Cost of Living
New Zealand is a value-for-money study destination. Learn more about living costs, and read our money-saving tips.
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Living in New Zealand
World-famous for its friendly people, spectacular landscape and relaxed lifestyle, New Zealand is an unbeatable place to live and study.
Where could you live
New Zealand’s relaxed pace of life gives you the time to enjoy everything our vibrant modern cities have to offer. Enjoy live music, theatre, film, dance, free festivals or international sports fixtures, or hang out with your new friends at a cafe, restaurant or bar.
Most of our cities and towns are relatively small and uncrowded, making your daily commute easier and faster than back home. Wherever you live, you won’t be far from beaches, parks, walking trails and cycle tracks.
Tip
What You Should Know
Some things you should know about New Zealand from students living there
Britomart Precinct Auckland New Zealand
What would daily life be like?
The size of the UK or Japan but with a population of only 5 million people, New Zealand gives you room to breathe and the space to be be yourself.
New Zealand consistently leads world quality of life studies, and we have a great work-life balance. Kiwis believe in balancing a good day’s work or study with time after work and on the weekends to catch up with family and friends, enjoy hobbies and explore nature.
Choose your adventure!
Each day is a new adventure in New Zealand. Explore native forests, snow-capped mountains, white sandy beaches, picture-perfect lakes and stunning fjords - all without the crowds and queues you’ll find in most parts of the world.
There’s something for everyone in New Zealand, whether you enjoy high-adrenalin sports like bungy jumping, skydiving or jet boating, or prefer to get closer to nature by hiking or cycling. You’ll be able to experience our unique Māori culture and see the landscapes made famous by the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies.
Tip
How to Save Money on Travel
Some travel tips to help you explore New Zealand
Biking through the forest
Friendship Kiwi-style
New Zealand is one of the safest and friendliest places you can choose for your studies. In 2019, we were named the world’s second most peaceful country by the Global Peace Index, and the world’s least corrupt country by Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.
Your education provider will have signed a code of pastoral care aimed at ensuring you have the care and support you need to have a successful study experience in New Zealand.
Student stories
Shubhi Sharma
from India, is a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics student at the University of Auckland
Meiqi Sun
from China, is a Bachelor of Psychology student at the University of Otago
Yang
from China, is studying at a Wellington secondary school
Tan Duc do
from Viet Nam, is a PhD in Mathematics students at the University of Auckland
“I really enjoy the natural beauty of the place...it’s so multicultural, so it’s really easy for international students to fit in and discover so much about themselves and other people and other cultures.”
Shubhi Sharma | from India, is a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics student at the University of Auckland
“People are easy to get along with here...I also really appreciate my friends, who not only help me with my English but also encourage me to keep going all the time. I feel so lucky to meet all of them here”.
Meiqi Sun
Bachelor of Psychology, University of Otago
“I do so many things besides studying: I go walking, bike riding, meet friends. It’s a fun place to live. There is so much creative stuff happening here. I live in the home of the Lord of the Rings!”
Yang | from China, is studying at a Wellington secondary school
“People here work hard during the week and then they relax in the weekends. My supervisor likes to go tramping in the weekends...he invited me to go along with him to tramp in the Waitakere Ranges. I enjoyed it a lot and now I have taken up tramping myself.”
Tan Duc do
PhD in Mathematics, University of Auckland
Quick facts about living in New Zealand
Explore our beautiful natural landscape without worrying about dangerous animals
We don’t have any. We’re known as the seabird capital of the world, and have many marine animals - you may see penguins, albatross, dolphins, seals and whales while you’re studying here.
New Zealand is very sunny, so don’t forget to use sunblock
We have high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV), so wear a sunhat and sunglasses in summer.
The weather varies from warm and subtropical in the far north to cool and temperate in the far south.
The New Zealand summer runs from December to February; winter is from June to August.
Nowhere in New Zealand is more than 128 kilometres (80 miles) from the sea
So there are lots of stunning sandy beaches to enjoy. Many beaches are patrolled by surf lifeguards; stay safe by swimming between the yellow and red flags.
Students dress casually in New Zealand
So pack jeans, tee-shirts, jerseys (sweaters), sweatshirts and a warm waterproof jacket.
Most New Zealand cities are relatively small
So many students are able to walk or cycle to their educational institution.
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Are you ready to go?
5 Learn more about flats, hostels and homestays
Are you ready to go?
5 Start planning with NZ Ready tool
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