
Got to do a 3 month probation period first, so going to send container after that if all goes well and the company want to keep me

I've carried power tools in checked luggage and plenty of ordinary tools in my cases and carry on luggage on flights. Usually let check-in know and put it through the bulky items/security check-in as required.
But if you can't be sure by contacting the airline then probably best to container them. My parents once had a real problem with a middle eastern airline and my mum's defibrillator which they had agreed was OK to carry but decided it was not at the check-in, then decided she was too ill to fly, although it was part of a medical trial of personal defibrillators.
Good luck.

I worked with a chippy once who carried his new nail gun as hand luggage from America to England!! Obviously this was before the security scares etc...