Cost of Living in the New Zealand

Living costs in New Zealand could be anywhere around 20000 to 25000 NZD, but the cost of living in New Zealand also depends on some lifestyle choices and financial management during your stay. There are several costs involved, such as accommodation, food, transport, entertainment, and other Lifestyle-related expenses. As per the government, students should expect the average expense in New Zealand to be 15000 NZD. Students take up part-time jobs and internships to cover their average monthly cost of living in New Zealand. The government website gives a detailed account of the average cost of living in New Zealand. Students must be ready to spend 1250 NZD per month on their living expenses in New Zealand. However, the average expenditure in New Zealand varies from one city to another. Thus one must confirm the university first in order to ascertain the living cost in New Zealand per month. Different universities have given the average monthly expenses in New Zealand. For instance, Victoria University recommends an annual budget of 18000 to 27000 NZD per annum. In comparison, the University of Auckland recommends a yearly budget of 20000 to 25000 NZD, and the Massey University gives a stipulated budget of 15000 to 18000 NZD. It is not a costly place to live, and if you are ready to devote some time to part-time jobs, you can easily cover up your monthly living expenses in New Zealand. While applying for Visa, you must be in the position to provide evidence that you will be able to cover your living expenses in New Zealand. You might get an exemption if someone from your family already staying in New Zealand accept your financial responsibility.

Dunedin is the second-largest city on the southern island with one of the most affordable average cost of living in New Zealand. The place is a hub for students, and you will find a lot of Indian students studying over there. The place is known for or its bars, cafes and other places of interest for students and to top it all the rents are quite reasonable. A 1 BHK apartment will cost around 800-850 New Zealand dollars, and if you take it on a sharing basis, it will considerably lower your living expenses in New Zealand. Hamilton is another Prime location in close proximity with Auckland. With the benefit of low rent and proximity from Auckland, the place has become one of the most sought locations for students as they live close to the business hub without taking a toll on the monthly living expenses in New Zealand. The rent for a 1BHK apartment is around 750-930 New Zealand dollars which is very low when compared to the rates in nearby Auckland. New Plymouth has emerged as a favored destination for students because of its nightlife, close proximity to natural Hotspots, and reasonable apartment renting options. Unfortunately, the cost of living in New Zealand for Indian students depends overly on the rents, and in New Plymouth, the rents are around 800-950 NZD for a 1BHK and 4000 for a 3BHK apartment. Rotorua is a place that is in close proximity with Hamilton, and here, the cost of living and the rent prices are pretty low. This has always been a hub for Indian students because it provides quality education at an affordable cost of living in New Zealand. One should thoroughly check the cities cost of living before finalizing admission.

Auckland is one of the most expensive cities, with average monthly expenses in New Zealand are sky-high. Auckland has one of the highest average cost of living in New Zealand, and it is around 1400 NZD for one person. So everything in Auckland is very expensive, and it can be challenging for you to live there without taking a toll on your finances. Although there are some cities nearby where you can leave and commute daily if you can afford a car. Wellington is New Zealand’s capital does there are reasons for it being one of the most expensive cities in the country. Wellington has one of the highest living costs in New Zealand per month, and it is around 1400 New Zealand dollars for a single person. There has been an upward trend in rents which has adversely affected the average expenditure in New Zealand for students wanting to study there. So if you cannot afford to put substantial monetary sums, you should explore other options than Wellington. Christchurch is another city with high rents and living expenses in New Zealand. On average, a single person has to spend around 1300 NZD for monthly living expenses in New Zealand while residing in Christchurch. Although there is an upside to it, Christchurch is a business town, and those looking for better job opportunities can explore this city for their educational purpose. If you are ready to take a part-time job and have financial backing from your family, then you can manage your average monthly expenses in New Zealand. Queenstown has severe housing problems, and people face the brunt of it in their average expenditure in New Zealand. Students living there have switched to nearby places with affordable living costs. The place is now the least likely to attract more students owing to shrinking living spaces and the high cost of living.

