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Cost Of Living For International Students In New Zealand

To apply for a student visa, the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requires proof that you have at least NZ$10,000 for living expenses for the academic year. However, it is recommended that a single student should in general budget for between NZ$300 and $350 per week for general living expenses; that is NZ$12000- $14000 for the usual non-holiday period from mid-February to mid-November (40 weeks).

Accommodation

Among the options for international students for living in New Zealand, the common ones are

• Homestay: Private Boarding with a family
• Private renting

Homestay/Private Board

What is it?

Living in a homestay means you live with a New Zealand family in their home and are treated as one of the family. Homestays are available throughout cities such in New Zealand in a variety of homes, offering a wide range of living conditions, from families with children to single people living alone.

Who is most suitable for?

This type of accommodation is suitable for individual students and not for students with families. International students under the age of 18 years are encouraged by universities to apply for homestay accommodation.

Who arranges for it?

Several universities use homestay agencies to arrange this type of accommodation for students.

What are the costs involved?

The average costs of homestay may come to around $920 – $960 per month.

Other information:

In certain cities, average weekly fee of NZ$230 could provide for the following:

• Fully furnished apartment which includes a desk, chair, bed, storage and heating facilities. Some features may vary from location to location.
• Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Bathroom and laundry facilities
• Power and telephone rental
• Internet charges may be extra

Private Renting

Some students choose to live off-campus in privately rented houses or ‘flats’ in the surrounding suburbs close to universities.

What is it?

When you rent a property or a room in a property that you share with other students (as a ‘flat mate’) you will be responsible for providing your own furniture, paying your rent and your share of the monthly bills (for example electricity, gas, phone, internet), cooking your own meals and doing your own laundry.

What are the costs involved?

Depending on the number of rooms in the flat, rent for one room usually costs between $75 and $100 per week, plus expenses such as utility bills and food.

Where to search for private renting?

There are several ways you can search for a suitable property to rent. One can make use of local newspapers, websites and property management agencies.

Other information:

Be advised that you should view the property personally before signing up anywhere. It is important to note that most flats have 52 week leases and many properties come unfurnished so you will need to factor this in to your budget.

Additional costs:

• Set-up Costs: There could be expenses up front when you first move in to your flat, including buying furniture as some flats are unfurnished. You may need to buy a bed, desk, couch, appliances, etc.

• Bond (up to 4 weeks rent payable up front)

• Various ‘connection fees’ e.g. power, phone, internet.

• Weekly Costs: The following would be the average weekly budget per person living in a flat of three in a New Zealand city (on a 52 week lease).

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