New Zealand is a spectacular place to live and study. Its universities are ranked in the top 3% in the world and offer world-class education, globally recognized qualifications, and everlasting skills. The country is attracting a huge number of students internationally. As of 2023, nearly 34,000 international students hold study visas in New Zealand. Its flexible education system offers opportunities that suit every budget. New Zealand offers an excellent work/life balance and a high quality of life and is rapidly becoming one of the best countries for foreign education. The cost of living in New Zealand is comparable to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries like the USA, Germany, Netherlands, etc. It varies depending on your lifestyle and which city of the country you live in. Typically when applying for a student visa in New Zealand international students are required to have at least NZ$20,000 to cover their annual living expenses. These expenses include housing, food, transportation, health insurance, utilities, phone and internet bills, and entertainment. Let us explore these costs in detail in the next section.
Highlights: Cost of Living in New Zealand
| Type | Annual Expense (NZD) |
| Accommodation | 10,000 to 20,000 |
| Food | 3,600 to 6,000 |
| Transportation | 2,500 |
| Utilities | 2,400 to 3,600 |
| Phone and internet | 1,300 |
| Health insurance | 800 |
| Entertainment | 2,500 |
Breakdown of Cost of Living in New Zealand
The cost of living excludes tuition fees, which in New Zealand range from NZD$20,000 to $40,000 annually for bachelor’s courses. These fees can be higher for subjects such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science. Fees for postgraduate degrees fall in the range of NZD$20,000 to $45,000 per year. Here is a breakdown of living expenses an international student has to incur to live comfortably while studying in New Zealand.
Accommodation
There are plenty of housing options available for international students in New Zealand. Halls of residence, homestays, and flats are the most common accommodation options available. For private houses or flats, rent in New Zealand is typically paid weekly or fortnightly. The accommodation costs for the hall of residence are mostly paid upfront for the full year.
Halls of residence: These are run by educational institutions, and most of them are located inside the campus or just a walk away from campus. They come as fully furnished single or twin-share rooms with shared amenities like the dining hall, lounge, and laundry. Meals may or may not be included in the rent. The monthly rent for uncatered rooms in the hall of residence ranges from NZD$ 860 to 1,500 and for catered ones, it can go up to NZD$1,900.
Homestays: With a homestay, you typically share a fully equipped room with a New Zealand family in their house. They will provide you with meals and assist you in acclimating to daily life in New Zealand. Homestays typically cost NZD$1,200 onwards monthly.
Flats: They are the best choice for independent living or with friends. Flats can range from one-bedroom apartments to four or five-bedroom homes. They can be furnished and come with basic amenities such as a kitchen, dishwasher, parking space, and laundry. You can live alone or with flatmates to share the cost of rent and utilities. Depending on the city, the rent for a flat in New Zealand ranges from NZD$600 to 1,200 per month. Some fully furnished studio flats can cost up to NZD$1,500 per month.
Food
Students should typically budget NZD$300 to 500 per month for food and groceries. The budget can vary depending on the spending habits of the students, which city they live in, and where they shop. The cost of food will be covered in rent if you choose to live in a catered hall of residence or a homestay. Many students choose to cook their food instead of eating out to further budget their food expenses.
Transportation
Public transportation in the country is cheap and is widely spread across all the cities and towns. Major cities and most towns have buses offering student discounts. Some cities also have trains connecting major cities and outer suburbs. To minimize the cost of transportation, students can live inside or closer to campus. A monthly bus pass typically costs NZD$215.
Utilities
The monthly cost of utilities like electricity, water, heating, cooling, etc., ranges between NZD$200 to 300 per month. This cost will be shared if you are living in a shared flat with roommates. Most of the residence halls and homestays come with utility bills included in the rent.
Phone and Internet
The average price for monthly pre-paid plans for mobile phones that include calling, texting, etc., is NZD$19. Unlimited WiFi services charge NZD$90 monthly. Your internet bill is mostly included in the rent if you are living in a homestay or residence hall.
Entertainment
It is advisable to budget around NZD$200 per month for leisure activities like dining out, movies, and going out with friends. Many of the attractions and activities in New Zealand are free to the public. For example, beaches, mountains, parks, forests, and lakes can be visited for free. Institutions also organize cheap events and entertainment venues for students.
Health Insurance
The public healthcare system is heavily subsidized by the government in New Zealand and is free for local citizens. International students need to purchase private health insurance as they are not covered under the national healthcare system. Health insurance for foreign students typically costs NZD$60 per month.
City Wise Cost of Living in New Zealand
Living costs also differ on which part of the country you live in. Because housing and transportation costs are lower in small towns than in large cities living there might be less expensive. Auckland is far less expensive to live in than Sydney or London. Additionally, Auckland is among the top five cities in the world for quality of life. Living costs in cities outside of Auckland are even cheaper. The city-wise cost of living in the country as per Wise Move.
| City Name | Monthly Expense (NZD) |
| Queenstown | 2,000 |
| Auckland | 1,996 |
| Wellington | 1,829 |
| Christchurch | 1,556 |
Tips on Budgeting Cost of Living in New Zealand
Budgeting living expenses in New Zealand requires careful planning. Factors such as accommodation, food, transportation, utilities, etc., must all be factored in. Here are some tips to help you effectively budget your living expenses in New Zealand
Create a budget and prioritize expenses: Make a comprehensive budget outlining all your expenses and income. Include fixed expenses like rent, utilities, and insurance, as well as variable expenses like groceries, dining out, and entertainment. Differentiate between essential and non-essential expenses. Prioritize essential expenses such as accommodation, groceries, and utilities, and allocate funds accordingly.
Find affordable housing: Housing costs make up the major portion of your living expenses. They can vary significantly depending on the location. Consider alternatives such as flat-sharing or renting in suburbs rather than city centers to save on rent.
Cook at home and plan your meals: Eating out can be expensive, so try to cook your meals at home as much as possible. Plan your meals, buy groceries in bulk, and look for discounts or specials to save money.
Use public transportation: New Zealand has a reliable public transportation system in most cities. Opt for public transport instead of owning a car to save on fuel, parking, and maintenance costs.
Keep track, review, and adjust: Keep track of your expenses regularly to ensure you stay within your budget. Use budgeting apps or spreadsheets to monitor your spending and identify areas where you can cut back. Periodically review your budget to see if it’s working for you. Adjust your spending habits as needed to meet your financial goals and adapt to any changes in your circumstances.
Save up for emergencies: Set aside a portion of your income each month for unexpected expenses or emergencies. Having a financial safety net can help you avoid financial stress in challenging situations.
Explore low-cost entertainment activities: Take advantage of the natural beauty and outdoor activities New Zealand offers. Hiking, beach outings, and exploring local parks are often free or inexpensive ways to enjoy leisure time.
Part-time work: Working while studying in New Zealand is a great way to reduce living expenses. The majority of student visas allow for up to 20 hours of paid labor each week, or full-time work during the vacations.
Conclusion
The cost of living in New Zealand is a multifaceted aspect that encompasses various factors such as housing, transportation, healthcare, education, food, and entertainment. Overall, New Zealand tends to have a higher cost of living compared to many other countries, primarily due to its remote location, strong economy, and high quality of life. Thus, it is essential for students planning to study in New Zealand to carefully assess their expenses to ensure financial stability. By following tips and staying disciplined with your spending, you can effectively budget your living costs in New Zealand and enjoy your time without financial strain. If you need more information on living expenses or studying in New Zealand, contact Gyanberry’s expert educational counselors. They have helped over 15,000+ students to get into their dream universities in more than 30 countries worldwide. To contact them, kindly fill out the form or book a free video appointment.