The cost of education in New Zealand depends on a plethora of factors such as the field of study, course duration, location of University, etc. The cost of education is usually around 25000-35000 NZD, varying from one institution to another. The cost of education has a more significant effect on the cost of living in New Zealand for Indian students. For domestic students, the tuition fee is relatively less than for international students. The education cost is more for those courses which are high in demand. For instance, the scope of employability and demand of MBA graduates are higher than life sciences courses, so the fee structure is almost twice or thrice. For engineering graduates to the job, prospects are bright, and one can always be assured of getting a decent job after graduating from a university of New Zealand. The cost incurred in fees has a direct impact on the living expenses in New Zealand. You should do a thorough analysis of the course fee and future prospects in order to ascertain the living cost in New Zealand per month. Students have to spend considerable money every month, roughly amounts to around 1400 NZD or 73526 INR. So selecting an educational institution within your financial capability will always help you in taking care of the monthly living expenses in New Zealand. Those coming to New Zealand on a student visa are allowed to work for 20 hours per week on a part-time basis. The minimum wage is 18.90 NZD per hour. So you can easily earn 400-700 NZD based on your skill set and ability to do work. Students take up part-time jobs to take care of their average expenditure in New Zealand. There are plenty of part-time jobs which will pay you well and ease the burden on your finances.

Students have to pay a considerable amount for their living expenses in New Zealand. The average expense in New Zealand varies from one city to another, primarily driven by utilities, rents, transportation charges, the price of gasoline, etc. Since the average expenditure in New Zealand can be high, and you are expected to give evidence to the government that you will be able to support your life while staying in New Zealand. Another way out is to get a sponsor who can be a friend or someone from a family already living in New Zealand. Cities like Auckland and Wellington, being the business hubs, have better prospects in terms of post-education employment. But, everything is said and done. At the end of the, it’s your financial capability calling the shots because the most important thing is to complete your degree without taking the extra financial burden.

The cost of accommodation amounts to around 70% of the total living expense in New Zealand. Students usually live in shared apartments which help them reduce the average monthly expenses in New Zealand. The rent of a 1BHK apartment starts from 1240 NZD, and it can go up to 1700 NZD in some cities. The average expenditure in New Zealand has seen an upward trend in cities like Auckland, wherein the rents are increasing due to shrinking spaces. Now students are moving to urban hotspots near the metro cities to reduce the burden of rent and manage the average monthly cost of living in New Zealand. While cities like Wellington and Auckland have high accommodation costs, they are manageable if you are ready to take a part-time job. The cost of living in New Zealand is high because of high minimum wages, which is around 16NZD/ hour (when included with tax).

The cost of food items in Tier-1 cities is obviously high than in other cities, with a relatively lower cost of living in New Zealand. However, food items per se aren’t pricey, and if you are ready to cook at home, you can save a ton of money. There is no need to worry about the cost of food items as they are well within a reasonable amount in almost all the parts of the country. But if you have the habit of frequent outings and eating at restaurants, then your average monthly expenses in New Zealand will take a toll on your finances. The government estimates the average expenditure in New Zealand for food, and it is pegged at 100-150 NZD per week. However, the cost of some food items may be high as they are imported and not locally produce.

Most of the cities in New Zealand have a well-developed transport system that helps students commute from one city to another and within the city. The average monthly cost of living in New Zealand can be reduced by using public transport. Cities like Auckland and Wellington have a well-developed network of trains for local commute and available from early morning to late night. Few cities also give discounts to students on public transport passes. However, cities like Wellington offer Electronic Travel passes which are available at discounted prices. The electronic travel pass service is also available in Auckland and Christchurch. Big cities also have a ferry system, but it is restricted to few cities and can’t be accessed in other cities. New Zealand has “Coach” busses for inter-city travels that are available at reasonable prices and can be used when you are planning for an outing. The use of public transport will definitely help you save a lot of monthly living expenses in New Zealand.

Apart from the monthly living expenses in New Zealand, several other expenses have to be taken care of by the students. The cost of living in New Zealand for Indian students can vary depending on the city where they are living. For example, if you live in a tier-1 city, the cost of medical care, stationery, and other related expenses can be more than a tier-2 and tier-3 city. Other expenses also include the cost incurred in travel, buying a new gadget, or any unforeseen situation. There are several ways to save the extra bucks spend as miscellaneous expenses:

• Use public transport
• Use student ID for discounts at public and private places for shopping and traveling.
• Use second-hand bikes or cars if you are planning to buy one.
• You should also rent the flat on a sharing basis as it will help you save a lot on rents and utilities.
• If possible, learn to cook and avoid lunch at restaurants.
• Use study materials from seniors and buy them at discounted prices.
• Use free resources provided by most of the universities.

The tips mentioned above will help you avoid extravagant expenses and keep your average expenditure in New Zealand within the limits of your spending capacity.

The jobs related to nursing and administrative regulations are in top demand. Other jobs like developers, sales representatives, and retail assistants are in high demand. These jobs are well paid and help you live a decent life without worrying about the monthly living expenses in New Zealand.