To get the best possible experience using our website we recommmend that you upgrade to a newer version or other web browser. IE8 is no longer supported. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below. Click on the links to get to the download page.
New Zealand is an affordable place to live, compared to other English-speaking countries. The annual “Mercer Cost of Living Survey” (which includes accommodation costs) ranks London at 12th most expensive city in the world, New York at 16th, Sydney at 31st, and most other Australian cities more expensive than Auckland, at 61st. (And it is cheaper in cities outside of Auckland!)
Have a look at Mercer's website.
As an international student, you must be able to show that you have available NZ$1,250 per month or NZ$15,000 per year to support yourself without working. Read more here.
That is, about NZ$250 - $350 per week, and is a good guide for how much it actually costs to live. (See examples below.)
To get your Student Visa, you will have already had to pay for Travel and Medical insurance for your stay, and any accidents are covered by our Accident Compensation Commission. (ACC)
Students who are entitled to work while studying, can work for 20 hours/week during study periods (~ 38 weeks) and full-time during vacations (~14 weeks), and a one year Post Study Work Visa (Open) has no limit on the hours worked.
Basic Costs for a single student (estimated average range for Auckland)
Flatting or private shared accommodation | (per week) |
Furnished room: | NZ$130 - $220 |
plus Internet, power, water: | NZ$30 - $40 |
Food (supermarket shopping): | NZ$70 - $100 |
Transport: | NZ$0 - $30 |
Phone: | NZ$0 - $5 |
TOTAL | NZ$230 - $395 |
By comparison, some students prefer to stay in Homestay, which includes all accommodation costs, and all meals except weekday lunches. The cost ranges from $235-250 per week – transport and phone would be extra.)
Basic Costs for a family (estimated average range for Auckland)
Flatting or private shared accommodation | (per week) |
Furnished room: | NZ$160 - $260 |
plus Internet, power, water: | NZ$40 - $60 |
Food (supermarket shopping): | NZ$160 - $200 |
Transport: | NZ$0 - $60 |
Phone: | NZ$0 - $4 |
TOTAL | NZ$360 - $620 |
Some other expenses you may wish to consider:
Description | Estimated price |
Laundry | NZ$5 - $20 |
Burger Combo meal | NZ$10 - $15 |
Restaurant Meal | NZ$15 - $40 |
Takeaway pizza | NZ$5 - $15 |
Potato chip | NZ$2 - $5 |
Chocolate Bar | NZ$2 - $5 |
Espresso Coffee | NZ$4 - $5 |
Milk (per litre) | NZ$2.5 |
Shampoo | NZ$5 - $25 |
Toothpaste | NZ$3 - $10 |
Movie Ticket | NZ$10 - $25 |
Haircut (Male) | NZ$10 - $50 |
Haircut (Female) | NZ$25 - $100 |
Wine | NZ$10 - $30 |
Description | Annual Estimate |
Entertainment | NZ$1,000 |
Clothing | NZ$1,500 |
For more examples, have a look at https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/auckland and at
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=New+Zealand