Our comprehensive guide to expenses in New Zealand is invaluable for international students who want to determine the cost of living in their selected destination.
International students are greatly attracted to New Zealand due to its abundance of opportunities and lively cities. However, you must assess the cost of living before making any definite plans to ensure financial preparedness for your destination.
This article delves into the expenses one may encounter while living in New Zealand, equipping you with comprehensive details to estimate your cost of living.
The cost disparity among regions
Irrespective of one’s country of residence, there exist disparities in expenditure across different regions. As is the case worldwide, urban areas tend to be pricier than small towns or villages even in New Zealand.
In general, students can expect a more affordable experience in New Zealand’s South Island compared to the bustling North Island. Although Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch are all vibrant university cities with their allure, they also happen to be among the priciest places to inhabit within the country. In contrast, Dunedin located down south presents a lower cost of living alternative.
Don’t base your choice of where to study solely on location as many university cities offer affordable rental options in student-centered areas.
What expenses should you anticipate?
During your stay in New Zealand, you might be curious about the expenses that need to be budgeted. While certain costs may depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle choices, some fixed expenditures require consideration.
These can include:
- Lodging
- Daily necessities such as food and essential products.
- Transportation and travel.
- Rephrased: Amusement
- The ability to connect through various means such as the internet and mobile phones.
- Expenses that are specific to you, such as course materials or visa charges.
Lodging
As a student (aside from tuition fees), it’s highly likely that your major expenditure will be rent. Fortunately, many universities in New Zealand have various options for students to reside either on-campus or near campus in accommodations managed and owned by the institutions themselves.
There are choices such as renting private accommodation (either solo or jointly with other classmates) and opting for a homestay, which entails residing with a native family.
Residency at a university:
In New Zealand, student accommodations may come in two forms: catered or self-catered. Although some of these halls offer typical dormitory-style lodgings, others have shared apartments instead of private rooms. Your housing arrangement could vary from a single occupant to sharing with roommates and often includes access to common spaces like kitchens or living areas.
Halls of residence in New Zealand have a significant advantage as they frequently provide leases that are shorter than the customary 52-week rental period. This is particularly beneficial if you plan on returning home after completing your academic year. However, it’s important to investigate what options your university offers since contracts ranging from 38 to 48 weeks are commonly available.
University-owned accommodation costs approximately NZD 200 per week, varying by city. The pricier lodgings provide full board arrangements.
Shared student housing is also provided by some universities, either on campus or nearby. These units are always self-catered and typically priced comparably to low to mid-priced university halls of residence.
Private Rentals:
Private rentals in New Zealand can be cost-effective if you budget carefully, despite typically being pricier. Opting for a shared property room over renting solo will save a considerable sum and let you enjoy the company of flatmates. It’s important to note whether private rentals come furnished or unfurnished before finalizing your lease agreement.
The amount you are likely to spend will vary depending on the type and location of the property.
If you choose to live in a shared property and rent a room, the cost will be NZD 120 per week.
If you rent alone, the cost is NZD 180 per week.
When renting privately, you’re likely to agree on a 52-week lease instead of the typical student hall arrangement. Before moving in, most renters will be required to pay one or two weeks’ rent plus a security deposit equivalent to two to four weeks’ worth of rent. As long as you leave the property in good condition upon your departure, your deposit will be returned to you.
Utility bills are typically not included in the cost of private rentals. On average, individuals will likely need to pay around NZD 274.50 per month for electricity, gas, and water based on their usage. For those who choose to rent without roommates, this amount may increase further.
Transportation
The transportation requirements differ according to one’s place of residence. For certain on-campus scholars, their conveyance expenditures will be nominal because they can conveniently commute by walking or cycling to almost everywhere.
Regarding public transportation, on average you will require a budget of NZD 91.70 per week.
Bus travel is the most prevalent and economical mode of transportation, with certain cities also featuring commuter train facilities.
The cost of both bus and train tickets rises proportionally to the distance you travel, yet students can snag discounts. By checking what’s on offer in your city, it’s possible to score more than a 20% reduction off regular fares.
In New Zealand, there are no fixed fares for transportation. On average, a single ticket will range from NZD 2 to NZD 10 while a monthly pass can be purchased at approximately NZD 150.
If you frequently travel, most cities provide options for reducing your expenses. One of these is the pay-as-you-go card system similar to Auckland’s ATHop card that offers substantial discounts on trips while deducting credits from its total balance.
avel around. Additionally, in some cities in New Zealand, ferries are also available for public transport. However, taxis may not be a budget-friendly option to commute within the city.
Feeding
Learning to cook on a budget is essential when living in self-catered accommodation. Fortunately, it’s not as daunting of a task as one might assume; therefore, avoid becoming overly anxious about the prospect.
Although cooking at home is an excellent way to save money, it’s also important to treat yourself occasionally. It might be worth noting the additional expense of dining out in addition to your grocery bills.
It is natural for certain cities to have elevated food costs in comparison with others, prompting you to modify your budget based on the location of your university.
A low-to-mid-range restaurant visit once a week in Rotorua would require an estimated monthly food budget of NZD 223, whereas the same lifestyle at Auckland University demands around NZD 246 per month.
Tuition fees
Our “cost of living” expenses do not include tuition fees, so it is important to allocate a budget for them. We suggest referring to our distinct article on tuition fees in New Zealand for more detailed information. However, as a general approximation, the annual costs are anticipated to be around:
- The cost for undergraduate-level education ranges from NZD 20,500 to NZD 25,000.
- For postgraduate studies, the cost ranges from NZD 6,500 to NZD 50,000.
Internet
Staying connected with loved ones back home is a major worry for numerous overseas scholars, and the simplest approach to address it is through WiFi access or having a well-functioning phone data connection.
In New Zealand, the typical monthly expense for broadband internet is NZD 84.57 per household. If you reside in a shared housing arrangement, each individual will contribute to this cost. However, students residing in dormitories typically receive complimentary access to the internet connection provided by their accommodation facility.
In addition, New Zealand presents numerous SIM-only packages that aid in keeping you connected through your smartphone. Ensuring an adequate supply of data on your phone plan will enable the utilization of apps to communicate with loved ones back home rather than bearing costly international call charges.
To obtain a SIM card that includes calls and 10GB of data, you can expect to spend approximately NZD 65 each month.
Conclusion
Emergencies tend to arise at the most inconvenient times. It’s wise to maintain an emergency fund as a precautionary measure.
Consider what you may require upon arrival. Depending on the amenities provided by your lodging, bedding or household items could be essential. Additionally, budget for purchasing clothing as well.
Even though your university library may possess most of the necessary reading materials for your course, it is crucial to allocate funds toward purchasing textbooks, stationery, and other study-related equipment.
To gain insight into anticipated expenses for living in New Zealand as a student, consider reading our piece on obtaining your student visa.
It’s crucial to avoid excessive stress over expenses. Keep in mind that student discounts are available and if your visa allows, you can always work part-time for extra income. Once you have established a budget, everything else will fall into place smoothly!
