In addition to tuition fees in New Zealand, the cost of living is a large part of the budget of students planning a semester abroad or full study in New Zealand. These include rent and electricity as well as costs for food, activities, transport, communication and health. Students should budget around NZ $ 1,200 to NZ $ 1,700 per month. Basically, however, the cost of living in New Zealand depends on where you live and, above all, on your individual lifestyle.
In an international comparison, New Zealand has a rather high cost of living, similar to Norway or Switzerland. Germany is in the upper midfield here. In larger cities and metropolitan areas such as Auckland, however, the cost of living is lower than in the metropolises of Singapore, London, New York or Sydney. Despite all of this, life in New Zealand is expensive and students should do detailed research on the expected cost of living.
Rent and housing costs in New Zealand
According to cellphoneexplorer, rental costs in New Zealand vary greatly depending on the region and equipment. In metropolitan areas and larger cities in particular, many people are looking for affordable housing. One of the most expensive cities in New Zealand in terms of rental costs is Auckland. Available living space has also become scarce and therefore more expensive in Christchurch, the second largest city in New Zealand, after the devastating earthquake in 2011. Cheaper cities, however, are Tauranga or Hamilton.
Students in New Zealand tend to move from home to study. The universities usually offer accommodation in dormitories or apartments on and off campus, especially for new students. The price ranges are large, so students should inform themselves individually at the universities. Shared apartments are another option to live cheaply near the university. International students also have the option of staying with a New Zealand host family.
Many international students rent hostels for the first few days after arriving in New Zealand, which cost around NZ $ 20 to NZ $ 30 per night.
Rental costs in New Zealand are usually quoted for one week. Depending on the living situation and the region, prices range between NZ $ 160 and NZ $ 350 per week. In addition to the rent, there are additional costs. These are usually the electricity costs, internet and telephone charges and a deposit.
Much of New Zealand’s electricity needs are generated from renewable energies, primarily hydropower, geothermal energy and natural gas. In recent years, prices have risen sharply due to increased energy requirements, the construction of new power plants and the restructuring of gas reserves. Students should budget around NZ $ 20 to NZ $ 30 per month, depending on their living situation.
Student residence and apartments
Numerous international students, but also Kiwis, who act as hosts, live in the university dormitories. Some universities use questionnaires to put together the shared apartments. Usually two or three fellow students share a room. The rooms and apartments in the on and off-campus residences are usually furnished. Sometimes the students have to bring bed linen with them or purchase them on site. Meal costs are mostly optional. A deposit can also be added.
International students have to pay the cost of a place in a student residence at many universities at the beginning of the semester. The dormitories and apartments are relatively expensive, but allow quick and uncomplicated contact with new fellow students. Wi-Fi is usually not included in the costs, but some are available free of charge in the common rooms and on campus.
Shared apartment
Many students are looking for shared accommodation in New Zealand to live cheaply near campus. In flat shares, all roommates share the rent and ancillary costs. With so-called ” flatting “, you have to buy furniture yourself.
Students should ideally search for a room on site in order to be able to inspect the potential accommodation. Contact points are fellow students, the Internet and notice boards in the departments.
In the larger cities it is sometimes difficult to find a suitable, inexpensive room. In particular, a rental period of less than twelve months can result in a higher monthly rent. The deposit is usually one month’s rent. Brokers or recruitment agencies usually charge a weekly rental fee. Sea view usually also increases the price.
Host family
International students have the opportunity to live with a host family in New Zealand. With the so-called homestay you can get to know the everyday life of the kiwi first hand. In some cases the university will help find a suitable host family. However, most of them live on the outskirts, so that higher transport costs can arise to get to the university.
| Average monthly rental costs | Average monthly electricity and gas costs | Average monthly phone and internet costs | |
| Shared room | NZ $ 640-1,200 | Part of the total amount of NZ $ 15-30 | Part of the total amount of NZ $ 20-30 |
| On-campus (student residence / apartment) | NZ $ 700-1,400 | Usually included in the rental price | Partly included in the rental price |
| Host family (homestay) | NZ $ 680-1,000 | Usually included in the rental price | Partly included in the rental price |
Food costs in New Zealand
The cost of living in New Zealand includes rent and utilities as well as subsistence costs. In the accommodation of the universities, a meal allowance can often be booked as an option. In the case of a host family, the daily food is usually included in the cost. For students in dormitories or shared apartments, it is usually cheaper, but also more time-consuming, to cook for themselves. The exact cost of meals depends on the individual lifestyle.
Despite the remote location of New Zealand, you can easily buy all your daily needs. Regionally produced products, such as dairy products, are usually cheaper. As in Germany, prices for fruit and vegetables are subject to seasonal fluctuations. In some cases, certain products are more expensive due to the higher transport costs or lower purchase sizes on the part of the island state. Imported products, such as cars or electronic devices, are just as expensive as in Australia.
In New Zealand almost all products are taxed with a ” Goods and Services Tax ” (GST). This is currently 15%. Normally the prices include the tax, but to be on the safe side, you should look for the ” incl. GST “.
The average cost for an adult is between NZ $ 70 and NZ $ 100 per week. Our exemplary shopping cart below shows you the average prices for certain foods and regional products:
| Product | Average price in NZ $ |
| Milk (1 liter) | 2.63 |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | 4.88 |
| Bread (500 grams) | 2.52 |
| Water (1.5 liters) | 2.26 |
| Cornflakes (380 grams) | 3.70 |
| Bananas (1 kilo) | 3.13 |
| Cheese from the region (1 kilo) | 9.83 |
| Lamb (1 kilo) | 13.89 |
| Pizza (takeaway) | 10.00 |
